BUYING PROGRESSIVE GLASSES IN TOKYO - So Worth It!

On our last trip, I bought a couple of pairs of glasses in Tokyo, but my middle-age eyes have changed and now I wear progressives – fun!

So, on our most recent trip to Japan, I had ‘buy progressives’ on my to-do list.

If you’re interested in getting inexpensive, high-quality progressive lens glasses in Tokyo, here’s how to do it.

You may want to read about How to Get Glasses in Tokyo in One Day

Table of Contents

Buying Progressives in Tokyo – The Basics

Prescription – You can get your prescription measured at the store (for free if you’re purchasing lenses), or you can bring your prescription from home (which saves time). If you decide to get your prescription at the store, you’ll spend a few minutes on their machines. Don’t worry, you don’t need to speak Japanese.

Timing – It takes at least a week to get progressives made. Order them as soon as you can on your trip. Some store will also ship to you at another place in Japan (like forwarding them to your hotel in another city). I would not recommend this as you can’t make any adjustments (to the lenses or the fit of the frames).

Price – Competitive! I bought two pairs of progressives in Tokyo for a fraction of the cost of one pair in the US.

Frame Selection – There’s a ton to pick from, and you can choose traditional frames or more fashionable/trendy frames.

Manufacturing Country (Frames) – I saw frames made in Japan and frames made in China. I purchased one of each.

Quality of Lenses – I have Varilux progressive lenses in Silhouette frames (purchased in the United States). I have read that JINS progressive lenses are not as high quality, but I honestly can’t tell the difference if I switch the glasses – nothing changes for me vision-wise. Still, if this is a concern for you, dig deeper.

The machines that measure your prescription:

Four grey machines lined up against a wall. The machines are used for measuring prescriptions for eyewear. In front of the machines is a bench seat and to the left, small bookshelves and displays of tinted lenses for eyeglasses. The wall behind the grey machines is white with cartoon people "drawing" eyeglass frames. This is inside a JINS glasses store in Tokyo, Japan.

Two grey machines with chairs in front of them. The machines are used to test eyes and give prescriptions. This is at a JINS store in Tokyo, Japan.

Where to Buy Progressive Lenses in Tokyo

I had a great experience with JINS, so I’m a repeat customer. I wear my JINS glasses often (although I did donate a second pair I purchased because they ended up being too heavy). I did go to a different location (first time Shibuya, this time Akihabara).

Other companies that do the same – Zoff and OwnDays.

Helpful Tip: You’ll need to return to the store to pick up your glasses, try out the lenses, and make any adjustments to the frames. Pick a store with hours that work for you and with a location that will be convenient to return to.

JINS glasses store in Tokyo, Japan. Displays of eyeglasses and underneath the displays are bookshelves full of books. — *JINS at Yodobashi Akiba in Akihabara*

Buying Progressives as JINS in Tokyo – My Experience

I ordered my progressives from JINS on the 7th floor of Yodobashi Akiba in Akihabara. This was a very convenient location because my traveling companions (my mom and two sons) could explore everything Yodobashi Akiba has to offer while I ordered my glasses. If you don’t want to be on different floors, there’s even a Daiso (a little bit of everything) and ABC Mart (sneakers galore) amongst other shops on the same floor as JINS.

I brought my own prescription with me from home. I had a screenshot of the prescription on my phone.

As soon as I walked into JINS, I took a number. I was called a few minutes later and after giving the staff member my prescription, I was told to bring back the lenses I was interested in.

From there, she helped me decide on options like:

lense thickness
UV coating
blue light lenses
color changing lenses
scratch resistant coating

Good To Know: The general prices for these options are on display on placards, but the person helping you will pull out a thick binder and give you the exact prices for your prescription and choices.

I decided on two different pairs of progressives:

Thick black frames with lenses that change to dark grey in sunlight. Part of the ‘Air’ (lightweight) line. Total Cost: 28,091JPY
Thin wire frames with blue light blocking. Also part of the ‘Air’ line. Total Cost: 19,000JPY

After I’d decided, I paid.

The total for both frames with progressive lenses and the options… 47,091 JPY ($297.57). Amazing! After paying, they let me choose the colors of my hard cases – hot pink and gold this time. I was told to return a week later for pickup and was given a time they’d be ready by.

Tip: Bring your passport because your progressive glasses are tax free!

I ended up returning 8 days later and the pickup was smooth and took about 10 minutes. The black frames were a little lopsided but she made the adjustments and they fit well now!

Hand holds up a ticket with a QR code and Japanese text inside the JINS glasses store in Tokyo's Yodobashi Akiba store. — *I got my number at 10:11am*

*I paid for my frames and lenses at 10:48am*

Hot pink hard eyeglasses case with a pair of black rimmed glasses inside. The case is sitting on a stone surface and there is a receipt from JINS underneath. — *New progressives #1*

Pair of wire-rimmed eye glasses in an opened gold case. In corner is a pair of black glasses in a hot pink case. — *New progressives #1*

3 Months Later – Update on My JINS Progressive Lenses

I’m wearing my black frame progressives as I type this, and I alternate them with my Varilux/Silhouette progressives that I purchased from my (fantastic) optical shop in Washington state.

I wear the wire frames less often, but they do enter into the rotation occasionally. I imagine I’ll wear them more in the winter when there’s less sunlight and less need for the darkening lenses.

On our next trip to Japan, I’ll probably get a pair of progressives with tortoiseshell frames.

Good To Know: I also still wear my tortoiseshell non-progressive frames that I purchased in April of 2024, but I do need progressive lenses for work now, so I default to progressives. I wear the non-progressives if I’m going out to run errands or for indoor cycling.