[World top quality leather] and [Japanese technology] woven together into the best pair.

Using wooden molds that suit Japanese feet, we adopt the Goodyear welted method and are determined for comfortableness.

｜　CEO interview　｜

HIROKAWA SHOES CO., LTD
Representative Director Masakazu Hirokawa

The Emerge from OEM
Downtown enterprise specializing in house brand, supports the foot wear of Japan.

SCOTCH GRAIN works on making shoes that are tools of everyday life, by uniting the world’s top quality leather and the Japanese technology.
We asked the secret of their strength, being elected into "The top 300 Hardworking Small and medium-sized enterprise and small-scale entrepreneur companies" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.


In 1964 the founder, father of current director, started shoemaking in Taito Ward.
The company continued shoemaking under the policy of “shoes are tools of everyday life”.
They celebrated their 50th anniversary of establishment last year. In the early years of establishment, the main stream of business was through apparel manufacturers and OEM. In 1978 the house brand of SCOTCH GRAIN was established, and in 1979 the present Corporate Headquarter building was completed in Sumida Ward.
Originally, the Cemented construction method and the Mckay stitch construction method were used to suit mass production. But looking into the future, despite the effort required, we decided to focus on the Goodyear welted method of manufacturing to set out our original route. Shoes manufactured by over 200 steps by this method, are not only comfortable to walk in, but also repairable, and can be used over a long time.
In 2000, a store was opened in the premium outlet of Gotemba. It was then decided to terminate OEM orders and focus on SCOTCH GRAIN. We decided to aim for true manufacturing, which spares no efforts. I directly visit the tanners (dressing factories), nationally and internationally, and stock the leather myself. We also cover almost the whole manufacturing process in our own factories. Not only to rise the quality, but also the productivity, we introduced a Scooping Needlework machine, which was the latest technology at that current time.
The workmen have changed since establishment, but the teachings from the founder “Do not change the key parts of the wooden mold” are still strictly followed without change. Our wooden molds are designed so the pressure from the foot is released outwards when walking, and that is the secret of our shoe’s easiness to walk.
The teachings of “Not to expand the company more than necessary.” “Stay within your own boundaries, stay in Sumida.” are also strictly followed today.

obsession with Sumida Ward

I am honored to be elected in to "The top 300 Hardworking small enterprises and entrepreneur companies“by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
I believe that we were valued by our sincere attitude throughout our entire business. We never spare efforts, not only in manufacturing, but also from advertising right through to retailing. We have seniors recommending our products to freshmen, and businesses purchasing our products as company uniforms. There are also patrons that have loved our products over the generations. It is a pleasure to learn that SCOTCH GRAIN shoes are being recognized as “tools of everyday life.”
Recently the shoemaking industry in a whole is suffering a hard time due to the raising leather stock prices. However SCOTCH GRAIN is able to obtain leather from overseas through our original route, and we have been making efforts to stably secure high quality leather. Moreover, with SCOTCH GRAIN the rise of the stock price is covered by suppressing the manufacturing cost. Thankfully we are able to avoid price rises, but looking into the future, further challenges are inevitable.
We wish to root our company down to this Sumida Ward and continue manufacturing shoes which businessmen will happily use as tools of everyday life. We are not cheap, but we are confident that once our shoes are worn the value is sure to be understood. With good care, you will have shoes lasting for 10years or even 20 years.
That is SCOTCH GRAIN for you.

｜　Store Information　｜