Japan Today
Image: Nike
new products

Cherry blossoms blooming on sakura Air Jordans from Nike

1 Comment
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

For footwear fans, the first thing that springs to mind when they hear “Air Jordans” is basketball. It makes sense, seeing as how the Nike shoe line is named after NBA legend Michael Jordan and all.

Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-10.49.15.png

However, when you see the newest Air Jordan mode, the visual language doesn’t shout “slam dunks” so much as “blooming sakura.”

Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-10.49.28.png

Cherry blossoms aren’t the only traditionally Japanese motif on these wearable art canvases, either. You’ll also see cranes, a symbol of longevity and prosperity in Japanese culture, which also contribute part of these sneakers’ name: the Air Jordan 1 Low OG Rui Hachimura Cranes.

Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-10.49.41.png

Of course, you can’t ignore the “Rui Hachimura” part of that name either. A basketball star in Japan since his high school days, Hachimura, born to a Japanese mother and Beninese father, is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and playing at the highest level of the sport has made him a beacon of hope for other Japanese athletes with big hoop dreams. Hachimura and Nike collaborated on the shoes’ design.

Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-10.49.51.png

In addition to sakura and cranes, the shoes are distinguished by black/metallic gold swoosh and insoles with the letter H, stylized in a manner evocative of Japanese brushstroke calligraphy.

Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-10.50.02.png

Seeing as how the Air Jordan 1 Low OG Rui Hachimura Cranes are low-tops, Hachimura is unlikely to suit up in them next month during the Lakers/"One Piece" game night collaboration. However, the stylish and unique design is sure to turn heads whenever and wherever you wear them.

Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-10.50.12.png

Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-10.50.22.png

The sakura Air Jordans are priced at 23,650 yen, and will be available through the Nike online store here.

Source: Nike via Japaaan

Images: Nike

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Air Wagashi: New Nike Air Max sneakers are the delicious kicks we’ve all been waiting for

-- Sakura sneakers, in three different varieties, now on sale from Nike 【Photos】

-- Nike Air Mo’ Money sneakers with Japanese text and yen symbols are the coolest kicks around

© SoraNews24

©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.

1 Comment
Login to comment

I like them. These would sell well in Korea too. The cherry blos. are amazing here.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites