Any idea where I can find normal sized shoes in Tokyo?

[Admiral Kelvinator]

I've been in Tokyo a week now gawking at denim etc. and while it is a fantastic city, I'm really regretting not bringing a pair of comfortable walking shoes. The only pair of boots that I brought are starting to come apart at the seams and my feet are killing me! However, most of the Tokyo shoe stores I've been into only stock sizes up to 9 1/2 which is a full size to small for me. Does anyone know of any good sneaker stores that carry Vans, Converse or other Japanese brands (not Bape

) in larger sizes? Also, what sizing scale do the Japanese use? What would an American 10.5 translate into? EDIT: This should have been in SW&D but I would also appreciate suggestions for comfortable leather shoes as well

 

[tokyodandy]

Originally Posted by Admiral Kelvinator

Also, what sizing scale do the Japanese use? What would an American 10.5 translate into?
Can't help you with the stores I'm afraid. Japan uses a centimetre scale for shoe sizes; I am typically a 26.5 or 27, for example. Above 27.5 or maybe 28 you get a dramatic fall-off in availability.

See here for conversion:
http://www.safariquip.co.uk/i_shoe_sizes.html

TD

 

[countcount]

BC Mart is quite ubiquitous http://www.abc-mart.com/index.html Although you may not speak Japanese you can look at the website and remember their logo. They are quite common around the major train stations. I have purchased larger shoes there in the past, though as tokyodandy mentions, there was limited selection.

 

[geoff]

BC mart really only goes up to a 28 or 28.5 which I think may be a 10.5 in US. Near Gotanda station on the JR Yamanote line is a place called Hikari Shoes or Big B Shoes (interchangeable). They carry up to a US size 16 or something, although they do charge more. http://www.hikari-shoes.co.jp/zenglish.htm If you need detailed directions, email me. They carry all sorts of sneakers, Japanese brands, Clarks, Italian shoes, etc...

 

[Sam Hober]

It has been years since I was in Tokyo but in Shibuya not far up from the immigration office and Tower records is a Clark shoe store.

Take a look and let us know what you find.

 

[Kuro]

Originally Posted by tokyodandy

Can't help you with the stores I'm afraid. Japan uses a centimetre scale for shoe sizes; I am typically a 26.5 or 27, for example. Above 27.5 or maybe 28 you get a dramatic fall-off in availability.

See here for conversion:
http://www.safariquip.co.uk/i_shoe_sizes.html

TD

+1, I am size 27.5/28 and whenever I am in Japan at least 50% of the time something that I want to buy is sold out in my size...

 

[ferry1950]

There is also a "big and tall" shop in the Ginza.
In reality, the shop just offers somewhat larger sizes that would fit say a slightly larger average American.
At 6'5" 225 pounds, they had nothing there that came close to fitting me!
ghw

 

[Twotone]

"Normal" = average -- you can find them in Tokyo or any other market.

What you are looking for are shoes larger than "normal" for Tokyo. Try Zappos and have them shipped to you.

Twotone