Masunaga Optical Mfg Co.
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. is a 120-year-old Japanese eyewear frame manufacturer based in Fukui that produces premium metal, titanium, and shape-memory alloy frames in-house across 400+ steps, selling through 9 proprietary boutiques domestically and wholesale networks exporting 80% of output to Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1905
- HeadquartersFukui, Japan
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. does
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co., Ltd. is a privately held Japanese eyewear frame manufacturer founded in 1905 in Fukui, Japan, currently led by third-generation president Sotaro Masunaga. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures premium optical frames in metal, titanium, and shape-memory alloys through an integrated in-house production system spanning over 400 manufacturing steps, from mold making and component processing through surface treatment and final assembly. A proprietary supersaturated carbon solidification treatment for tool steel molds, developed jointly with Toyama University and the Surface Function Design Research Institute, enables adhesion-free titanium cold forging — a process innovation that won the 41st Japan Material Forming Industry Technology Award in November 2025.
The company operates a dual-channel business model. Domestically, it sells directly to consumers through 9 proprietary MASUNAGA1905 retail boutiques in Tokyo (Aoyama, Shimokitazawa, Yaesu, 2k540), Osaka (Umeda, KITTE, Shinsaibashi), Nagoya (Lachic), and Nara, plus a masunaga1905.store e-commerce platform. Internationally, approximately 80% of production is exported through wholesale and distributor networks built since the 1980s, supported by wholly-owned subsidiaries in the USA (Masunaga Group, Inc., since 1999), Hong Kong (KOKI Masunaga Optical, since 1995), and Malaysia (KOKI Masunaga Malaysia, manufacturing since 1992). Core product lines include MASUNAGA since 1905, K三 (K3), G.M.S. (heritage collection), and the Kazuo Kawasaki designer collaboration.
The company generated ¥2.5 billion in revenue for FY ending June 2024 across approximately 200 employees, with Fukui-region operations anchoring the vertical integration that has made Fukui the source of approximately 90% of Japanese eyewear production. Awards include four Silmo d'Or prizes (2000, 2013, 2014, 2015), METI's 300 Energetic Monozukuri SMEs designation (2009), and the 2005 Design Excellent Company Award.
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Masunaga Optical Mfg Co.
- Legal name
- Masunaga Optical Mfg Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://masunaga-opt.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1905
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. is a 120-year-old Japanese eyewear frame manufacturer based in Fukui that produces premium metal, titanium, and shape-memory alloy frames in-house across 400+ steps, selling through 9 proprietary boutiques domestically and wholesale networks exporting 80% of output to Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Eyewear Frames
- NAICS
- Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Eyewear Manufacturing & OEM/ODM (Frames & Sunglasses) (CRAAAKAJ)
Keywords
Where Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fukui
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices15 records
Markets served
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- High-quality optical frame manufacturing and direct sales: The company designs, engineers, and manufactures every frame in-house through over 400 precise steps, selling directly through proprietary boutiques and e-commerce. Approximately 80% of products are sold in overseas markets (Europe, America, Asia).
- Wholesale to international markets: Products distributed internationally through established sales networks across European, American, and Asian markets via subsidiaries in USA, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Retail shop staff compensation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co., Ltd. designs, engineers, and manufactures premium eyeglass frames in metal, titanium, and shape-memory alloys, performing more than 400 manufacturing steps in-house from mold making through surface treatment and assembly. It sells these frames through proprietary MASUNAGA1905 boutiques and an e-commerce platform in Japan, and through international wholesale networks and subsidiaries in the USA, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Approximately 80% of production is exported to Europe, America, and Asia.
Product overview
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. is a traditional Japanese eyewear frame manufacturer offering premium eyeglass frames through its main collections MASUNAGA since 1905 and K三 (K3), alongside sub-brands including MASUNAGA1905 (retail brand), G.M.S. (historical heritage collection including Emperor Showa tribute pieces), KOKI (sports and international collections), and the Kazuo Kawasaki designer collaboration. The company operates an integrated production system spanning over 400 manufacturing processes from design through direct retail sales. Historical products include smart eyewear prototypes (Wink Glasses, SHUNKAN Sunglasses) developed during R&D phases.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MASUNAGA since 1905
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% of Japanese-made optical frames manufactured in Fukui, the region the company helped establish
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Masunaga Optical Mfg Co.
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Toyama University (国立大学法人富山大学)coreAcademic research partnership for development of titanium processing technology. Professor Tomomi Shiratori from Toyama University collaborated on the supersaturated carbon solidification treatment technology for titanium eyewear frames that won the 2025 素形材産業技術賞.
