At the Betty Smith Jeans Museum & Village located in Kojima, Kurashiki City, the birthplace of domestic jeans, you can learn about the history of domestic jeans and experience making your own original jeans. Driving in buttons and rivets, choosing leather patches...I'll report on the experience in detail.
2024.03.21I was so surprised! All the stations and buses are wearing jeans!
JR Kojima Station, the entrance, has jeans motifs everywhere, including the station name sign, vending machines, ticket gates, and stairs. This time we will be visiting the Betty Smith Jeans Museum & Village, where you can learn about the history of domestic jeans and make your own original jeans. Board the jeans bus that goes around the Kojima area and let's set off!
Arrival at “Betty Smith Jeans Museum & Village”
Betty Smith was founded in 1970. Since the first domestically produced jeans were made in Kojima in 1965, it is one of the three long-established brands that have been established in Kojima one after another. This time, we will experience making jeans at an experience factory located in a corner of the village.
Choose jeans that fit your size
At the experience factory, you first choose the size that suits you from the jeans that will be the material. The trick to finding the right size is to see if the width fits perfectly when you put it on your waist. When I tried the fitting in the fitting room, I was surprised at how well it fit and how soft the fabric was! The stretchy feel makes it extremely comfortable to wear.
Choose the face of the jeans, the front button, and the key to the expression of the jeans: the rivets.
Next, it's finally time to choose parts, where you can feel like a designer. We will select the buttons for the front fastening, which can be said to be the face of the jeans, and the six rivets (metal fittings that reinforce the areas where the fabric overlaps thickly). There are 24 types of buttons and rivets. The trick is to decide on the buttons first, and then decide on the rivets while looking at the color.
It takes a surprising amount of strength and skill! Button and rivet pressing to experience the greatness of a professional
Next, drive the selected buttons and rivets into the jeans. Align the mark with the punching machine and step on the lever in two steps. The first point adjustment is smooth, but the second time it takes a lot of force. When you push the lever as hard as you can, you will hear a clicking sound and the installation is complete.
Exciting, exciting, feeling like a designer! Choosing the leather patch that controls the back style of jeans
Now that the process has reached its final stage, the next step is to choose the leather patch that will be attached to the back of the jeans. There are approximately 50 types of leather patches. They come in a variety of sizes and materials, and the impression of the jeans changes every time you put them on. Popular ones include ones with characters on them and simple ones with place names on them. Leather patches require skill to install, so we leave this to a professional.
Finally, the only original jeans in the world are completed!
Finally, the original jeans are completed! Jeans are made from a variety of parts that are combined to your liking, and you'll fall in love with them from the moment you pick them up. Once you put them through your legs, they blend seamlessly into your skin, making you feel as if you've been wearing them for a long time. Equip yourself with your new buddy and head to the Jeans Museum!
Wearing your freshly made jeans, head to the jeans museum
When you enter the museum, your eyes will be drawn to the stylishly processed jeans and large machines. Kojima originally had a thriving textile industry and was also known as the "town of school uniforms," and had ample foundations to become a pioneer in fashion. The story of how this town became a jeans mecca that attracts attention from all over the world is explained in detail by era.
After making original jeans
It's a great value experience as you can experience making jeans using Kojima's proud craftsmanship, and you'll also receive a souvenir of an original pair of jeans. Why not create some of the most adorable original jeans in the world while feeling the history of Kojima?
Experience video
how to apply
You can make a reservation for the original jeans making experience below.・Time required: 1 hour ・Price: 8,800 yen (tax included) ~
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