JTC Co., Ltd. to Open Experiential Lab Featuring 2,000 Types of Glassware in Minamimorimachi, Osaka on June 1
GLASSBACCA, operated by JTC Co., Ltd., will re-open its 'GLASSBACCA EXPERIENCE LAB & GALLERY' in Minamimorimachi, Osaka, on June 1, 2026, offering hands-on comparisons of 2,000 types of world-class glassware.
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- 📰 Published: May 25, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 25, 2026 at 14:31
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GLASSBACCA, the glass OEM and development production business operated by JTC Co., Ltd. (based in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture; CEO: Noriyuki Tsuji), will re-open its experiential lab, 'GLASSBACCA EXPERIENCE LAB & GALLERY,' on June 1, 2026 (Mon). Located in Minamimorimachi, the birthplace of glass in Osaka, the facility will allow visitors to experience 2,000 types of world-class glassware designed to maximize the potential of beverages.
'GLASSBACCA EXPERIENCE LAB & GALLERY' serves as a new experiential hub that bridges the gap between professionals and general consumers. Visitors can handle world-class glassware, including those used in top-tier gastronomy, and conduct comparative verification on how much a glass can enhance the potential of alcohol (Taste Performance = 'Aji-pa').
Why is this 'experiential lab' needed now? (Social Background)
The renovation of this showroom is motivated by crises facing two traditional industries of Japan.
First, there is the crisis in the glass manufacturing industry, where the number of glass factories has plummeted from around 40 nationwide to just four, causing advanced craftsmanship to vanish. Second, there is a mismatch in the alcohol industry: while Japanese traditional liquor (sake and shochu) has evolved into premium global-standard beverages, the 'vessels' (outlets) used to accurately draw out their aroma and taste have not kept pace.
GLASSBACCA, a fabless factory, leverages its network of glass manufacturers worldwide to produce uncompromising glassware requested by the Japanese alcohol industry at the most suitable factories globally. This showroom serves as a practical hub to act as a 'Taste Translator,' allowing producers, providers, and general consumers to directly experience the best glassware produced through this process and correctly deliver the value of alcohol to the world.
What can be done at 'GLASSBACCA EXPERIENCE LAB & GALLERY'?
This showroom offers the following new experiences:
(1) For Professionals: Bring in your own drinks and verify 'Aji-pa'
Restaurant owners, buyers, and brewers can bring in their own alcohol. By comparing their drinks using standard rock glasses or tumblers against world-class dedicated glasses, they can verify with professionals how the aroma and mouthfeel change, ultimately selecting the best glass to elevate their value.
(2) For OEM/Brands: 'Physically recreate' IP and worldviews using glass
Companies in entertainment fields such as anime and games, or lifestyle brands, can hold meetings for OEM glass manufacturing that reflects their brand identity. By actually observing and handling the vast archives, they can conceive 'one-of-a-kind glassware' that fits their budget and production lot size on the spot.
(3) For Individual Customers: Experience three-star restaurant quality at home
General customers looking to upgrade their daily evening drinks are also welcome. After experiencing the surprising lightness and elegance of professional-grade glasses such as 'Désir,' customers can purchase them 'from just one glass.'
Exhibiting glasses recognized by French three-star chefs
The showroom also offers a chance to experience 'Désir,' a shochu-exclusive glass developed with top French champagne sommelier Philippe Jamesse. The glass is currently adopted by French Michelin three-star chef Anne-Sophie Pic (who operates Maison Pic) and top-rated palace hotels as a 'universal glass that maximizes the aroma of all beverages.'
'GLASSBACCA EXPERIENCE LAB & GALLERY' serves as a new experiential hub that bridges the gap between professionals and general consumers. Visitors can handle world-class glassware, including those used in top-tier gastronomy, and conduct comparative verification on how much a glass can enhance the potential of alcohol (Taste Performance = 'Aji-pa').
Why is this 'experiential lab' needed now? (Social Background)
The renovation of this showroom is motivated by crises facing two traditional industries of Japan.
First, there is the crisis in the glass manufacturing industry, where the number of glass factories has plummeted from around 40 nationwide to just four, causing advanced craftsmanship to vanish. Second, there is a mismatch in the alcohol industry: while Japanese traditional liquor (sake and shochu) has evolved into premium global-standard beverages, the 'vessels' (outlets) used to accurately draw out their aroma and taste have not kept pace.
GLASSBACCA, a fabless factory, leverages its network of glass manufacturers worldwide to produce uncompromising glassware requested by the Japanese alcohol industry at the most suitable factories globally. This showroom serves as a practical hub to act as a 'Taste Translator,' allowing producers, providers, and general consumers to directly experience the best glassware produced through this process and correctly deliver the value of alcohol to the world.
What can be done at 'GLASSBACCA EXPERIENCE LAB & GALLERY'?
This showroom offers the following new experiences:
(1) For Professionals: Bring in your own drinks and verify 'Aji-pa'
Restaurant owners, buyers, and brewers can bring in their own alcohol. By comparing their drinks using standard rock glasses or tumblers against world-class dedicated glasses, they can verify with professionals how the aroma and mouthfeel change, ultimately selecting the best glass to elevate their value.
(2) For OEM/Brands: 'Physically recreate' IP and worldviews using glass
Companies in entertainment fields such as anime and games, or lifestyle brands, can hold meetings for OEM glass manufacturing that reflects their brand identity. By actually observing and handling the vast archives, they can conceive 'one-of-a-kind glassware' that fits their budget and production lot size on the spot.
(3) For Individual Customers: Experience three-star restaurant quality at home
General customers looking to upgrade their daily evening drinks are also welcome. After experiencing the surprising lightness and elegance of professional-grade glasses such as 'Désir,' customers can purchase them 'from just one glass.'
Exhibiting glasses recognized by French three-star chefs
The showroom also offers a chance to experience 'Désir,' a shochu-exclusive glass developed with top French champagne sommelier Philippe Jamesse. The glass is currently adopted by French Michelin three-star chef Anne-Sophie Pic (who operates Maison Pic) and top-rated palace hotels as a 'universal glass that maximizes the aroma of all beverages.'
FAQ
GLASSBACCA EXPERIENCE LAB & GALLERYとはどのような施設ですか？
世界最高峰のガストロノミーで採用されるグラスを含む2,000種類以上のグラスを実際に手に取り、お酒の味わいの変化を比較検証できる体験型ラボです。
いつリニューアルオープンしますか？
2026年6月1日（月）にオープン予定です。
このラボでプロフェッショナルは何ができますか？
飲食店オーナーや酒蔵などが自社・自店のお酒を持ち込み、専用グラスによる味わいの違い（味パ）を専門家と一緒に検証し、最適な一脚を選定できます。
個人でも利用できますか？
はい、ご自宅での晩酌を格上げしたい一般のお客様も利用可能で、プロ仕様のグラスを1脚から購入できます。
なぜこの施設が必要なのですか？
国内のガラス工場の激減による技術継承の危機と、日本の高級酒の進化に対し最適な器が不足しているという酒類業界のミスマッチを解消するためです。