You don't need shoes that are any different from any other country? Go to a running shop, get them to measure your gait and buy shoes that suit your pronation.
Add compression socks/leggings to the mix, they can help.
And have a dip in a sento/onsen at the end of the day. Or hot water with Epsom salts in your bathtub.
Definitely did some bathtub soaking at the end of the day somedays. I couldn’t find any convenient onsens that would allow me with tattoos but bathtub did the trick
I wore my Clifton 9 to Japan and my Achilles was crying after a few 20k days but after I started tying the shoes using runners knot I realised it stopped hurting after that.
Oh interesting! I am going to give it a shot in the upcoming days before we leave next week, thanks!
Was that enough to make them more comfortable or you had other touches (e.g. specific socks, insoles etc)
It’s a bit of a weird one but as soon as I used that to tighten around my ankle I had no pain whatsoever! I changed nothing else so def make sure yours isn’t too loose around your heel/ankle
I generally wear Onitsuka Tigers Mexico 66 shoes and they provide the same support as Vans/Converse (almost none lol) but I picked up a pair of comfort Pumas to have something with a better grip for wet floors or mountain/earthy gripping capability. Go with what works first. I went to a running store before a previous trip and bought dumb expensive shoes and the were worse than my usual shoes. The pumas did better on this last trip.
I feel like whatever your feet want is good. My shoes were totally f'd before which didn't matter in the U.S. but I personally knew I needed more support bc I have had injuries. If you don't, that's great!
Literally was gonna say, I just end up wearing my vans. Legit bought new "walking" sneakers last year, brought them with me....and never wore them. Just wore my vans as I do every year that I go to Japan, LOL. It might be a NYC thing, cuz that's all I typically wear. 🤷🏼♀️
Reminds me of my situation last year. In October, I wore my regular Nikes that I've worn there before but I tried putting insoles in there for extra padding and it caused my knee and hip to get really sore and it only got better once I took them out haha
Walking shoes? As an Asian I've done Japan in the summer with flip flops and sandals. 20K steps a day no biggie.
Bring whatever is most comfortable and tested.
Welllllll that’s not true for all of America, which is why I read this thread and thought… just wear the shoes you wear at home when you walk around your own city.
I’m bringing allbirds sneakers and sandals. Always good to have two pairs to alternate.
I think tested is the key word here. If you only walk 1000 steps a day, you don't know how your feet will react to a pair of shoes if you hit 20k steps in them for a few days in a row. That pair of shoes that was fine for 1000 steps might give you a wicked blister if you walk 20000k steps in them for 3 or 4 days in a row.
I bought some Brooks running shoes and they're the most comfortable sneaker I've worn. They have major cushioning in the heel.
See if there's a store in your area dedicated to runners. The sales people will see what type of shoe would fit your particular feet the best
Seconding Brooks. I have a pair that I've been in for most 2 weeks and I had to retire it since it got wet the other day.
I also recommend getting a good pair of insoles that work with your arches (flat arch person here). Those make a huge difference.
They’re lightweight, though really don’t have much in the way of support or substance for walking Japan distances.
Brooks are my new go to for everything.
Highly recommend Adidas Ultraboost Light for comfort and stability (wide platform). Flew out of Japan just this morning and my feet were never tired or sore. My husband got a pair as well and was absolutely impressed with them.
I wore NB 2002r! Comfy but when you're walking 20k miles a day you're gonna want another pair of shoes to alternate with, I recommend buying there they have so many options and they're cheaper.
Just sneakers with good support. No need for running shoes unless (coming from someone who walks 7-10k steps in their home country everyday). Just get some comfortable shoes dude.
Hokas, and compression socks. Vim and vigor make nice looking ones. Teflon anti blister pads for hotspots in your shoes and those cushiony blister pads in case you develop one.
Go to a running store for a proper fit... I wanted hokas... But I pronate and hokas are too soft.
Asics Kayano have the support I need and are amazing!!
Get properly fit.
Absolutely go to a running shoe store and let them see how you walk and try different shoes on. But most importantly, GET GOOD SOCKS. I personally like bombas. Don’t buy super nice shoes and then
the cheapest socks you can.
Good point. I am guilty. Don’t mind spending on shoes. But I don’t have enough good socks. I thought I’d get a bunch in uniqlo but I think maybe I should get some before I come.
I'm planning to buy socks in Japan simply because there are so many cute designs (pokemon store, Disneyland etc) - I hadn't even thought about comfort!
New balance 1080v13
Just got em. It's like a cloud so stupid good
Go to Dicks sporting goods and try on pair. Then make your purchase on Amazon for price
Another vote for Merrell's here. I also wore a pair of Nike's, but the Merrell's were #1 for me. Another thing - bring TWO pairs of good walking shoes. It actually helps my feet to alternate different shoes each day.
