For Everyday Eyewear in Japan: JINS

Travelers often discover that shopping is a real highlight of any trip to Japan, and if you’re shopping for something both stylish and practical that you’ll still love long after your vacation ends, eyewear is an excellent choice. While they might not be the first Japanese souvenir on your mind, a pair of Japanese glasses is a lot more functional and customizable than a kimono, and a lot easier to bring home than a samurai sword. Eyewear can be a fun, unique souvenir, and one brand in particular has become particularly popular among international travelers in recent years.

JINS is a household name in Japan, and short-term visitors tend to gravitate towards the stylish designs, reasonable prices, and (best of all) extremely fast, reliable service. JINS glasses start at just 6,600 yen for both the frames and lenses, including thin-lens customization options for strong prescriptions and astigmatism. (For single-vision clear lenses with a refractive index of 1.60. There are limits to the range of lenses that can be produced.) JINS glasses are a great deal! And since you can get your glasses in as little as 30 minutes after purchase, it’s easy to shop for new eyewear even in the midst of a busy travel itinerary. Even if you choose tinted color lenses or lenses with special add-on features, you can often choose same-day pick-up, as long as they’re in stock at the store you visit.

JINS glasses are an especially good deal for foreign travelers! Not only can you enjoy tax-free shopping, but JINS also offers special coupons to help sightseers make the most of their evenings in Japan as part of their “JINS 30min Night Walk” campaign, making this shopping trip convenient, cheap, and a fun part of your trip, all at once!

For Eyewear Shopping in Central Tokyo: JINS Ginza LOFT

When you’re near Tokyo Station, or just looking for a convenient place to go glasses shopping in central Tokyo, this is the place! The JINS Ginza LOFT store is located inside Ginza’s popular LOFT complex – a multistory shopping paradise packed with cosmetics, home goods, and a huge variety of other miscellaneous items, good for gifts and more. LOFT destinations all over Japan are popular among travelers searching for souvenirs and locals browsing all the fun items, but this Ginza location spans five massive floors! You’ll find JINS on the third floor, making it an easy stop if you’re already exploring Ginza – perfect for travelers who like to fit their shopping into a busy travel itinerary!

JINS Ginza LOFT (JINS 銀座ロフト店)
Ginza Velvia-kan 3F, 2-4-6 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
Hours: Mon~Sat 11:00 – 21:00 | Sun 11:00 – 20:00 (follows surrounding facility hours)
Official Website (jp)

Must-Buy Eyewear in Japan: Editor Picks

Frame Recommendations

JINS 360° ®

JINS is known in Japan for its balance of functionality and fashion-forward design, a combination seen clearly in the JINS 360° ® models. If you’ve ever stepped on your glasses, had a pair turned into an expensive kids’ toy, or fallen asleep wearing glasses only to wake up to a rather disappointing result, then you’ll understand the appeal of a pair of glasses that won’t bend or break so easily.

After JINS surveyed its customers and found that 94% of glasses wearers have experienced breakage, particularly in the fragile hinge area, they set about designing a model that would solve the issue, creating the JINS 360° ®.

What makes these designs different? JINS developed a unique Multi-Directional Movement Hinge™ that allows the frame to flex in every direction, helping absorb impacts and prevent damage. These frames have been tested, and they can not only endure up to 150kg of weight, but also withstand being opened and closed over 100,000 times without warping. You can even try bending the frames at the store to test them for yourself! Plus, the silicone nose pads and high-elasticity resin temples provide a comfortable fit while reducing slippage and misalignment. Normally, optometrists will tell you to take your glasses off with both hands to avoid warping them in the long term, but JINS 360° ® frames are built to bounce back every time. These frames are a smart pick for anyone who’s tired of breaking their frames or leaving them misshapen, especially active adventurers, or anyone with kids.

The flexible frames come in a variety of different styles and colors, so it’s easy to find a pair to match your look. Choose from a clean square-framed design, a classic Boston, or a stylish Wellington, in shades like light brown, grey, navy, and matte black.

JINS 360° ® Lineup
Boston (URF-24S-200): Light Brown, Grey Gradation, Matte Black
Wellington (URF-24S-201): Clear, Matte Brown Demi, Matte Black
Wellington (URF-24S-203): Light Brown, Brown Demi, Matte Black
Square (URF-24S-204): Navy, Grey, Matte Black
Details (jp)

JINS IPPITSU

Another standout is the JINS IPPITSU series, a minimalist, elegant line of glasses with deep roots in in Japanese design philosophy. Crafted in Sabae, Fukui Prefecture, a city famous for its history of fine eyewear craftsmanship, these frames are inspired by the Japanese concept of “wabi-sabi” – the beauty of change and imperfection.

