Footwear on the Japan ABD

[TXAKDisneyFan]

We're going on the Japan ABD this summer. How often we will need socks (like to wear on tatami flooring)? And are tennis shoes required (or highly recommended) anywhere? I haven't seen anything in the handbook saying closed toe shoes are required but I might've missed it.

I'm asking because I have very messed up, arthritic, feet and almost exclusively wear sandals - I'm fine walking 15 miles in flip flops, but 30 seconds in any closed toe shoe/shoe with a back and I'm in agony (and tmi, a few hours in tennis shoes and my toenails fall off ). I also almost never wear socks, but plan on carrying some in my purse.

 

[Mathmagicland]

We're going on the Japan ABD this summer. How often we will need socks (like to wear on tatami flooring)? And are tennis shoes required (or highly recommended) anywhere? I haven't seen anything in the handbook saying closed toe shoes are required but I might've missed it.

I'm asking because I have very messed up, arthritic, feet and almost exclusively wear sandals - I'm fine walking 15 miles in flip flops, but 30 seconds in any closed toe shoe/shoe with a back and I'm in agony (and tmi, a few hours in tennis shoes and my toenails fall off ). I also almost never wear socks, but plan on carrying some in my purse.

It’s been a few years, but I seem to recall we needed socks at the temples, because shoes had to be removed. The trip has changed since that first year, so check the current itinerary for the number and days of the temple visits.

I also don’t recall tennis shoes really being needed most of the time. Most of the walking is pretty easy going, ie no hikes, since this trip is more cultural. You might want tennis shoes or something similar for the bicycle ride in Takayama.

Enjoy the trip - it is a wonderful one!!

 

[sayhello]

Are you going to be OK walking around in just socks? It will likely be necessary in a couple of the temples/shrines, the Sumo Experience and the Taiko Drumming lesson. The Yatsuhashi Making and Tea Presentation is different from the Tea Ceremony we did, but we had to take our shoes off for our Tea Ceremony.

Sayhello

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Are you going to be OK walking around in just socks? It will likely be necessary in a couple of the temples/shrines, the Sumo Experience and the Taiko Drumming lesson. The Yatsuhashi Making and Tea Presentation is different from the Tea Ceremony we did, but we had to take our shoes off for our Tea Ceremony.

Sayhello

I prefer wearing slippers at home but I'm ok barefoot (or in socks). It's the way closed toe shoes rub my heel, compress the tops and side of my feet, etc, that are the issue.

 

[afan]

We're going on the Japan ABD this summer. How often we will need socks (like to wear on tatami flooring)? And are tennis shoes required (or highly recommended) anywhere? I haven't seen anything in the handbook saying closed toe shoes are required but I might've missed it.

I'm asking because I have very messed up, arthritic, feet and almost exclusively wear sandals - I'm fine walking 15 miles in flip flops, but 30 seconds in any closed toe shoe/shoe with a back and I'm in agony (and tmi, a few hours in tennis shoes and my toenails fall off ). I also almost never wear socks, but plan on carrying some in my purse.

Didn't do the tour but did 2.5 weeks in Japan almost 2 years ago. I wore sandals daily without issue, my feet are happier that way.

I did carry a pair of ankle socks in a ziplock on any days I thought I might need to wear them.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We're going on the Japan ABD this summer. How often we will need socks (like to wear on tatami flooring)? And are tennis shoes required (or highly recommended) anywhere? I haven't seen anything in the handbook saying closed toe shoes are required but I might've missed it.

I'm asking because I have very messed up, arthritic, feet and almost exclusively wear sandals - I'm fine walking 15 miles in flip flops, but 30 seconds in any closed toe shoe/shoe with a back and I'm in agony (and tmi, a few hours in tennis shoes and my toenails fall off ). I also almost never wear socks, but plan on carrying some in my purse.

I don't think you'll have any issue. I don't recall anything that required closed toe shoes. If you're good in bare feet/socks, you'll be absolutely fine in the locations where removing your shoes is required. The idea above to have an extra pair of socks with you to wear at a temple is a really good suggestion. I remember a lot of people in socks, not many in bare feet.