For those who want to go on a date somewhere different, or for those who want to visit a hands-on facility with their family, I recommend the glass experience.

There are several facilities in Yamagata Prefecture where you can experience glass crafts, but Glass Studio Asahi is the only place in the prefecture where you can experience glass blowing.

Glass Studio Asahi” not only offers fun glass-making experiences, but also sells wonderful works of art.

If you are looking for a fun and different way to experience your holiday, this is a great place to start.

What is Glass Studio Asahi?

The blue roof on the shore of Lake Tokura is a landmark.

Glass Studio Asahi is a glass studio located in Obanazawa City.

Located on the shore of Lake Tokura, it is a good place to stop by on the way to Ginzan Onsen.
The parking lot is large, so even large vehicles can park there safely.

The store is filled with colorful glass works!

Glass works that reflect the light and sparkle

The cozy store is lined with colorful glass.

There were also silver-colored glasses with beautiful shining silver leaf and cute accessories.

They mainly sell works by Naohito Ito of Glass Studio Asahi, but they also carry works by other glass studios.

Works by his predecessor, Akira Ichiya , are also on display.

Seasonal glassware is also available.

You may also meet Kyutaro the cat.

Kyutaro is vigilantly watching for something on the shelf

Kyutaro, who spends his time freely in the store

What is a glass experience anyway?

A glass experience is a production experience in which you make your own glassware. Each studio offers a variety of hands-on classes, and there are also rare glass works that can only be made at that studio.

Although we use glassware without thinking about it, we probably do not have many opportunities to see it actually being made.

In the glass-making experience, you can do the work of transforming glass melted at high temperatures into desired shapes and patterns on the glass yourself. Some studios offer hands-on glass making experiences, such as pasting glass together to form a shape or melting small pieces of glass and attaching them together.

At the “Glass Studio Asahi” introduced here, you can experience a part of it.

Glass Experience at Glass Studio Asahi

Color samples for glass blowing experience

Glass Studio Asahi is recommended for families, as children can also experience glass making.

The following two courses are available.

• Glass Blowing
• Sandblasting

Both require reservations, so please check before coming.

Glass Blowing Experience

Sample of the finished product. It will have a slight bluish color.

In this glass blowing experience, molten glass at high temperature is wound around a pipe and air is blown in to change its shape.

The fee is 3,500 yen per person (tax included).
The estimated experience time is 15 minutes per person.
(If the number of participants is 4, 15 minutes x 4 people is approximately 1 hour)
Experience is available for elementary school students and up.

Glass Studio Asahi is the only studio in Yamagata Prefecture where you can experience glass blowing. (As of October 2024)
Glass Studio Asahi’s glass blowing experience does not require the use of molds, so you can enjoy the experience only after the glass has been made!

The coloring and bubbles vary from day to day, so you can create a unique work of art. If you are worried about whether or not you will be able to make it successfully, you will be carefully instructed, so even first-timers can make it with confidence. Since the glass-making experience is similar to a craft, please wear clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. Since you will be handling hot glass, long sleeves and long pants are recommended.

Children as young as elementary school age can experience this with a chaperone if necessary.
*Blown glass takes about a week to be finished, so there will be an additional shipping fee if it is mailed at a later date.

Basic Flow of Glass Blowing Experience

1. Select colors to be mixed in clear glass (up to 2 colors)
2. Receive a lecture on the work process and how to use the tools.
3. Finally, it’s time to try your hand at blowing glass! Blow into the glass to make it swell.
4. Shape the glass using tools.

The glass artist will take care of the rest.

5. Remove the work from the pipe and allow it to cool slowly over time to prevent cracking

The completed work will be delivered at a later date or mailed to you.

Sandblasting Experience

You can put stickers on the glass to make any pattern you like.

This is a sandblasting experience in which you attach a sticker of your choice to a glass cup and blow sand on it.

The fee is 1500 yen per person (tax included).
Estimated experience time is 20 minutes to 1 hour.
Since the experience is available for ages 5 and up, even small children can enjoy it together with their parents.

The part sprayed with sand becomes frosted glass, so you will be thrilled to see the glass changing as you look at it. Remove the sticker, and you will have your own glass with your favorite design on it.

It is a great way to create a little souvenir or memory, as it is not difficult to do and can be worked on without getting your clothes dirty.
Glasses made during the sandblasting experience can be taken home.

Basic Flow of Sandblasting Experience

1. Choose one glass of your choice
2. Choose a sticker and put as many as you like on the glass.
3. Sand is sprayed onto the glass using a machine.
4. Remove the sticker to complete the process!

Finished works can be taken home.

Sandblasting Experience Report

Using the stickers provided, you can easily create cute designs.

I have actually experienced sandblasting!

We had to give up the glass-blowing experience this time because the person in charge was not available and we could not make a reservation.
We recommend that you check the schedule and make a reservation as early as possible, as they are often out of the office for exhibitions.

Let us begin by introducing the detailed procedures for the sandblasting experience, with photos!

1. Selecting a glass to be used for the sandblasting experience.
   On this day, we had a choice of four different types of tumblers, and we chose the round tumbler.

2. Hear an explanation of the features of sandblasting and how to apply the seal.
3. Choose a sticker to put on the glass and put as many stickers as you like on the glass. They are allowed to put stickers on the bottom as well.

4. When you have finished pasting, move to the workshop and put on rubber gloves.
5. Put your arm in the sandblasting machine and hold the nozzle for spraying sand. When the nozzle is triggered, sand is released, and the sand is sprayed at the glass.

6. When you have finished spraying the sand, put the glass down and remove the arm from the machine. The person at shop will remove the glass and clean the sand and other particles from the glass.
7. Back in the store, the stickers are removed to complete the process!

Since the area with the sticker remains transparent, the pattern is encased in frosted glass, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
I look forward to filling it with drinks.

In this case, we sprayed sand only around the pattern, but of course the entire pattern can be frosted.

One of the key points is that the stickers are provided and can be applied, so it is not time-consuming.
I encourage everyone to experience it.

How to reserve a glass experience at Glass Studio Asahi

Reservations are required for the glass experience.
Reservations can be made through Jalan.

→Click here to make a reservation for a glass-blowing experience.

→Click here to make a reservation for a sandblasting experience.

Other inquiries can be made by phone or through the inquiry form on our website.
→Click here for the official website of Asahi Glass Studio

summary

Glass Studio Asahi offers two glass-making experiences that will allow you to create a unique piece of art. We invite you to visit Glass Studio Asahi for a glass-making experience that is sure to leave you with memories to cherish.