The 10 Best Japanese Sunglasses Brands You Should Know

Take the long journey across the Pacific Ocean to the island nation of Japan, and you’ll find several unmistakable characteristics: impeccably clean city streets, professional acumen like none other, and attention to detail — especially for eyewear — that’s second to none. Time to step aside, Italy; there’s a new kid on the block, and he means business: Japan. Throughout the 20th century, expert craftsmen in Japan began releasing meticulously built yet incredibly durable and fashion-forward sunglasses for our enjoyment, and we’ve narrowed down the best Japanese sunglasses brands out there right now.

why are sunglasses made in Japan so good?

For over 200 years, the region of Fukui in Japan has been at the forefront of Japanese eyewear. Specifically, we’re speaking of prescription lenses and frames. And while the quantity of what is considered the best of the best might be small, Japanese sunglasses brands are often handbuilt from premium materials, and molded into a groundbreaking style. It’s here where high-end acetate, bespoke stems, and handmade attention to detail reign supreme. Sound familiar? It’s no secret that Japanese products possess a certain level of manufacturing acumen for which other regions of the world simply can’t compete. Take lean manufacturing, for instance, the groundbreaking assembly line process that sent Toyota into the stratosphere of accessibility and affordability after the Second World War. But we digress, for we’re simply concerned with stylish shades in this regard. For, as the saying goes, if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it could be assumed that the eyes are also the gateway to premier style. In that regard, Japan has us covered.

What to look for

UV Protection: Style and craftsmanship are important, but having shades that block the sun effectively is even more so. You want a pair that blocks at least 99%, as that’s the minimum for ample sun protection.

Polarization: Polarization is a bit less critical, but that doesn’t mean it’s not useful. Reducing glare can help keep your eyes from getting strained, and many retailers will offer the option to add it if the glasses aren’t already polarized.

Access: You may have already considered that it may be difficult to get some of these shades as the labels are all Japanese. While many brands offer their products Stateside with little hassle and without a markup, you might have a little trouble tracking down a few of them. Thankfully, each website includes English translations and information about potential retailers online and in your area (or at least your country).

999.9

999.9 (or Four Nines) was started in 1995, and the gold-related name not only refers to the brand’s dedication to crafting the highest quality eyewear, but also the materials that go into the process. The label uses premium metals for the hinges, and the finest acetate to create glasses that are comfortable, design-driven, and built to last.

Editor’s Pick: F-03NPM

The F-03NPM shades have a large, almost ’70s-inspired look, and come in five different colors that match that vibe perfectly. They’re made with a blend of durable acetate and metal hinges, making for a strong pair of shades that are built for the long haul.

Boston Club Eyewear

Despite what you may have inferred from the brand name, Boston Club does not hail from Boston, MA. They’re a Japanese brand through and through, established back in 1984 to build reliable and classic frames made from acetate and alloy while keeping in line with the merits of minimalism.

Editor’s Pick:

Case in point, the Builders (seen here). This fine pair hosts all the attention to detail and precision you’d come to expect from the iconic brand, thanks to sleek golden silver accents in addition to a predominantly midnight black colorway. And we all know how attractive blacked-out gear can appear no matter what the season.

Eyevan 7285

Hands-on production and throwback contemporary product models need not only to lend themselves to apparel. For Eyevan, this mantra rings true for each and every product in their astute lineup. Self-proclaimed as the first fashion eyewear brand in Japan, Eyevan offers beautifully designed frames that are the highest of quality.

Editor’s Pick: 775 

Take their 775 sunglasses, for example; each acetate-built pair hosts five-barrel hinges taking inspiration from vintage flight jacket zippers, an iconic design, and original branded curved mineral lenses.

FACTORY900

Founded in 2000 by Yoshinori Aoyama in the legendary Sabae-Fukui region, where some of the best Japanese eyewear brands are made, FACTORY900 uses forward-thinking techniques to craft unique eyewear for the future. The label has won multiple design awards and continues to push the envelope with designs that are creative and futuristic, with vintage-inspired options featuring a modern slant.

