About Japanese Sneakers
Noriko Onozaki
After graduating from University, Noriko worked in management consulting, helping her clients launch successful businesses and improve business practices. In April 2005 with her father’s sudden death, Noriko quit her consulting job to take on the position of CEO for AXT Company, Inc. Using her intuition and experience in footwear and her customers’ feet, Noriko focused on helping women understand the importance of connecting shoes, feet, and walking. She deepened her research on how to link these foundational aspects of footwear and realized that “if you simply stare at how shoes look, you never find the best shoes that fit your feet.” At HeWhoMe, Noriko has established a team of shoe craftspeople with over 180 years of combined experience: two of her craftspeople have over 60 years of experience each; and two more have over 30 years of experience. Each craftsperson focuses on a unique aspect of shoemaking — such as crafting wooden shoe molds, paper pattern making, cutting and stitching, and finishing. Noriko and her team look forward to using their skills and experience to create the unique footwear and sneakers that comprise the HeWhoMe line of sneakers. She is confident that HeWhoMe can provide you with the best solution for a fashionable yet highly functional pair of kimono sneakers.

About the HeWhoMe Sneakers PROJECT
The HeWhoMe PROJECT incorporates Japanese culture with modern technology to bring to the world the art of traditional Tokyo style of shoe making. High-quality, traditional costumes with beautiful images expressing Japanese flowers and birds – that’s the kimono. An original Japanese production, technology-backed day-to-day efforts, and real shoemaker CRAFTSMANSHIP. The “HeWhoMe ~ KIMONO Sneaker” was born and created by merging Japan’s proud traditions with the ever-evolving modern times.
(The Rebirth of) Japanese Cultural Significance and Tradition
Kimono`s are made of pure silk making the material very durable as a shoe providing exceptional balance, protection, and support. The cultural style of the kimono and material use is expanding in multiple ways, such as face and hand towels, diapers, handkerchief, and other various designs. It is the “must-have” spirit that has been in Japan since ancient times, which has naturally captured and holds a sustainable coexistence with nature.
21st Century HeWhoMe
The era of mass industrial production and mass consumption has had an immense effect on the quality and the way we value products. HeWhoMe revives traditional Japanese crafts with contemporary design and craftsmanship of the next generation, linking Japanese culture with the reshaping of fashion in the 21st century. We consider the “HeWhoMe ~ KIMONO Sneaker” as a gem that, through traditional Japanese culture and values, will enrich the lives of all people. A marketing concept known as “Cool (Japan)” has been adopted by the Japanese government and trade commission, which exploits it as a significant standard that requires global compliance with the development goals of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and there is no other material more suitable than the Kimono.
Company Background
KIMONO SHOES from TOKYO, a brand by Axst Co., Ltd., is rooted in a shoe materials manufacturer from Asakusa. As a result, all parts of the shoes, including the shoes themselves and shoe parts, are completely made in Japan, showcasing a fully integrated in-house production system that promotes Tokyo's shoe-making to the world. Over 70 years since its founding, the baton has been passed down through three generations, leading to the birth of KIMONO SHOES. This is the story of Noriko Onozaki, the founder of KIMONO SHOES, and the journey to establish this unique brand. Founded in 1951, the current representative's grandfather passed away in the war, leaving behind three young children. Struggling, the grandmother sought advice from a kind businessman in the neighborhood, who suggested that, with many children, it would be better to start her own business rather than work for someone else. This advice led to the decision to found the company. With guidance from an acquaintance in the heel wholesale business, she loaded a trunk with products and sold them door-to-door. At the same time, the great-grandmother ran a sewing class at home, supporting the family while taking care of the children. The second-generation father, after working for about five years at an electric company following his university graduation, took over the family business. Realizing that wholesale alone would not suffice, he expanded into sole manufacturing. Utilizing his scientific knowledge, he acquired machinery and established a sole manufacturing factory in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture. It is said that there are 108 parts in a shoe, the same number as the number of earthly desires in Buddhism, so he increased the number of items he could handle and expanded his wholesale business, while establishing his position as a sole manufacturer leading to rapid business growth The third-generation current president, originally from a management consulting company, inherited the business after the sudden passing of the second-generation father. However, due to timing issues, she continued to juggle two careers for about three years. Aiming to create shoes for women, she studied various fields including anatomy, foot and leg care skills, insoles, and walking techniques, acquiring knowledge outside traditional shoe-making. The more she learned, the more she realized the importance of understanding the actual feet of women who wear shoes. This led to the decision to expand into retail. Instead of mass production or even small-lot production of various types, she opened And Steady, in 2010, a salon offering custom-made shoes tailored to each customer by measuring their feet. They began their journey by collecting 300 foot shape profiles of modern Japanese women.The background to the birth of KIMONO SHOES lies not only in Japan's proud and wonderful culture but also in the company's ongoing adaptability to ever-changing times.
Our Strengths
The strength of Axst Co., Ltd. lies not only in the high-end hand-lasting technique of skilled Japanese shoemakers, but also in the system that allows the daily collection of data of the feet and requests and feedback from modern Japanese women at the salon, which can then be shared with the factory. Every day, numerous women visit the salon to address their concerns about their feet, shoes, and walking styles. These services have brought great satisfaction to customers. As of 2024, the company has amassed over 8,000 foot shape profiles and measurement data, as well as completed 28,000 custom shoe orders and fittings. The wooden lasts are crafted based on this data, giving rise to new designs that reflect customer needs. The lasts used for KIMONO SHOES also originate here and are patented. Axst spare no effort in information gathering, research and development, sourcing high-quality materials, and investing in improving craftsmanship. KIMONO SHOES is often praised for its stylish and fashionable aspect, but the design and concept are consistently underpinned by 'easy to walk in,' 'supportive of the feet,' and 'adjusts the body.' The focus is always on the feet. At the factory, while preserving the tradition of shoemaking, we continuously engage in research and development. At the salon, alongside custom-made shoes and insoles, we provide foot counseling, taping, and walking lessons to help women wear and walk comfortably in their shoes. Just as solid foundations are essential for constructing a sturdy house, taking care of the feet is fundamental to maintaining a healthy body—it’s the body’s base. Once the foundation is properly set, everything else follows smoothly. Every day, Axst strives to share the true meaning of 'shoes that fit the feet are good for the body' with as many people as possible. The total shoe service salon, And Steady, has three directly managed stores in Tokyo, Umeda, and Tenjin, as well as 16 partner salons across Japan. KIMONO SHOES primarily accepts orders through its online store, with three retail locations nationwide, including those in the process of being arranged, and is working towards expanding overseas. Why not try changing your shoes for yourself?
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Finest Shoes
Japanese kimonos are made of pure silk with beautiful images that make each design unique. This is the heart of each pair of HeWhoMe shoes.
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Handmade Shoes
Each shoe is handmade by experienced Japanese craftsmen. An expression of art, we blend the beauty of the kimono with the elegance of fine footwear.
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Unique Style
Unlike any other shoes, HeWhoMe combines the tradition of the Japanese kimono to bring you an elegant style that makes a unique fashion statement.