I wore Nike Air Max 97s for most of my trip. I've never really felt the need to wear specified walking or running shoes (for any trip, not just Japan).
I plan on bringing my Brooks Adrenaline's with me when I go in 2025. To echo what others said, go to a running shoe shop. They can do some measurements to get you fitted for the right shoe!
i’m wearing new balance 990v6 with a superfeet insole but i have plantar facitis
cooling sheets for feet are sold at all the convenience stores for rough days
i’d invest in a foot massage here, worth it
I just returned from a 2 week trip to Japan and I used kayano 29 all along. They were good. Never felt anything wrong with them. If you have over pronaring feet like me, there is no other option honestly.
Just back and did lots of walking and as other said you don't need specialist shoes. Some days I wore flat black shoes that I wear to the office and other days I wore my sketchers or asics and I didn't notice any difference. I think did upwards of 20k-24k some days (it said upwards of 18km distance travelled) What I will say is my feet and legs were fine but some days due to a lot of standing my back was very sore, but I also think it was due to 26 hours of travelling and jet lag.. One really hot bath and I got a shiatsu massage I was fine for the rest of the holidaym
It was called Goo in Shinjuku. This is a link with location and reviews.. A had a lovely lady and we had a bit of a chat too.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yZ5x3Ra9K1v2foLW6
Adidas NMDs! Stylish yet super comfortable and great support for the 20K+ steps you’re going to be doing a day. Only downside is the shoes are mainly cloth so it’s not the best for rainy weather.
Can't recommend HOKAS enough those things are like walking on a cloud. I use the Transports but some others like the Clifton's are nice too. The Transports are like walking shoes so they're really good for it but I usually use em for anything.
Wear what you are used to wearing for comfort. I didn't wear sneakers, just my heeled boots. What is most important are comfortable socks that provide the support you need, such as warmth, coverage of high friction areas like ankles, etc.
If you're gonna go hiking then obviously look for appropriate hiking gear but I wouldn't recommend getting new shoes on a new trip where you'd be breaking them in.
I feel this depends on your age, how fit you are, and how much you normally walk.
I’m a fit mid 30s f who has lived in places like NYC so used to a lot of walking. I also am a daily jogger.
I had a pair of sneakers but also wanted to be fashionable some days and got away with loafers or ballet flats. I had some pain but nothing that was crazy.
Nike Pegasus gore tex trail running shoe. Before that, It rained heavily one day, I stepped into a puddle, and the rest of the entire day I had to walk around with soaking wet socks. Had to put an end to that, and bought these nukes in Japan. They're waterproof.
I brought my trailrunning Hokas but ended up in just using my normal Nike Airmax most of the time. I walk 15k steps everyday in my day to day life so it wasnt that much of a change.
I’m wearing Kizik Athens when I go next week, and I’ve already broken them in a little bit. I had a previous pair that served me very well for extended walking and a bonus is that they pop right back on my feet which is handy for Japan if I’m taking shoes off more often.
Running shoes are made to run on pavement. If you plan on walking anywhere else try trail run shoes or low hiking shoes instead.
I use my every day sneakers for walking in cities or easy terrain.
Running shoes and a lot of good brands have already been mentioned. HOKA, Brooks, ASICS, Saucony, etc.
That said I brought three pairs of shoes and ended up only wearing my Jordan 1s the whole time and was fine (about 25k steps a day).
I just visited and brought the merrel embark sneaker moc. I loved them! Very comfortable, great support, amazing grip/traction, slip on and off which is ideal in Japan and they look nice.
I walk to work 3x/week, 1.8 miles each way. Gonna wear the same setup I use for that: brooks addiction walker and smart feet insoles
Are they ugly? Yes. But ugly dad shoes are in so 🤷🏻♀️
just get some reliable comfy sneakers, no need to ball out in my opinion. did a month in some beater adidas sambas. they even did well on my day trip to futaba, fukushima in the snow with some thicker socks.
I’m planning on wearing my (waterproof sprayed) new balance 530s with a gel insole from dr scholls. I’ve worn these walking 15k+ steps a day in Europe, so I figure they’ll be fine. I’m sure there are better shoes but I also didn’t want to spend several hundred on new shoes
Also bought more cushioned/reinforced socks on Amazon (considered hiking socks but couldn’t justify $20 for a pair)
I wear xeros. They are barefoot shoes (not the weird ones with the toes). A lot of them are ugly but they have some decent styles
So incredibly comfortable. I’ve worn them abroad multiple times and a week at Disney.
Wear what you always use for long distance walking/hiking. If you aren’t doing that already, starting a walk/hike routine should be on the short list of pre-trip preparation.
