Randoseru: More Than a Japanese Backpack
2025.6.30
A randoseru is a traditional Japanese school backpack, originally designed for elementary school children. Its backpack style that leaves both hands free is very convenient, making it a practical choice for everyday use.
But beyond that, with its boxy shape, durable build, and iconic look, the randoseru is more than just a bag—it’s a symbol of Japanese culture.
The Meaning and Origin of Randoseru
It has a large capacity that can hold a lot of luggage, yet it is light enough for a 6-year-old child to carry. Additionally, it is durable enough to be used every day for at least 6 years. Made with waterproof leather (the bag is not completely waterproof), it requires no special care and is easy to maintain.
この象徴的な通学鞄は、単なるリュックサックではなく、日本の学校文化において重要な位置を占めています。日本では、小学校への入学は記念すべきことであり、ランドセルは子ども時代の重要な思い出の一つであり、人生に素敵な思い出を添えてくれます。
Why do Japanese people use randoseru?
It is not just a habit; there are unique reasons specific to Japan that have been passed down through years of functionality, cultural significance, and educational meaning.
【Reason 1】The randoseru has high functionality as a bag!
The randoseru is a very practical school bag for Japanese elementary school students who carry a lot of items every day.
Since it is worn on both shoulders like a backpack, it allows for free use of both hands, enhancing safety during commutes. Additionally, it has the advantage of being able to walk safely while holding an umbrella, even in busy areas or on rainy days.
Furthermore, in recent years, improvements to shoulder straps and lightweight materials have been made to ensure that growing children can use them more comfortably. Many randoseru are also treated with waterproofing, providing peace of mind in sudden rain. They are designed to be durable, capable of withstanding daily use for six years.
The randoseru is a functional school bag unique to Japan, combining three key points: "durable, safe, and easy to use."
【Reason 2】It fosters a mindset of valuing belongings!
In Japan, it is common for children to use the same randoseru throughout their six years of elementary school. This is seen as part of education to cultivate a mindset of valuing possessions. Giving a randoseru that is sturdy and long-lasting to a child naturally instills the value that "if used carefully, things will last."
Such habits reflect a sustainable lifestyle rooted in Japanese culture, characterized by a "mindset of valuing belongings" and a "spirit of not wasting things."
【Reason 3】Japanese artisans have improved the randoseru to meet the needs of the times!
The randoseru has a long history but continues to evolve.
While maintaining its traditional rectangular shape, it has been improved for modern needs, such as weight reduction and better fit to the body.
Additionally, colors that were once standard, like "black" and "red," now come in a wide variety of colors and designs, allowing children to choose according to their individuality and preferences.
Japanese randoseru are carefully crafted by artisans, representing an "evolving tradition" that combines years of skill with modern innovations.
【Reason 4】The randoseru is a precious gift!
In Japan, it has become a custom to give a randoseru to children entering elementary school.
Particularly, it is common for grandparents to gift randoseru to their grandchildren, making it an important gift that deepens family bonds.
This gift carries wishes such as "May you go to school energetically for six years" and "Study hard and grow up well."
In recent years, the term "ran-katsu (randoseru activity)" has emerged, highlighting that the time spent choosing a randoseru as a family has become a memorable and special event.
The randoseru is also a heartfelt gift that celebrates a child's and family's "new beginning."
Why are randoseru so expensive?
A randoseru is a special school bag designed to be used every day for the six years of elementary school.
Using lightweight and durable materials, the product is carefully finished through over 300 steps, most of which are done by hand.
Therefore, the price of domestically produced randoseru is approximately 210 to 350 US dollars for artificial leather, about 350 to 630 US dollars for cowhide, and can exceed 700 US dollars for the highest quality material, cordovan.
The randoseru we make cannot be said to be "cheap" in Japan. The average price is about 525 US dollars, and some can reach as high as 1,500 US dollars.
Nevertheless, we are committed to delivering the "best randoseru" with a focus on durability, ease of use, and beautiful craftsmanship, without any compromise, and we face the challenge of manufacturing every day.
Our commitment to quality and sincere attitude towards manufacturing are our pride and confidence.
We have nothing to hide from our customers and would rather show them the process.
In fact, the workshop is open for visits at any time, and you can see the craftsmen finishing each backpack by hand.
In Nara, a place surrounded by nature and history, a little away from Japan's four major bag production areas, we create each randoseru with care and dedication.
It's not just a school bag. It's an irreplaceable item that will accompany you for six years.
We believe that a school bag is a child's first item that will last a lifetime.
What is the difference between a randoseru and a backpack?
