Miharas® Shoes is dedicated to bringing you the highest quality handcrafted leather shoes inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship and contemporary urban street style. Our company was founded in 1997 by Mihara Yasuhiro, a passionate shoemaker from Tokyo who honed his skills studying under Japanese master craftsmen.
Mihara ‘s vision was to blend classic techniques and premium materials with modern, minimalist designs. After years of training and perfecting his craft, he opened the first Miharas® workshop and began designing and producing shoes completely by hand.
Our Shoemaking Philosophy
At Miharas®, every step of the shoemaking process is done meticulously by hand with great care and attention to detail. Our philosophy is grounded in the Japanese values of precision, patience, and perfection.
We use only the finest full-grain leathers sourced from Italy and Japan. Our master craftsmen cut each leather piece individually for the upper, carefully hand-stitching and assembling every component. The soles are also handcrafted, skillfully attached using the traditional Goodyear welt construction method. This allows them to be resoled, giving our shoes longevity.
Inside each pair we stitch the Miharas® logo in high-quality leather. This personal touch reflects the handmade quality and distinctive style our brand embodies.
Tokyo Style Meets Neo-Heritage Craftsmanship
Inspired by Mihara ‘s urban upbringing in Tokyo, our shoe designs fuse clean, contemporary silhouettes with neo-heritage craftsmanship.
The sleek, minimalist forms complement both casual everyday wear and sharp, refined looks. While the impeccable handcrafted details elevate them to timeless, luxurious fashion statements.
We offer a range of classic men’s styles including oxfords, monk straps, chelsea boots, loafers, and sneakers. Many feature elements of Japanese street fashion with a modern edge. Our materials and color palettes incorporate edgy touches like metallic leathers.
Through meticulous construction and cutting-edge designs, Miharas® represents the pinnacle of fusion footwear. Our shoes blend eastern tradition with western sensibilities and subtle Japanese influences with urban sophistication.
The Miharas® Workshop
Located just outside Tokyo, the Miharas® workshop produces every pair of shoes from start to finish by hand. Our expert artisans have decades of experience practicing their individual crafts. Passing down specialized shoemaking techniques through generations.
The environment reflects Mihara ‘s zen philosophy. It is orderly, tranquil, and purposefully designed to enable focused workmanship. Natural light fills the space through skylights. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese aesthetic principles.
In the cutting room, hides are carefully selected then shaped by hand into precise upper patterns. These pieces are later stitched together in the closing room. After assembly, our specialists add any decorative details by hand like broguing or embossing.
Shoes then move to the lasting process where the upper is perfectly molded and attached to the sole. Our masters shape each sole from premium leather or rubber, and painstakingly welt them by hand.
Finally, every pair receives finishing touches like polishing and edge trimming before being inspected. We reject any shoes that don’t meet Miharas® uncompromising standards of quality. Only those deemed flawless are boxed and shipped to our customers worldwide.
Our electronic shop on the Miharas® website allows direct worldwide delivery. While also maintaining our made-to-order approach.
Honoring Japanese Craftsmanship
At Miharas® Shoes, we are proud to honor and preserve the cultural legacy of Japanese footwear craftsmanship.
Shoemaking has a long, rich history in Japan that developed distinctly from western traditions. Japanese shoes emphasize minimalism, comfort, and respect for materials. They are crafted using specialized techniques that date back centuries.
Master artisans undergo decades of rigorous training to learn these time-honored skills. We employ staff trained in the Japanese apprenticeship system, some having achieved the prestigious title of Contemporary Master Craftsman. Their expertise stems from knowledge passed down through unbroken chains of teachers and apprentices.
Each craftsman plays a specific role, specializing in one step of shoemaking. This includes cutting, sewing, lasting, or soling. By mastering a single step, Japanese makers attain an incredible level of focus and quality.
We proudly embrace this division of labor at our workshop. Respecting craft specialization and heritage. While also adapting traditional methods to suit modern designs. Our fusion shoes celebrate this rich history by blending eastern and western influences in contemporary style.
Sustainability and Animal Welfare
Alongside quality and craftsmanship, sustainability is a core value at Miharas®. We aim to reduce our environmental impact and source materials ethically.
Our workshop incorporates green operations like:
- Solar roof panels providing clean energy
- Water recycling system for reducing consumption
- Non-toxic, natural materials and finishes
We strive to develop long-lasting products that age gracefully over time. Our Goodyear welted construction allows for shoes to be resoled, extending their lifespan.
All leather is sourced from tanneries rated gold by the Leather Working Group. This organization audits environmental stewardship practices. We only use hides from animals humanely raised and slaughtered for food purposes.
By supporting responsible tanneries, we reduce chemical pollution and animal cruelty in the supply chain. We’re also researching plant-based leather alternatives to incorporate in the future.
Giving Back to the Tokyo Community
As a Tokyo-born brand, we make efforts to positively impact our local community. The city of Tokyo is central to our identity and success as a company.
We donate a portion of profits each year to local charities supporting issues important to our team. This includes disaster relief, revitalizing old Tokyo crafts, and youth education.
During hard times like the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Miharas® provided monetary aid and footwear donations. We also host free workshops teaching traditional crafts like indigo dying to the public. Passing on cultural knowledge to younger generations.
To connect with urban youth, we launched an apprenticeship program for local design students. Selectees gain hands-on training in our Tokyo workshop alongside master craftsmen. This opportunity fuels innovation and cultivates future talent.
Through charitable initiatives and ethical business practices, we aim to lift up and give back to our hometown. Making positive strides to empower our neighbors and community.
The Miharas® Experience
At Miharas® Shoes, we put passion into every step of designing and making our products. This heart and skill resonates with our customers globally.
Our artisans gain immense satisfaction from fully handcrafting unique shoes. They treat each pair as a work of art, pouring care into all details. This pride shows in the finished products.
When you slip on a pair of Miharas®, you’ll immediately notice the quality. From the supple full-grain leather to precise stitching, our shoes embody fine craftsmanship. The sleek fusion of eastern and western elements creates versatile, sophisticated style.
We deliver an unmatched in-store experience as well. Visitors to our Tokyo flagship store interact directly with our friendly craftsmen. Many shoes and custom options are only available here.
Our brand ambassadors provide premier service at dozens of premium retailers worldwide too. They happily share our passion and knowledge with new customers.
Let your shoes tell a story reflecting timeless Japanese craft and contemporary urban style.
