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Kontex Imabari Towels

Kontex towels, from Japan to the United States. Sauna and bath towels, with the Brera and Heather waffle ranges among the most chosen.

Woven in Imabari, Ehime — a region long associated with Japan’s most considered towels. Prices are shown in USD at checkout, shipped from our studio in Kobe, Japan.

Handkerchief, face, hand and bath sizes, with cotton-linen alongside. Ships to the US · USD · FedEx DDP at checkout.

Ships from JapanFlat Rate $23 USD2–7 Business Days via FedEx

FAQ

Yes. We ship Kontex Imabari towels from our studio in Kobe, Japan to the United States.

Japanese Towel Guide

How Japanese towels differ from Western terry, and how to choose between the Kontex weaves in this collection.

What is a Japanese towel?

Japanese towels are generally thinner and lighter than the dense terry towels common in Europe and North America. They are woven for absorbency relative to their weight, quick drying, and comfort through humid summers, rather than for maximum plushness. A typical Japanese bath towel weighs less, takes little space on a rail or in luggage, and line-dries within hours. The lightness is not a compromise, it is the point.

What makes Imabari towels different?

Imabari, a coastal city in Ehime prefecture on the island of Shikoku, has been Japan’s principal towel-weaving region for more than a century. Spinning, dyeing, weaving and finishing are concentrated within one small area, and the soft local water suits gentle dyeing. Kontex has woven towels in Imabari since 1934, and every towel in this collection is woven there.

How to choose

Compare the towels

TowelMaterialWeave and feelSizesBest for
MOKU Light100% cottonThin, flat weave; packs small and dries fastest of the pile-free weavesS 28×28 / M 33×100 / L 60×120 cmTravel, gym, sauna, everyday
LANA100% cottonWool-knit-like weave; light with soft volume and a dry touchS 36×36 / M 36×85 / L 55×110 / XL 85×145 cmHand and bath; XL doubles as a blanket or shawl
BRERA100% cottonLarge waffle texture; touches less skin, stays comfortable when dampS 36×36 / M 36×85 / L 60×110 / XL 80×140 cmFace, hand, bath
VINTAGE WAFFLE95% cotton, 5% linenHoneycomb waffle; dry, non-sticky feel, quicker drying than pileS 30×32 / M 36×83 / L 58×110 / XL 78×145 cmFace, hand, bath; XL as a light blanket
HEATHER WAFFLE70% cotton, 30% linenWaffle weave with linen; crisp and dry, softens with washingS 38×40 / M 38×85 / L 65×115 / XL 80×140 cmFace, hand, bath
MOKU LINEN60% cotton, 40% linenLight flat weave with a crisp linen texture; quick-dryingM 33×100 / L 70×140 cmKitchen, sauna, bath, beach, travel

Ordering from outside Japan

We ship worldwide from Japan. Prices appear in your local currency where supported, and shipping is calculated at checkout for your destination. Delivery times and any import duties or taxes vary by country, details are on the shipping policy page.