Stained Glass Museum — Attraction in Otaru

My husband and I came to the Stained Glass Museum in December 2024. We expected there to be some local art, but actually it’s all stained glass brought over from the UK. It’s still very interesting and impressive, especially the building which is a former soybean storage facility.

There are coin lockers (100円, returned to you). There is a free QR code English audio guide for a small percentage of the works, but all exhibits are in Japanese only. I feel their audience is mainly Japanese tourists who don’t see this kind of glasswork often. Although I don’t regret coming, I think if I had done my due research and known it would only be Western stained glass, I would not have visited, preferring to see...

This collection is apparently all salvaged from England, when various churches were being demolished and the stained glass art just tossed. Somehow they ended up on the other side of the world, saved by a collector in Hokkaido of all places.

That piece of history alone makes this museum pretty fascinating.

The stained glass is tastefully displayed with soft illumination behind them. Most of the explanation is in Japanese without an English translation - so I recommend having a translation app handy to fully enjoy the museum.

Make sure to also stop by the Ice Cream/Tea Shop that’s attached to this museum, I recommend the unique Apple Juice soft serve...

Slightly pricy ticket entry however worth the visit.

Good opportunity to learn the history of Stained Glass manufacturing and art, influenced by the western history of Christianity religion.

The venue is not big, so if you're not taking your time to examine the beauty of these Glass designs and inspirations. You'll likely going to finish this visit in less...