The company was founded in 1900 when the first generation, Asahara Hisayoshi, opened a glass manufacturing factory in Tomioka-cho, Otaru, and produced glass household items such as lamps and medicine bottles. He later invented a fishing float, contributing to herring fishing and the North Pacific fishing industry. The factory then downsized due to the rise of plastic floats and the poor health of the third generation owner at the time. However, when the third generation owner passed away, his eldest son, Saiichiro, decided to take over the family business and became the fourth generation owner. The company continues to manufacture glass in order to preserve Otaru's glass float manufacturing techniques for future generations.

Glass fishing floats played a part in the prosperity of North Pacific fishing in the early Showa period, and it is impossible to talk about the development of Otaru's industry and the establishment of the free-blowing technique in Otaru without mentioning these glass floats.

During the Meiji and Taisho eras, glass floats were used as markers for herring fishing nets. Asahara Hisakichi gathered his relatives together, taught them glass-making techniques, and expanded Asahara Glass factories throughout Hokkaido (Otaru, Muroran, Kushiro, Asahikawa, Karafuto). It is said that in 1947, 1,056 tons of glass floats were produced, but it is believed that the actual production volume was much higher.

As the North Pacific fishing industry shrunk and herring fishing declined, the demand for floats dropped sharply and they were replaced by plastic floats (orange buoys). The number of float manufacturing factories across the country decreased, and now Asahara Glass Manufacturing is the only one left in Japan.

Asahara Glass can be said to be the originator of Otaru glass. The raw material is recycled raw materials (cullet), and to create colors that blend in with the transparent sea, the colors and materials are selected, washed, and then put into a melting furnace at about 1300℃. The "navel" that is attached to cover the glass's blowing hole is cute, and these parts are sometimes picked up as valuables while beachcombing (picking up sea glass on the beach). If you pick one up, check to see if there is any writing on the back of the navel.

Asahara Glass Factory not only sells glass floats and glass float candles, but also offers a glassblowing experience, where visitors can try their hand at making glass crafts, a traditional industry of Otaru.