Zori

A traditional Japanese footwear is not seen that often these days, as it is usually only worn with other traditional clothing, Zori are sandals made from rice straw or lacquered wood and are worn with a kimono for formal occasions.

There are other kinds of Japanese footwear other than the Zori. Geta are raised wooden clogs that are worn with the informal yukata. Geta are most often seen these days on the feet of sumo wrestlers. You will most likely hear them before you see them as they make a distinctive clacking noise as the wearer walks. This is sometimes mentioned as one of the sounds that older Japanese miss most in modern life.

Another kind would be the waraji, and you may see the occasional buddhist monk wearing wearing them. Waraji are sandals made from straw rope that in the past were the standard footwear of the common people.

All three designs allow for free circulation of air around the feet, a feature that probably came about because of Japan's humid climate.

See also: Geta