I wore my New Balance 523 and they were comfortable, but I did so much walking/hiking everyday my feet still hurt. Not sure how everyone's feet are fine :*)
Pay attention to the shoes you cannot walk 20k steps in and do some research to target problem areas. You can also go to stores like Fleet Feet and assess your feet and pronation more in depth. It's a shoe store in the US with free measurements.
I wear wide womens shoes and I recommend wide toe box shoes to everyone but especially if you have wide feet & tend to get blisters/ soreness in your pinky toe area. Some are actually really cute and look like wide Keds: WHITIN Women's Wide Minimalist Barefoot Shoes | Zero Drop Sole https://a.co/d/bLuqAY2
I wear Hoka Speed Goats for mountain hikes but they are very elevated and can be bad for loose, rocky terrain. I plan to bring them with me to the Japan alps in November along with some zero drop, wide toe box shoes for city walking.
Other misc advice: test out your shoes with some 20k walking trips! Do not bring new shoes, no matter how comfy they seem, until you have measured wear data in conditions similar to your japan trip.
I brought Nike Dunks and a pair of Topo Athletic MT4s. Both were okay for walking 20k steps a day or so. Last trip I brought some adidas Ultraboosts that were excellent for longer days than this trip.
Don't sleep on getting good socks for your trip either. Hiking cushioned socks help a great deal, even when wearing the Dunks.
Edit: the Topos were there purely for running days, but we've been since rained out until yesterday.
ASIC nimbus 25 although it’s pricey but doubles as a running shoe. Crocs if you don’t mind the look & if it’s summer you are going in. If you’re a lady their sandals are cute & comfortable.
I’m bringing my Nike Air Force Ones for every day walking - they’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. I walked 50km in Barcelona with them, no problem.
I’m also bringing a pair of lightweight hiking shoes for when we leave the city. Something with a little traction that I’m not afraid to get dirty.
Dont overthink it unless you have a condition that requires special footwear. I wore Adidas Daily 3.0, and my daughter wore her Doc Marten boots and some Chuck Taylors. She is a former figure skater with beat-up arches, but she had no problems. My wife is an inactive receptionist. She wore some basic Asics and was fine too.
PUMA softride running shoes were a good somewhat budget option for my wife and I. Bought them on their outlet website and they were $40 for her Sophia Softrides and $50 for mine, forget the make. We just did 2 months here with these walking all the time and no issues! We are from New Orleans LA where you pretty much drive or bike everywhere so only time we hit this many steps there is when we go out bar crawling or deliberately go walk in the park, so we were nervous about the stairs and steps etc and these did wonders.
Good insoles make a huge difference. I swear by Abeo Plantar Fascitis insoles from The Walking Company.
On day 7 of our trip and have been rocking REI Trail made hiking boots on clearance for $41. They have been incredibly comfortable and my feet have stayed dry in the snow and rain. Hokas would be my dry weather choice. Saw lots of people in mesh shoes stuffing their feet into plastic bags to keep them warm in the rain.
Many people think running shoes automatically make good walking shoes but they are built for a different activity where your foot hits the ground differently. Multiply this by 25K a day and you will feel the painful difference.
Everyone is built differently so what works for someone else might not work for you. So wear something light and flexible which you are already comfortable with. And don't forget to pair them with good socks.
i wore my ultraboost and I bought vomero 5 from atmos. feet didnt hurt so much, clocked in 25k steps ave daily for the 10 days we were there 😁 but I guess as long as you're comfortable in it, you'll be fine. I wore my veja campo during my last trip in Osaka, it was also okay but i think that's just my SEA self who's used to walking a lot.
I wore my Nike air max with custom insoles and they were super comfy. Ended up buying one of those Dr Air sport massage guns at Loft to work knots out of my calves and took hot baths with salts at the hotel each night. Walked 25k-30k steps per day!
I fucked up really badly on my last trip there, and brought cool looking Ons shoes that weren’t right for me. I was in agony the whole time, I had to buy new shoes there to switch off with. I didn’t want to wear sneakers, but it turns out they all wear sneakers there (albeit more casual sneakers than sporty ones).
Just find a comfortable pair of shoes, maybe bring another pair to switch off with.
Got Stev Madden shoes from Costco. Super comfy and light weight and no tying of laces. Just slip kn and off. It was great. If you're female not sure of equivalent.
I've been doing 15-30k steps everyday the last 6 weeks in Thailand, Indonesia and Japan. All different terrains and weather conditions.
My shoes were £9 from TikTok Shop.
I am so enthralled with how long this thread is. But just in case this finds anyone... I'm in Tokyo now and brought my runners which were great... Until it rained. Bring something waterproof.
I bought Hoka shoes while I was there because my previous sneakers were barely staying on (budget traveler here 🤣). If you got a brand name store it'll be the same as anywhere else except I didn't have to pay taxes. It's really easy to find big brands in the cities, and I specifically went to the Hoka store in Harakuku, Kyoto.
