Many glass crafts have been handed down throughout Japan, including the delicately cut “Edo Kiriko” and the colorful blown glass “Tsugaru Biidoro”.

“Ryukyu Glass” in Okinawa Prefecture is particularly famous. Some workshops in Okinawa offer a “glass blowing experience” where you can make colorful and beautiful Ryukyu glass.

Since the glass blowing experience involves handling hot glass, many people are probably wondering what kind of clothing they should wear when they actually experience it for themselves.

In this article, we will discuss what to wear for a safe glass experience and what to bring with you for a more comfortable experience.
If you are interested in a glass experience, please refer to this page.

What is the best attire for a glass experience?

Here are five tips on what to wear to enjoy the glass experience

Be prepared for a safe and comfortable glass experience!

Long sleeves and long pants are recommended for clothing

Among the glass experiences, glass blowing involves handling glass melted in a high-temperature furnace.
Therefore, wear long sleeves and long pants to avoid burns.
Also, skirts should be avoided for ease of movement, and clothes that can be soiled by soot or other substances are recommended.
Clothing made of chemical fibers (polyester, nylon, etc.) burn easily and may melt, so it is safer to choose clothing made of natural materials (cotton, wool, etc.).

Let’s make sure children wear long sleeves and long pants

If children are participating, they should dress in the same manner as adults, with no exposed skin.
It is possible that various items may be placed in the workshop and pieces of glass may have fallen out.
Make sure that socks are worn well to prevent injury if shoes are accidentally removed.

Shoes should be sneakers that are easy to move around in

During the experience, you may have to walk around the workshop and make some unfamiliar movements.
Avoid wearing sandals or heeled shoes to avoid burns, falls, and unexpected injuries.
For safety reasons, we recommend wearing sneakers that provide good foot protection, as the glass blowing experience involves handling hot glass and an environment with broken glass fragments.

If you have long hair, let’s tie it up

If you have long hair, it is best to tie it back and keep it together to avoid unexpected problems.
Protect your precious hair and do not interfere with the work.

Jewelry should be removed for peace of mind

Working with jewelry on is dangerous.
Avoid wearing rings, necklaces, bracelets, or other accessories, as they may be accidentally caught on objects.

What should I bring for the glass experience?

The glass-blowing experience involves melting glass at high temperatures, which can make you sweat depending on the season.
Here are three useful items to prepare in advance and bring with you.

(hand) towel

Bring a couple of towels to wipe away sweat!
Since the glass blowing experience is directly exposed to the hot air of the furnace, we also recommend covering your face with a towel.
A face towel size would be useful.

drink

Bring a drink with you so that you can hydrate frequently.
Especially in summer, it is recommended to bring more water than usual to prevent heat stroke.

make-up remover set

The glass-blowing experience can make you sweat easily, which may cause your makeup to fall off.
If possible, prepare a make-up kit for fixing up.

If the experience does not have a clothing specification, comfortable clothing is acceptable!

Some experiences can be enjoyed casually, with no requirements for clothing or belongings.
Some workshops offer hands-on experiences such as sandblasting and tonbo dama (dragonfly bead) making, so please inquire directly to confirm the availability.

summary

To enjoy the glass experience, it is important to wear long sleeves and long pants, avoid exposing skin, and wear comfortable clothing such as sneakers!
If children are participating, they should dress in the same manner as adults, with less skin exposure. If possible, avoid synthetic fabrics and choose natural fabrics such as cotton and wool.

Hair should be pulled back and jewelry removed for safety.
In addition, feel free to bring a towel, drink, and makeup remover to enjoy the experience.

Some glass experiences do not have a clothing requirement, so we recommend that you contact the workshop if you are concerned.
To make your glass experience a wonderful memory, prepare well in advance and enjoy the experience!