My trip to Japan-Koji Suzuki bespoke Fitting

[the.chikor]

I figured I would try Koji and see how his shoes come out-what the hell, can't be any worse than what I have experienced. I flew to Kobe several months ago for the measurements, and just got back from the fitting. Overall, I am impressed. I showed up, he took out the shoes, told me to put them on and leave the shop. I walked around outside the shop and came back in-he laughed and told me to come back in a few hours to see how they fit. This was a little bit different than the Dimitri Gomez experience-who flipped out when I tried to walk outside the shop on the sidewalk! I walked around for about an hour-which I felt was ample time to get and idea of what changes needed to be made. He inspected the shoes, took out the pen and marked up every area where he found a deficiency-either too loose or too tight. Amazingly, he hit the mark pretty much spot on. This was nice, I didn't get the "how do they feel" question followed by excuses. He then took the shoes apart in the toe box areas with an "exacto" knife. I must say, the fit was impressive, but I have fallen prey to this sense of false security before, with other makers. Thus, when the shoe is complete, I will comment on the fitting. Koji is very humble-a pleasure to deal with and appears to be "the real deal." The final shoes will take a while to finish. Anyway, until then, here are some photos to look at.

 

[the.chikor]

Some more pics

 

[Toiletduck]

button boots? can't wait to see finished product!

 

[the.chikor]

Here are some more.

 

[the.chikor]

Originally Posted by Toiletduck

button boots? can't wait to see finished product!

Yeah, but I had a zip installed on the inside of the boot-no way in hell was I going to spend 20 minutes putting the damned things on.

 

[binge]

Yes, but was the knife he used on the shoes a Shun?

 

[the.chikor]

Originally Posted by binge

Yes, but was the knife he used on the shoes a Shun?

No, a Kasumi I think.

 

[outline]

nice pictures

 

[acidboy]

keep us posted

 

[Alter]

Fantastic! Did you go to his workshop in Shin-Nagata or is that the tailor shop on Rokko Island he works out of?

 

[the.chikor]

Originally Posted by Alter

Fantastic! Did you go to his workshop in Shin-Nagata or is that the tailor shop on Rokko Island he works out of?

Kobe-


> *************************************************
> Tailor Ishida, Kobe
> Hiroshi Ishidahara
>
> Kobe Fashion Mart 1F, 6-9,
> Koyocho-naka, Higashinada,
> 658-0032 Kobe
> Japan

 

[Alter]

Thanks! That is Rokko Island. I was curious about the location of his workshop as I heard it is fairly near to where I live.

Hope you enjoyed your time in Kobe. Not sure if you are coming back this way but if you need any tips please feel free to pm. I have lived in Kobe for 11 years.

 

[the.chikor]

Originally Posted by Alter

Thanks! That is Rokko Island. I was curious about the location of his workshop as I heard it is fairly near to where I live.

Hope you enjoyed your time in Kobe. Not sure if you are coming back this way but if you need any tips please feel free to pm. I have lived in Kobe for 11 years.

I figured that, but wasn't sure. Thus, I justed posted the address. This was my second time there, so I kind of have it down now-Hotel, JR lines, local lines, etc. But, I sure could have used your help a few months back! My GF's family lives in Tokyo, so they were really helpful to a point, but they aren't too fimilar with Kobe, neither was my GF. So, the first trip was kind of an adventure. I don't plan on going back, but you never know.

On a side note, I tried a shoe repair shop in Aoyama-Union Works I believe it was called. They are good-far superior to anything that I have seen out here on the West Coast. I left some shoes with them to repair-they finished one pair while I was there, and still have another three pairs to finish. I would highly recommend them.

 

[ccffm1]

Thanks for the report, the.chikor. I hope so much you´ll be having more luck with your Koji order.

 

[Kuro]

Thanks for the photos and the report. Perhaps it is the magic of photography, but the last for these makes the shoes seem much smaller than the rest of your shoes... Did you take the drive up Rokko Mt.? Beautiful views.