Recommended Reservation Available
“Tonbo-dama” Glass Bead Making Experience
Melty and mysterious! Learn the traditional technique of transforming glass into beautiful “tonbo-dama” glass beads.
Operation Period
All year round. Held 5 days a week.
Time Required
About 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of Participants
1〜6people
Price
A “tonbo-dama” is a type of glass bead. In Japan, unique beads were widely used during the Edo period (1603-1868). These beads have a complex pattern on the surface, resembling the eyes of insects like a dragonfly. The beads came to be called “tonbo-dama” (In English, “tonbo” means “dragonfly” and “dama” means “bead”). For a time after the Edo period the use of these beads fell out of popularity and briefly disappeared, but in recent years there has been a revival for the “dragonfly bead” type of glass beads made in Japan to be known throughout the world.
In this experience, we will melt a number of colored glass rods in the middle of a flame to produce beads. Choose one pattern from among several types then create two beads with the same design. The first bead will be made together under the guidance of the instructors so you can learn the production process. The second bead will be made by yourself to the best of your ability so you can experience making the traditional craft from start to finish on your own. The completed glass beads can be made into accessories such as straps and necklaces. This is sure to be great memory of your trip.
| Experience Program Name | “Tonbo-dama” Glass Bead Making Experience |
|---|---|
| Activity Location | Glass Studio Hatuki |
| Time Required | About 1 hour and 30 minutes |
| Operation Period | All year round. Held 5 days a week. |
| Start Time | Arrive at appointment time. Activity begins after reception process. |
| Minimum number of participants | 1people |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of participants | 6people |
| Reservation Deadline | 1 days before by 17:00 |
| Important notes regarding participation | Participants must be 6 years or older. |
| Price |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|
| What is included in the price | Making two ““tonbo-dama” beads. | ||
| What is not included in the price | Materials fee to make the beads into accessories. | ||
| Method of Payment | Pay cash on the day. | ||
| About cancellations and changes | You will be contacted by phone in case of cancellation. | ||
| Cancellation Policy | The day of the experience: 100％（2,160 yen） No show: 100％（2,160 yen） |
| Meeting Spot | 3-2-8 Takanohara, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi-ken 989-3216 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time | 10:00 and 14:00. |
| Access | --By Public Transportation-- 23-minute train ride from Sendai Station to Rikuzen-Ochiai Station (Senzan Line), then 10-minute taxi ride. --By Car-- 22-minute drive from JR Sendai Station. |
| Parking | Yes Free parking available. Room for 3 or 4 cars. |
| Facility Information | Restroom. |
| Barrier-free Access | No |
|---|---|
| About Guides and Tours | Explanation by staff. |
| About multi-lingual support | Japanese／English／Other With POCKETALK interpretation device. |
The size of the beads to be made is about 1.2 cm in diameter. There are about 50 colors of glass rods for the material, so you are able to select and create your favorite color from the large selection. As for the production method, the glass rod melts in the flame coming out of the burner and quickly transforms shape into in a glass bead. You’ll be able to experience firsthand what the extraordinary craft of glass making is all about. Since the amount of glass to be melted is small, it is very safe. Furthermore, even children are able to experience this activity when accompanied by a guardian.