It can be difficult to find an ideal pair of slippers that are perfect for your feet and are comfortable. If you are looking for a great pair of slippers check out MERIKOTI, a store that makes handmade zori-type Japanese slippers. Cloth zori, made of soft and comfortable meriyasu (knitted fabric) material, can be made stylishly for both men and women. They are a great way to treat yourself and are also suitable as a gift for friends, family members, boyfriends, or girlfriends.
Hotel staff at The Gate Hotel Ryogoku have actually experienced this service.
Sumida-ku, a town of craftsmanship
Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, where The Gate Hotel Ryogoku is located, has a strong image of being a sumo wrestling town, but as part of the modernization of the Meiji era, factories were built along the Sumida River to produce a variety of daily necessities, while taking advantage of its location. Meriyasu factories that introduced machine knitting were built one after another, and the area became a major center of the meriyasu industry. Even today, many of the remaining companies and craftsmen continue to pass on their traditional techniques and passion for craftsmanship to the present day.
Local industry of Sumida Ward, meriyasu (knitted fabric) revitalized
One of the companies revitalizing meriyasu with new products is Kodaka Meriyasu Industry, which has specialized in knitting rib-knit polo shirt collars and other parts for over 60 years in Sumida Ward. The brand is based on the creator’s skills and features fashionable designs with a Scandinavian theme. The stylish Scandinavian-themed designs are soft to the touch and washable. The shoes are now attracting attention as a new type of slipper that becomes more comfortable each time you wear them.
MERIKOTI workshop where you can try your hand at making your own.
MERIKOTI, the main store, and workshop opened in 2014, is a combination of “meri,” derived from “meriyasu” and “koti,” meaning “hometown” in Finnish. The shop continues to produce new and attractive pieces that meet the needs of modern people while using old-fashioned techniques. The store displays many colorful cloth elephants, which are fun just to look at. The shop also offers a handmaking experience, where you can create your own color and design.
It is about a 10-minute walk from The Gate Hotel Ryogoku. If you come by train, it is a 10-minute walk from the East Exit of Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line or a 5-minute walk from Exit A3 of Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line.
Hands-on workshop: Nuno Zori Lesson
This is a hands-on workshop where you can create a pair of cloth zori and take them home with you.
You can choose from 12 colors for the base and 8 types for the sandals.
Fee: 6,600 yen (tax included) Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
Capacity: 4 people Target: Junior high school students and older
For more details about the workshop, please click here.
If you plan to stay at The Gate Hotel, we can assist you with reservations.
SHOP DATA
MERIKOTI
| Address | Hirai Building 1F, 1-12-10 Kamezawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0014, Japan |
| TEL | 070-6986-0708 |
| Business hours | 10:00-18:00 |
| Closed | Monday *Open if Monday is a national holiday |
*Please contact the store directly for the latest information on business hours and holidays.
