Introduction

Connecting the world to Japan, and delivering things that move the heart.

AoToMori was started in March 2026 by friends living in Fukuoka, Sayuko and Ziv.

What we share is a curiosity for fashion, accessories, and the fascinating things found all around the world.

"They aren't well-known in Japan yet, but I want more people to know about them."

AoToMori was born from the desire to bring such encounters with products to everyone in Japan.

Sayuko has built experience in diverse fields, including renewable energy projects, hospitality management, and research assistance at a prefectural research institution.

Through various jobs, thinking about coexistence with the environment, regional connections, and what makes human life richer has connected to how AoToMori currently selects products and builds its brand.

On the other hand, Ziv has been involved in work connecting overseas companies and creators to the Japanese market, focusing on international business transactions and international relations.

Experience in cross-border business and a network of overseas creators.

There are things that can only be found because the two of us have different experiences and perspectives.

With this in mind, we started AoToMori together to carefully introduce wonderful products we encountered abroad to Japan.

The first product is the AoToMori Sandal, born from a collaboration with the Thai footwear manufacturer MooChuu.

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Three things AoToMori values

In selecting, creating, and delivering our products, we value three things.

1 Keeping it as simple as possible, making things that last.

Sometimes shoes reach the end of their life due to the deterioration of adhesive parts, even when the material itself is still usable.

AoToMori sandals do not use synthetic adhesives.

The straps are mechanically fixed directly to the specially designed rubber sole.

By creating a structure that is as simple and durable as possible, we aimed for a pair you can love and use for a long time.

2 Properly conveying the background of the materials.

The soles use over 90% recycled natural rubber.

What we want to cherish is not just comfort and design.

What is it made of?
Where did that material come from?
How is it made?

Looking at the background of how a product comes to be.

And, by knowing that background, being able to cherish the item and use it for longer.

That is also one of the things AoToMori values.

3 Designs that make you want to pick them up, no matter how many years pass.

Rather than just following trends, we aim for items that naturally blend into your daily life and make you think "I want to wear these again" even after time has passed.

Simple, light, and with a little bit of character.

Nothing pretentious, just something you can incorporate into your everyday life.

We aim for such designs.

We would be happy if AoToMori sandals eventually became your go-to pair.

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The thoughts behind the name AoToMori

Ao (Blue) = Sea and sky.
Mori (Forest) = Coexistence with nature.

The name AoToMori carries our desire to cherish the connections between people, between people and nature, and between products and the people who use them.

Furthermore, this name expresses our values, which will also be shared in collaborations with various brands and creators that AoToMori will encounter in the future.

Thoughtful design.

Respect for materials.

And backgrounds and stories you want to tell others about.

We want to cherish such "charms of things."

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The future of AoToMori

AoToMori started with sandals.

However, what we are aiming for is not just a footwear brand.

Our mission is:

To find beautiful, unique, and moving things from all over the world and deliver them to everyone in Japan.

Things drawn to by design.

Things where you can feel the creator's skill and attention to detail.

Things where the materials have been seriously considered.

And things that have stories in their background worth telling.

We are moved by encounters with such products.

These might be products from brands already loved around the world.

Or perhaps items made in small workshops, created by independent designers, or brands that are barely known in Japan.

What is important is not the scale or fame, but that there is a charm that we ourselves feel "we want to deliver to everyone in Japan."

The collaboration with the Thai footwear manufacturer MooChuu is the first step of that journey.

From here on, AoToMori will gradually introduce to everyone in Japan the encounters we have with products, brands, and creators—whether fashion, accessories, or lifestyle goods—that we ourselves truly feel drawn to.

In this blog as well, we will share not just the products themselves, but the people involved, the materials, the ideas, and the stories behind their creation.

Wonderful things born somewhere in the world can make someone's daily life a little bit richer.

Creating those new encounters is our role at AoToMori.

We would be happy if you could join us in enjoying the journey of AoToMori that is just beginning.

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AoToMori

Discover something beautiful. Bring it closer.