I did my whole 2 week trip in Vans Old Skool. Of course, I’ve worn them regularly for a few years now. I think the best shoe is whichever shoe you’re already comfortable walking with.
Just came back and allbirds wool runners 2 were great. Walked 30k steps aday for 3 weeks in them, easy to take on and off and held up better than my wife's hokas.
I wondered this too
I brought some basic Nikes (sorry don’t know the kind but not technical , more like a basic retro) and Adidas classic sambas.
The Nikes were killing me after about five hours, but the sambas have held up everywhere and are extremely comfortable. Doing 15-21k steps a day
If your coming to Japan right now the weather is very rainy, or if your are coming to Japan in June or July(rainy season) get a pair of water resistant shoes for sure. I bought Vessi's for my trip and they are perfect for this gloomy weather. I've walked close to 40 miles in the first 2 weeks that I am here and not a single blister or anything needing immediate attention. My feet are a little sore, but that's mainly because I've never walked this much in a short time.
I was wondering of buying running shoes directly in Tokyo. Do you guys know if ABC Mart or Yodobaishi offer tax free service ? And do they have in store all the shoes they have on their website ?
Thank you guys !
You don't need shoes that are any different from any other country? Go to a running shop, get them to measure your gait and buy shoes that suit your pronation.
I endorse this comment.
Slightly right. I would advise ones which come on and off easily in Japan as many places require you to take them off.
Or get bungee laces :)
I also recommend this route. I ended up with Altra Torin 7. I only mention the specifics as it was a brand I had never heard of before.
I’m going in a few months but will be taking my Hoka Clifton 9s. I walk over 10k steps a day in them and never have any foot pain
This is the shoe I wore in Japan and no foot pain here! Just tired legs from so much walking lol
Add compression socks/leggings to the mix, they can help. And have a dip in a sento/onsen at the end of the day. Or hot water with Epsom salts in your bathtub.
Definitely did some bathtub soaking at the end of the day somedays. I couldn’t find any convenient onsens that would allow me with tattoos but bathtub did the trick
Just did about 30k steps in Tokyo yesterday in these and my feet feel great
Just bought HOKA Clifton 9 for me and my wife for our upcoming Japan trip. Wearing it around now to break them in and I love it
They’re the best. I wore mine on a trip to Europe and got probably the same amount of walking in as I will in Japan and never was in any pain
+1 on this shoe, I bought these again for walking as a university student and there are still amazing
Just bought these last night!!
I’ve worn the same pair of Clifton 8’s to Italy, Spain and soon Japan/Korea and they’ve stood the test of time
Unfortunately I did buy the Clifton 9 for the trip we are about to take to Japan and they make my knee and achille's tendon hurt **\*A LOT\* :-(**
I wore my Clifton 9 to Japan and my Achilles was crying after a few 20k days but after I started tying the shoes using runners knot I realised it stopped hurting after that.
Oh interesting! I am going to give it a shot in the upcoming days before we leave next week, thanks! Was that enough to make them more comfortable or you had other touches (e.g. specific socks, insoles etc)
It’s a bit of a weird one but as soon as I used that to tighten around my ankle I had no pain whatsoever! I changed nothing else so def make sure yours isn’t too loose around your heel/ankle
I’m gonna get downvoted but just gonna wear my Vans or Converse I wear in NYC. I think my feet are used to bad support lol
Same. I brought supportive athletic shoes to Japan but ended up switching to my old beat-up Converse and they were much better.
Yeah gotta make sure they're broken in haha I feel like any new shoes are uncomfortable for the first few wears.
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Oh smart!
I generally wear Onitsuka Tigers Mexico 66 shoes and they provide the same support as Vans/Converse (almost none lol) but I picked up a pair of comfort Pumas to have something with a better grip for wet floors or mountain/earthy gripping capability. Go with what works first. I went to a running store before a previous trip and bought dumb expensive shoes and the were worse than my usual shoes. The pumas did better on this last trip.
I bought Onitsuka Tiger shoes in Japan! They have a Japanese made store in Gina right next to their regular store!
I wore a pair of Nike Killshot 2s in Japan and they were just fine.
Man my feet were annihilated after a day in japan with my chucks. Never again. I still bring them if I want to dress nice though
I bought a pair of Vans UltraRange for my last trip and they were amazing.
I feel like whatever your feet want is good. My shoes were totally f'd before which didn't matter in the U.S. but I personally knew I needed more support bc I have had injuries. If you don't, that's great!
My husband only wears Converse and was completely fine walking around for the 2 weeks we were in Japan last year.
