Back to school shopping

The school year begins in April throughout Japan, so like all other families we have been busy with back to school shopping. 

Because of my vast knowledge of footwear it is my job to help my children select good shoes at a good price. 

To my surprise my youngest, who just turned 12 last month, now wears a ladies' size 8 (US) or 25 cm (Japan shoe sizing)! So she has bigger or longer feet than both her mother and her older sister.

She tried on a lot of different shoes - Nike, Addidas, Reebok, etc. - but this decided on buying a pair of New Balance shoes - New Balance 730 to be specific. I think these shoes were an excellent choice because they are very lightweight, flexible, and breath well.

But my daughter loved the amazing color best. These shoes look great on her. 

We bought the shoes at ABC Mart at the Outlet Mall in the Toyosaki area here in Okinawa Prefecture. In my opinion that paritular shoestore is the best place to buy athletic footwear here in Okinawa.

My older daughter decided to buy loafers for school instead of sports shoes. She will be starting the 10th grade, which is the first year of high school here in Japan.

A long time ago - when I was 22 years old until I was 27 years old - I worked for a retail company at an extremely busy shoe store in the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. I learned a lot about shoes in general, customer service, retail sales, business management, and the footwear industry. That job was an important experience for me. However, I left that job to start college. Furthering one's education is always a good choice.