FREEPORT — You might not notice the new Japan collection, though it’s displayed right inside the front entrance to L.L.Bean’s flagship retail store.

But the limited-edition apparel — normally available only in Japan — is highly sought after by some fashion enthusiasts, and it’s selling out fast.

It’s the first time the annual collection is available online and at a dozen L.L.Bean stores in the U.S., following successful pop-up sales last year in New York and Los Angeles.

The latest chapter in the company’s 33-year Japan venture, the new line looks similar to the Maine retailer’s classic outdoor clothing. The colors are slightly different — deep pink and faded blue among them — the designs are unique and the fit is oversized and unisex.

Donna Taylor didn’t realize she was looking at the Japan collection last Friday until it was pointed out to her.

“It’s nice,” she said, a bit surprised. “It looks like L.L.Bean.”

Up from Rhode Island to visit family, Taylor said she liked the Milo anorak, a hooded windbreaker with a kangaroo front pocket for $150.

“It’s a bit pricey,” she said, “but we’re going to London soon, and I think it would be nice to wear.”

The 2026 Japan collection was introduced March 20-22 at a Brooklyn pop-up sale and was available March 24 online and at 12 U.S. stores, including Framingham, Massachusetts; Sarasota, Florida; and Indianapolis.

“This is a limited availability of what we design and sell in Japan,” said Jason Sulham, company spokesman. “There’s huge demand for what only has been available there. It’s L.L.Bean but with a Japanese design aesthetic.”

Autumn Acord, an Instagram influencer in Maine, squealed as she reviewed several items she received in advance. Her favorites included the Prospect Harbor hoodie in faded salmon and a market tote with L.L.Bean embroidered in cursive script.

“One can never have enough Boat and Totes,” Acord said.

L.L.Bean opened its first store outside Freeport in Tokyo in November 1992, recognizing that people were traveling from Japan to Maine just to shop at the flagship store, Sulham said.

“Folks from Japan were actually coming here to shop at L.L.Bean,” he said. The company also saw exponential growth in mail orders from Japan.

Initially, the Japanese market sought the company’s fitted, preppy, outdoor styles that were popular in the 1990s, Sulham said, including Bean boots, boat moccasins and Oxford shirts.

Now, L.L.Bean operates 18 stores in Japan and collaborates with designers and brands in that country. The resulting collection features oversized and cropped apparel with larger pockets, shorter waistlines and shiny brass zippers and fasteners. The company also has 68 stores in 19 states, as well as 16 stores across Canada in partnership with Jaytex Group.

Some designs in the 2026 Japan collection sold out almost immediately, including the Union long-sleeved striped T-shirt. Others are only available now online in certain sizes and colors, including the Prospect Harbor field hoodie.

Travis Coker was down from Houlton on Friday, shopping at the flagship store with daughters Anna, 14, and Carly, 19, who is a student at York County Community College.

They liked the long field coat — a duster-length version of the L.L.Bean field coat that’s only available in the Japan collection.

“It seems like it would be great for working outdoors,” Anna Coker said.

“Yeah,” Carly Coker said, “it would help keep the ticks off you.”