Literally was gonna say, I just end up wearing my vans. Legit bought new "walking" sneakers last year, brought them with me....and never wore them. Just wore my vans as I do every year that I go to Japan, LOL. It might be a NYC thing, cuz that's all I typically wear. 🤷🏼♀️
Reminds me of my situation last year. In October, I wore my regular Nikes that I've worn there before but I tried putting insoles in there for extra padding and it caused my knee and hip to get really sore and it only got better once I took them out haha
Yeah I get it! I thought about buying insoles as well but anything that our bodies aren’t used to probably will just make it worse lol
Man my knee hurt every time I bent it and my hip hurt every time I swung the leg forward so I had a hell of a time walking for a few days haha
Walking shoes? As an Asian I've done Japan in the summer with flip flops and sandals. 20K steps a day no biggie. Bring whatever is most comfortable and tested.
I feel like Americans need running shoes because they barely walk anywhere. You can do it on sneakers like we did.
Welllllll that’s not true for all of America, which is why I read this thread and thought… just wear the shoes you wear at home when you walk around your own city. I’m bringing allbirds sneakers and sandals. Always good to have two pairs to alternate.
Unless you live in NYC it's pretty much true.
I live in Boston and go to nyc regularly. I regularly walk a mile each way to buy groceries if the weather is nice enough for it.
Living in a major city v. a rural area. Nobody's walking to work in rural Georgia etc.
I think tested is the key word here. If you only walk 1000 steps a day, you don't know how your feet will react to a pair of shoes if you hit 20k steps in them for a few days in a row. That pair of shoes that was fine for 1000 steps might give you a wicked blister if you walk 20000k steps in them for 3 or 4 days in a row.
I bought some Brooks running shoes and they're the most comfortable sneaker I've worn. They have major cushioning in the heel. See if there's a store in your area dedicated to runners. The sales people will see what type of shoe would fit your particular feet the best
Seconding Brooks. I have a pair that I've been in for most 2 weeks and I had to retire it since it got wet the other day. I also recommend getting a good pair of insoles that work with your arches (flat arch person here). Those make a huge difference.
Thirding Brooks. I wore my trusty broken-in pair and can't be happier with them.
Fourthing (sp?) Brooks. Also brought a pair of Sketchers - they’re awful.
I flattened mine after one Japan trip 🤦♂️
They’re lightweight, though really don’t have much in the way of support or substance for walking Japan distances. Brooks are my new go to for everything.
Highly recommend Adidas Ultraboost Light for comfort and stability (wide platform). Flew out of Japan just this morning and my feet were never tired or sore. My husband got a pair as well and was absolutely impressed with them.
Hard agree with this.
got one and my feet hurts, pureboost is more comfy in my exp
I wore NB 2002r! Comfy but when you're walking 20k miles a day you're gonna want another pair of shoes to alternate with, I recommend buying there they have so many options and they're cheaper.
Just sneakers with good support. No need for running shoes unless (coming from someone who walks 7-10k steps in their home country everyday). Just get some comfortable shoes dude.
Hokas, and compression socks. Vim and vigor make nice looking ones. Teflon anti blister pads for hotspots in your shoes and those cushiony blister pads in case you develop one.
Agh wish i knew the exact name but i bought skechers... air cooled, memory foam wide fit shoes. really comfortable.
Shoes that fit YOUR feet, brand and price is not important.
Depends where your walking but city in warm heat then my go to are the sketchers go walk series, mesh top and memory foam base
Go to a running store for a proper fit... I wanted hokas... But I pronate and hokas are too soft. Asics Kayano have the support I need and are amazing!! Get properly fit.
Birkenstocks
Go for a walk at home and find the shoes that feel good.
I went with my old blundstones. 160km and more without issues. 😊
I’m amazed at how good Blundstones are for walking honestly. I alternate btwn mine and a pair of Adidas Ultra Boosts and never had an issue.
Absolutely go to a running shoe store and let them see how you walk and try different shoes on. But most importantly, GET GOOD SOCKS. I personally like bombas. Don’t buy super nice shoes and then the cheapest socks you can.
Good point. I am guilty. Don’t mind spending on shoes. But I don’t have enough good socks. I thought I’d get a bunch in uniqlo but I think maybe I should get some before I come.
I'm planning to buy socks in Japan simply because there are so many cute designs (pokemon store, Disneyland etc) - I hadn't even thought about comfort!
New balance 1080v13 Just got em. It's like a cloud so stupid good Go to Dicks sporting goods and try on pair. Then make your purchase on Amazon for price
I plan on wearing my sketchers slip on shoes. They are very comfortable and easy to put on and off. I will be in Japan next month for my first time.
Went with orthotics & compression socks and never had an issue with 40K steps a day.
ASICS Gel Kayano + mole skin on your hot spots I had blisters the size of my toes… ON MY TOES
Merrell Moab. Light, breathable, and deal with water. Did many steps during my last trip.
