＃Glass of Otaru.
－ Nice glass store and artwork. －

Glass of Otaru.
－ Nice glass store and artwork. －

The history of glass and its beginnings are actually not clearly known. The oldest known glass, now recognized by many researchers, is believed to have been made about 4,500 years ago (around the 25th century B.C. A.D.). The location is the region known as the "Ancient Orient," from the basin of the Tigris-Euphrates River, known as Mesopotamia, to the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea. On the other hand, some researchers believe that Egypt is the place where glass originated, but more recently, the theory that Egyptian glass was introduced from this Mesopotamian region is gaining ground.

Glass making

Glass has been used for as long as human history, but the history of Otaru, now one of the most famous glass towns in Japan, began with the daily necessities of "oil lamps" and "floating balls" used in the fishing industry. Otaru became the center of Hokkaido's logistics through marine transport, and the population grew quickly. Many branch offices of financial institutions were established in Otaru, and the area became known as the Wall Street of the North, and developed as an international trading port. It was also around this time that the glass industry began.

Glass oil lamp

At that time, the main source of household lighting in Hokkaido was oil lamps made of glass, not electricity. Glass factories used glass scraps to produce tubes to cover lamps, as well as bottles, goldfish bowls, and other household utensils. From the late Edo period to the Taisho era (1912-1926), the manufacture of glass products developed around "glass floating balls" developed for use in the herring fishing industry, which was a major industry in Hokkaido. Later, with the spread of electricity and the decline of herring fishing, demand for such products began to decline.

The era of glass products as daily necessities and utilitarian items was over, and an era of crafts such as glasses and vases was underway. The popularity of glass crafts in Otaru spread rapidly when Kitaichi Glass, established in 1901, began selling glass oil lamps as souvenirs to tourists. Since then, many glass crafts with a sense of comfort and warmth have been created, paying particular attention to color and design. At the same time, many glass artists were born, and Otaru grew as a city of glass, being reborn not as a tool but as tableware such as vases and glasses. There are more than 60 stores in Otaru City that produce and sell unique pieces and souvenir glass, supporting the glass culture and brand.

Floating ball glass

Glass of Otaru.
－Nice glass store and artwork. －

全 17 件

小樽硝子モールグラス

4,400円(税込)

小樽百貨UNGA↑（旧小樽倉庫内）

北一硝子

小樽大正硝子館

小樽硝子浮き玉グラス

2,960円(税込)

小樽硝子 rétro切子

5,300円(税込)

小樽硝子白帆グラス

4,700円(税込)

小樽硝子風鈴「夏の音」

3,960円(税込)

【KIM GLASS DESIGN】小樽の硝子鏡餅

5,500円(税込)

【ガラス工房田沼】花模様グラス

3,080円(税込)

SOLD OUT

【ガラス工房田沼】ミルクピッチャー

2,420円(税込)

【ガラス工房田沼】花のカトラリーレスト

1,650円(税込)

【ガラス工房田沼】わっかの箸置

1,320円(税込)

SOLD OUT

小樽再生ガラスサワーグラス

3,080円(税込)

小樽再生ガラスカフェグラス

2,640円(税込)

小樽再生ガラスフロートグラス

4,180円(税込)

小樽再生ガラスフリーカップ

2,420円(税込)

Glass of Otaru.
－３Nice glass store. －

１．Nice glass store in Otaru.
Kitaichi Glass Otaru

Kitaichi Glass, a famous Otaru tourist place, has 17 stores in the city, including a glassware gallery such as the No. 3 Building, as well as restaurants and cafes. Kitaichi Glass is a representative glass brand of Otaru and has grown along with the modern history of Otaru.　...More

Facility name
Kitaichi Glass Otaru
Adress
1-6-10 Hanazono, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0024, Japan
Phone
0134-33-1993
Opening hours
08：45～18：00
Regular closing day
None
Website
＞ Click here to visit our website.

２．Nice glass store in Otaru.
OTARU TAISHOU GLASS PALACE

The Otaru Taisho Glass Museum is the main branch of the Otaru Glass Museum, which has 13 stores in Otaru City and other areas in Hokkaido. It is said that many excellent glass works were produced in Japan during the Taisho period (1912-1926). The Otaru Taisho Glass Museum exhibits and sells a wide variety of glassware, including Japanese-style glassware that inherits the style of the Taisho period, based on the concept of "conveying the beauty of the Taisho period to the modern age.　...More

Facility name
OTARU TAISHOU GLASS PALACE
Adress
〒047-00311　1-8, Ironai 1-chome, Otaru City
Phone
0134-32-5101
Opening hours
09：00～19：00
Regular closing day
None
Website
＞ Click here to visit our website.

３．Nice glass store in Otaru.
Otaru Department Store UNGA↑

From Otaru, the city of shipping, comes good fortune...
The uninterrupted and protected flow is on our side.
May your luck open up too.

Otaru flourished as the gateway to the development of Hokkaido during the Meiji period.
Kitamae-bune ships flapped their pure white sails on the ocean, bringing many goods and culture to this area through traffic to and from Honshu.

Otaru Department Store UNGA↑ offers original products carrying the history and culture that still remain in Otaru, as well as good products from the port of call of the Kitamae Ship, from the former Otaru warehouse, the first business warehouse in Hokkaido built by the Kitamae Ship owners, Sonzaemon Nishide and Shohachi Nishitani.

The story of Otaru, which lived together with the Kitamae Senpaku, is told from this location.

We look forward to serving you with an assortment of original items that can only be found here and that will be appreciated as souvenirs.

