Upgraded Comfort for Just ¥1,990! MUJI Sunglasses That Fit Seamlessly Into Daily Life

MUJI's sunglasses have been revamped with updated frame materials and redesigned specs. By switching to a new material containing bio-based ingredients and enhancing elasticity compared to previous models, MUJI achieved a comfortable fit that naturally contours to the face—all while keeping the price locked at ¥1,990.

Behind this decision lies MUJI's core manufacturing philosophy: "Delivering everyday essentials at prices accessible to everyone."

With what mindset did they shape these sunglasses into an easy-to-use daily tool? We spoke with Kosuke Nakayama, Miho Haigo, and Takashi Matsuki from Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd., who oversaw the product development, about the story behind changing the materials and why they stuck to an accessible price point.

An Accessible Price Point Is Non-Negotiable

Even while adopting new materials and tweaking the design, MUJI kept the ¥1,990 price tag rooted in their core philosophy: "Delivering everyday essentials at prices accessible to everyone."

Despite redesigning the materials and specs, the price remained unchanged. How did you balance quality with an affordable price point?

"At MUJI, our product design is guided by three core principles: 'Selection of Materials,' 'Streamlining of Processes,' and 'Simplification of Packaging.' By revisiting material selection and inspecting production processes, we were able to maintain the price. We believe that keeping the price at ¥1,990 including tax is vital for allowing as many customers as possible to pick them up casually." (Matsuki)

For MUJI, an accessible price doesn't simply mean being cheap. It serves as a manufacturing benchmark that allows more people to choose useful lifestyle products without hesitation.

UV Protection as an Everyday Essential

Over the past few years, MUJI seems to have significantly expanded its sunglasses lineup. What was the background behind taking this initiative so seriously?

"We were already offering sunglasses around 2020, but for a long time we only had two styles, available strictly in black and brown. The major turning point came after the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic. As people spent more time outdoors and awareness of UV protection grew, we decided to enhance our sunglasses as an item truly practical for our customers' lives. We expanded the lineup out of a practical need rooted in daily life—protecting your eyes from UV rays whenever you go out." (Nakayama)

What MUJI sought in sunglasses was not merely a stylish fashion accent. It was to deliver a practical tool that easily incorporates UV protection into everyday life.

There is a huge variety of products on the market. What defines a "MUJI-style pair of sunglasses"?

"At the core of MUJI's product planning is always the goal of being useful in our customers' daily lives. Rather than chasing quirky trends, we prioritize making sunglasses that naturally fit into everyday routine. Achieving a design and functionality that anyone can use effortlessly—at an accessible price—is what we consider our signature style." (Nakayama)

New Material + Redesign Improves Fit Compared to Conventional Models

What kind of awareness of issues prompted this renewal?

"Rather than solving a specific issue, we reconsidered everything from the perspective of 'How can we make them even more comfortable to wear?' As more people use sunglasses every day, we felt it was important to create a design that minimizes stress even during long wear," says Haigo.

What changes were made to improve comfort?

"In previous models, we used polycarbonate for the frames, but this time we switched to a new material made partly from plant-derived ingredients. Its defining feature is superior elasticity compared to traditional materials. Glasses rest on the temples, so if the material is stiff, pressure concentrates on a single point and can feel tight. The new elastic material flexes easily to fit your face comfortably," explains Matsuki.

Besides the material, are there other details designed to enhance comfort?

"Since last year, we've included nose pads designed to fit comfortably along the bridge of the nose. We also make continuous fine improvements based on customer reviews. Rather than redesigning from scratch, our approach to product development is to evolve constantly while listening directly to customer feedback," says Haigo.

This update wasn't about adding flashy new features; instead, it was a thoughtful refinement of key details that dictate comfort—such as material flexibility, nose pads, and the precise dimensions of each component.

Classic Designs Adjusted Down to the Millimeter

With various options now available, what criteria do you use to decide on the designs?

"When thinking about accessible sunglasses, we believe having classic frame shapes is essential. Timeless styles like Wellington, Boston, and Square are easy for anyone to wear. Starting with these foundational silhouettes, we carefully balanced visual proportion, sizing, and comfort during the design phase. A difference of just a few millimeters can completely change both the look and feel, so we drew heavily on our accumulated eyewear expertise," says Haigo.

While maintaining classic silhouettes, MUJI doesn't produce the exact same products every year.

"While keeping our core lineup intact, we make subtle adjustments—such as tweaking frame thickness—to reflect current trends," adds Haigo.

The lineup includes light-tinted lenses easy to wear indoors, as well as blue-light-blocking models designed for screen work.

"While protecting eyes from UV rays is their primary purpose, having fun choosing them matters too. To make them easy to adopt even for first-time sunglasses wearers, we chose subtle frames and versatile tinted lenses that match any outfit. We carefully refined the design for daily use—checking skin tone harmony, overall clean aesthetics, and color balance between frames and lenses," says Haigo.

The Boston shape is especially popular, available with both tinted lenses and clear blue-light-blocking lenses.

The Lightness of Metal Frames That Resin Can't Replicate

Following the renewal, new products were also introduced, right?

"Our customers wear sunglasses in a wide range of situations—driving, walking, commuting, and more. To meet these diverse needs, we continue developing products with the goal of making daily life even better. Starting in July, we launched three new sunglasses models featuring metal frames," says Nakayama.

How do they differ from resin frames?

"Metal frames feature delicate design details and an airy lightness that were difficult to achieve with conventional injection molding. Combination frames incorporating metal at the temples offer a distinct look and texture compared to all-resin models. Beyond style, we also prioritized wearing comfort," says Haigo.

Although priced slightly higher at ¥2,490 compared to standard models, it remains very accessible for eyewear offering intricate design details and a lightweight feel that injection molding cannot achieve. Expanding the sunglasses lineup not only through resin material upgrades but also by introducing new manufacturing techniques is another defining feature of this refresh.

What this update makes clear is that comfort comes down to a build-up of thoughtful details: elastic frame materials, nose pads, and millimeter-level size tweaks.

Switching to plant-derived materials and refining the structure aren't about adding gimmicky features. They are driven by a single goal: delivering sunglasses anyone can wear effortlessly in daily life. That philosophy remains at the core of MUJI's product development.

Text by Junko Hayashida