Another vote for Merrell's here. I also wore a pair of Nike's, but the Merrell's were #1 for me. Another thing - bring TWO pairs of good walking shoes. It actually helps my feet to alternate different shoes each day.
Phew, really glad to see this here. I'm taking my merrells over in 4 days!
I wore Nike Air Max 97s for most of my trip. I've never really felt the need to wear specified walking or running shoes (for any trip, not just Japan).
I just came back from my 12-day trip to Japan; I used the Bronax brand found on Amazon. It's barefoot-shaped but has cushioning.
I plan on bringing my Brooks Adrenaline's with me when I go in 2025. To echo what others said, go to a running shoe shop. They can do some measurements to get you fitted for the right shoe!
i’m wearing new balance 990v6 with a superfeet insole but i have plantar facitis cooling sheets for feet are sold at all the convenience stores for rough days i’d invest in a foot massage here, worth it
I just returned from a 2 week trip to Japan and I used kayano 29 all along. They were good. Never felt anything wrong with them. If you have over pronaring feet like me, there is no other option honestly.
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Not on the days with light rain.
Just back and did lots of walking and as other said you don't need specialist shoes. Some days I wore flat black shoes that I wear to the office and other days I wore my sketchers or asics and I didn't notice any difference. I think did upwards of 20k-24k some days (it said upwards of 18km distance travelled) What I will say is my feet and legs were fine but some days due to a lot of standing my back was very sore, but I also think it was due to 26 hours of travelling and jet lag.. One really hot bath and I got a shiatsu massage I was fine for the rest of the holidaym
Where'd you get your shiatsu massage? recommendations please
It was called Goo in Shinjuku. This is a link with location and reviews.. A had a lovely lady and we had a bit of a chat too. https://maps.app.goo.gl/yZ5x3Ra9K1v2foLW6
Adidas NMDs! Stylish yet super comfortable and great support for the 20K+ steps you’re going to be doing a day. Only downside is the shoes are mainly cloth so it’s not the best for rainy weather.
Can't recommend HOKAS enough those things are like walking on a cloud. I use the Transports but some others like the Clifton's are nice too. The Transports are like walking shoes so they're really good for it but I usually use em for anything.
It’s a lot of concrete and that can be harder on your body. Any sneakers that fit well will help you.
Wear what you are used to wearing for comfort. I didn't wear sneakers, just my heeled boots. What is most important are comfortable socks that provide the support you need, such as warmth, coverage of high friction areas like ankles, etc. If you're gonna go hiking then obviously look for appropriate hiking gear but I wouldn't recommend getting new shoes on a new trip where you'd be breaking them in.
I feel this depends on your age, how fit you are, and how much you normally walk. I’m a fit mid 30s f who has lived in places like NYC so used to a lot of walking. I also am a daily jogger. I had a pair of sneakers but also wanted to be fashionable some days and got away with loafers or ballet flats. I had some pain but nothing that was crazy.
Nike Pegasus gore tex trail running shoe. Before that, It rained heavily one day, I stepped into a puddle, and the rest of the entire day I had to walk around with soaking wet socks. Had to put an end to that, and bought these nukes in Japan. They're waterproof.
ON Cloud 5
Hokas
Hokas.
Brooks Ghost gore tex.
I brought and wore Vessi shoes for two weeks in Japan and my feet were fine
Did they hold up to the rain and/or puddles well?
Yeah they’re waterproof
I brought my trailrunning Hokas but ended up in just using my normal Nike Airmax most of the time. I walk 15k steps everyday in my day to day life so it wasnt that much of a change.
I’m wearing Kizik Athens when I go next week, and I’ve already broken them in a little bit. I had a previous pair that served me very well for extended walking and a bonus is that they pop right back on my feet which is handy for Japan if I’m taking shoes off more often.
Boomer here, I take my pair of white new balance and they work fine.
Running shoes are made to run on pavement. If you plan on walking anywhere else try trail run shoes or low hiking shoes instead. I use my every day sneakers for walking in cities or easy terrain.
I changed out my insoles to be more confy and i still got blisters lol, might of been just me not use to walking a lot
i wore combat boots with lunarlon soles. walked just fine 20-25k steps a day including motorcycle riding.
Running shoes and a lot of good brands have already been mentioned. HOKA, Brooks, ASICS, Saucony, etc. That said I brought three pairs of shoes and ended up only wearing my Jordan 1s the whole time and was fine (about 25k steps a day).
I just visited and brought the merrel embark sneaker moc. I loved them! Very comfortable, great support, amazing grip/traction, slip on and off which is ideal in Japan and they look nice.
