Bata Shoe Museum
One of the largest shoe museums in the world, with a collection spanning 4,500 years, housed in a building shaped like a shoebox.
The Bata Shoe Museum opened in 1995, founded by the Bata family. Its collection contains more than 14,000 shoes and related artifacts, ranging from ancient Egyptian sandals and Chinese bound-foot shoes to Japanese wooden geta and footwear worn by celebrities and famous figures. The permanent exhibition, “All About Shoes,” traces the history of footwear through the ages, and there are also rotating special exhibitions. The building was designed by architect Raymond Moriyama and its tilted form resembles a shoebox. Located at the corner of Bloor Street and St. George Street, it is right next to St. George subway station and the Royal Ontario Museum, so the three can easily be visited together.
Opening hours
10:00–17:00 (extended Thursdays; check the official website)
Nearby sights
- Royal Ontario Museum
- University of Toronto (St. George Campus)
- Kensington Market
- Casa Loma
- Chinatown (Spadina Avenue)
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
- Graffiti Alley
- Nathan Phillips Square & Toronto City Hall