ABC-MART 101: The Shoe Empire Born from Tokyo’s Hustle

Walk into any shopping mall in Japan, and you will find two giants: UNIQLO and ABC-MART. With over 1,000 stores, ABC-MART is the undisputed king of footwear in Japan. But this isn’t just a boring chain store. It is the place where you can find “Japan Exclusive” models of Nike and Adidas, and high-quality boots at budget prices. Here is the story of the “Ameyoko Spirit” that built an empire.

👁️ Kajino’s Eye: The “Ameyoko” Hustle

You might think ABC-MART is just a corporate giant. You are wrong. Its roots are in the gritty, energetic streets of Ameyoko (Ueno).

In 1990, the founder, Mr. Miki, started with a tiny shop in Ameyoko. He was a man of action. On a buying trip to London, he fell in love with Hawkins boots. He didn’t just buy a few pairs; he marched into their headquarters and negotiated the exclusive rights for Japan on the spot. That bold move sparked a boom.

The “Never Say No” Policy In the early days, ABC-MART had a legendary rule: “Never tell the customer we are out of stock.” If a customer wanted a size they didn’t have, the staff wouldn’t say “Sorry.” They would say, “Please wait 5 minutes!” Then, they would sprint—literally run—to a nearby warehouse or another branch to grab the shoes. Even today, that spirit remains. Executives, including the President, don’t sit in fancy cars. They take the train on weekends to visit stores unannounced, checking what customers are actually buying. They believe the truth isn’t in the data, but on the floor. When you buy shoes here, you are buying from a company that really wants to sell them to you.

👟 Why Travelers Must Visit ABC-MART

1. The “Japan Exclusive” Treasure Hunt

This is the main reason to visit. ABC-MART has massive buying power, allowing them to collaborate with giants like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and Puma to create “ABC-MART Limited Colors.” You will often find colorways here that act as “Japan Exclusives” which you cannot find in the US or Europe. If you see a tag saying “Limited” (限定), grab it. It’s a rare souvenir.

2. The Magic of “Hawkins” & “Vans”

Because ABC-MART owns the rights or licenses to brands like Hawkins (boots/business) and manages Vans in Japan, the prices and variety are incredible.

• Hawkins: Originally British, now developed in Japan. Great waterproof business shoes and sturdy boots at 1/2 the price of luxury brands.
• Vans: You will find Japanese-designed Vans that feature different fabrics and patterns compared to the global models.

3. “Osoroi” (Matching) Family Shoes

Japanese culture loves “Osoroi” (matching outfits). ABC-MART excels at this. They offer the same sneaker models for:

• Men (Dad)
• Women (Mom)
• Kids & Babies Instead of a magnet or keychain, why not buy matching “Japan Exclusive” Nikes for the whole family? It makes for the perfect Instagram photo walking down the streets of Tokyo.

ℹ️ Basic Info & Locations

Major Store Locations & Details

General Info

• Tax-Free: Available at most major locations (Bring your Passport!)
• Payment: Credit Cards, Suica/Pasmo, Cash.

Recommended Flagship Stores

• ABC-MART Grand Stage Ginza:
  • High-end selection, focuses on Nike/Jordan and limited editions.
  • Location: Near Ginza Six.

• ABC-MART Grand Stage Harajuku:
  • Trendsetting location, huge sneaker wall.
  • Location: Takeshita Street area.

• ABC-MART Shinjuku Main Store:
  • Massive inventory, very busy, multilingual staff often available.
  • Location: Near Shinjuku Station East Exit.

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