Does Japan Have Cheaper Denim?

Japanese denim jeans are generally cheaper than American denim, but not all Japanese denim jeans are the same quality. The best Japanese raw denim brands offer more character, color, variability, style, comfort, and prestige. Kojima, Japan, is a major center of denim and jeans production, with over 30 boutiques on Jeans Street that showcase the best of the best.

Some famous Japanese denim brands include Momotaro, which costs over $2,000. The threads of these jeans are dyed about 30 times with natural indigo, and IH’s 25 oz XHS denim sells for JPY 30,000 (USD 211) in Japan and USD 420 internationally. This guide provides information on Tokyo’s best Japanese denim shops, which deal in top-quality, carefully crafted domestic wear.

While Japanese denim can be expensive, it is not necessarily cheaper than American denim. Some selvedge jeans can be produced cheaper but of lesser quality. All these jeans are made in the Kojima denim factory by Hiro, and more thread equates to more time, contributing to the higher price.

Jeans on Jeans Street are not cheap, with prices ranging from $150 to $200. However, it is essential to find a pair of high-quality, well-crafted domestic wear that is worth the investment.

What not to wear in Japan as a tourist?

Japanese dress is slightly more formal and neat than most Westerners, with neat casual being suitable for daily sightseeing and smart casual for special events like tea ceremonies and fancy restaurants. Men don’t wear shorts unless they’re playing a sport, while women don’t show their shoulders, belly, or cleavage. Leggings are not worn unless they’re doing yoga or sports. Shoes or sneakers should be comfortable for walking and easy to slip on and off.

Japanese people tend to be better turned out overall, with women often requiring full makeup and neatly coiffed hair, and men with neatly coiffed hair and clean-shaven faces. While not recommending copying Japanese fashion, it’s important to keep this in mind when visiting Japan.

What is UNIQLO sister brand in Japan?

GU, which was established in 2006 in Japan, has 470 outlets, the majority of which are located in Japan, with a select number of stores in other Asian countries. The inaugural US location of GU, designated “GU NY SOHO,” is scheduled to commence operations in New York on September 19, 2024.

What country has the best denim?

Japanese denim is renowned for its premium construction and skilled artisanal craft, making it a top choice among denim enthusiasts. Unlike American jeans, Japanese selvedge denim has a refined approach to fabric making and design. The country’s approach to denim fabrication and dyeing, which focuses on art rather than workwear, has led to a more refined version of jeans. Some of the best Japanese denim brands, such as EVISU, EDWIN, Visvim, and Kapital, are known for their patchwork designs, making them highly sought after and valuable. The country’s approach to denim has led to a more refined and refined version of the popular American staple.

What is the difference between Japanese denim and regular denim?

Japanese denim is a luxury product due to its artisan craftsmanship, woven on vintage shuttle looms, which are slower than modern looms used in Western factories. This slower looming produces denim that is half the width of American denim. Japanese denim is considered an artisan craft, and its edges are wrapped in a red thread, unlike Western denim which is frayed and unfinished. The selvedge line, a thread line, can be seen on the cuff of the jeans.

Can you buy Levi’s in Japan?

The Levi’s Kyoto store, a component of the NextGen series, presents a synthesis of regional culture and history. The store, which underwent a refurbishment and reopened, was part of the company’s strategy to provide customers with immersive experiences, a concept that the company had previously tested in Asia and Europe.

Should I buy denim in Japan?

Japanese denim is renowned for its durability, softness, and distinctive texture, thanks to its careful selection of materials. High-grade, long-staple cotton from Zimbabwe or the United States is used, and the finest threads are used to weave its magic. Traditional indigo dyeing techniques are employed to create deep and captivating hues, with brands like Pure Blue Japan, Studio D’Artisan, and Japan Blue pushing the boundaries with traditional and experimental dyes.

Selvedge denim, a narrow band found on both ends of the fabric, prevents unraveling and fraying while providing an aesthetically pleasing clean finish. Japanese producers customize this selvedge through threads, weight, color, and contrast, allowing denimheads to find their perfect match, tailored to their unique preferences. Overall, Japanese denim is a blend of tradition and modernity, showcasing the versatility and quality of Japanese denim.

What is special about Japanese denim?

Japanese denim and other garments are held in high regard worldwide due to the exceptional quality of their construction, encompassing fabrics, dyes, cottons, raw materials, and the minutiae of seams, buttons, rivets, and pockets. Additionally, Japanese products exemplify the pinnacle of quality, as evidenced by the Ibanez guitars, Hakushu whisky, and Kalavinka steel track bicycle frames, which are highly sought after worldwide.

Should I wash Japanese denim?

To achieve a more even and softer fade in jeans, it is recommended to wash them every 3-4 months of moderate wear. The washing method depends on the desired look. Raw denim can be washed gently and air dried to minimize indigo bleed and help the dye set. For new jeans, a simple soak in cool water is sufficient. For older jeans with oil and grime buildup, add a gentle cleaner and submerge them in lukewarm water. Allow the jeans to soak for at least an hour, agitate gently every fifteen minutes, then rinse them repeatedly until no trace of cleaner remains.

Selvedge denim is less susceptible to shrinkage and can be machine washed according to the care tag. However, hand washing in lukewarm water with a gentle cleaner is recommended for more indigo. Rinse all cleaner out of the jeans before hanging them to dry. Both methods should be followed to maintain the longevity of your jeans.

Is it OK to wear jeans in Japan?

In Japan, women typically wear neat, well-dressed clothes with a collar, polo shirts, and casual button-down shirts. Casual pullovers are also suitable. Running shoes, sneakers, and slip-on shoes are recommended for comfort and ease of walking, especially in Kyoto. Japanese women rarely show much skin, covering their shoulders, belly, and cleavage. Young girls and girls may wear short skirts, while older women don’t. The key is to choose shoes that are comfortable for walking and slip on and off easily. This is especially important in Kyoto, where walking is a common activity.

Why is Japanese denim so expensive?

Selvage denim is a unique and high-quality fabric that requires craftsmanship and a slower production process. It relies on vintage weaving looms that date back at least 70 years, making the operation complex and requiring knowledge not typically possessed by average loom technicians. The production speed is also slower than modern looms, with fabric width being about half of that from a modern loom and output speed being around a fifth. Selvage output is around 10 compared to that of a modern loom.

The production process is mainly produced in Japan, where denim is a craftsmanship to the fullest extent, which reflects on the price. The superior aesthetic properties of selvage denim, such as the appearance and feel of the fabric, the variations caused by vintage shuttle loom imperfections, the deliberate interplay between warp and weft yarns, and the chosen dyeing technique for indigo yarns, make it the world’s best denim.

Using selvage denim is a tribute to the artisans preserving craftsmanship and honoring those who inspire us. The world’s best selvage denim will age into tomorrow’s vintage, and the choice of wear, repair, and repeat is up to the wearer. Explore the selvage selection and experience the difference selvage denim can make.

Is Uniqlo jeans Japanese denim?

Since 1998, DRY has been in partnership with Kaihara, a top denim manufacturer in Hiroshima, Japan. Their most famous denim, selvedge denim, is woven using old-fashioned shuttle looms and is known for its durability. Selvedge jeans are often sold untreated and raw, making them stiff when first worn. However, as they wear, they become entirely your own, fading and creaseing according to your movement and pocket placement. The denim softens to fit your body, making them a versatile choice for any wardrobe. The DRY Crew Neck T-Shirt and Stretch Selvedge Slim Fit Jeans are two popular options for this style.