Kurashiki Denim Street

Kurashiki Denim Street stands as a testament to Japan's denim heritage, located within the historic Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter in Okayama Prefecture. Opened in 2014, this shopping alley features over 1000 items from Okayama's world-famous denim brands, capitalizing on the region's centuries-old indigo dyeing traditions that date back to the Edo period. Kojima town, in Kurashiki City, once flourished as a town of cotton cultivation, attracting craftsmen for sewing, weaving, dyeing and textile processing, and since the 1960s, domestic jeans made from local denim fabrics have been gaining popularity.

The cultural significance of Kurashiki's denim industry stems from its mastery of traditional indigo dyeing techniques. Kojima is the birthplace of Japanese denim, a fabric dyed a beautiful dark indigo that is so distinctive it was granted its own name—Japan blue. Expert craftsmen dye the yarns using the traditional rope-dyeing method—immersing cotton yarns in indigo baths and exposing them to air repeatedly—so the core remains white while only the surface picks up color. This expertise enabled the region to transition seamlessly to modern denim production, with Kurabo founding in 1888 and entering the denim business in 1970 with their KD-8 Kurabo denim, marketed as the first denim ever made in Japan.

Kurashiki Denim Street consists of 5 areas: Men's, Ladies' & Kids, Kick-Knacks, the annex building of "Kyara Kobo" and a Take-out corner for foods. Visitors can browse premium Japanese denim products while consulting with professional "Jeans Sommeliers" who provide expert guidance on selections. The street offers unique experiences including denim-themed food and beverages, with blue-colored gourmet items with outstanding visual impact, including steamed meat buns dyed in indigo. The nearby Betty Smith Jeans Museum provides the only facility in Japan where visitors can learn about the manufacturing process and create custom jeans in dedicated classes.

Kurashiki Denim Street is accessible via JR Kurashiki Station, requiring approximately 15 minutes on foot from the station. Alternatively, take bus 62 from Kurashiki Eki Mae stop and alight at Kurashiki Geibun Kan Higashi, from where it is a 3-minute walk. The street operates without admission fees, allowing visitors to freely explore the shops and experience this unique intersection of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary fashion culture.