During the Golden Week of 2024, many events were held in various locations.
In Kojima, known for its textiles including school uniforms and denim, the festival "Kojima Fest #Senisai," centered around a sale of textile products, is held every spring and autumn.
Now, it is a pioneer of outlets found across the country, including Kurashiki, featuring a wide variety of events such as discounted sales of manufacturer sample items and B-grade products, sales of local specialty denim, and numerous food stalls to enjoy.
What is "2024 Spring Kojima Fest #Senisai"
"2024 Spring Kojima Fest #Senisai" is a major event that colors spring in Kojima, centered around the sale of various textile products including denim and food stalls featuring local specialties such as "takomeshi" (octopus rice).
It was held in the city center of Kojima on April 27 (Saturday) and 28 (Sunday), 2024.
I attended the event
On the day of the event, it was unfortunately raining from the morning, but by the time I arrived in Kojima just after 11 AM, the rain had stopped.
Passing through the gate of "Kojima, the Holy Land of Jeans," I arrived at the venue.
At the sales venue, brands representing Kojima such as BIG JOHN, Betty Smith (ベティスミス), and Domingo were lined up, along with KANKO GAKUSEIFUKU CO., LTD., another local industry, selling outlet items, sample products, and B-grade products (irregular items).
Brand denim is also being sold at special prices.
"Studio D'Artisan," which has a shop in Minami-Horie, Osaka, also opened a store from the Kojima factory (Kohritsu Co., Ltd.).
Unfortunately, the shop at Achiterasu (Kurashiki store) has closed, but many people were bustling about here looking for bargains.
Let's Walk Across on Community Center
The "Kojima Citizen Exchange Center," characterized by its appearance resembling a taiko bridge, is a building that opened as the "Kurashiki City Seto-Ohashi Bridge Memorial Museum (Bridge Museum)" when the Seto-Ohashi Bridge was completed.
In fact, you can really go up on the roof and walk across it.
I remember that when it was the Bridge Museum, you could usually go up to the rooftop, but due to safety concerns, it has only been open during events in recent years.
You go up from the stairs next to the building.
It feels like you are crossing a giant taiko bridge. The sky feels close somehow.
In the grassy square below, the concurrently held event "THE DENiM 2024" was taking place.
Kojima Station Area "Sales Area"
In the Kojima Station area "Sales Area," various textile products, not limited to denim, were being sold at low prices.
Since everything was very cheap, many people were searching for bargains.
The Kojima brand "Dmingo"
A variety of bottoms piled up in the wagon, and if the size fits, it's a great deal.
Incredible! Socks are 100 yen each, and many such shops were set up.
Conclusion
This festival has been ongoing for many years, changing its name over time, but in recent years, the recognition of "Kojima" has increased nationwide through denim, and it feels like the number of visitors from outside the prefecture has significantly increased compared to before.
However, it seems that the immediate sales tents were larger and more lively in the past, possibly due to many production bases moving overseas...
Still, the continuation of this event is undoubtedly due to the effects of the simultaneous event "THE DENiM 2024" and the efforts of those involved in steadily promoting "Kojima, the town of jeans."
I look forward to the next event.
2024 Spring Kojima Festival #Senisai - A Day to Discover Bargains and Local Gourmet
| Name | 2024 Spring Kojima Festival #Senisai - A Day to Discover Bargains and Local Gourmet |
|---|---|
| Date | April 27 (Saturday) and 28 (Sunday), 2024 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Location | Kojima |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Website | Official Site of Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
