Best Made in Japan Eyewear Brands - Part 3
DITA
Founded in Los Angeles in 1995, DITA brings together luxury design and Japanese craftsmanship. The brand is known for its highly engineered frames, signature details, and premium materials, with many of its collections produced in Japan. Blending fashion, automotive-inspired precision, and traditional eyewear craftsmanship, DITA has become one of the most recognisable names in modern luxury eyewear.
Morgenthal Frederics
Founded in Washington, D.C., Morgenthal Frederics is a luxury eyewear brand known for its exceptional materials and handcrafted approach. The brand has built its reputation around rare and premium materials, including buffalo horn, wood, and high-quality acetate, combined with meticulous finishing and traditional craftsmanship. While not a Japanese brand, many of its acetate frames are produced in Japan, which reflects the brand’s commitment to working with some of the world’s finest eyewear manufacturers.
Akoni
Founded by the team behind the same group as DITA, Akoni focuses on refined, architectural eyewear with a more understated aesthetic. The brand combines Japanese craftsmanship with influences from architecture, industrial design, and classic luxury. Known for its elegant titanium and acetate frames, it represents a quieter and more sophisticated approach to luxury eyewear.
Tanabiku Eyewear
Tanabiku is a Japanese eyewear brand known for handmade frames and a strong focus on craftsmanship. The brand balances classic optical influences with Japanese precision, creating understated designs with thoughtful details. It represents the type of smaller Japanese maker appreciated by enthusiasts searching for alternatives to more commercial brands.
Salt Optics
Founded in California, Salt Optics creates timeless eyewear inspired by the natural landscapes and lifestyle of the American West Coast. The brand combines clean, classic designs with Japanese craftsmanship, producing frames known for balanced proportions, quality materials, and understated elegance. This makes it an appealing choice for anyone looking for everyday eyewear with a bit of character.
Rigards
Founded in Hong Kong, Rigards creates handcrafted eyewear with a strong focus on natural materials, artisanal techniques, and signature design. While not a traditional Japanese brand, many of its frames are produced in Japan, pairing independent design with Japanese craftsmanship. The brand is particularly known for its unique use of materials such as horn, titanium, and acetate.
Oliver Goldsmith
Founded in London in 1926, Oliver Goldsmith is one of Britain’s most iconic eyewear names. The brand became famous for creating distinctive frames worn by celebrities and cultural figures throughout the 20th century. Today, its designs continue to draw from its rich archive, with production taking place across Japan, Italy, and France depending on the collection.
Taylor Eyewear
Taylor Eyewear is an independent eyewear brand focused on classic, timeless frames inspired by vintage optical design. Produced in Japan, the brand brings traditional craftsmanship together with modern proportions, creating versatile frames with a refined character.
Press Eyewear
Press Eyewear is an independent eyewear brand focused on classic designs, quality materials, and refined construction. Bio-acetate and titanium frames are skillfully handcrafted in Japan, while natural buffalo horn and wooden frames are made in Germany.
Massada
Founded in Italy, Massada creates eyewear inspired by art, architecture, and historical design references. The brand focuses on handcrafted frames, premium materials, and unique designs that combine Italian creativity with traditional eyewear craftsmanship. Some Massada collections are produced in Japan, benefiting from the precision and expertise of Japanese manufacturers.
L’ŒIL DE TOKYO
Founded in 2019, L’ŒIL DE TOKYO is a Franco-Japanese eyewear brand that balances French design with Japanese craftsmanship. The brand was created from a fascination with the craftsmanship of both countries, and to bring the two approaches together in one frame. Today, its newer collections are assembled in Sabae, Fukui, where the brand also produces key components such as hinges and titanium parts. The designs have a strong French character, often with slightly retro-inspired shapes and bold acetate frames.
As always, this is not meant to be a definitive ranking, but rather a starting point for discovering some of the finest names in the world of eyewear. If you have a favourite Japanese eyewear brand that I missed, I would love to hear your suggestions.
related articles
Japan has earned a reputation for producing some of the finest eyewear in the world thanks to its exceptional craftsmanship, quality, and timeless design. This guide introduces some of the best Made in Japan eyewear brands. This is Part 3.