Editor’s Pick: RF-001

The RF-001s perfectly capture the label’s future-forward design philosophy and reverence for the past, combining a classic circle-style silhouette with boxy edges on the top. They come together in a subtle, vintage style that’s still unmistakably futuristic.

Globe Specs

Built out as the house brand for Tetsuya Okada’s lux boutique in Tokyo, Globe Specs are simply some of the best in the biz when it comes to eyewear. That’s because Okada works to incorporate the likes of Japanese acetate, titanium, and Carl Zeiss Vision CR-39 lenses into each product. Not only are the materials high-quality, but the design of the label’s eyewear is always made to be comfortable.

Editor’s Pick: The Reggie c3

The Reggie C3 is no different, utilizing a mid-century vibe with its style, sleek black frames, and a fine Wellington shape. Think of these as a Japanese rendition of the popular Clubmaster style iconically worn by Madison Avenue ad men.

Masahiro Maruyama

As you may have guessed, there’s a single solitary mind involved in this forward-thinking Japanese brand: designer Masahiro Maruyama. In fact, the entire self-titled brand bases its lineup on the design principle of “Unfinished Art.” From here, Maruyama crafts beautiful frames that are perfectly imperfect — thus serving as a general statement to our inherent value of how “perfection” is defined. 

Editor’s Pick: Broken sunglasses

The Broken Sunglasses are a perfect example of this mentality — boasting a minimal design, unfinished molding, asymmetric hand-sketched lines, and a 100-percent titanium frame. Perfectly imperfect, yeah, that sounds about right.

Masunaga

First establishing themselves on the scene back in 1905 in Fukui, Masunaga brought in skilled craftsmen from both Osaka and Tokyo with the intention of solidifying the brand’s iconic legacy in the realm of both prescription eyewear and stylish sunglasses. Today, over 200 manual processes go into each pair. What’s more, Masunaga is the only brand in Japan that’s in charge of the entire production process: from raw material acquisition to actual production and finishing.

Editor’s Pick: Bird

The Bird sunglasses have an aviator-inspired look to them and are available in a variety of lens finishes and frame colors. And you can see the in-house dedication that shines through in this pair, just like everything else the label creates.

Matsuda

Once considered one of the leading Japanese menswear designers, Mitsuhiro Matsuda was Tokyo’s go-to guy for ahead-of-the-curve trends during his tenure as the founder of Nicole Co. Later influenced by the Art Deco period and metalwork of the late 19th century, Matsuda’s attention to detail became almost immediately apparent in his eyewear collection.

Editor’s Pick: MO358

One of our favorite flagship products, the MO358, boasts just that — a minimal yet stylish aesthetic available in a G-15, silver, blue, or gold mirror lens, frames crafted entirely from titanium, and handsome round lenses alluding to classic prescription spectacles.

Nackymade

Taking its namesake from brothers Naoki “Nacky” Nakagawa and Tomoko Nakagawa, Nackymade exudes the merits of humbleness that make its owners so charming. The brand is based out of Kobe, Japan, and with a unique take on eyewear, they work with some of the finest materials around to handcraft each pair. We’re talking durable acetate, their signature hinge, and one-off design elements that function in harmony to make flagship offerings.

Editor’s Pick: Taka tie #2

The Taka Tie #2 is handmade in Kobe like the rest of Nackymade’s products and features the label’s signature silver hinges, which provide just as much comfort as they do style. It’s all tied together with a gradient frame and a style that can fit anywhere.

Yuichi Toyama

According to the man himself, founder Yuichi Toyama, his label’s design philosophy can be broken down into five pillars: Look, Think, Draw, Make, and Break. These guiding principles inform the process of combining traditional Japanese craftsmanship with designs that move the industry forward, while honoring and redefining the ‘Made in Japan’ standard.

Editor’s Pick: IND U-128

These sunglasses have a round style with temples reminiscent of the classic Wayfarers. They’re also available in multiple lens and frame color options, so you can get a personal look.

The Best Japanese Denim Brands

Japan may be home to some of the best sunglasses, but it’s also home to very high-quality denim. So check out our best Japanese denim brands guide.