About Us
May this glass bring a smile to someone.
Glass born from the landscapes of Otaru
reflects the light and the changing seasons,
becoming a small work of art that gently accompanies the heart.
No two pieces are ever the same—
each one carries the breath and wishes of its maker,
softly melted into its form.
The glass you choose may one day be given as a gift,
placed on someone’s table,
become part of a special memory,
or quietly bring light into everyday life.
This sense of “connection”
is what Taisho Glass values above all else.
May the glass that comes into your hands
bring a smile to someone, someday.
So you can take home the spirit of Otaru and its artisans
At Taisho Glass, we cherish not how our glass looks on a screen,
but the sparkle it reveals the moment it rests in your hands.
Its depth of color, the gentle shimmer of light,
its weight and warmth—
these qualities show their true beauty only in the air of Otaru.
This is why we choose not to sell our pieces online.
We want to preserve the irreplaceable experience of
wandering in during your travels,
encountering a piece of glass,
and feeling your heart quietly move.
We hope that the glass you take home
carries with it the light of our storefront
and the breath of the artisans who shaped it.
With that wish in our hearts,
we wait to welcome you again in Otaru.
Otaru Glass
According to the Otaru City History, glass production in Otaru began in 1891 (Meiji 24),
when Torazo Inoue built a new glass factory in the Inaho district.
As the Taisho era progressed and the Northern Sea fishing industry flourished,
the demand for glass fishing floats steadily increased,
eventually accounting for more than 40% of all glass products made in Otaru.
In 1971 (Showa 46), Asahara Glass Shop changed its name to Kitaichi Glass,
gaining popularity for its glass oil lamps and other products.
Later, in 1983 (Showa 58), the company renovated a timber-and-stone warehouse
in the Sakaimachi district to create Kitaichi Glass No.3 Hall,
which became a cornerstone of Otaru’s tourism development.
In the following Heisei era, glass artists from across Japan gathered in Otaru,
and today, fourteen studios in the city continue the tradition of blown-glass production.
In this “City of Glass,”
we share the dreams we have entrusted to our craft.