The Ultimate Randoseru Guide by Tsuchiya Kaban
The Ultimate Randoseru Guide by Tsuchiya Kaban
Founder Kunio Tsuchiya started his bag company in 1965 in Tokyo, Japan, focusing on a singular style: the Randoseru.
In the last 60 years, Tsuchiya Kaban has tirelessly fine-tuned every aspect of its design, from materials and construction, down to every stitch—to perfect a bag that is not only visually stunning, but also functional, comfortable, and built to last a lifetime.
What is Randoseru?
A “Randoseru” is a backpack traditionally used by Japanese students, who on average use the same bag daily for 6 years.
The name originated from the Dutch word "ransel", meaning rucksack. It’s believed that Japanese soldiers first adopted the randoseru in the late Edo era (1603–1867) after being introduced to Western-style backpack designs from the Netherlands. By the 1880s, students at elite Japanese private schools began using these military-inspired bags for carrying school supplies—a trend that, by the mid-20th century, led to their widespread adoption in elementary schools across Japan. The randoseru has been refined by skilled craftspeople over the years, yet its basic form remains unchanged; it is a timeless bag that Japan is proud to share with the world.
How is Our Randoseru Crafted?
Tsuchiya's Randoseru are handmade by highly trained craftspeople in our in-house ateliers in Japan.
Each bag is crafted from over 150 parts and assembled in more than 300 precise steps, with around 50 craftspeople contributing to its completion. Before leaving our workshop, each randoseru undergoes rigorous quality inspection to ensure every piece meets our exacting standards. Our craftspeople also consider the needs and feedback of users to continuously tweak and perfect the design. These are the reasons why our Randoseru has become a widely recognized symbol of craftsmanship and durability across Japan—and is now gaining admiration worldwide.
Distinctive Design
The design of our Randoseru has several distinctive components.
This includes its double structure of resin and sponge glued together, preserving its signature boxy shape. It also includes a soft back cushion pad with excellent breathability to ensure comfort, and adjustable shoulder straps with eight length settings, making the bag suitable for both children and adults. Unique design elements include adjustable strap attachment rings, versatile side rings to attach keys or small tools, and a magnetic manual fastener.
Waterproof leather
Our Randoseru uses water-resistant leather that is easy to maintain and clean.
Durability
The durability and safety of our Randoseru are top priorities, as it is designed to withstand six years of daily use. We conduct extensive testing to assess the bag's resistance to stressors such as bending, light exposure, and friction, simulating the conditions and frequency of use over that time. Special attention is given to the core materials, metal fittings, and closure mechanisms to ensure the bag meets our rigorous standards for quality and longevity.
The 3 Main Leather Types
Each of these leather types undergoes processing to enhance their water resistance.
Cowhide
Our Cowhide leather boasts a natural texture and a durable surface, making it ideal for withstanding the wear and tear of daily life.
Cordovan
Our Cordovan is a premium-grade leather, tanned from the hide of a horse's rump, renowned for its luxuriously smooth texture.
CLARINO®️ F
This premium synthetic leather is featured in our Randoseru Lite Collection, developed to be both durable as well as exceptionally soft and flexible.
Longer-Strap Model
- Global Site Exclusive Item -
We've scaled the strap length to 1.3 times longer than our traditional Randoseru straps to create the "Lauderdale Randoseru"—a new model that fits more comfortably for a broader range of sizes. Our designers and craftsmen collaborated for over two years, experimenting to create more than just a simple length adjustment. The result is a Randoseru masterpiece that minimizes strain on the back and shoulders while ensuring a perfect fit for those needing a little extra strap length.
