Kojima Jeans Street

The word "Mecca" can be used figuratively to refer to any place that is a centre of attraction for a particular group or interest. For example, if your interest is Lego, then Billund in Denmark where Lego originated might be considered as the Mecca for Lego fans. The Mecca of Chanel, the luxury French brand, perhaps would be it’s headquarters and flagship location, in Paris, France.

Jeans Street in the Kojima district of Kurashika in Okayama Prefecture is regarded as a Mecca for premium Japanese denim. With over 30 denim shops lining Jeans Street it attracts around 100,000 annually and is home for some of Japan’s leading denim brands.

Kojima in the Okayama Prefecture

Kojima - a district within the city of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture

Located just minutes walk from Kojima train station, Jeans Street is much more than a collection of jeans shops. The road is dyed indigo, there are red and white lines at the road’s edge resembling selvedge finishing. Pairs of jeans hang from the roof structure leading from the train station and suspended between lamp posts and telegraph poles all along Jeans Street. You can buy indigo dyed ice cream and burgers with blue dyed buns…it’s everything denim related.

The view from Kojima train station

Kojima train station

The famous Jeans hanging on Jeans Street

The fabric of time

Kojima which literally translates to ”small island” was created during Japan’s Eco period between 1603 and 1867. The area was reclaimed from the Seto Inland Sea and due to the land’s high salt content rice cultivation wasn’t possible. Cotton plants however do grow well in high salt content soil and along with Kojima’s mild climate it made the area ideal for cotton production.

Sanada Himo, a type of cotton cord used for sword straps and Geta sandal straps is believed to have began In Kurashiki during Japan’s Sengoku Period. Travellers that passed through the region often bought sanada himo making them and the area popular through out Japan.

Sanada Himo - a great article https://wlk.wholelovekyoto.jp

During Japan’s Meiji period (1868 to 1912), sword wearing became prohibited and the demand for Sanada Himo decreased but the weaving industry in Kojima didn’t disappear. In 1882, The Shimomura Spinning Shop was founded and with machinery imported from Europe made mass production of cotton products and the prominence of the area even greater.

Tabi or Jikatabi, traditional split-toes socks, an essential in everyday Japanese life, became a major part of Kojima’s new cotton weaving industry and eventually after production exceeded 10 million pairs, Kojima became Japan’s top producer of the footwear.

Traditional Tabi or Jikatabi Shoes

G.I.s Jeans

With American Jeans circulating after the war, the idea of manufacturing denim came to Kojima, especially due to the indigo color of the material - the Indigofera kirilowii plant being native to Japan and Indigofera decora introduced from China to Japan - both used in the traditional dyeing procedure to produce the famous ”Japan Blue”.

In 1973 the very first Japanese made denim was produced by Maruo Hifuku, know today as Big John ”The Godfather of Japanese Denim Brands”. And as they say in Japan あとは歴史（あとはれきし）

Big John Store - Jeans Street

Kojima Jeans Street Conception

By the 1970’s with aging shops keepers, successor problems and the inability to respond to the needs of consumers, many deserted shuttered shopping streets (shutter towns) began emerging and started to be a problem all over Japan.

A typical ”Shutter Town”

By the 1970’s with aging shops keepers, successor problems and the inability to respond to the needs of consumers, many deserted shuttered shopping streets (shutter towns) began emerging and started to be a problem all over Japan.

In a revitalization project the idea of a ”Jeans Street” was originally grown.

The ”Kojima Jeans Street Conception” aimed to reopen vacant stores in the area in order to reestablish the textile industry that was once so prevalent.

When it first opened in 2009 Jeans Street only consisted of 3 stores, Momotaro Jeans, Dania Japan and Womb. Now there are over 40 shops including flagship stores of some of Japan’s most prestigious denim brands.

Momotaro Jeans - Jeans Street

Japan Blue Jeans - https://japanblue-jeans.com

The street

A map of Jeans Street

A manhole cover on Jeans Street

Indigo colored nikuman (steamed buns)

Indigo colored ice cream (actually blueberry flavoured)

Some of the beverages available from Café Japan Blue Garden - Image courtesy of okanarts.com

A few of the shops you can find on Kojima Jeans Street

Momotaro Jeans: Known for handcrafted jeans with a 10-year guarantee. 

Japan Blue Jeans: Offers a wide range of denim products, including jeans, shirts, and jackets. 

Betty Smith: A brand focused on women's denim and also houses a museum detailing the history of denim. 

Big John: Historic brand that carries a variety of denim styles, from heavyweight to stretch and skinny jeans. 

Kamikaze Attack: Focuses on stiffer selvedge denim and has a playful vibe. 

Apple Do: Specializes in women's denim, offering jeans, dresses, vests, and more. 

Some shops on Jeans Street provide a modern boutique experience, while others offer a glimpse into the history of denim production in Japan. As well as jeans you can find all sorts of denim accessories like jackets, wallets and bags.

Kojima Fiber Festival - https://www.atpress.com/news/434103

The Spring and Autumn Kojima Fiber Festival (Fibersai) was originally established in 1995 and was known then as the Kojima Textile Festival.

Today it’s known as the ”Fibers and Textiles Kojima Festival” and the ”Fibers and Textiles Kojima Seto-ohashi Festival” and held in the Spring in the area in front of the Kojima train station, in the Autumn at the Kojima Boat Race Track. You’ll find flea markets and stalls selling denim related products with the possibility of some discounted Japanese Jeans and products. There’s also local food stands and the chance to sample some indigo coloured food and drink.

Kojima Fiber Festival Image

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