Family Dining · Practical guide
Kojima Genes
The Inbound Traveler's Guide to 23oz Heavyweight Denim, Combo Pants & Kojima Jeans Street
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | 児島ジーンズ (Kojima Genes) |
| Brand Name | KOJIMA GENES / 児島ジーンズ (株式会社児島ジーンズ / Kojima Genes Co., Ltd.) |
| Store Type | Heavyweight Japanese workwear, biker denim & value-oriented selvedge jeans direct shop |
| Target Audience | Riders, heavy-denim and workwear buyers, and visitors to Kojima Jeans Street; Sendai is separately listed as a dealer/stockist and should not be treated as a proved directly managed location. |
| Ordering Style | Open-rack browsing, fitting room trials (strongly recommended for 21oz–23oz weights), hem measuring, 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 | Specific verified example: RNB108 23oz rigid selvedge jeans ¥23,100 including tax. Other jeans, combination pants and jackets vary by current item and size; confirm listed prices at checkout. |
| 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 | Two directly listed Kojima boutiques (Kojima Main Store and GOLD LABEL) on Jeans Street, plus authorized retailers including a Sendai listing. Do not count the Sendai stockist as an independently verified directly operated boutique. |
What it is
Rooted directly on Kurashiki's famous Kojima Jeans Street in Okayama Prefecture, Kojima Genes Co., Ltd. (株式会社児島ジーンズ) is celebrated for uniting extreme heavy-ounce Japanese denim construction with rugged utility workwear and remarkably accessible pricing. While boutique heritage denim often commands ¥30,000 to ¥45,000+, KOJIMA GENES delivers 21oz and 23oz heavyweight selvedge jeans, reinforced double-knee biker pants, and eye-catching multi-fabric "Combo" trousers (combining indigo denim with hickory stripe or olive herringbone canvas) around ¥15,000 to ¥23,100.
Visitors exploring Kojima Jeans Street can visit the adjacent Kojima Main Store and GOLD LABEL directly managed boutiques. The official directory separately lists retailers, including a Sendai stockist; it does not establish that this Sendai venue is a third company-operated shop.
How to order
Step 1: Checking Kojima Main Store vs. Gold Label Closures
Pay close attention to the differing schedules of the two neighboring Kojima boutiques:
- Kojima Main Store (Kojima Jeans Street, Kurashiki): Open 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, generally open year-round (subject to occasional seasonal changes).
- Gold Label (Adjacent Direct Shop): Open 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed Wednesday and Thursday. It closes one hour earlier than Kojima Main Store, which normally runs 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.
- Sendai Store & Stockists: Operating hours vary by store (varies by store); verify local schedules before visiting.
Step 2: Trying Heavyweight 21oz–23oz Denim in the Fitting Room
- Try Before Buying: 23oz heavyweight denim is dramatically thicker and stiffer than standard 13oz–14oz jeans. Always try pairs on in the fitting room to verify waist and thigh comfort when sitting or bending knees.
- Explore Signature Cuts: Compare classic straight selvedge, biker-friendly double-knee work pants, and playful Combo mixed-panel trousers.
Step 3: Calculating Rigid (Unwashed) Shrinkage Before Hemming
- Crucial Shrinkage Warning: Unwashed (Rigid) denim models experience significant shrinkage during their first warm soak and starch removal (Nori-otoshi). Always ask staff whether your chosen pair is Rigid or One-Wash, and account for expected length shrinkage before specifying your hem measurement!
- Hemming & Returns: Ask the selected shop for its exact hem completion time and written return or exchange conditions before alterations; do not assume every stockist has the same policy.
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. 23oz Heavyweight Selvedge Straight Jeans
- What it is: The official RNB108 23oz rigid selvedge jeans; try their stiff, heavy feel in person and confirm washed/unwashed sizing. The claim that every pair stands up by itself is not a manufacturer specification.
- Why buy it: Priced around ¥23,100—an extraordinary value for genuine 23oz Japanese-made selvedge.
- Price expectation: Current official listed ¥23,100 including tax, for RNB108 (subject to future revision).
2. Signature "Combo" Mixed-Panel Work Pants
- What it is: Bold color-blocked utility pants stitching together heavy indigo denim, classic hickory railway stripes, olive duck canvas, or camouflage panels.
- Why buy it: KOJIMA GENES' most recognizable streetwear/workwear statement piece.
- Price expectation: Approximately ¥15,000 to ¥20,000.
3. Double-Knee Biker & Mechanic Denim
- What it is: Reinforced-front jeans featuring diamond-quilted or riveted second-layer knee panels engineered for motorcycle riders and workshop trades.
- Why buy it: Built for extreme abrasion durability with distinctive utilitarian styling.
- Price expectation: Approximately ¥16,000 to ¥22,000.
4. Classic 15oz–18oz Selvedge Straight Jeans
- What it is: Approachable mid-to-heavyweight selvedge jeans that break in faster than 23oz models while offering authentic Kojima shuttle-loom character.
- Why buy it: Comfortable balance for daily travel wear.
- Price expectation: Approximately ¥18,000 to ¥23,000.
5. Heavyweight Denim Work Jackets & Wabash Vests
- What it is: Rugged engineer chore coats, Type II/III jackets, and dotted Wabash indigo work vests.
- Why buy it: Layers effortlessly over flannels and hoodies with timeless vintage Japanese workwear flair.
- Price expectation: Approximately ¥24,000 to ¥44,000.
Payment & practical info
- 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: Kojima Main Store officially 10:00–18:00; adjacent GOLD LABEL 10:00–17:00 and closed Wednesday/Thursday. Check unusual holidays, and do not assume customer Wi-Fi is provided. Sendai and other stockists keep their own schedules.
Good to know / Common mistakes
1. Do Not Visit Gold Label on Wednesday or Thursday
While the Kojima Main Store opens daily, the neighboring Gold Label boutique closes every Wednesday and Thursday—schedule your Kojima Jeans Street visit accordingly.
2. Rigid Denim Shrinks Significantly on First Wash
If buying an unwashed Rigid pair, leave extra inseam length when hemming (or soak/wash the jeans first at home before local tailoring) so they don't shrink too short after your first laundry cycle.
3. 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.
FAQ
Q1: How do I reach Kojima Jeans Street by train?
Kojima Jeans Street is reached via JR Kojima Station, served from Okayama by the Seto-Ohashi rail corridor. Check your actual train timetable and walking route before departure; the quoted 25-minute ride and 15-minute walk are estimates, not guaranteed service times.
Q2: Will 23oz denim soften over time?
Rigid 23oz denim generally becomes more pliable with movement and repeated wear, but the rate varies by model, wash and wearer; a fixed 2–3 week break-in period is not guaranteed.
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
- Kojima Genes Co., Ltd. Official Corporate Portal (Verified: 2026-11-14)
- Official product / store evidence — 1 (checked 2026-11-15)
- Official product / store evidence — 2 (checked 2026-11-15)
- KOJIMA GENES 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)