NAITO, a footwear house born in Kyoto in 1897
The story of OJOJO begins in Kyoto-Gion, where the NAITO house has been making footwear for more than a century.
To create OJOJO, the brand does not simply reproduce a traditional sandal. Instead, it draws on several of its defining features to create a contemporary shoe: the shape of the hanao strap, the position of the toe post, and above all, a distinctive way of placing the foot on the sole.
The result is visually minimal, yet its design immediately changes the way the foot feels when walking.
The focus is no longer solely on cushioning or foot support: the foot itself is invited to play a greater role in the movement.
This idea lies at the heart of the OJOJO concept.
Why does the heel extend beyond the sandal?
This is probably the first thing that surprises you when you try on an OJOJO.
Unlike a classic Western shoe, the sole is not necessarily designed to accommodate the entire length of the foot. Instead, the brand recommends wearing it with the heel extending slightly beyond the back - around 2 cm for standard wear. This way of wearing the sandal is directly inspired by traditional Japanese footwear culture.
This detail changes the way the foot is positioned and contributes to movement. The toes are engaged more actively, making the stride more dynamic. The brand therefore places particular emphasis on how the foot and body are used while moving, rather than simply on the sensation of being supported by a shoe.
This is also why choosing an OJOJO based solely on your usual European shoe size can be misleading. Here, your actual foot length in centimeters is far more important.
Key takeaway: with OJOJO, the foot does not necessarily need to rest entirely on the sole. The recommended fit intentionally leaves the heel slightly overhanging.
OJOJO Black: the version designed for everyday wear
The OJOJO Black is the signature model in the classic line. It retains the brand’s defining principle — a sole worn slightly shorter than the foot — but in a construction designed for easy everyday use.
Its cork footbed is water-resistant, allowing the sandal to be worn both in the city and for certain outdoor activities: at the beach, by the pool or while camping. The OJOJO NAITO logo is directly integrated into the sole.
The sole is 3.3 cm high and three sizes are available: S, M and L.
OJOJO Black sizes
S: foot length from 22 to 25.5 cm
M: foot length from 24 to 28 cm
L: foot length from 28 to 30 cm
These ranges intentionally overlap: depending on foot length and the feel you are looking for, you may sometimes hesitate between two sizes.
A larger sole will provide a more relaxed feel. Conversely, a shorter sole will emphasize the OJOJO principle and require greater engagement while walking.
For a first pair, we recommend sticking to the standard fit recommended by the brand rather than immediately seeking the most intense experience.
An adjustment period is completely normal
The first few minutes in OJOJO can feel surprising.
And that’s perfectly normal.
The brand indicates that an adjustment period of around 3 to 10 days may be needed, depending on the individual.
After years of wearing shoes that wrap around and support the foot in very different ways, asking the toes to play a more active role can create unfamiliar sensations.
There is therefore no need to wear the sandals for hours from day one. Instead, the idea is to gradually let your feet adapt to this new way of walking.
Starting gradually allows you to discover the concept without immediately trying to maximize foot engagement.
A particularly important principle with the second model we selected.
CoJOJO White: a sandal… without a heel
The CoJOJO White takes the concept much further.
Its design is instantly recognizable: the platform stops before the heel. Your heel is therefore completely suspended in the air.
This construction naturally requires the wearer to engage the toes and calves more actively to maintain balance. It also engages the core more and creates a very different sensation from that of a shoe or even a classic OJOJO.
CoJOJO therefore feels more like a training tool than a simple everyday sandal.
Platform sizes
M: recommended for feet from 21 to 26 cm
L: recommended for feet from 22 to 30 cm
Here again, the overlap is intentional. With CoJOJO, the platform size directly affects the intensity of the experience.
The smaller the platform, the more you need to engage your foot and body to maintain your balance. To discover the product, it is therefore best to start with a platform that feels comfortable before potentially moving to a smaller size.
The hanao: a strap that is part of the concept
Another detail directly inherited from Japanese footwear is the hanao, the strap that holds the foot in place.
On CoJOJO, it is available in several sizes and features a Velcro system for adjustable support.
The platform and hanao can therefore be selected separately according to the length and shape of the foot.
This modularity is important because, once again, OJOJO does not work exactly like a European shoe.
The goal is not necessarily for the foot to fill the entire available surface perfectly. Instead, you need to find the level of support and engagement that matches the intended use.
OJOJO or CoJOJO: what’s the difference?
The two models share the same philosophy, but their uses are very different.
OJOJO Black
The OJOJO Black is the most natural entry point into the NAITO universe. It lets you discover the principle of a short sole and a more active stride while remaining a sandal that can be worn in a variety of everyday situations.
CoJOJO White
The CoJOJO White offers a significantly more demanding experience. With its fully suspended heel, it requires greater engagement from the toes, calves and core. The size of its platform also allows you to adjust the level of difficulty.
OJOJO Black → walk differently.
CoJOJO White → take the experience and foot engagement further.
How do you choose your size?
This is probably the most important question when it comes to OJOJO.
And the best advice is very simple: measure your foot in centimeters rather than relying solely on your usual shoe size.
For an OJOJO Black, the brand generally recommends a fit that leaves around 2 cm of heel extending beyond the back. A larger sole will provide more comfort; a smaller one will enhance the feeling of an active stride.
The Training Book gives the example of a 23 cm foot: size S corresponds to a more active use, while size M provides a more relaxed fit.
For a 27.5 cm foot, the choice can range from S for a highly demanding experience to L for a much more comfortable feel.
Our advice: trying OJOJO in person makes it much easier to understand the concept and find the right balance between sole length, support and walking sensation.
This is precisely one of the advantages of discovering OJOJO in person: trying it on lets you understand the concept immediately, far better than a simple size conversion.
Why Bijo; selected OJOJO NAITO
At Bijo;, we love Japanese objects that make us reconsider a gesture so everyday that we no longer pay attention to it.
OJOJO is a perfect example.
We all walk every day, but we rarely think about how we actually use our feet.
NAITO draws on more than a century of footwear craftsmanship to ask a surprisingly contemporary question: what if a shoe could assist the foot less and invite it to participate more?
We were also drawn to the way the brand preserves distinctly Japanese codes — the hanao, the short sole, the relationship between foot and shoe — without attempting to literally reproduce an old model.
The result lies somewhere between tradition, design and bodily experience.
An approach that perfectly reflects what we want to showcase with SUPER JAPAN: objects that tell the story of Japan, but can also very concretely transform our everyday habits.
Discover OJOJO NAITO at SUPER JAPAN
As part of SUPER JAPAN at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, Bijo; presents two models:
OJOJO Black — available in S, M and L
CoJOJO White — available in M and L platforms
Because their sizing and the way they are worn differ significantly from a classic shoe, we particularly recommend coming in to try them on and speak with our team.
Bijo; Japanese Beauty Bar — SUPER JAPAN
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
L’EXPO — 2nd floor
24 rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
Until October 18, 2026
OJOJO NAITO reminds us that something as familiar as a sandal can still change the way we perceive a gesture we have been making all our lives: walking.
