I want to find fashionable, practical, and long-lasting glasses in Yokohama that suit me. But there are so many stores and products that I don't know what to do, and I always end up choosing the same kind of glasses. I'm sure there are many people like that. In this article, we'll take your sense of style up a notch in Yokohama, and check out some tips and recommended stores for choosing glasses that suit your eyes and face .
Tips for looking for glasses in Yokohama
There are many eyeglass shops in Yokohama, ranging from large stores to specialty stores. It is not easy to find the right pair of glasses for you.
First, let's look at what to look for when looking for glasses.
The importance of choosing and fitting glasses
What is the most important thing to you when choosing glasses?
Maybe it's the design or the price. You might want to buy glasses from a popular brand. That's one way to find them, but it's also important to consider whether they fit you, based on your bone structure, ear height, etc.
Since we often wear glasses all day, wearing glasses that fit well is related not only to how we see, but also to eye and body fatigue. Even if you choose a pair of glasses with a design or brand that you like, we recommend having them fitted to check whether they fit properly.
Glasses have a major impact not only on the impression of your face, but also on the overall impression and vibe of a person, so it's a good idea to try on as many glasses as possible to choose the one that best suits you.
How to find the perfect pair of glasses in Yokohama
When people buy glasses, they often wear them for many years. Some people may be satisfied with a pair that is moderately functional and easy to use, but most people want to find a pair of glasses that are as stylish as possible and that fit as a part of themselves. Also, it can take courage to change the shape or color of the frames of a pair of glasses that you have been using for a while.
Yokohama has a variety of eyeglass stores, both large and small. If you are simply choosing based on brand, you can purchase online, but if you are going to take the time, you may want to ask a knowledgeable staff member about the characteristics of the glasses, the background of the model, the differences in designs, and how to use them, which can greatly increase the value of the glasses you get.
Points to note when choosing an eyeglass store
So, with so many stores available, how should you choose?
When searching for your favorite glasses, it is natural that you will be more likely to find your favorite pair at a store that carries a wide range of brands and models. Large stores in particular have a large number of products that you can actually touch and compare, allowing you to make your selection at once.
On the other hand, select shops tend to have a lineup of products with a certain tendency, as the store and the owner have their own criteria and rules for selecting glasses. When you find a select shop you like, you can rest assured that they will have selected glasses that suit your tastes and preferences, so you can choose your favorite pair quickly and with peace of mind. You can also learn more about the brand, model, and glasses by listening to the store owner's thoughts on the selection.
Also, if you meet a staff member you can trust, we recommend that you actively listen to various things. By telling them the problems you usually have with wearing glasses, the worries you have when choosing, your ideal, etc., they will be able to make comprehensive suggestions based on their past experience, which will often lead to encounters with new models, colors, shapes, and brands.
Another important point is whether or not they can repair and maintain your glasses.
It can be a hassle if you don't know where to take your glasses when you want to ask for advice after purchasing them. If repairs are possible at the store where you purchased them, you can continue to use them with peace of mind and ask for advice after purchasing them, so when looking for an eyeglass store in Yokohama, be sure to check in advance whether the store accepts repairs.
Recommended shops in Yokohama to stop by when choosing glasses
Since you've come all the way to Yokohama to buy glasses, I'm sure there are many people who would like to visit some recommended shops . Uchimura Glasses has been in business in Yokohama for many years, so there are many recommended shops. Among them, we would like to introduce three recommended shops that you should definitely visit.
1. Standard Trade
A long-established furniture store with the concept of "high-quality furniture for ordinary homes." The brand has been around since 1998. They are proud to carve, plan, and assemble wood produced by nature, and to hand it over to those who need it, and they make "standard" furniture. Uchimura Optical Store also uses custom-made furniture.
2. Artisan
This French restaurant has the theme of "Men's French Neoclassical." It serves simple, hearty dishes that make you feel like you're eating local French cuisine.
3. Motomachi Matilda
A wine bar with over 400 types of wine. They have a wine stock of over 500 bottles, mainly natural wines. They are open from 3pm on weekends, so it's recommended for those who want to start drinking early.
