Soukaido I-16-8 Steel-Toe-Spike

If you take one thing away from this page, let it be: choose your tabi size by measuring your feet!!

If you're buying Japanese footwear for the first time, this page will help you choose the right size. If in doubt, contact us for assistance.

In Japan, men's shoes tend to be available only up to size 28cm (US size 10) and women's up to size 25cm (size 8). We are one of the few online stores where you can find larger Japanese footwear items (up to 32cm/US size 14) in a variety of styles.

Tabi & Jikatabi Sizes

Tabi and jikatabi are form-fitting, more like a sock than a shoe or boot. But unless they're described as "stretch tabi," there is little or no stretch to them so the size needs to be the same or slightly larger than the actual size of your foot.

To get this size, measure both feet (they're not always the same!) from the heel to the tip of the big toe. Drawing an outline on a sheet of paper is one good way to do this. This size plus 0.5cm and rounded up to the nearest half centimeter is the size you should order, making any allowances for thick/thin socks if you plan to wear them.

Allowing a little extra room is particularly important with the cushion models, as the extra insole padding can make the fit more snug. We will exchange a pair that don't fit (as long as they are returned undamaged and in their original packaging), but you are responsible for shipping both ways.

Some tabi and jikatabi use velcro or elastic but most are secured with "kohaze," metal fasteners that slip into cotton loops that run up the back of the ankle. Jikatabi have four rows of loops so they can be adjusted for a perfect fit. The number of kohaze on jikatabi varies from 3 to 15. But they are adjustable only around the ankles and calves, while the foot size is fixed. Tabi usually have 4 or 5 kohaze. See our blog post about how to wear tabi.

Please note that these charts should be considered as a rough guide and that you should read the instructions above before choosing a size.

There is always a risk when buying footwear online, so if you have any questions about choosing a tabi size go ahead and ask us.