What is the Ishigakijima Glass Experience? Very popular on rainy days and with children!
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What is the Ishigakijima Glass Experience?
One of the popular sightseeing (workshop) in Ishigaki Island is the glass experience.
It will be an unforgettable experience as you create your own memories and special souvenirs.
In this issue, we will introduce the glass experience on Ishigaki Island.
We will tell you a lot about the charm and enjoyment of the glass experience on Ishigaki Island, so please refer to it as a reference for your sightseeing.
Why is the glass experience so popular on Ishigaki Island?
The glass experience is popular on Ishigaki Island because of several advantages.
Here we have picked out some of the benefits of the glass experience.
If you are interested in doing a glass experience or wondering whether to sign up, check here.
A unique Okinawan experience.
Okinawa is famous for Ryukyu glass.
Reminiscent of the beautiful ocean, Ryukyu glass has an allure that seems to suck you in just by looking at it.
If Ryukyu glass comes to mind when you think of Okinawa, please try the glass experience.
The center is well known for its unique Okinawan experience, where visitors can make their own glassware not only in the image of the blue sea, but also coral and colorful tropical fish.
You can get a one-of-a-kind Okinawan souvenir that no one else will have, and it will be a memorable part of your trip.
Experience is possible even on rainy days
Rain or sudden squalls may prevent you from visiting sightseeing spots on Ishigaki Island.
In such a case, enjoy Ishigaki Island sightseeing by experiencing glass.
The glass experience is an indoor workshop.
You will be able to enjoy the tour without the stress of getting wet in the rain, so you will be able to plan your sightseeing without being affected by the weather.
The time you spend carefully devoting to glass making may relieve your daily stress.
Enjoy the glass experience while thinking of the beautiful blue sea and the scenery of Ishigaki Island.
Beginners and children can also experience it.
Many people may feel that the glass experience sounds somewhat difficult.
The Ishigaki Island glass experience is well known as a fun experience for the whole family, even for beginners and children.
Experienced staff members will kindly give you lectures and offer suggestions on how to make glassware that is suited to your skills.
If you are still concerned, you can discuss your concerns with us at the time of your appointment.
You can avoid problems by asking questions such as what kind of glassware can be made, whether there is any risk of burns, etc., and how much it will cost.
Since this is your trip to Ishigaki Island, plan your sightseeing well in advance and enjoy the glass experience.
3 recommended glass experiences on Ishigaki Island
Here are three recommended glass experiences that you can enjoy in Ishigaki Island.
We will also pick up the characteristics of each and what kind of person the experience is perfect for.
Choose an experience that fits your trip, whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, or as a family.
Another way to remember your trip is to discuss it in advance with the people you are going with.
We recommend that you discuss in advance what kind of glass experience you would like to have, as just thinking about the trip before the trip is exciting.
Ryukyu Blown Glass Experience
The Ryukyu blown glass experience is a glass-making experience in which molten glass is attached to a pipe, blown, and inflated to form a shape.
Many of you have probably seen this method before, as it is the basic method for making glassware such as glasses, small bowls, and vases for single flowers.
The flow of the Ryukyu blown glass experience is as follows.
Decide on the design.
The pattern, color, placement of colors, presence or absence of air bubbles, and shape and size of the piece are decided first before starting work.
2. glass blowing
The glass is formed by repeatedly blowing molten glass like syrup to create patterns and then blowing it again to shape it.
Finally, the work is completed by making the bottom and widening the mouth, which is done together with the staff so that the work can be done with peace of mind.
3. completion
The finished Ryukyu glass is cooled slowly to prevent it from breaking.
You can pick it up after the second day, so we recommend that you experience it on the first day of your Ishigaki Island tour so that you can take it home with you when you go back home.
We can also ship the finished product to you, if you are short on time.
This workshop offers an authentic glassblowing experience that can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages.
Create your own one-of-a-kind souvenir by making glass works inspired by the beautiful scenery of Ishigaki Island.
The estimated time required is about 45 to 75 minutes, although it may take longer as the number of people increases.
Glass Shisa making experience
The Glass Shisa Making Experience is an experience of making a shisa out of glass.
It is a little different from the shisa displayed in Okinawan homes, and because it is glass, a glass shisa with a cool design can be made.
The streamlined design makes a beautiful finished product that looks like curved water, and the size is easy to take home, making it a perfect souvenir.
Since the pieces are not made with hot molten glass like glass blowers, but with UV glass adhesive to attach the parts, children can work with them safely.
The process of making glass shisa is as follows.
1. select a body for the foundation
The base part of the seersucker will be the foundation to which the tail parts will be attached.
There are various sizes of foundations available, so choose the one you prefer.
