These Boots Are Made For Walking (in Japan)
“These Boots Are Made For Walking”, an infamous country-pop song first recorded by Nancy Sinatra in 1966 is an apt title for today’s entry.
One would be surprised at the amount of walking you will do while in Japan. Don’t let the metro system, trains, rails and numerous buses fool you. While Japan is infamous for its most efficient handling of the traffic resultant of its millions of citizens, visitors to the “Land of the Rising Sun” often find themselves walking more than they ever thought possible.
So what to do? Why, go shoe shopping of course!
I was actually advised before I took my trip to Japan that I would need to find comfortable shoes in which to peruse the city streets of Tokyo, as well as the rural areas of cities like Nara and Kyoto. So off I went with a head full of information and absolutely no real clue as to what to look for.
While I’m no shoe “diva” like other members of my family (sorry Mom and Sis), I have been known to be wowed by a cute pair of strappy slip-ons or whatnot. My search began at a department store where I was immediately bowled over by the power of these..
Common sense and my consultant’s words prevailed, however, so I turned tail and ran to the “Walking Shoe” section. Walking shoes, I am told, have a lot of arch support, are made in such a way as to lessen rubbing against the heels, and are also built to keep the body in constant balance during prolonged walking activity. Huh?!?!
So I looked at tons and tons of walking shoes, like the ones pictured above. Every person I spoke with had lots of advice and their own special picks. One guy even told me I’d need special socks to go with my walking shoes so that they fit properly and soaked up any sweat (ewwwww).
All I knew is that I needed comfy shoes that wouldn’t have me crying like a baby over blisters, bumps and bruises once I returned to my lodging each night. Strappy slip-ons were out. Stilettos were a no-no, and I’d had enough of “walking shoe” talk. Instead I went to the section where regular people buy regular sneakers and picked a pair of sleek, black tennis shoes that immediately caught my eye. I slipped them on and took my time about walking around the store in them to be sure of the fit and comfort. (Okay, you caught me…I was walking around shopping).
I opted for shoes that had a nice, tight grip especially through the arch of my foot. They were slip-ons which made it easy putting them on and taking them off (which you might do a lot of in Japan). Although the shoes were black which, of course, is a color that holds in heat, the upper portions were a breathable mesh-type material that stretched easily and made for a very comfortable fit. Lastly, the shoe was a name-brand and semi-expensive which made me a little more worry-free over whether or not they were quality shoes.
And there you have it. While it might be prudent to get the advice of a professional such as those who work in specialty shoe stores like Hibbetts, Footlocker or other sports related stores, I pretty much stuck with what I knew. I know my own feet and what makes them happy. And trust me, they were not disappointed with my choice.
As I contemplate my next trip to Japan, I again visit the whole “what kind of shoe shall I take with me” situation. I believe I’ll stick with my tried and true method and opt once more to make sure I have shoes that fit well and are comfortable and well made. I prefer to stick with something slip-on as the less shoestrings and straps and such I have to deal with, the better. The more breathable the shoe is, the happier I will be. And lastly, I’ll stick with a brand known for its longevity and ability to take wear and tear.