True to its name, the IPPITSU (“one-stroke”) series features flowing, curved lines and refined silhouettes created using traditional techniques, each rim precisely shaped to the nearest tenth of a millimeter. The smooth shape of the structure connecting the bridge to the nose pads is hand-carved by the Sabae artisans, who sculpt the materials into luxurious curves that even machines can’t replicate.

The careful carving results in frames that seem to fit naturally on any face, offering comfort and an understated sophistication. For glasses wears who aren’t willing to sacrifice an ounce of style for clear vision, these frames exude artisan excellence, and the choice of square, oval, hexigon, or Boston designs make it easy to find the right pair for your personal look.

JINS IPPITSU Lineup
Square (MTF-23S-183): Grey, Khaki
Oval (MTF-23S-184): Grey, Gold
Hexigon (MTF-23S-185): Grey, Khaki
Boston (MTF-23S-186): Grey, Gold
Details (jp)

Lens Recommendations

JINS SCREEN

JINS doesn’t just offer a wide selection of interesting frames, but they also fit those frames with all kinds of useful lens options. Take the JINS SCREEN lenses, which are perfect for today’s modern life, when so much time is spent in front of screens. If the blue light is tiring your eyes or disrupting your sleep patterns, these lenses (available for an extra 5,500 yen) reduce the blue light that hits your eyes – there are even three different options to match your unique routine!

^{(above: 25% CUT lens, 60% CUT lens)}

The 25% CUT lenses filter out 25% of blue light, a percentage established by European standards as good for general use while maintaining a natural color balance, which makes them perfect for office work or long cafe laptop sessions. The 40% CUT version is a stronger option, especially good for students or professionals who spend extended periods of time on their phone or computer. The 60% CUT version offers maximum protection, making these lenses particularly useful at night, when you’re scrolling through your feed or on your tablet reading an e-book before bed.

JINS SCREEN
Details (jp)

Photochromic Lenses

Our final recommendation from JINS Ginza LOFT is one of the most popular lens choices, since these lenses basically combine normal glasses and sunglasses in one! JINS’ photochromic lenses are clear indoors, but they transition and change color once they’re hit by the sun’s UV rays outdoors. The collection includes four different types of lenses, for different styles and different purposes.

The “Visible Light Photochromic Lenses” (+8,800 yen) change color not only with ultraviolet rays but also with visible light, making them great for busy days in and out of doors, or even in cars. The standard “Photochromic Lenses” (+5,500 yen) are simple and reliable, changing color when hit by UV rays only, meaning they’re perfect for outdoorsy people. The two varieties of premium “Photochromic SCREEN Lenses” not only cut down on UV light (+11,000 yen) and visible light (14,300 yen), but blue light too!

Photochromic Lenses
Details (jp)

The Best Parts of Shopping at JINS Ginza LOFT

Free Vision Testing

At JINS Ginza Loft, you can take advantage of free vision tests in-store, so you can check your eyes and get your glasses in one place! The machines are free to use when purchasing glasses, and tests are available in English, Chinese, and Korean, so the whole process is as convenient as it gets, even for foreign visitors.

Smart Glasses Shopping

At JINS Ginza LOFT, you can start the vision testing and purchasing process at the counter, or you can go ahead and use the tablets to get started, and save on time. Of course these tablets also offer multilingual support, and they make it easy to snag a place in line!

Can’t even choose which frames look the best on you? Then you can look for the other tablets in store, and use the AI tools that JINS developed just for this purpose. Get in front of the screen wearing a pair of glasses from the shop displays, and JINS BRAIN can analyze the look, scoring the glasses on how well they suit your face. Or try “JINS AI,” which responds to shopper queries like “What kind of glasses should I even look for?” or “Which frames are in style right now?” or “What fits my face?” offering instant recommendations. Using JINS’ digital tools, it’s fun to search for the perfect pair of glasses for your look!

JINS 30min Night Walk

Foreign travelers can not only enjoy tax-free shopping at JINS Ginza LOFT, but also the “JINS 30min Night Walk” campaign designed specially for sightseers visiting Japan. When you spend 3,900 yen or more, you’ll receive a special “Night Voucher” – a glasses cloth that also functions as both a local sightseeing map and a collection of coupons. Use the QR code printed on the cloth to check out cool destinations nearby, as well as exclusive discounts at nearby stores!

