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Top 10 Japanese Backpack Brands

Japanese products are always produced with high standards. Whether you are looking for a stylish backpack for school, work, or for regular use, Japanese backpack brands offer products that are high quality and will go with your every outfit. Go here, if you are looking for amazing hoodies for your trendy outfit.

The backpacks, among other type of bags that Japanese brands produce are aesthetic and modern looking. Their style will make you stand out in any crowd. Here are the best Japanese backpack brands we found.

Japanese backpack brands

Top Japanese Backpack Brands

1.Makavelic

Created in Tokyo, Japan. Makavelic is a brand that brings together street fashion and urban fashion. This is a Japanese backpack brand that keeps up with trends. The backpacks they produce are made with water repellent nylon or high-end Italian leather.

They are able to carry 13- or 15-inch laptops and have a large amount of room to carry most of what you want. Makavelic features business geared backpacks that are cushioned which can reduce impact if the bag were to fall with important or fragile items inside

Most of their backpacks come in black. Also, offering different designs such as where the zippers and smaller compartments are placed. They order them gold, silver, or bronze. Gold being more expensive, ranging around $250 and bronze being the less expensive options, ranging around $150.

Makavelic is rated highly. Rating range in the 4.5 stars out of 5 area.

Pros

  • Reasonably priced
  • For everybody
  • Street and urban style trends
  • Cushioned backpacks for more fragile items

Cons

  • Can be expensive
  • May have to buy from reseller site

2.Southern Field Industries

Southern Field Industries was created in 2008 by Manabu Okada in Japan. They are focused on creating timeless hand-crafted products. Quality of each product is taken very seriously and something this brand prides itself on.

Along with backpacks they produce other types of bags and accessories such as duffle bags and wallets. The shop website is priced in jpy and ship internationally.

This brand offers backpacks priced around $300. Each backpack has similar style. The style features a folded top instead of a traditional backpack that just unzips. There are a few options that come in shades of browns, black, white, and green.

The designs are all simple yet stand out. Made with materials of canvas, cow leather, and brass hardware. Most of the products and brand is rated around 3.5 to 4 stars out of 5.

Pros

  • Handcrafted backpacks
  • High quality materials and durability
  • Ships internationally
  • Simple design

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Some ratings are average
  • Only a few options

3.F/CE

Established in 2010, this Japanese backpack brand features high quality, functional bags with a contemporary style. Their products are created with everyone in mind. Traveling around the world to incorporate inspirations from other cultures.

They have been working towards sustainability. Out of the last two collections that they produced, 60% of the products are made with recycled nylon.

F/CE. offers a variety of collections to choose from. Each collections features a small number of different backpacks and bags that come in the same color. Colors that they offer are olive, tan, black, white, dark blue, and a few others.

There are more standard looking backpacks and ones designed with the zippers in different areas. Most are made with lightweight fiber that is almost completely tear resistant. These backpacks range around $250 each and can be bought used from resellers for cheaper.

Pros

  • High quality material
  • Multiple colors and collections to choose from
  • Recycled materials used
  • Lightweight backpacks

Cons

  • Have to buy from reseller websites
  • Expensive
  • Could be sold out4

4. and wander

And Wander was established in 2011 by two designers who used to work for Issey Miyake. The brand offers apparel and put out two collections per year since they began.

Their backpacks are meant for hiking or spending time in natures but can be used for everyday life. Since the backpacks are used for the outdoors the materials are light weight, water resistant, durable, and have wind protection.

The backpacks come in colors of olive, white, black, and other similar colors. This brand offers several different backpack designs to choose from. There are similar draw string styled backpacks to heavy duty 40 litter backpacks for actives such as backpacking.

Pricing for these backpacks can range any from $120 to their more expensive backpack which is $800. The ratings for this brand are average, raging in the higher 3 out of 5-star area.

Pros

  • Cheaper options
  • Different styles and colors
  • Lightweight backpacks
  • Larger options for long hikes or backpacking

Cons

  • Can be expensive
  • Rated averagely

5.Master-piece

Master-piece was created in 1994 in Japan. Their backpacks are made with overseas and domestic materials such as nylon and Italian cow leathers. These are backpacks that can go with any outfit and feature an urban, streetwear style.

They also feature apparel and a guide on how to style their clothing and backpacks. Each of their backpacks and bags come in seasonal collections. The backpacks come in all types of colors such as yellow, red, olive, black, and more.

The website offers store locators but only have a certain number in Asian countries. Most of their products can be found online on reseller websites or on their own store website. There are cheaper and more expensive backpack options.

Their products can range from $200 to $300 or more. Some cheaper options such as shoulder bags range around $100. There are not many ratings on this brand or the products but comments from individuals are generally positive.

Pros

  • Multiples colors and styles to choose from
  • Cheaper options when on sale
  • Positive reviews
  • Made with high quality materials

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Designs may be too flashy

6.Mr. Porter

Mr. Porter is a Japanese brand established in 2011 that sells a wide variety of high-quality clothing, shoes, accessories, and backpacks. This brand is very high end and only sells designer level products. The materials they use in their products are nylon and leather.

