Nike Air Force 1 Low 'Ueno Sakura' | Size 9

To celebrate the beauty of cherry blossom season in Japan, Nike released the Air Force 1 'Ueno Sakura' in 2005. Only a limited number of pairs were made exclusively for the Japanese market.

Named after the Ueno region of Tokyo and its famous Ueno Park, the Air Force 1 'Ueno Sakura' is considered one of the most coveted pairs of Japan-exclusive releases. Designed around the cherry blossom motif, the Sakura has a light bone suede upper and watermelon pink outsole. The laser-etched sakura flowers on the front half of the shoe have ‘Ueno’ inscribed within the petals.

The Air Force 1, arguably Nike’s most iconic sneaker, is, in many regards, the first of its kind. Previously realized in running shoes, the introduction of Nike’s ‘Air’ technology in the midsole was a revolutionary concept for basketball sneakers. Tasked with bringing the concept to life, designer Bruce Kilgore and an aerospace engineer brought the project to fruition with a hiking boot-inspired, ankle-strapped, high top. Kilgore’s first basketball sneaker, the Air Force 1, was brought to market in 1982.