Family Dining · Practical guide
Japan Blue Jeans
Official Stores, Current Denim Lines & 2026 Tax Refunds
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | ジャパンブルージーンズ (Japan Blue Jeans) |
| Brand Name | JAPAN BLUE JEANS / ジャパンブルージーンズ (株式会社ジャパンブルー / Japan Blue Co., Ltd.) |
| Store Type | Directly managed modern Japanese denim & textile-focused apparel boutique |
| Target Audience | Modern denim shoppers, travelers seeking flattering tapered fits rather than boxy vintage cuts, and international visitors in Asakusa, Shibuya, Ueno, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Kojima |
| Ordering Style | Open-rack browsing organized by silhouette and fabric weight, fitting room trials, hem length measurement, and counter checkout |
| Membership Required? | No advance reservation is ordinarily required for browsing. At a licensed tax-free shop, eligible travelers must present a valid passport or use a supported Visit Japan Web tax-free QR procedure where accepted; confirm the store’s procedure before payment. |
| Approximate Price Range | Current official examples: STANDARD 9oz jeans ¥25,300, SELVEDGE 12oz jeans ¥27,500, SELVEDGE 14oz ¥30,800, and SELVEDGE 16oz ¥35,200, tax included. Exact garment, stock and pricing vary; verify before visiting. |
| Multilingual Support | Check the official English-language website where available; the availability of staff speaking English or other languages is not guaranteed at individual branches. |
| Payment Methods | Payment brands, electronic-money options and any tax-free processing arrangements depend on the individual shop or shopping center; confirm with the cashier. |
| Store Network | 7 domestic directly operated stores in Okayama, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka (as of November 2026 official site: Kojima, Asakusa, Shibuya, Ueno, Kyoto, Osaka Umeda-Chayamachi, and Fukuoka Daimyo; an eighth store, Shibuya PARCO, is announced to open November 20, 2026), plus sister venues (Denim Kenkyujo Kurashiki and CAFÉ JAPAN BLUE GARDEN) |
What it is
Established in 2011 in Kojima, Kurashiki by Japan Blue Co., Ltd., JAPAN BLUE JEANS draws on the area's denim and textile-making traditions. Its official contemporary range is arranged into three labels: STANDARD, emphasizing light, easy-to-wear fabrics; ReDESIGN, exploring aging and unusual textures; and SELVEDGE, using classic shuttle-loom denim from Kojima. Older CIRCLE and Prep fits may appear in older descriptions or secondary stock, but should not be presented as today's entire flagship lineup.
As of November 15, 2026, the seven existing domestic brand stores are Kojima, Asakusa, Shibuya, Ueno, Kyoto, Osaka Chayamachi and Fukuoka. A separate Shibuya PARCO store is announced for November 20, 2026 and must not be counted as already trading on November 15. Check the actual shop’s trading hours before visiting.
How to order
Step 1: Choose Among the Seven Open Stores
- Asakusa, Kyoto, Osaka Chayamachi and Fukuoka: Published hours are generally 11:00–20:00.
- Shibuya and Ueno: Published hours are 11:00–19:00, not 20:00. Kojima: 10:00–18:00. Confirm exceptional closures on the official store directory.
- Shibuya PARCO: A separately announced additional shop scheduled to open November 20, 2026 (11:00–21:00 planned). Do not use this site as an operating store on November 15.
Step 2: Compare the Current Three Labels
- STANDARD: Soft, light comfort in classic-looking jeans. The official current catalog includes 9oz styles near ¥25,300 tax included.
- ReDESIGN: Garments designed around fading, distortion and unusual character; inspect each model’s fabric and finished wash individually.
- SELVEDGE: Kojima-made textured shuttle-loom fabrics, with current 12oz, 14oz and 16oz jeans at different weights and prices. For example, official listed prices include ¥27,500 (12oz), ¥30,800 (14oz), and ¥35,200 (16oz), tax included.
- Size, shrinkage, raw/washed status and any hem service depend on the particular product and branch; use fitting-room measurements rather than old CIRCLE fit codes as a universal reference.
Step 3: Hemming Rules & Shrinkage Care
- Confirm whether your chosen 100% cotton selvedge model is one-washed or raw, as unwashed cotton shrinks during initial laundering.
- Alterations & Returns: Ask the particular JAPAN BLUE JEANS shop for its current hemming charges, turnaround time and written exchange/return policy before altering the garment; do not assume an all-store rule.
- Indigo Color Transfer: Dark indigo weaves can stain white sneakers, bags, and light shirts during early wear.
Step 4: Checkout and Japan's 2026 Tax-Free Refund System
- Check eligibility before paying: Only authorized tax-free retailers can process these purchases; do not assume that a particular branch participates. Ask how the retailer records tax-free purchases and issues refunds. A valid passport or a supported Visit Japan Web tax-free QR method may be used where the shop accepts it; visa/residence eligibility still applies.
- For purchases on or after November 1, 2026:
- Purchase qualifying goods at the full tax-inclusive price. The minimum eligible purchase is ¥5,000 excluding consumption tax per participating shop per day, subject to the official rules.
- Have the tax-free purchase recorded by the authorized retailer using its approved procedure. The passport/QR handling process can vary; do not assume that the store directly scans the passport chip into a Customs terminal.
- At the final departure airport or seaport, complete Japan Customs' departure confirmation within 90 days of the purchase. Follow the inspection result: goods may need to be shown to Customs staff.