On one hand, the randoseru is primarily made of natural leather or synthetic leather, designed to be used every day for six years, and it possesses high durability as a special school bag. It is structured to resist deformation and is strong against external impacts, with a weight of approximately 1000 to 1600 grams.
Randoseru are often more expensive than regular backpacks, but in addition to their longevity, they can be transformed into leather goods such as wallets and key cases through "remake" after use, which enhances their value over time.
Both randoseru and regular backpacks have their own advantages and disadvantages.
どちらを選ぶかは、ご自身のライフスタイルや使い方に合わせて、しっかり考えてみてください。
Can adults also carry randoseru?
The answer is yes. Randoseru bags are no longer just for children.
The randoseru, which combines traditional Japanese culture with modern design and functionality, has become a stylish and practical bag option for adults as well.
The randoseru, originally created for elementary school students to carry their school supplies, has recently gained attention as a fashion item for adults both domestically and internationally, thanks to its high durability and beautiful form.
Perfect for business situations
The randoseru, thanks to its self-supporting structure and design that resists deformation, can safely carry items such as laptops, documents, and tablets.
It has excellent storage capacity, making it reliable even on days with a lot of luggage. The shoulder straps are wider, making it easy to carry, and it serves as a comfortable bag for business people who are frequently on the move.
[Combining fashion and individuality]
The randoseru is a bag that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern style. In recent years, there has been a rich variety of colors and shapes, and an increasing number of models featuring simple and elegant designs that appeal to adult sensibilities.
The beautiful texture and structure of the leather stand out, making it highly popular among fashion-conscious people.
Five reasons why Yamamoto Bag Workshop is different from other brands
Over the years, we have continued to improve our shoulder straps and back cushions.
重さを分散する素材と構造を採用することで、背中への負担を軽減し、6年間毎日快適に背負えるランドセルを実現しています。
Our workshop-based brand, like ours, is characterized by the use of high-quality natural leathers such as cordovan and cowhide, meticulously finished by hand one by one. We prioritize quality over quantity, combining durability, beauty, and warmth. On the other hand, mass-produced products use synthetic leather, which is lightweight, affordable, and easily accessible.
We are supported by the skills and pride of our artisans, and we openly share all aspects of our craftsmanship in the workshop. Factory tours are always welcome, allowing you to see the manufacturing process with your own eyes.
About workshop tours.
High-quality materials such as cordovan and cowhide are not only beautiful but also very durable. However, they require high skills to handle due to their difficulty.
Furthermore, we pay attention to the fact that these leathers are by-products of the meat industry, and we use them with the thought of not wasting precious lives.
We hope to convey this background to children and inspire them to think about the responsible use of animal-derived materials.
About the leather of the randoseru.
In 1994, the second-generation craftsman president made a navy blue school bag for his son, which became the starting point for pursuing heartfelt craftsmanship.
大切な人のために本当に良いものをつくりたい。その想いが、今もすべてのランドセルに息づいています。
This place is also known as "the land of Japan's beginnings," surrounded by beautiful nature and shrines and temples, attracting many tourists.
Although it is far from Japan's four major bag production areas (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Toyooka),
This is why we can focus on creating products that are truly our own, without being bound by distribution or efficiency.
歴史あるこの土地で、伝統を大切にしながら、技術を磨き、世界にひとつだけのランドセルを生み出しています。
How do I care for my school bag?
The long-lasting value of randoseru
A randoseru is not just a bag.
For the Japanese, it symbolizes child development, education, and Japanese cultural traditions.
In recent years, not only have backpacks for children emerged, but also those designed for adults, evolving into versatile bags that blend tradition with modern design.
Investing in a quality school bag will provide a lot of value in the long run.
Durable and long-lasting, it also features a sophisticated design and a nostalgic charm that is passed down through generations.
A backpack that is easy to carry and can securely store all the necessary items will surely become a reliable partner that supports you every day.
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Nara Main Store and Workshop -
Tokyo Ginza store -
Osaka Umeda store -
Kanagawa Yokohama store
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Wide range of colors available
Choosing a randoseru, color is one of the important points. In the past, black was common for boys and red for girls, but recently, various colors such as navy, moss green, blue, pink, orange, purple, and pastel colors have become available.
The color of the randoseru is also a means of expressing one's individuality. At Kaban Kobo Yamamoto, we offer a variety of colors so that customers can express their personality and preferences through color.
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For international customers, prices may be displayed in local currencies such as SGD (Singapore Dollar). All transactions will be conducted in Japanese Yen, so the final amount may vary due to exchange rates and bank fees. Thank you for your understanding.