Michael Jordan made his first trip to Japan in 1996 as part of the “Nike Hoops Heroes” event. To commemorate the occasion, His Airness donned a special pair of Air Jordan 12s made with lizard skin best remembered from images of him playing 1-on-1 against a kid decked out in a full University of North Carolina uniform.
That moment is now being celebrating with the release of the Air Jordan 1 Low SE “Tokyo Vintage.” The lizard skin carries over on to the low-top’s Swoosh, with plenty more details channeling that day in 1996. Carolina Blue is used for the tip and outsole, the former of which is rendered in pebbled leather. Black and white, the same colors that appeared on Jordan’s 12s, then make up the rest of the upper with white suede at the base and black pebbled leather appearing on the heel and eyestays.
A faux-aged midsole adds further to the sense of vintage, and the tongues expose their inner foam a la Virgil Abloh’s designs. Rounding out the flourishes is a brilliant gold wings logo that sits on the heel.
For now, it appears that the Air Jordan 1 “Tokyo Vintage” will be a Japan exclusive. Tokyo 23 and select Atmos stores are the only confirmed release channels so far for the March 25 release. It’d be a shame to miss out out on these Js with such a great story, but then again, the very nature of the story does lend itself to a Japan-only release. Download the DROPS by SoleSavy app, and we’ll provide you with any updates should wider availability be confirmed.
Air Jordan 1 Low SE “Tokyo Vintage”
Style Code: DZ5376-469
Release Date: March 25
Price: $117
