Do you pour your beer into a glass before drinking, or do you drink it straight from the can? While drinking from the can is convenient, pouring your beer into a glass enhances its aroma, texture, and overall taste, making for a much more enjoyable experience.
If you visit Japan, one beer glass you should definitely take home as a souvenir is the “Usuhari” series from SHOTOKU GLASS.
What is “Usuhari”?
Shotoku Glass was founded in 1922 and is a Japanese company specializing in high-quality glassware, including beer glasses, sake glasses, and wine glasses. Originally, the company manufactured light bulbs, and it later applied its precision glass-blowing techniques to create ultra-thin glassware. Every piece is handmade by skilled artisans in Japan.
The Usuhari series is a collection of exceptionally thin beer glasses, crafted using the same advanced glass-blowing techniques developed for making light bulbs.
Unique Features of Usuhari
The defining feature of Usuhari is its extreme thinness—hence the name “Usuhari” (which translates to “thin glass”).How thin is it? Let’s compare it to a standard beer tumbler:
While the height of the glasses may differ, the difference in thickness is striking. The glass of an Usuhari tumbler is less than 1mm thick—much thinner than a typical beer glass.
Why does thin glass make beer taste better?
- The ultra-thin glass creates an incredibly smooth sensation when drinking.
- Because the glass is so thin, it feels almost like drinking directly from the beer itself, without a barrier.
- The beer flows effortlessly across your tongue, allowing you to fully experience its flavor with every sip.
- The result is a silky, luxurious drinking experience, making even a regular beer taste like one from a high-end bar.
Although the glass looks delicate, it is surprisingly durable. I have been using my Usuhari glass for over three years, and it has never broken. As long as you handle it with reasonable care, it will last a long time.
A Luxurious Gift with Elegant Wooden Packaging
Another reason why Usuhari glasses make a perfect gift is their beautiful packaging.
While you can buy individual glasses, some come in a high-quality wooden box, adding an extra touch of luxury and authenticity. This makes it an excellent choice for a present, as the recipient will feel special even before opening the box.
The wooden packaging gives the product a distinctively Japanese feel, making it a fantastic souvenir for beer lovers.
Where to Buy Usuhari Glasses
Usuhari glasses are available in stores across Japan. If you’re planning a trip, check out the list of official retailers here:
https://ssl.stglass.co.jp/shoplist/
(Note: The website is in Japanese, so you may need to use a translation tool.)
Final Thoughts
What do you think? The Usuhari glass is a masterpiece of Japanese craftsmanship, designed to enhance the taste of your beer by making every sip smoother and more enjoyable.
If you’re visiting Japan, don’t miss the chance to bring one home as a souvenir—it will elevate your beer-drinking experience to a whole new level!