- Surface Function Design Research Institute (表面機能デザイン研究所合同企業)coreTechnology development partnership for surface treatment innovations. Jointly developed the supersaturated carbon solidification treatment technology with 相澤龍彦 from this institute, which enabled breakthrough in titanium frame manufacturing.
- Avex Creative Agency (エイベックス・クリエイター・エージェンシー株式会社)minorCollaboration on 'MEET YOUR ART' project, which connects companies with contemporary artists. Avex CA President Shinsuke Kato participated in opening ceremony dialogue events at MASUNAGA1905 stores.
- Kenta Kobayashi (小林健太)minorContemporary artist collaboration for 'MASUNAGA1905 meets ARTISTS vol.2' project featuring art installation and original céleste distribution at MASUNAGA1905 Yaesu store. Artist known for work across photography, video, and digital media.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Safilo Group: Italian eyewear manufacturer producing branded and licensed premium frames (Carrera, Polaroid, Smith, etc.). Directly comparable as an established frame manufacturer competing in the same premium segment with similar B2B wholesale + DTC mix.
- Persol: Italian heritage eyewear brand owned by EssilorLuxottica, known for premium handcrafted frames with Italian manufacturing heritage. Comparable as a heritage premium frame maker in the global luxury eyewear market.
- Oliver Peoples: Premium eyewear brand owned by EssilorLuxottica, positioned around heritage, craftsmanship, and Made-in-Japan frames (with some production in Fukui/Sabae). Direct peer in the luxury heritage eyewear segment with overlapping manufacturing geography.
- Marcolin Group: Italian eyewear manufacturer with portfolio of licensed and proprietary brands (Tom Ford, Ermenegilduino Zegna, Guess). Direct peer as a frame manufacturer operating in premium and designer eyewear categories globally.
- Silhouette International: Austrian premium eyewear frame manufacturer known for lightweight titanium frames and Rimless designs. Comparable as a high-end European/Austrian frame maker competing for premium consumer and optical retail partnerships.
- Eyevan (EYEVAN 7285): Japanese premium eyewear brand reviving heritage designs with Sabae/Fukui craftsmanship. Directly comparable as a Japanese-made premium frame maker in the same heritage-and-craftsmanship category as Masunaga's flagship lines.
- Maui Jim: Premium polarized sunglasses brand owned by Kering Eyewear, with manufacturing heritage and premium positioning. Comparable as a premium eyewear brand with strong craftsmanship and polarized lens technology.
- Charmant Group: Japan-based eyewear frame manufacturer headquartered in Sabae, Fukui — the same Japanese eyewear cluster where Masunaga operates. Direct peer as a fellow Fukui-based premium frame maker sharing the regional artisan and supplier ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- EssilorLuxottica: Global eyewear conglomerate combining lens manufacturing (Essilor) and frame/brand portfolio (Luxottica, owning Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, etc.). Comparable as the dominant premium eyewear manufacturer and brand house Masunaga competes with for premium shelf space and consumer mindshare.
Emerging players
- Yellows Plus: Japanese independent eyewear brand producing premium handmade acetate and metal frames in the Sabae/Fukui cluster. Comparable as a Japanese craft-focused eyewear brand targeting design-conscious consumers with boutique distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. social profiles
Digital presenceMasunaga Optical Mfg Co. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Masunaga Optical Mfg Co.
What does Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. do?
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co., Ltd. designs, engineers, and manufactures premium eyeglass frames in metal, titanium, and shape-memory alloys, performing more than 400 manufacturing steps in-house from mold making through surface treatment and assembly. It sells these frames through proprietary MASUNAGA1905 boutiques and an e-commerce platform in Japan, and through international wholesale networks and subsidiaries in the USA, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Approximately 80% of production is exported to Europe, America, and Asia.
Is Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. a public or private company?
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. founded?
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. was founded in 1905. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. based?
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. is headquartered in Fukui, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. High-quality optical frame manufacturing and direct sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale to international markets.
Who are Masunaga Optical Mfg Co.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Safilo Group, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Marcolin Group, Silhouette International, Eyevan (EYEVAN 7285), Maui Jim and Charmant Group. EssilorLuxottica is listed as a broad incumbent. Yellows Plus is listed as an emerging player.
Does Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Masunaga Optical Mfg Co..
What industry is Masunaga Optical Mfg Co. in?
Masunaga Optical Mfg Co.'s product category is Premium Eyewear Frames. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAKAJ, Eyewear Manufacturing & OEM/ODM (Frames & Sunglasses). Its NAICS code is 339115 and its SIC code is 3827.