5 Tokyo Shoe Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Summer 2023

Shoes are the final secret weapon to making any outfit look fab-u-lous! Time to put away those old, outdated shoes and replace them with stylish, fresh footwear instead.

Whether you’re a shoes-o-holic or not, now that summer is basically around the corner, it’s time to upgrade your shoe game and get ready to seriously strut your stuff along the streets of Tokyo with confidence and style. 

From trending colors to the most popular and updated style of shoes this summer, we’ve got you covered. Here, we’ll reveal the top five shoes that will instantly make you trend-conscious. Make sure not to miss our Savvy Styling Tips for stylish coordination techniques and key points on how to wear them.

Keep scrolling to see more, along with shopping recommendations as well. No outfit is ever complete without the perfect pair of shoes!

1. Mary Jane

The retro and girly Mary Jane makes any casual outfit look trendy. It goes well with items such as shirts, ties and long jackets with sharp silhouettes to give off a solid impression. Modernize your traditional outfits and add a little sweetness with a pair of mature but cute Mary Jane shoes.       

© Photo by Charles & Keith

Double Strap Mary Jane (lilac) by Charles & Keith | ¥4,550 (30% off ¥6,500)

© Photo by Charles Chaton

Flat Mary Jane by Charles Chaton | ¥15,400

Savvy Styling Tip: 

The schoolgirl style is currently trending and the Mary Jane shoes are the perfect shoes to achieve this look. Combine a plaid jacket with a micro-mini length skirt, and pair it with ribbed high socks. We love the classic pair by Charles & Keith in lilac—seasonal trend color alert! A pair of sweet Mary Jane by Charles Chaton with a sharp pointed toe is also great for achieving a mature look. Wear it with denim jeans for a Parisian look. The trick to its popularity is that you can change up your outfits by wearing your Mary Jane shoes with socks, tights and even leg warmers. 

2. Transparent Clear Sandals

For ultimate trendy success in summer, a transparent clear material is the way to go. This season, you’ll find sandals where the belt, heel or other parts of the shoe are transparent, making it look more modern. All eyes will be on your feet as you rock the streets wearing sandals with an ultra-cool design!

© Photo by Oriental Traffic

PVC Double Belt Bicolor Sandals by Oriental Traffic | ¥6,500

© Photo by Zara

Heart High Heel Sandals by Zara | ¥7,990 

Savvy Styling Tip: 

The key to pulling off these transparent clear sandals is to wear them with long trousers, skirts and dresses. Why not try styling the unique heart-shaped clear heels by Zara with the denim x denim look from the spring 2023 trends for a double trendy look? The very popular Japanese brand, Oriental Traffic, also has a nice selection of transparent clear sandals. Get them in white with the silver heel as silver is another trending color this season.

3. Ballet & Flats 

Ballet and flats are the perfect shoes for summer outings. Don’t miss out on this season’s ballet and flats variations from embellished studs, glittering, couture-like items and thick soles. Every trendy girl and woman should keep a pair in their shoe cupboard to quickly slip on when running errands.

© Photo by Akikoaoki

Giselle Valentine Pistachio Satin X WH by Akikoaoki | ¥34,100 

© Photo by Zara

Mirrored Ballet Flats by Zara | ¥9,990

Savvy Styling Tip: 

The pair by Akikoaoki uses satin to add a touch of glamor and gives an elegant impression. While the mirrored flats by Zara have strong pointed toes that make your legs appear longer and sleeker. These ballet flats are your statement item, so the trick to pulling off these flashy silver (seasonal trend color) shoes is to wear them with monotone outfits for a minimalist yet chic look. You can also try pairing it with mini-length bottoms like shorts or skirts for a fresh look.

4. Thick-Soled Sandals

Are you on your feet all day? Going on a whole day outing? Forget those uncomfortable flat sandals that provide no support to the feet! If you want comfort but also want to stand out from the crowd, it’s time to get yourself a pair of thick-soled sandals that are very popular this season. Go for a simple pair or ones with a little embellishment.  

© Photo by ReEdit

Gurkha Sandals With Thick Soles by ReEdit| ¥4,999 (sale price ¥5,999)

© Photo by Diana Shoes

Lightweight Sports Sandals by Diana Shoes | ¥15,400

Savvy Styling Tip: 

Style simple thick-soled sandals with a long dress or skirt with a t-shirt and cool denim jacket. The design also goes well with beige pants for summer. Sport sandals with bijou parts and enamel like the ones by Diana are easy to match with feminine outfits. Wear it with socks on slightly chillier days.

5. Platform Loafers 

Loafers were popular during the fall and winter seasons and continue to be one of the trendy shoe styles this summer. However, this season, we’re seeing an upgrade. It’s all about the thick and chunky platform loafers. The best thing? 

© Photo by Evol

Bit Quilty Tan Loafers (ivory) by Evol | ¥9,900 (5% off ¥9,405)

© Photo by Dr. Martens

Audrick Loafers by Dr. Martens | ¥30,800 

Savvy Styling Tip: 

We love loafers like the pair by Evol with quilted tassels, chains and moderately thick soles that give it a modern look. Wear it with a pair of white socks, a white shirt, a plaid blazer and shorts for that trending schoolgirl style. They also look great with denim. Dr. Martens are a classic. Style them with different colored skirts and white socks. For a sporty look, a t-shirt dress is the perfect combo and if you’re into preppy style, wear your loafers with a tailored dress. 

What’s your favorite pair of summer shoes? Where do you like to shop for shoes in Tokyo? Let us know in the comment section below!