Step into the quiet elegance of traditional Japanese footwear with these handcrafted Women's Zori sandals, featuring the charming Nakayoshi Medaka pattern.
Designed for comfort, practicality, and refined everyday wear, these beautiful Japanese Zori combine a genuine woven tatami rush footbed with a cushioned, flexible sole and a traditional patterned cotton/nylon thong.
The distinctive Nakayoshi Medaka pattern brings a touch of Japanese nostalgia to the design. Nakayoshi (仲良し) means “close friends” or “getting along well,” while medaka (メダカ) are the small Japanese rice fish that have long been cherished in Japan. The pattern appears to depict colorful medaka swimming among playful swirling water motifs, creating a cheerful image of fish moving harmoniously together.
Unlike wooden geta, Zori are lightweight, flexible, and pleasantly quiet, producing only a soft sound as you walk. Their understated design makes them equally suitable for wearing with a yukata or traditional Japanese-inspired clothing, as well as with modern casual outfits.
Genuine Japanese Tatami Rush
Each pair features a genuine Japanese tatami rush grass footbed, traditionally woven by skilled Japanese craftsmen. The natural rush is highly breathable, helping your feet stay more comfortable and less stuffy during warm weather. The subtle, soothing aroma of the rush grass is a wonderful reminder of the natural materials used in these traditional sandals.
The woven footbed is built over a cushioned construction and finished with a flexible EVA sole. The underside features wave-like ridges to provide additional traction, while the EVA construction is soft and flexible enough for comfortable indoor or outdoor wear.
Comfort Meets Traditional Style
These Zori feature an approximately 1 1/2-inch raised heel, providing a gently graduated profile from toe to heel. The higher heel also helps keep the foot more securely positioned on the sandal.
Traditional Japanese sandals are worn somewhat differently from modern Western flip-flops. The thong is positioned in the center of the sandal rather than being offset, placing the foot farther back on the footbed. Traditionally, a small amount of heel overhang, approximately 1–2 cm (about 1/2 inch), is considered an elegant way to wear Japanese Zori. This style, sometimes associated with the Japanese aesthetic of iki, also helps shift the center of gravity forward and can reduce the slapping sound that occurs when a sandal comes completely off the heel.
Important Fit Information: Because of the traditional centered thong and Japanese Zori construction, these sandals will feel shorter than a standard Western shoe of the same stated size. A 24 cm sandal can comfortably accommodate approximately a US women's size 7 when worn in the traditional manner. If you prefer a Western flip-flop fit, with your entire foot sitting completely inside the boundaries of the footbed with room to spare, a 24 cm sandal is more likely to suit a US women's size 6 1/2. If you are a US women's size 7 1/2 or larger and expect a conventional Western fit, these sandals may feel too small. Please carefully review the measurements before ordering.
Details
Measurements
*Because of the traditional construction and centered thong, please pay particular attention to the actual measurements and intended Japanese wearing style rather than relying solely on standard Western shoe sizing.
Materials
Because each pair is individually handcrafted, the pattern of the nose strap may not be perfectly symmetrical, and the placement of the pattern may vary slightly from pair to pair. These natural variations are part of the character and charm of quality handmade Japanese footwear.
Please note: No returns or exchanges. Due to the traditional construction and sizing characteristics of Japanese Zori, we recommend reviewing all measurements and fit information before purchasing.
