On the availability of giant shoes and other matters

[Malamis]

sup.

I am huge.

That is, I have had significant trouble being clothéd within my own country due to my excessive collection of dimensions above and beyond the call of duty. If and when I end up in Japan, I would rather not be in the position of having to staple my trousers back together should something unfortunate happen to them, to use an extremely hyperbolic example.
My query on this issue is then: what sort of silly big apparel outlets are there? Is the preconception of a common Europeaner being a full head taller than the common Nihon-jin true? Is the migrant/immigrant population large (both senses) enough to support specialists, or are they catered for anyway by the mainstream?

secondary considerations/queries :
Have you any particular testimonies of being Large and In Japan, along with any tools you found useful to cope?
Are chiropractors few and far between?

a bit of a shallow question to mark my first I know, but when you live in a world of consistent concussions, it helps to be prepared for a 9/10th scale version >.>

 

[Glenski]

Let's cut to the chase. What sizes are you in need of? Shirt, pants, shoes.

Haruyama chain stores and Grand Back stores have some large sizes here. Mind you, the younger generation is becoming larger, whether due to eating western food or not, so some regular stores are stocking bigger sizes, but we need to know you a little more intimately.

Oh, and yes that preconception you mentioned is true on average. Keep your head down when passing through apartment doors and going from room to room.

If sumo wrestlers can manage, so can almost anyone.

 

[Pepe]

When it comes to shoes, my secret weapon is www.eastbay.com. An American company that ships pretty much anywhere on the planet. Massive selection, good size range available. And often with some killer deals.

 

[Glenski]

Personally, I just have to try on the shoes. If you can't find stores where you live, get them when you are back home, IMO.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If sumo wrestlers can manage, so can almost anyone.

Actually sumo wrestlers have to get the bolts of fabric that make up their kimono specially made for them .

 

[mr.unstoppable]

I got laughed out of a Kintetsu when I asked for shoes in 28.5 centimeters. If your feet are bigger than that then I suggest bringing your own shoes and going to a cobbler.

 

[Malamis]

thanks for the responses.
I'm just shy of 2m tall, shoe size 16 G (British) or about 32 cm, and can rarely fit in anything smaller than XXLfor shirts etc. Thus my distress.

I'd rather not have to haul my entire wardrobe overseas (what with dress for success = priority in Japan), as just three shirts and two sets of trousers will generally fill up half a suitcase :|

but thanks for the eastbay link, I might even try them out now |:

 

[Glenski]

Yes, the dress for success label does seem to fit the Japanese, but may I ask just what sort of job you hope to land? That will also matter in the clothes you choose. Whatever happens, I think you're going to have to pack/ship shoes.

 

[Ashikaga]

I also wear size 32cm shoes and it is not easy. The stores here only carry sizes up to 28 or so. I usually goon line (rakuten market or yahoo japan shopping) and find specialty stores that sell large shoes for freaks of nature like us. Same goes for shirts and pants.

I really hate it when you visit someone's home and you have to take off your shoes and they expect you to wear those teeny weeny slippers.

As someone has already suggested, in Ryogoku area of Tokyo, there are stores that cater to Sumo wrestlers and they have everything in large sizes. Just don't expect to be able to be picky about the design and the style.

 

[Pepe]

...I really hate it when you visit someone's home and you have to take off your shoes and they expect you to wear those teeny weeny slippers...

Reminds me of the Ryokan we stayed at in Narita-shi. But they were awfully nice and apologised that they didn't have larger ones.