They do a number of collaborations with other brands. In 2019, Mr. Porter collaborated with Movember to create a men’s mental and physical health journal.

They offer simple designed backpacks such as the basic Jansport styled backpacks but also offer a wide variety of other backpacks with more complex designs. Even though the designs are more complex they still have a simple look. The price range is quite heftily. Some backpacks are around $100 but most are more that.

Most of the backpacks can be $500 to $2000 or more. The reviews for this brand are generally positive. Some are very high in the 4.5 and above area and some reviews range in the 3-star area.

Pros

  • Simple designs
  • Some cheaper options
  • Positive reviews
  • Designer brand

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Some ratings are average
  • Main focus is not backpacks

7. Nari Furi

Nari Furi was founded in 2007 in Tokyo, Japan. This brand focuses on bicycle friendly appeal, accessories, electric bikes, regular bikes, and backpacks. Their products range from casual to business friendly. Each backpacks style is simple and modern.

They release products by collections which are sorted by season. The website features a blog that gives tips on bicycling, how to repair gears, style, and more.

The backpacks are made of nylon, water resistant, and come in basic colors. Colors such as dark green, white, black, and one that comes in camouflage. The backpacks are meant for being outside, so they are durable. The price of these backpacks range around $130 to $270.

Since this is not a backpack focused brand, they do not offer a large number of backpacks to choose from. The brand overall has positive reviews.

Pros

  • Cheaper options
  • Modern style
  • Positive reviews
  • Lightweight and water resistant

Cons

  • Can be expensive
  • Not many to choose from

8. Paago Works

Paago Works was established in 2011 and is an outdoors brand. Their motto is to pack and go meaning to get your backpack packed and to head outside to nature. Since this is an outdoors brand their backpacks are less stylish and geared towards being hiking or camping friendly.

The backpacks look more like backpacks that you put water in and larger ones that fit more than a normal backpack. Their products are light weight and are made with a good amount of pockets for carrying snacks, water, and other outdoors goods.

The smaller backpacks can range around $70 while the larger ones like their Cardo 55 backpack is around $300. Colors that this brand offers are grey, tan, and they have some more colorful options such as purple. If you are looking for outdoors specific backpacks this brand would be a good option to look though.

Pros

  • Cheaper options
  • Outdoor styled backpacks
  • Some are stylish
  • Lightweight materials

Cons

  • Can be expensive
  • Not for casual wear

9. Tsuchiya Kaban

Founded in 1965, Tsuchiya Kaban first began making school bags for elementary students in Japan. As time passed this brand gained years of leatherworking experience enabling them to create innovative bags. They sell high quality leathered bags made by hand.

Their products come in the world-famous Japanese craftmanship style. Being both aesthetic and minimalistic. They produce wallets, bags of all sorts which include a good number of backpack selection.

Each backpack is made of leather with a very simple design that is comparable to a blank canvas. The color options offered are that of black, yellow, grey, and a few others.

Since this is a designer brand the backpacks are more expensive than other brands. They range around $1000 and can go up to as much as $2000. If you are looking for a Japanese handmade leather backpack this would be a good brand to look at. The reviews are also mainly positive.

Pros

  • Designer brand
  • Handcrafted leather backpacks
  • Simple design
  • Reviewed positively

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Only has leather bags

10. Hobo

Hobo is a Japanese backpack brand that was established in 2004. The story behind their name and brand identity is that they honor the Americans who walked the railroads with just a sack.

Almost all of their products are manufactured in Japan, so they meet the high Japanese crafted standards. Hobo offers a wide variety of products from apparel to their most popular products, tote bags. Their style is urban and minimalist. Each product would go well with any outfit.

This brand is slightly different from the rest because they focus on tote bags more than backpacks or other types of bags. Tote bags have become more popular at universities and for everyday use. They can be seen as a modern-day backpack.

Hobo does offer a few backpacks made of nylon and cow leather. Colors offered are black, beige, and a darker brown. They can hold a 13-inch PC and have two front zippers instead of one. The backpacks range around $220.

Pros

  • Japanese crafted products
  • Tote bags and backpacks
  • Cheaper options

Cons

  • Only a few backpacks
  • Can be expensive

How To Choose the Best Japanese Backpack Brand

When you are deciding on which Japanese backpack brand to buy from you should consider a few characteristics before you do so. Even if you find a backpack that you think you will love you still should consider what are you buying the backpack for, your price range, and reviews of the brand.

Why are you buying this?

Deciding on a backpack is unique to yourself. If you are looking for an outdoors backpack you shouldn’t choose to buy something from Hobo or Tsuchiya Kaban which carry backpacks for professional or casual use. Knowing what you are buying your backpack for will aid in your search.

Price Range

Considering your price range is one of the most important aspects when deciding which brand to buy from. If your price range is really flexible, then choosing any brand is possible. If it is less flexible, you are slightly limited. Japanese backpacks are generally more expensive than western brands and range above $100.

Reviews

Reading reviews will help you choose which brand to pick as well. Knowing other people’s experiences can sway your opinion of a brand. Reviews can let you know about shipping time, if the products live up to the hype, or if the brand itself is worth your business.