To receive your Night Voucher, simply show your passport and proof of entry to Japan within the past six months (like a ticket), and you’ll get a voucher that you can use to make the most of your time while waiting for your new glasses!

JINS 30min Night Walk Details

Pick-Up Locker

JINS Ginza LOFT also offers pick-up via locker, so you can come collect your completed glasses at your convenience using just a QR code – no staff interaction required. Great for travelers with tight itineraries.

The Best Things to Do in Ginza in 2025

Excited to visit Tokyo, but not sure what to do in Ginza? Wondering how to spend your 30-minute wait time? We’ve got a few fun recommendations nearby!

Ginza LOFT

Once you’ve finished at JINS, you can stay in the same building and check out the rest of Ginza LOFT! Known for its wide selection, and popular all over Japan, LOFT offers everything from stationery and cosmetics to kitchenwares and home goods, along with seasonal selections and plenty of items featuring cute characters. With five whole floors of products on display, the jumbo-sized Ginza LOFT is the perfect place to shop for items with uniquely Japanese designs and other fun souvenirs.

Ginza LOFT (銀座ロフト)
2-4-6 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
Hours: Mon~Sat 11:00 – 21:00 | Sun 11:00 – 20:00 (follows surrounding facility hours)
Directions: 3 min from Ginza Station (Tokyo Metro) Exit C8/C9, 1 min from Ginza-itchome Station (Tokyo Metro) Exit 5, or 4 min from Yurakucho Station (JR) Central Exit
Official Website (jp)

The CHOYA Ginza BAR

For food and drinks, especially cocktails, don’t miss the CHOYA Ginza BAR. This popular spot is focused on Japan’s popular plum wine, or “umeshu,” which Choya has been perfecting since 1959. The menu includes a variety of dishes infused with Japanese sour plum flavor, and to drink, you can do an umeshu flight or order one of over 100 different umeshu cocktails.

Plus, if you use your JINS Night Voucher, the table fee (normally 880 yen) is free, so you can truly enjoy your night out in Ginza after JINS after shopping!

The CHOYA Ginza BAR (The CHOYA 銀座 BAR)
NOCO 7F, 5-6-5 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
Hours: weekdays 16:00 – 22:00 (last order 21:30) | weekends & holidays 13:00 – 22:00 (last order 21:30)
Directions: 1 min from Ginza Station (Tokyo Metro) Exit A1/B5
Official Website (jp)

Ginza Wako

Wako is a Ginza landmark, housed in the iconic clock tower of the Seiko Group, built in 1932. The clock tower and the classic building’s exterior are popular photo spots, making it a great place to stop by and experience the history and atmosphere of Ginza even if you’re not shopping. Inside, however, the ground floor features sophisticated jewelry and timepieces, while the upper floors offer a wide range of items, from fine tableware to fine art. Step inside to soak up the unique elegance of a classic Ginza shopping experience.

Ginza Wako (銀座 和光)
Seiko House, 4-5-11 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00
Access: directly connected to Ginza Station (Tokyo Metro) Exit B1, or next to Exit A9/A10
Official Website (en)

Ginza Sony Park

Ginza’s newest entertainment-focused attraction is Ginza Sony Park, which opened in January 2025. Standing at 20 meters, tucked in among the tall city buildings, the rooftop offers fabulous views of the Ginza skyline and intersection. Down in the basement, Sony Park Mini shows off cutting-edge technology exhibits and hosts events focused on music the arts, while also selling limited-edition merchandise. The building also houses a cafe and lounge, making it a great spot for a break and a little bit of culture during your Ginza adventure!

Ginza Sony Park
5-3-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00
Directions: directly connected to Ginza Station (Tokyo Metro) Exit B9, or 5 min from Yurakucho Station (JR) Central Exit, 3 min from a 5-minute walk from the Central Exit of JR Yurakucho Station
Official Website (en)

Shop Japanese Eyewear in Japan at JINS Stores Nationwide

JINS Ginza LOFT is conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo, but JINS also has stores throughout the country, so you can browse the selection of frames and lenses all across Japan. Wherever your trip may take you, we’ve got all the details on JINS stores in popular travel destinations like Osaka, Okinawa, Hokkaido, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. If you’re planning a shopping trip outside of Ginza, make sure to read up before you head out, so you can make the most of every moment in Japan!

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