The Nagoya Ceramic Hall was completed on November 20, 1932, as the office of the Nagoya Ceramic Trade Association. Soon after, other major ceramic organizations moved in, and the building became a symbol of Nagoya’s leadership in Japan’s ceramic export industry.

Designed by Kazuhide Takasu, it is a reinforced concrete building with one basement and two (partly three) floors above ground. Its bold geometric form and decorative glazed tiles show the influence of German Expressionist architecture, making it stand out in a neighborhood once filled with wooden houses.

The building survived World War II and still shows its original presence. Today, it is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan and a Nagoya City Designated Landscape Asset.

On the first floor, special exhibitions are held regularly, and some items are shown to the public for free. The Hall has collected over 1,000 ceramic works through donations and acquisitions over 90 years. These items are preserved as valuable cultural records of Nagoya’s ceramic industry.

From the late Meiji period, Nagoya became Japan’s top producer of export ceramics. Artisans from Kutani, Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kyoto came to the city, creating beautiful pieces known as Nagoya-style overglaze decoration. This style features rich techniques such as relief work, gold accents, glass layering, and influences from Kutani and Satsuma styles.

Today, the Hall continues to share this rich ceramic heritage with visitors from around the world.

Located in “Noritake no Mori” (Noritake Garden), the birthplace of the Noritake brand, Noritake Square Nagoya is a lifestyle shop centered around tableware. It offers a wide selection of products, from elegant fine porcelain that showcases the craftsmanship developed since the company’s founding, to casual tableware and home décor items designed to bring comfort and style to everyday life.

The shop also features an outlet section, where visitors can find discontinued or special-edition items at discounted prices.

Inside the store, you’ll find Café Grand Vert, where meals are served on Noritake’s beautiful dishes that change seasonally. Guests can enjoy seasonal menus and elegant presentations, offering a full sensory experience of the Noritake lifestyle.

The store also hosts various events, including seminars and workshops related to food and daily living, sharing ideas and inspiration for enjoying a more comfortable and refined lifestyle.

Beyond shopping, Noritake Garden offers many ways to explore the world of Noritake. You can dine or have tea at a restaurant that uses Noritake tableware, watch skilled artisans at work in the production area, or visit the Noritake Museum, which features stunning displays of “Old Noritake” porcelain made between the Meiji era and the early Showa period.

Whether you’re looking for high-quality ceramics, a relaxing café experience, or a glimpse into Japan’s porcelain-making history, Noritake no Mori is a must-visit destination in Nagoya.

Nagoya Castle is one of Japan’s most iconic castles, located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It was originally built in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, as a strategic defense point between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). The castle is renowned for its distinctive golden shachihoko (mythical tiger-headed carp) that sit atop the roof of the main keep.

Key Features:

• Design: The castle features massive stone walls, wide moats, and an elegant five-story donjon (main keep), which was once among the largest in Japan.

• Golden Shachihoko: These gilded ornaments symbolize protection against fire and are a famous emblem of the city.

• Hommaru Palace: The recently reconstructed palace within the grounds showcases authentic Edo-period architecture with elaborate gold-leaf sliding doors and traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Historical Significance:

• Japan’s First National Treasure (国宝第1号): Nagoya Castle’s main keep was designated as National Treasure No.1 in 1930 under Japan’s national heritage system. Unfortunately, it was destroyed during World War II bombings in 1945, but has since been reconstructed.

• A wooden reconstruction of the original main tower is currently planned to restore historical accuracy.