The " ISETAN MEN'S Buyer's blog ," written by buyers at ISETAN MEN'S , is a series that shares the behind-the-scenes story of how products are planned and displayed in stores, in the buyers' own words. It will provide insights into the manufacturing process, which is usually not visible to the public, through a blog format.

This time, we feature Madoka Kimura, the buyer for underwear, socks, and nightwear on the first basement floor of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , is seeing an increasing number of customers who prioritize materials and comfort. To meet these demands, we traveled from Nara to Wakayama to pursue "Isetan Men's Essential," a collection of high-quality, basic items that complement everyday life. This report details the experiences gained at the sock planning and sweatshirt development sites.


This 2-night, 3-day business trip to Nara and Wakayama is a journey to deepen our understanding of "good manufacturing" by listening to customer feedback and working alongside our business partners. Day 1 is a report from our main destination in Nara Prefecture, Mioka Textile.

Mioka Textile is the factory that produces ISETAN MEN'S ISETAN MEN'S brand (PB) and best-selling high-gauge business socks.

► View the " ISETAN MEN'S Business Socks" list

Essential ribbed socks that leverage the strengths of the brand and factory.

Ever since I took over the underwear department, I've always wanted to create "ribbed socks" as a fashion item, leveraging the strengths of CHICSTOCKS , a popular sock brand at ISETAN MEN'S , and combining them with the meticulous, high-level technology of Mioka Textile. I proposed this initiative, and a business trip accompanied by Mr. Someya from CHICSTOCKS was realized.

► View the " CHICSTOCKS Casual Socks" list

We aim to launch this product in Spring/Summer 2026, and we will carefully consider the thickness, length, and yarn variations of the socks.
Our attention to thickness contributes to how the socks match shoes and their overall comfort, while our meticulous attention to the type and color of the yarn contributes to the impression of your feet. It is the accumulation of these small details that finally results in a pair of socks that we are truly satisfied with.
The time we spent discussing each other's preferences was a great learning experience for me as well.

Once the business negotiations are over, we'll finally move inside the factory.
From the latest knitting machines to older ones that are now almost impossible to find anywhere else, everything was neatly managed, and I was overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it all.



I was surprised to learn that sock knitting machines require much more care and effort to produce than clothing knitting machines, as the needles are thin and delicate, and dust, temperature, and humidity are all carefully controlled.


Here, we discussed the details of the knit fabric and texture. Ms. Umemoto is someone who can immediately articulate how things will change depending on the type of yarn and the adjustments to the knitting machine, and she is a trusted person in this field due to her extensive knowledge. When I asked, "Can you make this part have this kind of finish?", she responded with concrete solutions, and I realized that even with the same knitting machine, it's not possible to create something that can't be made by someone with knowledge and experience, and that technical skill is essential for manufacturing.

I'm looking forward to having a sample made based on this request.


Then, I had the opportunity to see Mioka Textile's iconic technique, "hand linking." I was left breathless as I watched up close the highly skilled and delicate process of connecting each stitch of the sock's toe by hand.

The final inspection is also meticulous, with each shoe being placed in a mold and visually checked for any misaligned threads or waviness. This commitment to not cutting corners on processes that are often skipped in an attempt to maximize efficiency gives me a glimpse into the very essence of craftsmanship.


Seeing firsthand the amount of effort and skill put into each pair of socks, I realized that this meticulousness will surely be appreciated by our customers. Please look forward to the day when these "essential" ribbed socks, packed with the dedication of all three parties, will be available at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .


Day one of our journey to create "Essential," the product that best reflects our customers' voices, from the same perspective as everyone on the ground. Besides Mioka Textile, we had several other meaningful visits that will lead to future projects and initiatives. We hope to report back once things start to take shape.

Next, we'll bring you the report from day two. Stay tuned!