Enjoy a glass-making experience in Onna Village with its charming blue cave!

What is Ryukyu Glass?

Ryukyu glass is the symbolic glassware of Okinawa, with a wide variety of colors such as red, blue, and green.

It is thick and features a warm, bubbled design.

Ryukyu glass was first made in the period after the Pacific War, when there was no such thing.

It began with melting down and reusing empty Coke and beer bottles that had been consumed on U.S. military bases.

At the time, the quality was never good, as there were uneven tints and bubbles.

However, as craftsmen improved their production techniques, the unique flavor of the various colors, thickness, and air bubbles became popular, and the product became a representative tourist souvenir of Okinawa.

Ryukyu glass shines to its fullest when illuminated by light, so you can enjoy various expressions depending on the angle from which you look at it.

Just looking at it, one could lose track of time and admire its beauty.

In addition to glasses, the company also produces a variety of other shapes and sizes of products for everyday use, such as plates and lamps.

Please pick one up when you visit Okinawa.

 

What is a glass-making experience?

The word "glass making" gives the impression of being difficult, but in fact it is very easy to make.

In the glass-making experience, craftspeople carefully teach the procedures and tips, so first-timers can try their hand at glass-making without worry.

In Onna Village, visitors can enjoy glass blowing as well as glasswork making such as tonbo dama (glass beads).

In the widely known process of glass blowing, glass is melted in a high-temperature kiln, and is then rolled onto the end of a rod, blown, inflated, and shaped into a finished product.

The temperature of the glass being melted in the kiln at this time is said to be as high as 1,300 degrees Celsius.

It is hotter than you might imagine, so be very careful.

 

How to enjoy the glass-making experience

First, think about what kind of work you want to create.

The fun part of Ryukyu glass making is that you can choose the shape, pattern, and color you like, and make it to your own taste.

Basic shapes such as taru glasses and rocks glasses are popular because they are easy to use in everyday life and easy for first-timers to try.

We recommend the cute patterns of Ryukyu glass, such as cracks, bubbles, and grainy patterns that look like pieces of glass sprinkled on the surface.

A variety of colors are characteristic of Ryukyu glass, including blue, sky blue, green, red, yellow, and transparent.

Once the design is finalized, it is time to put it into practice.

Make it carefully with the support of a craftsman.

As you interact with glass, you will naturally be drawn in by its mysterious charm, and before you know it, you will be hooked.

 

Attraction of the glass-making experience

The charm of the glass-making experience lies in the ability to leave behind memories in the form of a tangible object.

It is also satisfying and appealing to be able to casually experience and create a souvenir of your own choice.

The practicality of glassware keeps the memories of those times alive and brings them back to life every time you use it.

Ryukyu glass has many colors, and the result depends on the combination.

Even color patterns, gradations, and bubbles look different, so you can create your own unique glass.

 

You can create your own original items.

Ryukyu glass comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and patterns, and can be used to make glasses, plates, and many other items.

Even if the Ryukyu glass you make is slightly distorted, the experience itself will be a good memory of your trip.

Create your own original Ryukyu glass while imagining your favorite design.

 

Sense of accomplishment upon completion

Glass making may seem more difficult than you imagine because the right and left hands work differently.

In addition, it requires physical strength because it must be shaped speedily while repeatedly standing and sitting up.

The moment you work with a sense of tension while being surprised by the heat of the molten glass, and the moment you complete your work, you will feel a sense of joy and accomplishment as it takes shape from its melted state to a finished product.

 

Enjoyable for both children and adults.

The glass-making experience allows visitors to learn through hands-on experience how glass is made.

In the workshop, you can see the craftsmen carefully making the glass up close, and you can also feel their passion for glass making, which is very important to them.

Experience the difficulty and fun of glass making firsthand by working on your own design while visualizing the finished product.

Through the experience, parents and children can share the fun of glass making together.

You may even see a different side of your family than usual, as one parent and child who actually experienced the event said, "I've never seen such a serious expression on my child's face before.

 

Types of glass that can be made

Blown glass

Blown glass allows you to choose your favorite design in a combination of colors and shapes.

Blown glass, in particular, expands round like a balloon and fits perfectly in the hand.

The colon and round shape are also cute and popular designs.

Not only glasses, but also plates, small bowls, and single-flower vases can be made.

 

[Tombo dama].

A dragonfly ball is a small glass bead with a pattern or design, named after its resemblance to the compound eye of a dragonfly.

At the glass bead workshop, visitors can experience making small accessories such as hair bands, bracelets, and straps.

 

[Crafts]

You can make craft works such as photo frames, lamps, and clocks using Ryukyu glass.

Since hot molten glass is not touched, even small children can safely experience the process.

 

Popular stores where you can experience glass making

We recommend three stores in the Onna Village area where you can experience glass making.

Please refer to this page.

 

Ryukyu Glass Teida Studio

You can make glassware of your choice, such as rock glasses, at the workshop located along the beach.

Multiple craftsmen are available to assist you if needed, so even young children can have a safe and enjoyable experience.

You can choose to pick up your completed work the next day or send it by mail.

In addition to the hands-on experience, this place also manufactures and sells Ryukyu glass, and has an online store, so if you are interested, please check it out.

 

Menu to experience

Glass Blowing Experience

Glass beads glassworking experience

 

Directions from Onna Village and Naha Airport

About 200m north of Manza Beach Hotel on Route 58 in Onna Village.

About 10 minutes from the Yaka IC of the Okinawa Expressway.

From Naha Airport, take public transportation "Okinawa Bus Nago West Line 20" or "Nago Airport Line 120" and get off at Otaku-Shibaru (大田後原) and walk about 2 minutes.

 

Ryukyu Glass Takumi Kobo Onna Store

Located near Moon Beach, the glass studio has a prominent blue and green exterior with white walls.

At the Onna branch, you can enjoy the experience of making tonbo dama (glass beads) accessories and crafts such as photo frames and coasters made from pieces of glass.

Why not try making matching tonbo dama accessories as a memento of your trip?

Artisan products are also available for sale, so feel free to stop by.

 

Menu to experience

Dragonfly Beads Experience

Interior design, craft experience

 

Directions from Onna Village and Naha Airport

Approximately 10 minutes from the Ishikawa IC of the Okinawa Expressway.

From Naha Airport, take public transportation to "Onna Village Moon Beach Mae" and walk 10 minutes.

 

Forest Glass Museum

At the entrance to the parking lot is a glass studio with a large seersucker.

This place also has a store directly managed by the studio, which features more than 300 different products on display, ranging from everyday items to crafts.

The store is spacious and you can look around at your leisure.

Some of the art on display is so stunning that you can't help but stop and look at it.

It is also recommended for its easy access to Churaumi Aquarium and Nago Pineapple Park, making it easy to incorporate into travel plans!

 

Menu to experience

Glass Blowing Experience

Accessory making experience

Photo frame making experience

Gel Candle Making Experience

Kaleidoscope making experience

 

Directions from Onna Village and Naha Airport

Approximately 20 minutes from the Kyoda Interchange on the Okinawa Expressway.

About 30 minutes by car from Churaumi Aquarium.

 

Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!

We'll also make reservations in advance for car rentals, which fill up quickly!

↓Click here for more information.

 

summary

In this issue, we introduced Ryukyu glass and glass-making experiences.

How was it?

Ryukyu glass crafts, richly colored and representative of Okinawa, are loved by many people.

The chubby thickness, the way the air bubbles are embedded, and the way the expression changes depending on the angle from which you look at it are also attractive.

Please enjoy the Ryukyu Glass experience when you visit the Onna Village area!

Thank you for reading to the end.