What is Uchimura Optical Store, an eyeglass store in Yokohama?
We have introduced several eyeglass stores within walking distance of Yokohama Station, but there are also many high-quality eyeglass stores if you travel a little further.
This time we will introduce Uchimura Optical Shop, located in Motomachi, about 10 minutes from Yokohama.
A long-established eyeglass store in Yokohama
Uchimura Optical Store in Yokohama celebrated its 80th anniversary in May 2024. With the motto of "Serving our customers with careful work," the store has been loved by locals. Since its founding, it has been an "optical and watch store" that handled both glasses and watches, which was common during the Showa era. There are various theories as to why there were so many such stores, including that the skills of watch repair craftsmen were put to good use in cutting and processing glasses lenses, and that they were categorized as luxury items at the time.
Since its founding, the company's philosophy of "carefulness" and high level of technical skill have remained unchanged, and attentive customer service and careful maintenance are major features of Uchimura Optical Store.
A select shop that sells fashionable glasses that will enhance your sense of style
At Uchimura Optical, we stock a selection of carefully selected brands, including our own original brand of crafted eyewear. The number of brands and products may not be as many as larger stores, but each product, selected by a discerning eye, is packed with its own story and the passion that went into selecting it, giving you the peace of mind that makes you think, "No matter which product you choose, you can't go wrong."
The brands we carry include a lineup of stylish brands from Japan and abroad, such as EYEVAN, Yin Year, AHLEM, and YUICHI TOYAMA.
There are many frames that are practical yet stylish, and just looking at them makes you excited by how fashionable they are. We recommend trying them on and comparing the whole body to see what design suits your face.
Politeness in customer service and suggestions
Uchimura Optical Store is known for not only the quality of its products, but also for its pleasant customer service and the range of suggestions it offers.
Glasses were originally just a tool for seeing things, but nowadays they are also seen as a fashion item, and we want to offer a balance between the two. We listen carefully to the customer's requests and concerns, and suggest glasses that suit the face and personality of the customer.
When selecting glasses, Uchimura Optical Store values "the owner's best selection." We select brands and products that we truly believe are the best for you, so our recommendations are genuine. We also place importance on repairs and maintenance , so you can find products that you can use for a long time.
We also provide comprehensive guidance from eye exams to lens selection and adjustment of fit . However, as an "eyeglasses specialty store," we do not just offer suggestions for fashion, but also provide professional eye exams, lens selection, and adjustment of fit. Adjusting fit is especially important. Since glasses are worn every day, even a slight misalignment can cause discomfort in your life. Uchimura Optical Store provides free maintenance to customers who have purchased glasses. Please feel free to drop by.
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Brands handled by Uchimura Optical Store, an eyeglass store in Yokohama
Let's take a closer look at what brands Uchimura Optical, a long-established eyeglass store in Yokohama, stocks, valuing "the owner's best selection."
Three carefully selected brands sold at Uchimura Optical Store
We would like to introduce three brands from the carefully selected brands selected by Uchimura Optical Store.
1. Ahlem
Ahlem Manai-Platt is a Paris-born, Los Angeles-based designer founded this eyewear brand in 2013. The brand is known for its designs that reflect a philosophy of simplicity, beauty, and functionality.
The designs are created in LA and produced in small batches by artisans at ateliers such as Oyonnax in France.
■EYEVAN
VAN, the brand that laid the foundation for Japanese fashion culture, was launched in 1972 with the concept of "wearable glasses."
Being a brand with a fashion context, the color variations of the plastic frames are very abundant compared to other eyeglass brands. We have selected these colors because we believe they are the most versatile and can be used in a wide range of situations when viewing eyeglasses as a part of a total fashion.
■YUICHI TOYAMA.
This brand was started by designer Yuichi Toyama in 2017. The concept is "eyewear that is simple yet has a unique presence, and brings out your individuality without being influenced by trends." Among the many glasses brands out there, we select only metal frames that are particularly attractive and have excellent craftsmanship.