- If eligible goods are inside checked luggage, complete Customs confirmation before handing the luggage to the airline; follow the airport-specific instructions.
- After Customs confirms export, the retailer or refund operator arranges the eligible consumption-tax refund under its stated procedure. Payment channel and timing vary; Customs does not issue a uniform airport cash refund.
- The previous separate general-goods/consumables categories no longer apply to purchases made under the November 2026 system. Check Japan Customs and National Tax Agency instructions before traveling.
What to order first
1. SELVEDGE 14oz Jeans
- What it is: Present-day Japanese selvedge denim in the brand’s dedicated SELVEDGE label.
- Why buy it: A balanced weight for comparing the brand’s distinctive fabric texture and silhouettes.
- Price expectation: ¥30,800 including tax for the listed current model.
2. STANDARD 9oz Jeans
- What it is: A light, soft contemporary denim line built for everyday comfort.
- Why buy it: A different feel from traditional rigid selvedge, especially useful for warm-weather travel.
- Price expectation: ¥25,300 including tax for the listed model.
3. SELVEDGE 12oz Jeans
- What it is: A lighter traditional selvedge option in the present collection.
- Why buy it: Compare drape and texture directly with the 14oz variant.
- Price expectation: ¥27,500 including tax.
4. SELVEDGE 16oz Jeans
- What it is: Heavier denim in the same current label.
- Why buy it: Inspect stiffness, fit and weight before choosing a heavy travel purchase.
- Price expectation: ¥35,200 including tax.
5. SELVEDGE Denim Jackets (Type II)
- What it is: Jackets made with the brand’s 12oz or 14oz selvedge fabrics.
- Why buy it: An alternative to jeans that still highlights the Kojima textile.
- Price expectation: Official listed 12oz ¥38,500 and 14oz ¥41,800, tax included.
Payment & practical info
Prices and details checked: November 2026.
- Accepted Payment Modes: Ask the individual store which cards and electronic payments it accepts; do not assume transit IC, QR payment or a specific international card is accepted at every branch.
- Tax-Free Refund Rules (effective November 1, 2026):
- Only authorized participating shops can register qualifying transactions; the minimum is ¥5,000 excluding tax per shop per day. Confirm each branch's eligibility and retailer-specific terms before paying.
- Pay the tax-inclusive price; use a valid passport or an accepted Visit Japan Web tax-free QR procedure; complete Customs export confirmation within 90 days, before checking luggage containing the goods.
- Following confirmation, the retailer or refund operator arranges the refund under its published process; card, cash and other arrangements must not be assumed uniform across retailers.
- Operating Hours & Wi-Fi: Store-specific hours: Asakusa/Kyoto/Osaka/Fukuoka 11:00–20:00; Shibuya/Ueno 11:00–19:00; Kojima 10:00–18:00. Customer Wi-Fi is not independently confirmed. The Shibuya PARCO store is planned for November 20, 2026.
Good to know / Common mistakes
1. Compare Sibling Brands (Momotaro vs. Japan Blue)
The brands share parent company Japan Blue Co., Ltd. Current JAPAN BLUE JEANS lines are STANDARD, ReDESIGN and SELVEDGE; current MOMOTARO products include its own STANDARD and CLASSIC collections. Compare the specific products and published prices rather than assuming a permanent cheaper/boxier distinction.
2. Promotional Discount Coupons
Coupons, sale exclusions and discount periods change. Check the current brand or host-store campaign notice; do not assume any promotion applies to a particular product or visit.
3. Check Hemming and Return Terms Before Alteration
Confirm hemming length while wearing appropriate footwear, and ask the shop for its written post-alteration return and exchange conditions before proceeding.
FAQ
Q1: Which Tokyo store is easiest to reach while sightseeing?
The Shibuya store (near Miyashita Park / Shibuya Station) and the Ueno store (steps from Ameyoko Market) both sit right along major Tokyo sightseeing corridors.
Q2: How can I tell whether a JAPAN BLUE JEANS product contains stretch fibers?
Do not infer stretch-fiber percentages from the word "selvedge." Consult the fiber-composition label for the exact current product; the claimed universal 95% cotton / 5% polyurethane blend is not verified for the present SELVEDGE range.
Q3: How does the November 2026 Japanese consumption-tax refund work?
For purchases from November 1, 2026, confirm that this particular shop is licensed for tax-free sales. Pay the tax-inclusive price and have the eligible purchase registered using the shop’s accepted passport or Visit Japan Web procedure. At your final Japan departure point, obtain Customs export confirmation within 90 days, before checking baggage containing these goods; be prepared to present the goods if instructed. The retailer or its refund operator then handles any refund according to its own terms. A particular card, payout method or airport cash counter is not guaranteed.
Sources
- Japan Blue Co., Ltd. Official Brand Portal (Verified: 2026-11-14)
- Official product / store evidence — 1 (checked 2026-11-15)
- Official product / store evidence — 2 (checked 2026-11-15)
- Official product / store evidence — 3 (checked 2026-11-15)
- Official product / store evidence — 4 (checked 2026-11-15)
- Official product / store evidence — 5 (checked 2026-11-15)
- JAPAN BLUE JEANS Store Directory (Verified: 2026-11-14)
- Japan Customs: Tax Exemption (Refund) Program for Foreign Visitors (checked 2026-11-15)
- Japan Customs: Departure Procedures (checked 2026-11-15)
- National Tax Agency: Tax-Free Shops and Refund Method (checked 2026-11-15)