Sound Mind in a Sound Body: Inside ASICS’ Kobe Headquarters and the Heart of Innovation

In a world where performance and heritage rarely coexist, ASICS continues to stand apart. Rooted in its founding philosophy Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, a sound mind in a sound body, the brand’s commitment to human-centric innovation has shaped generations of athletes and creatives alike. sabukaru had the opportunity to visit the brand’s headquarters in Kobe, Japan, home to the legendary ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS). A place where craftsmanship, science, and motion converge.

As an evolution of this philosophy, ASICS SportStyle represents the brand’s commitment to bridging performance heritage with contemporary culture. Drawing from decades of research at the ISS while embracing the aesthetics of global streetwear, SportStyle reimagines technical design for everyday expression. It’s where function meets lifestyle, celebrating silhouettes that honour ASICS’ athletic legacy while speaking directly to a new generation of tastemakers, commuters, and creatives who move through the world on their own terms.

Founded in 1985, the ASICS Institute of Sport Science stands as a global leader in biomechanical research and performance design. Every curve, material, and detail of an ASICS product is born from the ISS’s rigorous approach to understanding movement. Inside the facility, scientists and engineers work side by side, merging data-driven analysis with Japanese precision to refine how bodies move. It’s not just for athletes, but for everyone.

At its core, the ISS remains a living embodiment of ASICS’ ethos, that movement is not only physical but deeply connected to mental wellbeing. The visit continued with a rare dive into the ASICS Archive, a space that chronicles over 75 years of athletic and cultural history. Row after row of storied silhouettes, from the early Onitsuka Tiger basketball shoes to groundbreaking GEL-KAYANO™ iterations, revealed the evolution of both design and purpose. Each model told a story of ingenuity, rooted in performance yet timeless in aesthetic impact.

Close-up moments with these archive pieces underscored ASICS’ enduring influence, from the stripes that have become a universal icon to the meticulous engineering that continues to inspire designers across disciplines. It was a reminder that ASICS isn’t simply a brand of the past, but a living document of motion and innovation.

ASICS’ ability to evolve while remaining authentic has made it one of the most respected collaborators in modern footwear. Much of this evolution is driven through ASICS SportStyle, the division that bridges the brand’s performance heritage with contemporary culture and lifestyle expression. Partnerships with Kiko Kostadinov, Cecilie Bahnsen, and Andersson Bell have each reinterpreted ASICS’ functional DNA through unique creative lenses, balancing technical precision with expressive form.

In conversation with Ryan Cua, Head of Collaborations at ASICS SportStyle, he reflected on what continues to set the brand apart:

“We’re quite meticulous, but you have to also be adaptable. Like more recently, Kiko was of course the catalyst for our strategy to evolve. But I don't think collaborations are a huge risk as long as they share respect and understanding. If you really trust them, it doesn’t feel like a risk.”

Starting as an intern, Ryan mentions how he has always had the passion for the brand, being an avid sportsperson throughout his life. It’s this passion that has allowed for ASICS to remain a paragon of collaborations and continue to be bold with their special projects. These collaborations serve as contemporary extensions of ASICS’ core philosophy, bridging sport and style without losing authenticity. Each partnership reinvigorates the brand’s identity while honoring its origins in Japanese craftsmanship and design discipline.

“Now, it's more important than ever to have your own identity. We just want to continue to improve on what we are doing. I think that ultimately if something is authentic, has a purpose, and drives booths brands forward. It will stand the test of time. I'm always thinking about that with our current and future collaborators. Will this be something that people resonate with in 3,5,10 years.”

To round the trip off, we even got to discuss the past, present, and future of footwear development with Kayano-san himself. Toshikazu Kayano, the original designer of the iconic ASICS GEL-KAYANO running shoe line, is more pivotal to the development of running shoes than the majority of designers out there. “My inspiration comes from the whole range of different industries. Not just about the world of shoes. I try to get inspiration from everywhere.”

Speaking in depth into his design philosophy and process, he unfolded the intricate layers of performance and responsiveness of the KAYANO and why it has become one of the most iconic footwear models today.

"When I was on a design trip to the US, I presented 50 sheets of sketches, but none of them worked. They didn’t like them. The designs were too based on technology. So they challenged me to create something new. The next day, I had to take a flight back to Japan, and I couldn’t go home empty handed. So that night, I went to dinner with a colleague. In the restaurant, I was thinking about the required functionalities, and for some reason, the shape of a stag beetle came to my mind. That shape somehow solved all the functionality needs. So, in the restaurant, I took the napkin, I started drawing the beetle, and then I said ‘this is the one!’ - so I asked my colleague to take the napkin and use it to design the shoe. And that was accepted. You all know the story afterwards…” 

As the only person to have a shoe named after themselves, Kayano-san is a legend in his own right. Initially starting in basketball shoe design, and later progressing into running shoes, he mentioned how it ‘was his destiny’ to create for ASICS. 

From Kobe’s research labs to the archival shelves and the latest collaborative designs, one thing became clear, ASICS’ legacy is defined by its integrity. Few brands have managed to preserve a philosophy so deeply and apply it so seamlessly across decades of innovation. To visit ASICS in Japan is to witness not just the future of performance design, but a culture of movement that continues to inspire globally. It’s a brand that honors its past while walking, and running, confidently into the future.