I pride myself on being a light packer, and if you ever see me dragging a roller bag behind me, I’m on the way to hell because I’m dead. My husband and I both travel with hiking backpacks, and for a 2-week trip, there’s not really any free space to bring back souvenirs. I also hate shopping, and don’t want to spend time on it while on vacation! That being said, well-made clothing basics are something Adam and I always appreciate, especially if it’s hard or expensive to find them in the U.S.

For that reason, we went shopping for Japanese selvedge denim in Osaka. How is Japanese denim different? For some reason, Japan is VERY INTO JEANS. They became popular as a symbol of modernity after WWII, and there is a group of Japanese designers who have built their business on making jeans the “old” way, with the kind of quality materials most clothing makers no longer use. You can buy jeans from these designers in the U.S., but it will cost you at least $400-$600 a pair. Adam got a pair at Studio d’Artisan, and I got one at Momotaro, each for less than $200 (about what I typically pay for much lower-quality American jeans), thanks to the weak yen and tax-free shopping.

The factors that make these jeans awesome:

  • They’re intended to last decades, and the weaving method means they can be repaired (without a patch) if they get a hole.
  • They’re woven on old-style shuttle looms, a method that creates a stronger, sturdier fabric that has mostly been abandoned in favor of mass-production projectile loom machines. Slower weaving also puts less stress on the yarn, resulting in a softer feel.
  • They’re made with much higher-quality cotton than most jeans. Momotaro uses hand-harvested Zimbabwean cotton, which creates a fabric that’s supple but also very sturdy.
  • They’re made from 100% cotton, whereas most modern jeans incorporate some percentage of synthetic fibers.
  • They usually feature a dark indigo dye that is intended to fade naturally with a pattern that’s unique to your body.
  • They’re finished with french seams rather than a serged edge, which makes the seams more resilient and creates a more finished look.

If you’re in Osaka, it’s worth visiting the stores of the “Osaka Five” (Evisu, Studio d’Artisan, Momotaro, Denime, and Warehouse & Co.) and making room in your luggage for a pair!