Have you heard of ITONAMI’s “Denim Brothers”?
The brothers have attracted attention both in Japan and abroad, having been named to Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30 Asia” list and featured on the television program “Gaia no Yoake.”
The new base for the Denim Brothers, who have traveled to all 47 prefectures to meet makers across Japan, is DENIM HOSTEL float.
Opened in late September 2019 in Kojima, Kurashiki City, it is a hostel with views of the Seto-Ohashi Bridge.
Many people around the author, including members of Kuratoco, are fans of float!
With spectacular views, a warm atmosphere, and things you’ll want to tell others about, DENIM HOSTEL float has so much to offer.
The information presented was current when this article was published in June 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Meet ITONAMI’s “Denim Brothers”
ITONAMI is a denim brand founded by real-life brothers: older brother Yamawaki Yohei and younger brother Shimada Shunsuke.
They initially operated under the name “EVERY DENIM.”
For three years, they held sales events around Japan without having a store of their own.
Since April 2018, the two have traveled around Japan each month in a camper van, meeting local producers of food, clothing, and other essentials and hearing their stories, in search of ways to produce and consume that fulfill the heart.
They share and put into practice what they believe is good, and many people who identify with the Denim Brothers have gathered around them.
DENIM HOSTEL float: Restaurant + Hostel + Denim Shop + Sauna
DENIM HOSTEL float opened in September 2019 as the Denim Brothers’ new base.
DENIM HOSTEL float has four main facets:
- Restaurant
- Hostel
- Denim shop
- Sauna
It has views of the Seto-Ohashi Bridge, and the beach is just a one-minute walk away!
It’s also a place where you can find quality goods with a visible story behind their production, selected by the Denim Brothers, who have met makers from all over Japan.
Here’s an introduction to the restaurant and hostel.
“pile,” a restaurant with views of the Seto-Ohashi Bridge
Outside the windows at float is a view of the Seto Inland Sea’s many islands, set against calm waters.
The restaurant is just a little way up a slope from the coastal road, so the view is even more beautiful than it looks from the road!
You can take off your shoes and relax in slippers, making it a comfortable place to visit with children.
There’s free Wi-Fi, so why not settle in and get some work done?
The scenery is lovely not only during the day, but also at sunset and around dusk.
Recommended dishes at pile
The restaurant inside float is pile, serving homemade-noodle lasagna and natural wine.
The food and drinks come from trusted people who are committed to sharing the stories of the people who make them.
We asked for recommendations on what to eat and drink.
Lasagna featuring Toyofuku beef and gara shrimp
pile’s lasagna is made with carefully selected ingredients, with a focus on knowing who produced them.
The beef lasagna features Toyofuku beef, a distinctive branded beef produced in Nagi Town, Katsuta District.
The shrimp lasagna features gara shrimp caught in the Seto Inland Sea and sourced from Uoharu, a long-established fish shop in Kurashiki City.
The wheat used is the Fukuhonoka variety from Ichimonji Udon in Osafune-cho, Setouchi City.
Each dish came about through encounters between the Denim Brothers and staff and the producers.
Why not savor the carefully selected ingredients while gazing out at the Seto Inland Sea?
Natural wine to pair with lasagna
The natural wine selection focuses mainly on Italian wines chosen to pair well with the lasagna.
They say they made wine available at lunch, too, so guests can enjoy it casually, with the hope that they’ll take their time and enjoy a leisurely visit.
The wines they stock vary from time to time.
Asking the staff for a recommendation is sure to become part of the fun of your trip.
Iwagi Island lemonade
The lemons used in float’s lemonade are purchased from Mr. Oka, whom the brothers met on Iwagi Island.
Mr. Oka sells delicious lemons while creating an environment where Iwagi Island’s lemon farmers can continue farming with peace of mind.
The lemons, which are free of wax and preservatives, are slowly juiced whole, peel and all, in a slow juicer.
With no syrup or honey added, this lemonade lets you taste not only the tartness but also the lemon’s natural sweetness.
We’ll share a little more about this later in the article.
Carefully crafted drinks
There are other carefully selected drinks, too.
- The coffee is an original blend from CALMA COFFEE ROASTERS, founded by a former live-in staff member.
- The tea is Takahashi black tea, produced by people working to promote Japanese black tea.
- The cola is homemade craft cola made with plenty of spices and citrus.
The cola, lemonade, and coffee can also be served as floats.
The ice cream floating in the drink looks like islands floating in the sea.
Cold drinks are served with sugarcane straws.
Next, let’s take a look at the hostel.
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