Value Village ／ Clothing
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
Winter coat labels in Japan carry numbers that are hard to compare: "Down 90% / Feather 10%", "Filling: polyester", "Fill power 700". Japan's winters also vary enormously by region, so the right coat for a Tokyo commute is not the right coat for outdoor Hokkaido. Here is what the numbers mean and how to choose by use.
| Item | Down (feathers) | Synthetic fill (polyester) |
|---|---|---|
| Warmth for weight | Warmest for the same weight. Light | About 60–80% of down. Heavier for the same warmth |
| When wet | Loses much of its warmth (the down collapses). Slow to dry | Keeps most of its warmth when wet. Dries fast |
| Packing | Compresses small | Bulky |
| Washing | Hand wash, special detergent, and tumble-dry to break up the clumps (see separate article). Dry cleaning ¥2,000–4,000 | Many can go in the washing machine |
| Lifespan | 10 years or more with care. Down shifts and leaks | Flattens in 5–10 years (loses its recovery after compression) |
| Price | High (from ¥20,000 as a guide; huge variation by brand) | Low (from ¥5,000) |
| Animal welfare / labels | Certifications such as RDS (Responsible Down Standard) | Not animal-derived |
| Best for | Cold regions, dry cold, long hours outdoors, travel (light) | Rain and wet snow, commuting (hot trains), frequent washing, children |
| Label | Meaning | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Down 90% / Feather 10% | The share of down (the fluffy clusters) in the filling. More down = lighter and warmer | 80/20 or better is normal quality. 50/50 is mostly feather and heavy |
| Fill power (FP) | The volume one ounce (about 28 g) of down lofts to, in cubic inches. A measure of quality | 600+ is good, 700–800 high quality, 900 the top grade. Not a mandatory label in Japan; brands show it voluntarily |
| Down weight (fill weight) | The weight of down in the coat (g) | City 100–150 g, cold regions 200–300 g. High FP with little down is not warm |
| Shell water resistance | "Water-repellent finish", "waterproof rating X mm" | For rain, 5,000 mm or more, or choose synthetic |
| Household Goods Quality Labelling | Type and blend of filling (down as "Down X% / Feather X%"), shell and lining fabric, care label | Mandatory on clothing sold in Japan |
[Verify] The warmth ratio for synthetic fill, the fill-power bands and the price ranges are general industry figures. Check the down-labelling rules under the Household Goods Quality Labelling Act with the Consumer Affairs Agency.
Warmth = fill power (quality) × down weight (quantity). High FP with only 100 g inside is a light city jacket.
In wet conditions, with frequent washing or on a train commute, synthetic is often the more sensible choice. It only loses to down on weight and packed size for the same warmth.
In Japan the gap between outdoors and indoors is often 20°C (36°F) or more, and a thick coat is a burden to carry indoors. A thin outer plus a mid-layer is more comfortable.
If the label shows a hand-wash symbol, you can wash it at home (method in a separate article). Storing it unwashed does more harm: sweat and sebum degrade the down.
The down ratio describes the make-up of the filling; without fill power and fill weight you cannot tell how warm it is. Only with all three can you compare.
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https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/guide/fiber/
https://www.jdfa.or.jp/
https://www.kokusen.go.jp/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Follow the care label and the maker's instructions for any garment, shoe or bag. For expensive or sentimental items, ask a specialist cleaner or repairer.
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