Recommended products from Uchimura Optical Store
■AHLEM MIREILLE
Ahlem is one of my favorite brands and I have been using it privately for a long time. Ahlem glasses are more like jewelry than glasses. Just wearing them makes you look gorgeous and stylish. The frames are made of an alloy base and are plated with 22k gold, making them a very luxurious item.
This is the Mireille model, which is synonymous with Ahlem. The fox-shaped design may seem harsh, but the corners of the eyes are slightly lowered, so they look well-balanced.
The temples and nose pads are also beautifully crafted with the designer's attention to detail. Please come and see them in store.
■EYEVAN Webb
The brand "VAN", which built the foundation of Japanese fashion culture, was launched in 1972 with the concept of "glasses to wear". The color variations of the plastic frames are very abundant among many glasses brands. When you think of glasses as a total fashion, they blend in well and are versatile.
A classic round shape with thin lines that are not too distinctive. It comes with nose pads, making it a model that anyone can wear easily.
■YUICHI TOYAMA. U-136
The brand's concept is "eyewear that is simple yet has a unique presence, and brings out individuality without being influenced by trends." Based on a universal design that is not influenced by trends, the unique characteristics of YUICHI TOYAMA can be felt in an exquisite balance.
Crown Panto's inner cell frame. Crown Panto tends to be a classic style, but it is a design that anyone can wear.
Eyeglass repair and adjustment services available in Yokohama
As mentioned before, glasses that fit you well can make a huge difference in comfort and fatigue. Therefore, it is a good idea to find a shop in Yokohama that offers repair services so that you can easily consult with them when you need adjustments or have any concerns.
What are the eyeglass lens replacement and cleaning services available in Yokohama?
Even if you have been using your glasses for a long time, there is a possibility that the prescription may no longer be correct, the lenses may become scratched, or the coating may peel off. In that case, first consult with the store where you purchased the glasses. Depending on the glasses and model, they may be able to replace them immediately, but depending on the store, it may take some time, so if you go to the store to consult, make sure you go with plenty of time.
For cleaning, they offer a free service that simply requires you to put your glasses in an ultrasonic cleaner for 30 seconds. Since your glasses become a part of you, it's a good idea to regularly check and clean the lenses at the store before they become too dirty or beyond repair, so that you can use them for a longer period of time.
Glasses repair and frame adjustment at Uchimura Optical Store
While most eyeglass production is done by a division of labor, Uchimura Optical's original brand eyeglasses are made by one craftsman in charge of all processes. This results in high-quality eyeglasses with little distortion. For example, when ordering, the craftsman will measure the width of the face, the position of the ears, and the width of the temples, and make the eyeglasses to fit the face. In addition, when the eyeglasses are handed over, the craftsman will make final adjustments to fit the face, so they are extremely comfortable to wear.
It is because they make these careful adjustments that you can get glasses that fit your body perfectly .
We want you to continue using your glasses for a long time, just like a vintage watch, so we can also repair your glasses and adjust the frames. If you have any concerns about repairs or maintenance, we recommend that you consult us as soon as possible.
About lens processing at Uchimura Optical Store
When you think of glasses, the lenses are usually already in the frame, but at Uchimura Optical, the lenses are sent from the factory in a round state and are cut to fit the frame at the store. Depending on the processing technique used at that time, various things can happen, such as the lenses becoming thicker and sticking out of the frame, affecting the way you see, or the frame looking different from before the lenses were inserted, even if the prescription is the same. You can ask the factory to cut the lenses to fit the frame, but since fine adjustments are not possible, Uchimura Optical has learned the lens processing know-how cultivated by our predecessor over decades, and is always thinking about how to make thinner, more precise, and more beautiful lenses when processing them.
Get your favorite glasses in Yokohama
Yokohama has a wide variety of eyeglass stores, large and small, with a wide range of characteristics. Check out the balance between design and price, practicality, and one-of-a-kind pieces of eyeglasses, and find your favorite pair of glasses that will be your long-lasting partner while checking the fit and checking your own points for selection.
■ Uchimura Optical Store Store Information
Address: 2-112-13 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama, 231-0861
Telephone: 045-263-8995
Business hours: 12:00 - 19:00
Closed: Tuesdays and the first Monday of the month