Glassblowing and Tombo-dama Glass Bead Experiences in Otaru

Otaru is also famous as a glass town.

During the herring boom known as the “herring gold rush,” from the Meiji era to the Taisho era, glass floats were widely used as fishing gear. Kerosene lamps, an everyday necessity at the time, were also made of glass.
It is said that the glass industry flourished in Otaru because of the demand for floats and kerosene lamps.

Glassblowing and Tombo-dama Glass Bead Experiences in Otaru

Why not try making glass as a souvenir of your trip?
Because Otaru is such a famous glass town, you can try many kinds of glassmaking, from glassblowing, where you shape heated glass with your breath, to tombo-dama glass beads that even small children can enjoy.

Asahara Glass Factory

Founded in 1903, Asahara Glass is often called the originator of Otaru glass.

Otaru Il Ponte Experience Studio

Besides glassblowing and sandblasting, you can also try making small leather goods.
In the glassblowing experience you can make a glass or a single-flower vase, and in the sandblasting experience you can make your own custom cup.

Taisho Glass Gallery

You can also try glassmaking at Taisho Glass Gallery, housed in the renovated Natori Takasaburo Shoten building, built in 1906.

For the glassblowing experience, you can choose from a wide range of options, such as glasses and vases in various patterns and colors, to suit your taste.
In the tombo-dama workshop, you can make glass tombo-dama beads like those used for pendants.

Glass Studio NAKAMORI

A glassblowing experience where children can learn the joy of making things by hand.
You can try glassblowing with a choice of many colors.

KIM GLASS DESIGN

NHK’s morning program Asaichi once featured “Shin-Otaru-yaki,” made by KIM GLASS DESIGN using glassblowing.
Naoki Kimura of KIM GLASS DESIGN is an artist who was selected in 2017 for the LEXUS NEW TAKUMI PROJECT as a master craftsman of Hokkaido.
KIM GLASS DESIGN’s work is used at places such as OMO5 Otaru by Hoshino Resorts and Restaurant ao. He makes glassware that professionals also use, and it can be purchased at stores such as Wada Garasuki, a Sapporo select shop for restaurant glassware and tableware.