Sabae, Fukui is called “Eyeglasses Town.” It is said that a sixth part of the inhabitants takes part in eyeglasses’ production. Over 90 % of Japanese specs, and about 20 % of the whole world, are made there. Sabae is the element of our eyeglasses.

Megane (eyeglasses) Museum is a symbol of Sabae. You can there learn about glasses and undergo the making (Reservation is required.) It could be a summary of “Eyeglasses Town.” That is holy ground you have to visit while understanding glasses, it means. This is an interview with Oida Kazuto; a manager of the shop in the museum. What will he talk about making specs in Japan?


Sabae Station. Not machines, a male station employee
was in charge of the ticket examination,
which gave me delight letting feel “Station.”


■ Would you please go?

Oida Kazuto: I see.


■ When did you get to work as a manager at this shop?

O: This museum was started in 2010, and next year 2011, I took the part. I had belonged to specs’ manufacture and the retail sale until the managerial position was brought to me.

Megane Museum

■ I heard you mostly dealt with Japan-made eyeglasses.

O: Yes. We just do with the specs whose frames inscribe “MADE IN JAPAN.” And we are also a showroom of those produced by the companies which belong to our guild; a group of eyeglasses’ manufactures. Some are made also in Fukui city, not only Sabae city. There are, namely, almost those made in Fukui prefecture.


■ You, Fukui, produce over 90 % of eyeglasses in Japan. Other areas hardly make?

O: I know they do in Tokyo and Osaka. The two are originally teachers of Fukui on producing eyeglasses. Tortoiseshell spectacles are mainly produced in Tokyo and Osaka is still famous for reading glasses. I heard there was a company which produced plastic frames in Gifu.

O: Division of labor has been popular in Fukui, since we here started making those. Few of the manufactures do in every particular.