靴棚(くつだな)

A shoe storage shelf, typically placed in or near the 玄関(げんかん) (entryway) of a Japanese home.

WORD FORMATION:
靴(くつ) (shoes) + 棚(たな)→だな (shelf). The 棚(たな) undergoes rendaku (voicing) to become だな in this compound.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

• 靴棚(くつだな)に靴(くつ)を入(い)れる: to put shoes on the rack
• 靴棚(くつだな)を整理(せいり)する: to organize the shoe rack
• 組(く)み立(た)て式(しき)の靴棚(くつだな): assembly-style shoe rack

ALTERNATIVE TERMS:

• 靴箱(くつばこ): shoe box/cabinet (more enclosed, with a door)
• 下駄箱(げたばこ): shoe cabinet (traditional term from the geta era, still widely used)
• シューズラック: shoe rack (loanword)

CULTURAL NOTE:
Since shoes are always removed at the entrance of Japanese homes, having proper shoe storage at the 玄関(げんかん) is essential.