Proudly
Made
by
Hand

Artisanal Excellence:
Japanese Craftsmanship Expressed through Handiwork

Onitsuka Tiger’s popular NIPPON MADE series expresses the exacting essence of Japanese craftsmanship.
Here, we explore the meticulous handiwork of our artisans, dedicated to creating timeless value.

Each shoe, after the washing anddyeing processes, is carefully handshapedand the material massaged.No two shoes are the same, well mightthey follow the same manufacturingmethod. The artisans adjust theirtouch to suit each shoe’s uniquepersonality, in a small additional stepthat gives the shoes a rich and deepexpression.

  • In the preliminary washing process before dyeing, the shoes are gently cleansed by immersing them in water at 45°C–50°C with added oil.
  • During the dyeing process, a unique proprietary dye formulation is used, with the immersion temperature and duration fine-tuned daily based on the ambient temperature and humidity. As the color changes moment by moment during the process, each shoe is dyed with precise care to attain the desired hue.
  • After shaping, all the shoes are hung to dry. It is vital that the shoes be allowed to dry slowly, giving sufficient time for internal moisture to evaporate fully. This process requires several days, using fans or stoves as needed to accommodate for annual changes in climate.

The NIPPON MADE series exemplifies the excellence of Japanese craftsmanship to the world—rich in artisanal spirit, made with quality materials, and produced through extraordinary skill. Each pair of shoes undergoes meticulous finishing processes handled by our same factory, which has not only been involved in the NIPPON MADE series since its development, but also has a vast reservoir of knowledge and expertise from which to draw.
“Ever since I was a boy, I’ve preferred comfy, worn-in shoes to brand-new ones fresh out of the box,” our factory representative says cheerfully, gently shaping a pair of freshly processed shoes with both hands. “By spending time dyeing and washing them like this, we can give our customers the feel and comfort of shoes that seem like they’ve been worn lovingly for years from the day they buy them. Each shoe might look the same at first glance, but look closer and you’ll see their unique character.”
At this factory, where each pair of shoes is carefully crafted by hand, the number of shoes that can be produced each day is limited. This dedication is what gives rise to the deep textures and rich expressions unique to the NIPPON MADE series, setting it apart from the ordinary models.
“Sometimes, I visit Onitsuka Tiger stores and see customers picking up and buying shoes that we’ve worked on. So even while I’m working like this, I often think of those customers and imagine their faces. It motivates me to take even more care, to make even better shoes every day.”
Japanese craf tsmanship, celebrated worldwide, is extraordinary not just for its techniques, but for the heartfelt dedication and consideration it has for eventual owners, and is imbued with kindness and care into each and every product.

Craftsmanship of Japan