Yamamoto Hifuku identified as potentially Japan’s oldest denim brand

Yamamoto Hifuku, a manufacturer based in Shimizu, Shizuoka, has been identified as potentially holding the title of Japan’s oldest denim brand. While denim production in Japan was traditionally thought to have begun in Okayama Prefecture during the 1960s, trademark records indicate that Yamamoto Hifuku filed for denim-related trademarks in December 1931, approximately 30 years earlier.

The company’s history traces back to its founder, Yamamoto Hikotaro, who established the ‘Star Overall Company’ in Los Angeles in 1923 after working as a miner on the US West Coast. Upon returning to Japan, he founded the Yamamoto Hifuku Manufacturing Plant in Numazu to produce denim workwear. To commemorate this heritage, the company has released reproductions of its century-old overalls, utilizing traditional stitching and designs.

In a related development within the Japanese textile sector, the ‘JAPAN DENIM DAYS’ event is scheduled to take place in Kojima, Kurashiki, on November 7–8, 2026. The festival will showcase the craftsmanship of the region, featuring brand exhibitions, custom tailoring experiences, and workshops to highlight the area’s status as a hub for denim production.