Megane Museum

Fukui Prefecture produces 95% of eyeglass frames made in Japan. Sabae City is especially known in the world for their precision technology and high quality. You can learn the ever-changing history of glasses over 100 years, try creating your own glasses in the workshop, or buy the latest model made in Fukui in the adjacent eyewear shop.

Sabae, Fukui’s eyewear production began in Meiji Period, when the father of domestic glasses, Masunaga Gozaemon invited an eyeglass maker from Osaka and promote it as a side business for farmers. Specialists for parts gradually increased and the whole town came to work as a big eyeglass factory. The museum shares how the glasses have changed from Edo through Showa Periods with displays. See the eyewear history and the development of technology up close.

The hands-on workshop lets you create your original frame. Choose a color and a shape for your plastic frame, cut, and file it into your one-in-the-world. You can also make your own keychain by combining colorful eyewear material, acetate, to your liking.