2. Select the face area
Choose the base for the glass Shisa's face and determine the size of the mouth opening and closing.
Since the expression changes depending on the size of the mouth part, it is advisable to ask the staff for their recommendation and consult with them as you proceed.
Decide on the parts to be pasted on the face.
You can choose your favorite parts such as eyeballs, nose, ears, fangs, and tail.
Various sizes, colors, and shapes are available, so create your own original glass shisa by combining your favorite designs.
At this time, be careful not to apply too much UV adhesive, as it will result in an ugly seersucker.
It is generally believed that the open-mouthed Shisa is the male (right) and the closed-mouthed Shisa is the female (left). The male's large mouth threatens and exterminates all kinds of bad luck, while the closed-mouthed female protects the male from escaping happiness.
Therefore, when making a glass shisa, it is best to follow this legend.
It takes about 30 minutes, and you can experience making a work of art from a single piece.
Some couples make a pair of glass shisa, so it is recommended that two people make one amulet together.
Gel Candle Making Experience
Gel Candle Making is a workshop in which colored sand and glass figures are placed in glass containers, and clear gel is poured to make candles.
Since it is a box garden world created in a glass container, why not create a work that captures the underwater world and memories of Ishigaki Island?
It can be displayed as a small item, but can also be used as a candle if a wick is inserted.
If you decide in advance which one you would like to use, you will be able to create smoothly and expand your ideas even further.
The gel candle making process is as follows
1. select colored sands and place them in a glass container.
The colored sand, which serves as the foundation for placing the glass parts, is placed in the glass container, creating layers that resemble strata.
The colored sand can be layered in several layers, but the lower layer can only be seen from the side.
If you think of the layers from the front view as the basis for the layering, you will get a beautiful result.
Once about one-third of the colored sand has been added, move on to the next step.
2. Insert glass parts (figures)
Up to three glass parts are included in the basic price, so you can choose your favorite glass parts.
Santa Claus, snowmen, manta rays, dolphins, mermaids, and other parts are available to express your own world view and preserve your travel memories.
Once you have placed the three glass parts on the colored sand, you can move on to the next step.
Pour clear gel.
This work will be performed by our staff.
You can take it home when it is completely cooled down, so wait a while.
Gel candles are also a popular workshop for families, as they are safe for children to enjoy.
This is a family experience that will surely leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Three popular handmade experiences using natural stones other than glass experiences
In Ishigaki Island, workshops using natural stones are popular in addition to glass experiences.
Many people feel that natural stone works made on Ishigaki Island, where there are many healing and power spots, always seem to have more power.
Here are some workshops using natural stones on Ishigaki Island.
If you are interested in doing workshops as well as glass work or are interested in natural stones, please check us out.
Natural stone bracelet making
Bracelet making with natural stones will be a simple workshop in which the stones are arranged.
There are many types of natural stones that can be used, including turquoise, onyx, hematite, amazonite, and aragonite.
Some of the "Minsa pattern" stones are only available at this store, so you will be able to create your own special natural stone bracelet.
All the necessary tools and other equipment are provided, so you can participate in the workshop empty-handed.
The workshop can be completed in 30 minutes, so it is a perfect workshop for sightseeing.
Making natural stone necklaces
This is a natural stone pendant/necklace making process using natural stones and various parts.
You may decide what you want to make depending on your level and the time you stay, as making pendants is relatively easy and necklaces are more serious creations.
There are more than 200 types of stones that can be used, and you can also choose from a variety of other parts, so the designs of your finished work are endless.
If you wear your own original combination, you may feel the blessings of Ishigaki Island.
The process takes about 30 minutes for a pendant and about an hour for a necklace.
Here, too, all the tools and other equipment are provided, so you can participate without any help.
Making natural stone earrings and pierced earrings
Shell parts and natural stones are used to make natural stone earrings and pierced earrings in the workshop.
This workshop is ideal for women's travelers as they can make earrings that express coral using natural stones in light shades and tropical resort-style earrings using seashells.
It is highly recommended that friends exchange the pieces they have made with each other or give them as souvenirs, as they will be appreciated.
Many ready-made ones are sold at souvenir shops, but since you are on a trip to Ishigaki Island, it will be a good memory to make your own favorite design.
The process takes about 30 minutes, and all tools are provided, so feel free to try it out.
summary
In this issue, we introduced glass experiences available on Ishigaki Island.
The Ishigakijima Glass Experience is the perfect workshop to make your trip memorable.
It is fun to visit souvenir shops and buy souvenirs, but if you make them yourself, they will become even more endearing souvenirs.
It is also a good alternative in case of rain, so why not add it to your travel plans to Ishigaki Island?
