Got a new pair to replace the ones I left in Paris…
This model ups the coolness factor a notch by having an air bubble in their sole (so not kidding). Yes, I am wearing the Japanese Edo era equivalent of Air Jordans…

The debate is still up as to whether wearing them in the street makes me a complete tool, given that:
1) I do not work as a rickshaw runner.
2) I am a pale-skinned gaijin.

(current consensus seems to be that points 1 and 2 cancel each other and it’s OK for me to wear them, possibly even cool… but seriously, who cares: they are super-comfy and funky-looking… good enough for me)