Noboru & Chieko Gunji owners of the cute BOUSHI IWA SCENIC CAFÉ and manufacture of glass https://www.ryuhyo-glass.com/ say: “The shapes and forms of the Sea of Okhotsk. Glass reborn as drift ice.
Drift ice floats from the Sea of Okhotsk every year. Not only is it a beautiful sight, but it is also a blessing of nature that brings nourishment from the northern sea. With the hope that the beauty of the shapes created by nature such as drift ice, snow, and ice will remain for eternity, we continue to express its form in our glass making. Ryuhyo Glass is made from “Eco-Pirika” which is the raw glass material that has been revamped from discarded fluorescent lamps. “Eco” of course refers to ecology, and “pirika” is an Ainu word meaning “righteousness and beauty.” The glass reborn in Okhotsk will travel from our hands to yours, just like the drift ice that travels to and back from here again and again.
Ryuhyo Glass is a message from us to the world.
We are working in various measures to prevent global warming through glass production using Eco-Pirika, a recycled glass material, in order to prevent the loss of drift ice and to protect the irreplaceable environment of our planet. We hope that our glass products will encourage people to think about recycling and environmental issues.”
Next we visit the Abashiri Drift Ice Road Station entrance to Aurora Ice Breaker with their amazing shopping souvenirs and try the local sushi 🍣 bowl and crafted Abashiri Beer!!!