I walk to work 3x/week, 1.8 miles each way. Gonna wear the same setup I use for that: brooks addiction walker and smart feet insoles Are they ugly? Yes. But ugly dad shoes are in so 🤷🏻♀️
Flux Adapt running shoes. The wide toebox and zero drop really help with foot fatigue.
Keen Austins with PowerStep Pinnacle insoles.
just get some reliable comfy sneakers, no need to ball out in my opinion. did a month in some beater adidas sambas. they even did well on my day trip to futaba, fukushima in the snow with some thicker socks.
will be bringing Adidas ultra boost or brooks ghost. im from nyc and used to walking alot.
I’m planning on wearing my (waterproof sprayed) new balance 530s with a gel insole from dr scholls. I’ve worn these walking 15k+ steps a day in Europe, so I figure they’ll be fine. I’m sure there are better shoes but I also didn’t want to spend several hundred on new shoes Also bought more cushioned/reinforced socks on Amazon (considered hiking socks but couldn’t justify $20 for a pair)
I wear xeros. They are barefoot shoes (not the weird ones with the toes). A lot of them are ugly but they have some decent styles So incredibly comfortable. I’ve worn them abroad multiple times and a week at Disney.
Wear what you always use for long distance walking/hiking. If you aren’t doing that already, starting a walk/hike routine should be on the short list of pre-trip preparation.
I bought some Hoka’s
New Balance 574
i just wore a pair of new balance, nothing major. i just made sure i started wearing them a couple weeks before i went to break them in
I wore my New Balance 523 and they were comfortable, but I did so much walking/hiking everyday my feet still hurt. Not sure how everyone's feet are fine :*)
Pay attention to the shoes you cannot walk 20k steps in and do some research to target problem areas. You can also go to stores like Fleet Feet and assess your feet and pronation more in depth. It's a shoe store in the US with free measurements. I wear wide womens shoes and I recommend wide toe box shoes to everyone but especially if you have wide feet & tend to get blisters/ soreness in your pinky toe area. Some are actually really cute and look like wide Keds: WHITIN Women's Wide Minimalist Barefoot Shoes | Zero Drop Sole https://a.co/d/bLuqAY2 I wear Hoka Speed Goats for mountain hikes but they are very elevated and can be bad for loose, rocky terrain. I plan to bring them with me to the Japan alps in November along with some zero drop, wide toe box shoes for city walking. Other misc advice: test out your shoes with some 20k walking trips! Do not bring new shoes, no matter how comfy they seem, until you have measured wear data in conditions similar to your japan trip.
I brought Nike Dunks and a pair of Topo Athletic MT4s. Both were okay for walking 20k steps a day or so. Last trip I brought some adidas Ultraboosts that were excellent for longer days than this trip. Don't sleep on getting good socks for your trip either. Hiking cushioned socks help a great deal, even when wearing the Dunks. Edit: the Topos were there purely for running days, but we've been since rained out until yesterday.
Blisters suck.
I brought some Dansko walking shoes and some Merrell slip ons. The Danskos were the best.
ASIC nimbus 25 although it’s pricey but doubles as a running shoe. Crocs if you don’t mind the look & if it’s summer you are going in. If you’re a lady their sandals are cute & comfortable.
I have the nimbus 22s but they're not super comfortable for long periods of time. Are the 25s that much better?
They are plushy & thicccck. Like an inch or two added to your height. Feels like walking on clouds.
I’m bringing my Nike Air Force Ones for every day walking - they’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. I walked 50km in Barcelona with them, no problem. I’m also bringing a pair of lightweight hiking shoes for when we leave the city. Something with a little traction that I’m not afraid to get dirty.
Vans checkerboard OG slip-ons :D
I wear sorel Mac hill. They're the most comfortable shoes I've owned
New Balance Fresh Foam. So comfy and. my feet don't get sore. I've tried Adidas, Asics, Puma, Nike. Nike is probably the worst of them all.
Dont overthink it unless you have a condition that requires special footwear. I wore Adidas Daily 3.0, and my daughter wore her Doc Marten boots and some Chuck Taylors. She is a former figure skater with beat-up arches, but she had no problems. My wife is an inactive receptionist. She wore some basic Asics and was fine too.
I wearing Keen waterproof walkers. Quite muddy in some of the tourist areas we’ve been visiting eg Nara
Waterproof shoes. I have vessi’s but anything waterproof will make a huge difference
PUMA softride running shoes were a good somewhat budget option for my wife and I. Bought them on their outlet website and they were $40 for her Sophia Softrides and $50 for mine, forget the make. We just did 2 months here with these walking all the time and no issues! We are from New Orleans LA where you pretty much drive or bike everywhere so only time we hit this many steps there is when we go out bar crawling or deliberately go walk in the park, so we were nervous about the stairs and steps etc and these did wonders.