▷Click here for more information on Otaru Department Store UNGA↑

Facility name
Otaru Department Store UNGA↑
Adress
〒047-0027　2-1-20 Shikinai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido
Phone
0134-65-8150
Opening hours
11：00～18：00
Regular closing day
without a holiday
Website
＞Click here to visit our website.

Glass of Otaru.
－ Nice glass artwork. －

１．Nice glass artwork in Otaru.
Floating Ball Glass

『 Asahara Glass Manufacturing Co. × Otaru Department Store UNGA↑ 』

Asahara Glass Works, which continues to manufacture in Otaru Tenjin to pass on the technique of making floating balls, was asked to produce UNGA↑original glasses.

Otaru's glass began as miscellaneous daily necessities such as storage containers, "oil lamps," and "floating balls" for the fishing industry. As demand for glassware has decreased over time, glassware has taken root in Otaru's culture, shifting from practical to design-oriented products.

＞ Click here for online store

【clear】
The color of the recycled raw material itself gives the glass a warmth reminiscent of old-fashioned household utensils.
【sea blue】
The refreshing blue glass is reminiscent of Mr. Asahara's lifestyle as a nature lover.
【rétro green】
These retro-inspired glasses are reminiscent of floating balls from the days when they were made from recycled glass from liquor bottles.
【navy blue】
The deep blue glass, reminiscent of the ocean at night, retains the warmth that only handmade blown glass made by artisans one by one can provide.

size
Approx. 8.5 cm in diameter, 9 cm in height
※Each piece is handmade, so colors, sizes, etc. may vary.
※Actual product colors may appear slightly different depending on the monitor environment.

２．Nice glass artwork in Otaru.
Otaru Retro Faceted Glasses

The glass is blown one by one by a glass cutter, and then a glass cutter cuts the glass surface one by one by hand, using a potter's wheel to draw guide lines called "wari-dashi" for patterns.

It takes shape through a number of processes. The beautiful cuts reflect the light beautifully, and it is known as a high-class craftwork. The gentle shimmering of the handmade glass fabric and the nostalgic cut patterns make you feel the retro streets of Otaru in your hand, and we created these glasses with Otaru craftsmen.

The cut engraved on the simple clear glass gently sparkles. Please enjoy the faceted glass that reminds you of the "good old days" while blending into your daily life.

＞ Click here for online store

size
Mouth rim approx. 9 cm, height 9.2 cm
※Each piece is handmade, so colors, sizes, etc. may vary.
※Actual product colors may appear slightly different depending on the monitor environment.

３．Nice glass artwork in Otaru.
White-sailed glass

Otaru flourished as the gateway to the development of Hokkaido during the Meiji period.

Kitamae-bune ships flapped their pure white sails on the ocean, bringing many goods and culture to this area through traffic to and from Honshu.

The White Sail Glass was designed to resemble the sails of a Kitamae-ship crossing the Sea of Japan. It was made at a workshop by the sea in Otaru, the city of glass.

You can enjoy the atmosphere that changes depending on the color of the beverage you pour inside.

＞ Click here for online store

size
Diameter 8.3cm x Height 9cm
※Each piece is handmade, so colors, sizes, etc. may vary.

４．Nice glass artwork in Otaru.
Otaru Glass Wind Chimes「Sounds of Summer」

The wind chime "Natsu no oto (sound of summer)" was created by commissioning the glass part to "KIM GLASS DESIGN", which has a studio by the sea in Otaru-Shukuzu.

Wind chimes with a cool sound suitable for summer in Otaru, the city of glass, are now available.

Please enjoy the beautiful sound of the crystal glass that is created every time the wind blows through it.

The design is simple with brass fittings and stainless steel cords on glass that has been given expression with braid.

The brass tongues (zetsu) resonate beautifully against the glass. The subdued tones of the strips allow it to blend in with a variety of interiors.

＞ Click here for online store

Otaru Glass Wind Chimes「Sounds of Summer」

５．Nice glass artwork in Otaru.
Otaru Glass Kagamimochi

Glass Kagamimochi from KIM GLASS DESIGN, which has a workshop in Shukuzu, Otaru.

Two types in three sizes each are available.

The surface is sandblasted to give the texture of "white" a powdery finish.

Clear" can be decorated by removing the orange and placing rice inside.

It can be used every year and is very nice for interior decoration.

＞ Click here for online store

Types and Sizes
White Small　 65×75mm
White Medium　85×95mm
White Large　110×125mm
Clear Small　 65×75mm
Clear Medium　85×95mm
Clear Large　110×125mm

KIM GLASS DESIGN

KIM GLASS DESIGN is a glass studio located by the sea in Otaru-Shukuzu.

The glass is melted at 1,300 degrees Celsius, and the artist painstakingly creates each piece with the hope that it will bring a smile to the person who holds it in his or her hand.

Naoki Kimura, the representative of the studio, has been leading Otaru's new glass scene as the chairman of the Otaru Garasu Market held at the same time as the Otaru Tidal Festival for the past several years, despite his young age. He is a creator who tries to take on new challenges every day.

Various expressions of beautiful glass produced by his reliable technique. The wide range of expression is astonishing, from simple everyday use items that have been stripped down to beautiful crafts with Japanese delicate senses scattered in the patterns, to unique shapes that are full of playful imagination.

６．Nice glass artwork in Otaru.
Otaru Tanuma Glass

Glassware made by Tanuma Glass Studio, which has a workshop in Otaru.
The glass shines beautifully because it is made of clear glass with high transparency.