Leather sneakers Men BR5001 White

For those who are discovering brightway for the first time, we'd like to take a moment to introduce our brand concept and its three key features.

Today, most sneakers on the market use resin or plastic heel counters.

In contrast, leather counters—like those used in brightway—are an exceptionally rare material, found only in a select few luxury brands.

What makes them so rare is not just the material itself, but the craftsmanship required to work with it.

In Japan, only a handful of factories still have the expertise to produce sneakers with leather counters.

The reasons are clear: leather counters cost over five times more than synthetic ones, and the manufacturing process takes more than three times as long.

This method demands skilled hands, years of experience, and a commitment to careful, time-intensive craftsmanship—making it incompatible with mass production driven by efficiency and cost-cutting.

Every part is replaceable—our commitment to creating shoes that are made to last.

Every part of a brightway sneaker can be repaired or replaced.
(Please note that this is a paid service.)

One of the most notable features is the ability to perform a full sole replacement—something rarely available, even for high-end sneakers.

While many premium sneakers do not allow for genuine sole replacement, brightway is designed with repairability in mind, ensuring your pair can be worn for years to come.

In addition to full sole replacement, the cup insoles can also be replaced, and most components of the shoe can be repaired or exchanged as needed.

This is possible because every step of the manufacturing process is carried out entirely in Japan—

and more importantly, because each stage is handled by skilled artisans working in-house, by hand.

As makers, we believe in taking full responsibility for every pair we produce.

That means not only crafting each shoe with care, but also offering services that help extend its life for as long as possible.

In an era where sustainability is more important than ever, brightway is committed to creating products that are built to last and loved for years.

brightway is made by us—International Shoes Co., Ltd., a leather shoe manufacturer based in Osaka, Japan.

Our founder, Mr. Giichi Ueda, started our journey in 1954 with just two craftsmen in a small workshop.

Since then, for over half a century, we’ve supported the production of high-quality shoes for numerous women’s footwear brands both in Japan and overseas.

From the very beginning, our philosophy has been simple yet unwavering:

“Make good shoes with honesty and integrity.”

Even after more than 50 years, this belief remains at the heart of what we do—crafting shoes with care, made to be loved for years to come.

At brightway, we source as many materials as possible from domestic producers here in Japan—always from suppliers we know and trust.

Before we begin working with any material, we make it a point to visit the producers in person.

We listen to their stories, understand their values, and share our vision before moving forward together.

This deep connection with our partners is essential to how we make things—with care, respect, and a shared sense of purpose.

We choose to use domestically sourced materials because we want to help revitalize Japan’s leather shoe industry—and share its value with the world.

Japan is home to a culture of care, exceptional craftsmanship, and a deep-rooted tradition of manufacturing.

Every material born from this heritage is made with great attention to detail and respect for the process.

Yet, these qualities are not always fully communicated to consumers.

By actively choosing Japanese-made materials, we hope to preserve these traditions, support local industries, and pass this rich heritage on to the next generation.

Each pair of brightway sneakers is crafted with the skill and spirit of Japanese artisans.

We are proud to carry the soul of "Team Japan" into the world—one pair at a time.

While many manufacturers have moved their production overseas in search of lower costs, we remain committed to making shoes right here—where our roots are.

The reason we’re able to deliver each pair to you today is thanks to those who came before us—
the previous generations who preserved the craft of shoemaking in this region.

Through brightway, we aim to carry this legacy forward and pass the industry and its traditions on to the next generation.

What we aspire to is the kind of craftsmanship seen in historic European ateliers:
where children, inspired by the pride and dedication of their parents, follow in their footsteps;
where skills, philosophy, and passion are passed down from generation to generation.

Creating that kind of ideal world for craftsmanship—that is brightway’s dream.

With a commitment to making shoes that will still be loved 10 years from now,
we strive each day to become a company that will still be cherished 100 years from now—
crafting every pair with care, integrity, and purpose.

If you have any questions about our products, feel free to contact us via our official LINE account.

▼You can reach our LINE account here▼
LINE account