[10/24 (Sat) held] Denim and YOICHI ~ The dress code is denim! Let's enjoy a special night on Kojima Jeans Street dyed in denim.

October 26 is said to be designated as "Denim Day" based on a wordplay.

On the Saturday closest to Denim Day, October 24, 2026, a night market will be held at Kojima Jeans Street. This event to enjoy the night at Jeans Street is said to be the first of its kind, featuring a variety of plans that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

Here, we introduce "Denim and YOICHI", an event planned with great enthusiasm by the people of Kojima Jeans Street.

About "Denim and YOICHI"

"Denim and YOICHI" is an event that will be held on October 24, 2026 (Saturday) at Kojima Jeans Street (hereinafter referred to as "Jeans Street").

In Kojima, many events featuring the local specialty, denim, have been held in the past, but "Denim and YOICHI" is the first night event that allows you to enjoy the night at Jeans Street.

With a variety of delicious food stalls, a game space for children featuring shooting games and yo-yo fishing, as well as high-quality denim and canvas scraps for sale for handmade enthusiasts, pony riding experiences, and night sky observation events, you can enjoy a full day at Jeans Street.

On the day of the event, there will be a relaxed dress code of "wearing denim items". Be sure to pay attention to the scenery of people in denim adorning Jeans Street.

Additionally, if you come wearing two or more denim items, there will be a pleasant surprise. If you're curious, be sure to participate dressed in denim.

From around 5 PM, some apparel shops along the street are scheduled to hold wagon sales. Even if you don't have denim items, you can purchase them on-site, so be sure to enjoy shopping as well.

Stage events unique to Jeans Street

On the day of the event, a stage will be set up near "BIGJOHN" within Jeans Street.

The stage program is as follows. Please note that the times may vary depending on the progress, so if there are performances you are interested in, it's best to arrive early.

• 3:00 PM～
  Opening / Momotaro Lion Dance / Unveiling ceremony of Akamimi Street sign
• Around 3:30 PM～
  Okayama Prefecture Vocational School Association Partnership Agreement Signing Ceremony
• Around 3:45 PM～
  Kojima Jeans Street × Wakayama Knit Collaboration Announcement
• Around 4:15 PM～
  Calligraphy performance by calligraphy artist Uchiyama Ryo
• Around 4:35 PM～
  BerBerJin Fujiwara Yutaka's Treasure Denim On-Site Appraisal

There are various exciting plans lined up, but I would like to introduce a few that particularly caught my attention.

The calligraphy performance by Uchiyama Ryo san will take place in the window of the unmanned tourist center located very close to the stage.

Uchiyama is a young calligraphy artist with numerous awards, including the Fukuoka Prefectural Governor's Award. He also has a side as a dancer and model, and is active in various media. His live performance combining "writing" and "movement" is a must-see to see what kind of work will be created at Jeans Street.

The final highlight of the stage events will be the "Treasure Denim On-Site Appraisal".

Through prior recruitment, five selected vintage jeans from all over Japan will be appraised on stage. The appraisal will be conducted by Fujiwara Yutaka, a charismatic staff member from the famous vintage wear store "BerBerJin" in Harajuku, Tokyo.

Jeans have existed since the 1800s. Rare vintage jeans can sometimes fetch prices in the tens of millions. On the day of the event, there may be vintage jeans that are appraised at astonishingly high prices.

A lineup of beloved local restaurants

When it comes to festivals, delicious food is a must.

At "Denim and YOICHI", the following eight stores will set up stalls.

• Bar Earth
  Authentic alcohol and drinks using craft gin
• sio
  One-hand sandwiches
• Chukasoba Kouta
  Ramen
• Domazoba
  Creative soba
• Kurashiki Kojima Shio Musubi Cafe
  Snacks and drinks using "Shioden no Shio"
• KURASHIKI BASE
  Original tacos
• Nakayashita Terrace
  Spare ribs
• Taion
  Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese local dish with sweet and spicy pork)

Noodle dishes that are perfect for the chilly season and snacks that go well with alcohol. A wide lineup of hearty meals to fill your stomach.

In the game space, there will also be sales of takomeshi (octopus rice) and cotton candy by the Kojima Okami-san Association. Takomeshi would make a great souvenir.

Interview with the organizers

"Denim and YOICHI" is the first night event. We spoke with Ishibashi Shuji, the representative director of Kojima Jeans Street Cooperative, and Nakano Mikio, a director, about their thoughts on the planning.

A community effort for the first night event

Can you tell us about the background of the event's planning?

Ishibashi (no honorifics)

The founders of Kojima Jeans Street expressed their desire to "hold a night event", and that was the starting point. We held an event at Jeans Street in 2025, but due to heavy rain, it was disappointing, so this time we prepared thoroughly and planned an event that can be enjoyed by both children and adults at Jeans Street.

Nakano (no honorifics)

We aim to create an event where the entire town is dyed in denim color, like a denim theme park, allowing families to enjoy the world of denim all day long.

Although "Denim and YOICHI" is being held for the first time, we received sponsorship for lanterns from about 90 local companies, making it a community-wide effort. On the day of the event, a yagura (a traditional tower) will be set up at the entrance of Jeans Street, lined with lanterns. I think it will be a spectacular sight, so please come and see it.

What kind of enjoyment do you want people to have?

Ishibashi

On the day, staff will take street snaps of people in denim. I think one way to enjoy it is to wear your best outfit and go to be selected.

Nakano

Many people who come to Jeans Street enjoy styling their denim. I hope everyone can casually enjoy fashion and create a denim-colored Jeans Street together, which is a unique way to enjoy "Denim and YOICHI".

Ishibashi

I would be happy if, as a result of this event, the idea of "let's wear jeans when we go to Kojima" becomes established.

The excitement and potential of Kojima to be conveyed through the event

Are there any points you want people to pay attention to throughout the event?

Nakano

Kojima is currently at the beginning of a new history as a tourist destination.
I believe "Denim and YOICHI" will be an event that serves as a signal for that. I hope you can feel the excitement of the entire town that says, "A new history of the town is starting from here!" along with the dress code and various plans.

Ishibashi

If we consider the era when the founders of Jeans Street built the town as "Phase 1", then we are now starting a challenge as "Phase 2". We want to nurture this town, which is still full of potential, and pass it on to the next generation.

"Denim and YOICHI" is part of community development and regional revitalization. Do you have any goals as a cooperative?

Ishibashi

Our big goal is to create memories for children that "Kojima was a good town", so that even if they move to the city in the future, they will think, "I want to come back again" to this place.

I hope that "Denim and YOICHI" will continue to be held and someday expand into a major event that symbolizes the capital of jeans.

Finally, please give a message to the readers.

Ishibashi

Please come to Kojima Jeans Street wearing your favorite jeans and looking stylish!

Nakano

I would be happy if people of all ages could enjoy participating in this event!

From the Writer

The event "Denim and YOICHI" was planned with great passion. It was clear that there is a strong desire for many people, regardless of age, to enjoy it.

Just imagining the sight of people in denim gathering all at once makes me excited. I thought that procuring denim items on-site and wearing them would be a fun way to enjoy it, like a theme park.

There will be parking available on the day, but since the number of parking spaces is limited, we recommend using public transportation.

Please wrap yourself in denim and visit the Jeans Street at night.

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