About OWL OPTICAL

 

Story

OWL Optical was founded in Aomori, Japan in 2023.
Founder Kazu (Kazuya Naraoka) has loved snowboarding for over 25 years and even worked for Salomon in his youth. While deeply involved in the industry, he began to question the business practices and complex distribution structures that hadn't changed in 20 years.

"Truly good equipment, at a more accessible price."
With this vision, he launched OWL Optical, aiming to create an environment where everyone who loves the snow-capped mountains can ski in the best conditions.

 

Philosophy

The best snowboarding experience, at an accessible price for everyone.

OWL Optical is a new snow goggle brand designed for a wide range of users, from beginners to advanced. It was launched in 2023 after extensive field testing on snow.

Japan boasts world-class snow quality and attractive ski resorts, but their splendor is not yet fully recognized.
By delivering high-performance products at fair prices, OWL Optical aims to introduce more people to the joy of winter mountains and spread the appeal of snow sports.

 

Founder / Team

Kazu (Kazuya Naraoka)

OWL Optical Brand Owner / Representative Partner, The Digital X LLC

Kazu, who has lived with snowboarding for 25 years, worked at Salomon in his early twenties. In 2022, he launched his own shop on Rakuten Ichiba, building deep connections with the industry. Recently, he has been actively collaborating with ski resorts in Tohoku, working to revitalize winter leisure in the region.

His experience forms the foundation of "development based on fieldwork" and "user-centric decision-making."

 

The Digital X Team

The Digital X, which operates OWL Optical, is a team that also supports digital marketing for overseas markets. Through the growth of its own brand, it aims to deliver value to the world.

  • Mits: A digital marketer with extensive overseas experience. Currently completely hooked on snowboarding.

  • Jia: An SNS marketer from Malaysia. Passionate about conveying Japan's winter culture to the world.

 

Behind the Brand

To achieve both "maximum performance and fair pricing," OWL Optical has three commitments in product development and sales structure.

① Simplified distribution structure (D2C model)

Reduced intermediary margins that occurred in traditional industry structures. Through a D2C model centered on our own online store, we offer high-quality goggles for around 25,000 yen, compared to competing products costing over 50,000 yen.

② Field-based development

Kazu himself conducts tests on snow and incorporates feedback from ambassadors into the development process. He also handles customer support directly, using user experiences such as fit and visibility to improve products.

③ Sustainable model development

Instead of annual model changes, we aim for updates every 2-3 years. This brand policy balances a long-lasting design with fair pricing, reducing the total cost for our customers.

 

Message

Passion for the snow-capped mountains, made accessible to everyone.

OWL Optical was born from the founder's own passion for snowboarding.
By delivering high quality and high functionality at fair prices, unconstrained by industry customs, we aim to make time on the snow-capped mountains more free and enriching.

Skiing to your heart's content with clear vision, without unnecessary equipment costs.
That is the experience OWL Optical aims to deliver.