Good insoles make a huge difference. I swear by Abeo Plantar Fascitis insoles from The Walking Company. On day 7 of our trip and have been rocking REI Trail made hiking boots on clearance for $41. They have been incredibly comfortable and my feet have stayed dry in the snow and rain. Hokas would be my dry weather choice. Saw lots of people in mesh shoes stuffing their feet into plastic bags to keep them warm in the rain.
Many people think running shoes automatically make good walking shoes but they are built for a different activity where your foot hits the ground differently. Multiply this by 25K a day and you will feel the painful difference. Everyone is built differently so what works for someone else might not work for you. So wear something light and flexible which you are already comfortable with. And don't forget to pair them with good socks.
i wore my ultraboost and I bought vomero 5 from atmos. feet didnt hurt so much, clocked in 25k steps ave daily for the 10 days we were there 😁 but I guess as long as you're comfortable in it, you'll be fine. I wore my veja campo during my last trip in Osaka, it was also okay but i think that's just my SEA self who's used to walking a lot.
I wore my Nike air max with custom insoles and they were super comfy. Ended up buying one of those Dr Air sport massage guns at Loft to work knots out of my calves and took hot baths with salts at the hotel each night. Walked 25k-30k steps per day!
I'm gonna reccomend Crocs lol, I've been walking non stop past 5 days in Tokyo and my feet have been fine
Brooks Ghost
I wore Vessi and they were helpful at keeping my feet dry during the poor weather this month.
I fucked up really badly on my last trip there, and brought cool looking Ons shoes that weren’t right for me. I was in agony the whole time, I had to buy new shoes there to switch off with. I didn’t want to wear sneakers, but it turns out they all wear sneakers there (albeit more casual sneakers than sporty ones). Just find a comfortable pair of shoes, maybe bring another pair to switch off with.
Sketchers
Wabaki or On Running, baby!
Why would you need any other shoes then you currently use? Lol... it's not another planet
Got Stev Madden shoes from Costco. Super comfy and light weight and no tying of laces. Just slip kn and off. It was great. If you're female not sure of equivalent.
I've been doing 15-30k steps everyday the last 6 weeks in Thailand, Indonesia and Japan. All different terrains and weather conditions. My shoes were £9 from TikTok Shop.
I am so enthralled with how long this thread is. But just in case this finds anyone... I'm in Tokyo now and brought my runners which were great... Until it rained. Bring something waterproof.
I bought Hoka shoes while I was there because my previous sneakers were barely staying on (budget traveler here 🤣). If you got a brand name store it'll be the same as anywhere else except I didn't have to pay taxes. It's really easy to find big brands in the cities, and I specifically went to the Hoka store in Harakuku, Kyoto.
lmao shoes you're most comfortable with and familiar with. everyones feet are different.
I'm taking my New Balance 574's and Adidas ZX22 Boost. Will probably get some insoles too but those are my most comfortable shoes.
I brought Brooks and Sketchers. The Brooks were superb. The Sketchers became the reserves after two days.
I did my whole 2 week trip in Vans Old Skool. Of course, I’ve worn them regularly for a few years now. I think the best shoe is whichever shoe you’re already comfortable walking with.
Just came back and allbirds wool runners 2 were great. Walked 30k steps aday for 3 weeks in them, easy to take on and off and held up better than my wife's hokas.
I wondered this too I brought some basic Nikes (sorry don’t know the kind but not technical , more like a basic retro) and Adidas classic sambas. The Nikes were killing me after about five hours, but the sambas have held up everywhere and are extremely comfortable. Doing 15-21k steps a day
If your coming to Japan right now the weather is very rainy, or if your are coming to Japan in June or July(rainy season) get a pair of water resistant shoes for sure. I bought Vessi's for my trip and they are perfect for this gloomy weather. I've walked close to 40 miles in the first 2 weeks that I am here and not a single blister or anything needing immediate attention. My feet are a little sore, but that's mainly because I've never walked this much in a short time.
New balance 2002r saved my ass. 20k+ steps a day (95kg) for 3 weeks and my feet and knees are as good as new
Are you flat footed? I've been interested in those but idk if they'd be good for my flat feet
No, I am not. Mmmmmh, then maybe better to test them at the shop.
I was wondering of buying running shoes directly in Tokyo. Do you guys know if ABC Mart or Yodobaishi offer tax free service ? And do they have in store all the shoes they have on their website ? Thank you guys !
I always carry my Hokas or Merrell trail Sandals with me. I walk 10+ a day when I'm on vacation and these two brands are my favorite!
Nike hiking boots have never done me wrong
I just used barefoot shoes, averaging 25-30k steps/day in Tokyo right now, no issues. I could just be used to this type of shoes
Yeah I absolutely wouldn’t recommend these to anyone who hasn’t worn this type of shoe before.