Japanese shoes

I find it absolutely amazing that one can buy any illegal drug they want on the streets of America, but you can't get Japanese running shoes ANYWHERE but Japan. I've searched website after website--at least the ones I can read in english--and they are no where to be found.

don't be so amazed. there is a huge demand for the drugs that makes it extremely lucrative to get them here and sell them. first-time customers quickly become repeat customers and need new supplies very quickly. there is no such demand for the racing flats, the few people who do buy them get them infrequently and don't get hooked the same way

it's simple economics.

Agreed. If I could find twenty people who would pay me ten times the cost of those Japanese shoes, I'd hop a flight to Tokyo, get the shoes and come home with a profit in my pocket. But most of us wouldn't pay ten times the shoe's price. Most of us wouldn't pay double the shoe's price. And even if we'd pay 50% more than the shoe's price, and those shoes aren't cheap, there wouldn't be enough profit to make it worthwhile for me to go and get the shoes. Still, some eneterprising English-fluent Japanese or ex-pat American could probably make some beer money shipping orders of shoes to US buyers.

I see your point, but why aren't these things available via sites like Ebay? There are always Nikes available directly from China--typically upcoming models and/or current models in colors not available in the US, sometimes for huge $$--but not the unique Asics or Nike flats/trainers that people like us are jonesin' for. Just find it really curious that these shoes never pop up.

Has anyone seen the Nike Air Kantana Racer. These look very good and are really low profile. But they are only on the Nikerunning "Japan" website. These shoes look really good. Anyone know how much.

This is the wesite http://www.nike.jp/running/index_f.html they also have some others not available in the US.

Yes, NOrunner, we have seen the site but how do you GET these shoes?

i think that the streak kantana racer is exactly the same as what we gte here (britain) as the streak racer! accedpt its orange not pink. check

www.sweatshop.co.uk

or

www.bournesports.com

good flats indeed!

I imagine that if someone from Japan decided to sell their shoes on ebay they could. I don't know how many Japanese sell or buy on ebay.

I do know that Asics Japan and Asics USA are separate entities. I'm guessing that there's some sort of agreement between the two not to pee in each other's yard, so Asics USA gets Asics Japan not to market their shoes here. I don't know if the same is true of Mizuno.

This sort of topic has come up here several times before and I always think that there must be someone from Asics who reads this website who would get on here and explain why things are this way.

On the other hand, Toyota, Ford, Nissan, virtually every car company in the world makes models of cars that they don't sell in the US. I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that the same is true of shoe companies.

follow this link:

http://www.bournesports.com/~sa_webapp/run.asp?page=9483

There used to be Ebay Japan, but it collapsed in financial ruin. There are several other auction websites, but none quite as in depth. Fact is, for many Americans/Brits, it would be hard to find your size here in Japan. Also, are you willing to purchase a pair of shoes w/o trying them on? Would you base the fitting on the last of similar shoes? Japanese, in general have wider and shorter feet with less arch when compared to their caucasian counterparts and thus it is harder to find a shoe that works for people with narrow and high-arched feet. Believe me, I have time on my hands and could do it, but I am not convinced that the demand for the shoes would make it profitable enough to make it worth my time to buy and ship these to different addresses in the states. Also, you have to take into account the expense of overseas shipping, especially FROM Japan. It is incredible. Are consumers really willing to pay around 2x the amount of the shoe cost in the states just for a different, lighter model? I doubt it. Mizunos here are pretty much the same as in the states, except there are a few more models here. The Mizuno spikes are probably better. The other makers have several different models that are different and most likely not available where you are.

I have thought of doing the same thing. But I agree that with the cost of shipping I think the demand would be low. I actually bu my shoes in the U.S. when I am back there. Where do you buy yours?

need my asics

dude - put some stuff up on ebay & I'll buy it.

esp need the asics world performance line apparel (so comfy) that you can't buy in the USA>

Me, too. Actually, around Tokyo we have 3 decent shops with some large sizes (28.5-29.0). They are B&D, Art SPorts and I forget the name of the other. Most of these are in the Ameyoko area.

WHO'S THAT? Turn the doorknob. It's that blondie chick. She's insane. She has eyeglasses on and her eyes are closed. She fell down the stairs after she ate ice cream from the freezer. Georgetown Friars will defeat the Providence Hoyas.

I need some help. My girlfriend left me and I am deranged right now. Help.