You slip on a brand-new pair of geta (wooden sandals), feeling excited to head out, and then partway through your walk the thongs (hanao) start to sting with every step… If you’ve ever worn geta or zori (flat kimono sandals), chances are you’ve experienced this at least once. It’s such a shame when discomfort ends up making you walk awkwardly on what should be an enjoyable outing.
But don’t worry — hanao rubbing against your skin can largely be prevented with a little preparation before you even put your geta on. This article is for anyone whose feet end up hurting from geta or zori hanao, covering both steps you can take in advance and quick fixes for when pain strikes on the day itself. If you’ve got a chance to wear geta coming up, it’s worth reading through before you head out.
What Causes Hanao to Rub and Hurt
Hanao rubbing happens when the strap repeatedly presses against the same spot on your foot, putting continuous strain on that area. This is especially common with new geta, since the hanao itself is still stiff and hasn’t softened to fit the space between your toes or the curve of your foot, so discomfort tends to build up the longer you walk.
Looking more closely at the causes, a few things tend to overlap: the core and material of the hanao being stiff, the maetsubo — the part of the hanao that sits between your toes — being either too tight or too loose, and simply your toes not yet being used to the feel of geta. In other words, both “the stiffness of the geta itself” and “your feet not being accustomed to it” are at play. Once you understand the cause, it becomes much clearer where to focus your care.
Steps You Can Take Before Wearing Them
If the cause lies in the stiffness of the hanao and your feet not being used to it, the solution can be just as simple — split into those same two areas. Don’t worry, there are only two things to remember: “softening the hanao beforehand” and “protecting your feet in advance.”
Loosen Up the Hanao by Working It With Your Hands
The most basic step is to gently knead and work the hanao with your hands the day before you plan to wear your geta. Rubbing the hanao between your fingers to soften the stiff parts makes a noticeable difference in how gently it presses against your foot once you’re wearing it. It also helps to gently stretch the hanao and the strap near the heel. Since the hanao is stiffest when you first start wearing new geta, loosening it slightly beforehand — just enough that it still holds securely — makes slipping them on much more comfortable.
Check the Fit and Let Your Feet Get Used to Them Beforehand
No matter how much you soften the hanao, if the size itself isn’t right, the effect will be limited. Before heading out, try walking around the house for a bit to check the position of the maetsubo and how the hanao feels against your foot. If you’re curious about adjusting the hanao or the differences between geta and zori themselves, you might also find What’s the Difference Between Geta and Zori? A Gentle Guide to Choosing for Yukata and Kimono helpful.
Guard Your Feet With Something Applied to Your Toes or the Hanao
Lightly dusting baby powder or rubbing a bit of soap between your toes reduces friction against the hanao and helps your foot slide more smoothly. There’s also a method of rubbing candle wax onto the hanao itself, which can likewise help cut down on friction. Neither requires any special tools, so they’re worth keeping in mind as a quick bit of prep before you head out.
Protect Problem Spots in Advance With Bandages or Tape
If you already know which spots are likely to rub, protecting them beforehand with a bandage or tape works well too. Regular bandages tend to peel off as you walk, so using skin-toned tape that blends in with your skin tone keeps it both discreet and securely in place. There are also ready-made protective items on the market, such as cushions designed to tuck inside the hanao, or gel pads and hanao pads that stick directly onto the strap. For occasions where hanao rubbing is a real concern — like a seijin-shiki (the Coming-of-Age ceremony) or a wedding, where you’ll be walking for long stretches — having one of these dedicated items on hand can be reassuring. That said, if your geta or zori don’t fit properly to begin with, even these products won’t help much, so it’s best to first make sure the size suits your foot.
Quick Fixes If Pain Strikes While You’re Out
Even with careful preparation, pain can sometimes set in partway through a long day of walking. For moments like these, it helps to carry a few bandages or some gauze in a small pouch. Place the gauze or a bandage over the sore spot to create a cushion between your skin and the hanao, which helps prevent further rubbing.
Wearing tabi socks or lace tabi is another handy fix to keep in mind for when you’re out and about. Since the hanao no longer presses directly against bare skin, the friction itself is reduced. If you’re unsure whether tabi can be worn with a yukata (a light cotton summer kimono), take a look at Is It Strange to Wear Tabi With a Yukata? Why Bare Feet in Geta Are Considered the Basic Look, and Lace Tabi as an Option as well. Just slipping a spare pair of tabi socks into your bag — even if you don’t normally wear them — can make a huge difference in peace of mind if you need them.
Choosing the Right Approach for You
Looking back over everything here, the two most important things are “softening the hanao before you wear your geta” and “checking that the size fits properly.” Get these two right, and you’ll cut down on most of the trouble you might run into on the day. On top of that, for days when you’ll be walking for a long time or attending an important event, adding protective items like bandages, tape, or hanao pads will help you get through the day with extra peace of mind.
The more you wear geta, the more the hanao will mold to your feet, so once you’ve broken them in properly with these steps, things only get easier from there. Keeping up with regular care also helps the hanao last longer, so if that interests you, take a look at Caring for and Cleaning Geta: From Airing Them Out After Wearing to Cleaning the Hanao, Storage, and Repairs as well. Our top tip: gently work the hanao with your hands the night before you head out. That one small step alone can make a real difference in how comfortable your walk feels on the day.