If you’re interested in owning a one-of-a-kind pair of hand-dyed, Japanese jeans, keep reading because you’ll need to use a proxy buying service if you want to gain access to genuinely authentic goods. Luckily, your friends at Japan Rabbit are here to help simplify the buying process and make your fashion dreams come true.

Why buy denim from Japan?

If you’re a denim enthusiast, then you already understand why Japanese jeans are so popular. Some aficionados even consider Japanese denim to be the best possible denim option in the world, but why is it so sought after? The answer lies in the process in which they’re made. Like many of the processes in Japan, making denim relies on older technology and techniques to give it an authentic and hand-made quality.

The most significant things that set Japanese denim apart from the denim available in the rest of the world are the texture, the method of dyeing the fabric, and the overall weight of the finished piece. While some people enjoy the rate at which American jeans fade and tear over time, others do not, which is where Japanese denim comes in to save the day. Not only are jeans from Japan incredibly durable, but the indigo dyeing process done by hand ensures you hold on to those vivid blues that much longer. Trust us when we say you’ll be hard-pressed to find jeans this heavy-duty, attractive, and unique anywhere else.

Why use a proxy to buy jeans and other Japanese denim clothes?

If you’re interested in purchasing authentic denim from Japan, you’ll need to use a proxy buying service to avoid the hassle and the high import fees. Most Japanese retailers avoid shipping their products overseas, and the few who do will charge you an arm and a leg just to place an order. That’s where we here at Japan Rabbit come in to help. We’ll navigate the foreign checkout process for you and ensure your product arrives safe and sound. All you have to do is pick out a product and fill out our simple order form to gain access to one-of-a-kind Japanese goods.

Best 11 Japanese denim brands

Evisu Jeans

Evisu Jeans is a Japanese fashion label founded by Hidehiko Yamane back in 1991. Evisu Jeans are known for their premium, authentic, and quality denim that is made with vintage loop machines and dyed using the traditional Japanese indigo method. If you’re a fashionista looking for a piece of history in a modern fit, you have to check out the Evisu online shop.

Shop Evisu Jeans

Momotaro Jeans

Momotaro Jeans is a famous Japanese denim brand that is renowned for its quality goods and skilled artisans. Each pair of jeans is hand-stitched and washed on the coast of Okayama for an authentic first fit. What we love about Momotaro Jeans is the fact that you can search their product offerings by silhouette, label, and color to find the perfect pair!

Shop Momotaro Jeans

Samurai Jeans

Samurai Jeans is another denim brand that specializes in quality products made with vintage processes. You’ll find a wide range of fits and styles in their online shop, including slim, tapered, wide-leg, and more. One of our favorite things about the Samurai Jeans website is that their front page features pictures from their active Instagram account to help keep you up to date on the latest styles.

Shop Samurai Jeans

Pure Blue Japan

Pure Blue Japan is a brand that offers authentically textured Selvedge denim made with their unique yarn dyeing process. You’ll find men's and women’s jean styles here as well as tops and accessories. The best part is, you can even peruse a number of photos that they’ve taken of their products throughout the aging process. If you’re not sure how those jeans will look in two years with regular wear and tear, check out their dedicated page.

Shop Pure Blue Japan Jeans

Oni Denim

If you’re a fashionista that pales at the thought of wearing the same jeans as someone else, you will love Oni Denim. Oni Denim is a small brand that’s rumored to be run by a single person, the owner Mr. Oishi. It’s said that each pair of jeans is hand-crafted on a vintage loom to ensure consistency and perfection. To get a hold of these one-of-a-kind jeans, you’ll want to check out the following online shops:

• Shop Oni Denim on Rakuten
• Shop Oni Denim on Kidana

Iron Heart

Iron Heart is a dedicated Japanese denim brand that has been manufacturing jeans for over 25 years. If you’ve been on the hunt for a heavy-weight pair of jeans that are still comfortable to wear, you have to check out their online shop! You’ll find denim here in all shapes, sizes, and colors, including brown, black, and white.

Shop Iron Heart

Studio D'artisan

Studio D’artisan is your go-to place to find authentic Japanese denim in the latest and most fashionable styles. With a rich history dating back to 1979, Studio D’artisan never disappoints with its high-end options and overwhelming quality. Customers will also be pleased to learn that this brand puts a lot of emphasis on recycling and eco-related efforts when crafting their products.

Shop Studio D’artisan

Japan Blue Jeans

Japan Blue Jeans is a Japanese denim brand that focuses heavily on creating quality fabrics for their slim tapered, tight straight, and skinny jean styles. You can find options here for both men and women as well as some additional denim accessories such as jackets and phone cases.

Shop Japan Blue Jeans

Edwin

Edwin is a large Japanese clothing brand that’s known for its popular model of classic, Levi-like, 503 jeans. If you are from the United States or Europe, you may have heard of the Edwin brand due to one of their spokesmen, Brad Pitt. This is one of the few Japanese denim companies that offers styles for children as well as men and women.

Shop Edwin

The Flat Head

The Flat Head is a casual wear brand that focuses on fusing together traditional methods and styles with new-age fashion. Proud of their Made in Japan label, The Flat Head is a great place to find old-fashioned Japanese quality in the modern world.

Shop The Flat Head

Burgus Plus

Burgus Plus, founded in 1997, is a popular brand that’s often found in one of Tokyo’s largest denim stores, HINOYA. Burgus Plus is renowned for their ultimate basics, which include Tempi Treated Selvedge denim dyed with 100% pure indigo.

Shop Burgus Plus

Frequently asked questions

What is raw denim?

One of the phrases you might come across when shopping for Japanese jeans is raw denim. Raw denim is what Japan is known for, and if you’re on the hunt for a quality pair of jeans that has been handcrafted with care, you’ll want to look into what makes denim raw. In Japan, raw denim is what you call jeans that haven’t been washed or distressed after completion. Instead, raw denim comes ready to wear once it has been taken off the loom, cut, and sewn. This lack of processing further ensures the durability and longevity of the piece.

What is Japanese salvage denim?

Salvage denim is a term you’ll see a lot when discussing Japanese jeans and that’s because Japan is still considered one of the top producers of this unique looming style. Salvage denim is made on a projectile loom which can create larger swaths of fabric at a time with unfinished edges. You can spot salvage denim by the additional stitching done to prevent fraying on the edges. Many consumers find the additional stitching leads to a more stylish and attractive finish, especially when cuffed at the bottom. It’s important to note that salvage jeans aren’t any better than their raw alternative. At the end of the day, it all boils down to personal preference and the overall fit.