|
Browse Search Frugal Japan Family For Editors Contact |
Shoe CareTopics: Shoes Once you've found a good pair of shoes, it's vital to keep them in good shape. Fortunately, Japan is blessed with an abundance of shoe repair shops, many of them conveniently located in subway stations, outside large supermarkets, or tucked in small shops. Even department store shoe departments can point you in the right direction. To do a "Frugal Shoe Check," take off your shoes, and look at them at eye level. Are the heels worn down in a particular way (usually to the right or left)? Is the top stiching worn or broken? Is the leather fading or torn? Are the toes scuffed? A good shoe repair shop can address all of these concerns. I resole my two workhorse pairs of shoes every year, usually for about 700-Y800 yen a pair. I've had my favorite red leather loafers restiched and colored, recovering another two years' worth of wear for 1600 yen. Finally, I even had an old pair of black pumps made over -- resoled, leather siding on the heel replaced, toe restiched and burnished to a fine shine. At 2800 yen, that was an expensive shoe repair, but still 1/5th of the cost of a new pair of shoes. In short, paying a little for maintenance of shoes seems (for me at least) to lengthen their lifespan significantly. In the end, it's a question of cost. Buying a pair of shoes in Japan might cost twice what the same pair would cost at home. If you are headed home already and can purchase appopriate shoes in a limited amount of time (no impluse buying), then by all means go ahead. But for those without that option, taking a look at the domestic choices might not be a bad idea. WJ << Shipping Large Items | Index | Shoes.com >> |