CONTRIBUTED BY SARRA MCMILLAN
I love shoes. Who’s with me? Before coming to Japan, I agonized over the shoe situation that would await me; I’d be in a county filled with the most adorable footwear, none of which would ever adorn my (average-sized, thank-you very much!) feet. Luckily, upon arriving, my obsessive worrying manifested itself into a passionate mission to find a store that could satisfy my shoe-cravings.
Located near Main Place in Naha, Shoe Plaza is heaven-on-earth for shoe-aholics and a savior for those of us in need of normal-sized footwear at a reasonable price. Shoe Plaza has something for everyone: men, women, and kids, from athletic runners, to heels for a night-on-the-town to sandals for sandy Okinawan beaches.
I have bought sneakers, boots, high heels, and slippers from this amazing store. And the best part about having larger-than-Japanese-feet … often shoes in my size are on sale! However, even with no price reduction, these shoes are affordable. The only way you’ll break the bank is if you follow in my footsteps and buy 4-5 pairs of shoes with every visit!
Shoe Plaza tends to organize their shoes from Small to X-Large. Check out the sizes on the bottom of the shoe, compare with this chart, and try them on! Hope is not lost if you have size 10 or up; I would still recommend checking it out and trying on different shoes, as shoe sizing can always be a little inconsistent. Good luck in your Japanese shoe adventures!
Men
| Japan | 24 ½ | 25 | 25 ½ | 26 | 26 ½ | 27 ½ | 28 ½ |
| AU – NZ | 6 | 6 ½ | 7 | 7 ½ | 8 | 8 ½ | 10 |
| EU | 38 ½ | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 |
| UK | 6 | 6 ½ | 7 | 7 ½ | 8 | 8 ½ | 10 |
| US – CN | 6 ½ | 7 | 7 ½ | 8 | 8 ½ | 9 | 10 ½ |
Women
| Japan | 22 | 22 ½ | 23 | 23 ½ | 24 | 24 ½ | 25 |
| AU – NZ | 4 ½ | 5 | 5 ½ | 6 | 6 ½ | 7 | 7 ½ |
| EU | 36 | 37 | 37 ½ | 38 | 38 ½ | 39 | 40 |
| UK | 3 ½ | 4 | 4 ½ | 5 | 5 ½ | 6 | 6 ½ |
| US – CN | 6 | 6 ½ | 7 | 7 ½ | 8 | 8 ½ | 9 ½ |
Directions: Coming down the 330 towards Naha, you will turn right at the traffic light after Furujima Monorail Station. Shoe Plaza is on that road on the left, on the corner of an intersection, right after the Family Mart! It’s a big blue building, you can’t miss it! Google Map available here.
Hours: Open from 10:00 – 21:00
Phone Number: 098-863-1351
Payment: Credit cards are definitely accepted, I am unsure about American dollars.