Staff Interview at Denim Lodge & Nest
We spoke with Nakano, Nakaniwa, and Kuroaki, who operate Denim Lodge & Nest, about the reasons for opening and future prospects.
The Desire to Create a Place to Rest on Kojima Jeans Street
Can you tell us what prompted you to start Denim Lodge & Nest?
Nakano
The reason was that I wanted to create a place to rest on Kojima Jeans Street.
The area where Denim Lodge & Nest is located is the first place that was developed on Kojima Jeans Street.
In the area with the Kojima Jeans Street sign, cafes and restaurants have been increasing and thriving, but there were no cafes or resting places around here.
With the thought of "I want to create a resting place in this area," we first established Denim Lodge as a rest area and tourist information center.
Did you have plans to create accommodation facilities at that time?
Nakano
Yes, I did.
However, at the time of opening, due to equipment and other factors, it was difficult to start accommodation services immediately.
Now that we have prepared everything and opened the accommodation facilities, I feel that we have finally reached the completed form.
It was a long-awaited opening, wasn't it? How did Nakaniwa become the proprietress of the Nest?
Nakaniwa
I grew up in Kojima until I graduated from high school.
I have been friends with Nakano since childhood, and we talked about how I wanted to run a guesthouse someday because I love traveling, even when we didn't have any specific ideas.
I heard from Nakano about adding accommodation services to Denim Lodge in the summer of 2024.
At that time, I was living between Tokyo and Okayama, and while I wanted to return to Okayama someday, I didn't have any particular opportunity.
At that time, Nakano invited me, saying, "There is a place available, so why don't you try running the guesthouse we talked about?" and I returned to Kojima in January 2025.
Denim Lodge & Nest is a very nice space centered around denim colors, but who came up with the concept?
Kuroaki
I was involved from scratch.
I thought about not only the concept but also the name Denim Lodge and what to renovate.
Nakano
Kuroaki joined us at the timing of starting the renovation. In fact, his first job on the day he joined was a presentation related to Kurashiki City's subsidies.
Kuroaki
Actually, I had been involved as a part-timer for two months before joining, so it was just a coincidence that my joining date coincided with the presentation day (laughs).
I was given the opportunity to take on a challenge, and Nakano entrusted me with it.
Services Utilizing Multilingual Support
Nakaniwa, you can speak English and Spanish, right?
Nakaniwa
Yes. Not only me, but all the staff here can communicate in English.
Of course, we cannot accommodate all languages, but we strive to ensure that customers do not feel inconvenienced or anxious as much as possible.
What specific services can customers receive?
Nakaniwa
For example, a common issue is the lack of information in English.
Where can I buy denim for children? Is there transportation to Washuzan Hill? Even if there is a tourist information center, there are not a few customers who ask such questions.
Additionally, our strength is that we can provide local information.
We can communicate with customers during the reservation stage, ask what they want to do during their stay, and introduce them to events and facilities in Kojima.
It is very difficult to obtain local information, especially overseas, so having such services is reassuring. Do you have any specific episodes?
Kuroaki
In the past, we had a customer who stayed for about a month.
This person wanted to learn about denim from overseas and went around each store on Kojima Jeans Street, and generously borrowed sewing machines from two stores that accepted him to make denim.
It was a form of what you could call "denim study abroad." In fact, the denim I am wearing today was given to me by that customer.
There was also a hope to climb a mountain that they saw in their daily life, so we climbed together and ate rice balls at the summit.
Additionally, for a customer from overseas who wanted to intern at a sewing factory, I reached out to friends and relatives to introduce them to an internship opportunity.
A Place to Obtain Unique Information and Experiences
Please tell us about your future prospects.
Nakaniwa
In the world of denim and the relaxed space of the Seto Inland Sea, I want to propose experiences that are both educational and healing, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the charm of Kojima.
For example, we plan to hold workshops for making denim accessories at the lodge, and recommend experiences like making jeans or indigo dyeing hosted by local denim manufacturers.
Additionally, we are considering a plan where guests can taste home-cooked meals from local residents. Experiencing meals from local people while traveling is a precious opportunity.
It is not something you can easily do even if you pay. I want to provide experiences that can only be tasted here.
Kuroaki
I also want to help many people learn about not just jeans, but also the history of Kojima.
When I share information that cannot be learned just by shopping on Kojima Jeans Street with visitors to Denim Lodge & Nest, they express joy by saying, "I learned something good!"
For example, when I tell them that Kojima originally prospered as a salt town and that there is actually a connection between the salt industry and jeans, they sometimes say that the historical aspect was more interesting.
Especially among overseas visitors, many are history enthusiasts, and I hope to convey Kojima's history as added value to their travels.
Nakano
Another thing I want is to make staying in Kojima a more common option. There are not many accommodation facilities in Kojima, and most visitors choose to stay elsewhere when they come to Kojima.
I hope that by staying at the Nest, visitors will spend more time in Kojima.
Conclusion
Through the interview, I strongly felt the desire of Nakano, Nakaniwa, and Kuroaki for visitors to experience unique encounters and experiences that can only be found in Kojima by staying at Denim Lodge & Nest.
When choosing accommodation while traveling, one of the important factors for me is what kind of people I can meet at that place.
In talking with Nakano, Nakaniwa, and Kuroaki, I felt their friendly and warm personalities that made me think, "I want to stay here because I want to meet this person."
How about enjoying interactions with people at Denim Lodge & Nest, feeling as if you are living on Kojima Jeans Street?
Data on Denim Lodge & Nest
| Name | Denim Lodge & Nest |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-9-27 Ajino, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 070-5566-2447 |
| Check-in | From 4 PM to 9 PM |
| Check-out | 10 AM |
| Payment Methods |
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| Facility Information | ・No meals, room only ・Food can be brought in and cooked in a simple kitchen. Meals can be eaten in the room, but cooking is only allowed in the kitchen. ・Entire building is non-smoking. No smoking rooms. Shared space available. ・Only the Wind Room (Room-A) on the first floor is available for guests aged 0 and up. Other rooms are not available for guests under 12 years old. ・No pajamas are provided, so guests need to bring their own. 【Room Facilities】 Bedding, table, air conditioning, hairdryer, slippers, Wi-Fi 【Common Facilities】 Bathroom (shower only), toilet, simple kitchen (refrigerator, electric kettle, microwave, toaster, dishes, cutlery available) *Cooking utensils and basic seasonings are available for free loan if cooking. 【Paid Amenities】 Toothbrush, razor (100 yen each), towel (300 yen), bath towel (500 yen), basic skincare products (300 yen) |
| Bath | Shared among guests. Shower only available. Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap are provided. |
| Wi-Fi | Available |
| Parking | None No parking attached to the lodge. Use the parking lot on Kojima Jeans Street or municipal parking. |
| Website | Denim Lodge & Nest - Denim Lodge & Denim Lodge & Nest |
