Eye-catching Glasses in Higashi Ojima
Published: October 3, 2019
Happy by name and happy by nature: that is Happy Megane, a shop specialising in the sale of glasses for eyesight and as a fashion accessory, which I could spy from the steps of Higashi Ojima Station.
Strolling into the shop I was greeted by the spectacle of row upon row of glasses lining the walls and the display islands. The manager, Mr. Takeshi Sugiyama, is supported by his colleague Mr. Kazuo Osaka, and together they make a cheerful and energetic team. Whilst Mr. Sugiyama showed me around the shop and explained the items on display Mr. Osaka was busy giving a customer a thorough eye test prior to ordering a new pair of glasses.
Mr. Sugiyama, who looks a youthful 33, has been with the Koto ward-based Ishizuka Group, which has five shops selling glasses, for nine years and took over as manager of the Higashi Ojima store in August 2018. He is a Japanese certified optician as well as being a certified appraiser; more of which below.
The shop’s interior is bright and welcoming and, as Mr. Sugiyama explained, stocks a range of spectacles to appeal to customers of all ages, tastes and budgets. Prices of glasses start from 980 yen and range on upwards. As well as cheerful and inexpensive glasses, Happy Megane sells well-known brand names, such as Coach, Ray-Ban and Rodenstock. The shop is currently the exclusive outlet in Koto ward for ic! berlin, a German manufacturer whose spectacles are famous for being stylish and screwless (yes!) and having flexible frames – very eye-catching.
Then there are the attractive half-frame and frameless Silhouette glasses from Austria.
Mr. Sugiyama pointed me to a display of unusual-shaped ladies’ glasses. These striking Kamuro eye pieces, which can be found in the designer’s Ginza and Aoyama stores, are now also available in the Ojima area courtesy of Happy Megane.
And, of course, there are the simple round-framed glasses made famous by John Lennon, available both in plain glass (something I always wanted to wear when I was a student) and as sunglasses.
When I asked Mr. Sugiyama what the store’s best-selling glasses are, he surprised me by saying “the plain Ray-Ban”. I had always imagined that Ray-Ban’s sunglasses would be more popular, but, apparently, they are less so in Japan, due to historical cultural reasons.
Moving on from the brand names, I came across a glass shelf full of colourful frames, all reasonably priced at 4,980 yen for the frames and lenses. Just the thing for making a fashion statement.
The shop also has other reasonably-priced glasses sets on offer, which include a case, frames, UV-cut lenses, cloth and guarantee all for either 10,000 yen or 20,000 yen.
Whilst glasses account for ninety percent of Happy Megane’s sales, including arranging for repairs, the shop also sells smart Seiko ladies and gents watches, and replacement watch straps as fashion accessories. There is also a small selection of attractive rings, earrings and pearl necklaces.
And for customers with an unwanted piece of jewellery, Happy Megane will appraise, at no cost, gold and platinum jewellery and will also consider trading-in or buying such items. This is where Mr. Sugiyama’s qualification as a certified appraiser comes in.
As Mr. Sugiyama says, “Happy Megane’s selling point is that it has a wide range of glasses and prices catering for everyone”. So, come in and have a browse around; he’s sure you’ll find a pair of glasses to suit.
Story and Photos by Jeremy Hutchinson
