Tokoname is located on the western coast of the Chita Peninsula in southwestern Aichi Prefecture, facing Ise Bay. A historic port city, Tokoname is renowned for its rich ceramic heritage while also serving as a modern transportation gateway to central Japan. As the home of Chubu Centrair International Airport, it welcomes millions of domestic and international visitors each year.
Tokoname has been famous for pottery production since the 12th century and boasts a ceramic-making tradition spanning more than 900 years. Its signature pottery, Tokoname-yaki, is recognized as one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. Among the six, it is both the oldest and the largest pottery-producing region, preserving centuries-old craftsmanship and traditional firing techniques. Throughout the city, visitors can still find historic pottery workshops, brick chimneys, and kiln remains, giving Tokoname its distinctive identity as one of Japan’s foremost pottery towns.
One of the city’s most popular attractions is the Tokoname Pottery Footpath. This charming walking route winds through historic pottery workshops, brick-lined alleys, and preserved kiln sites. Along the way, visitors can admire a wide variety of ceramic artworks and step inside studios where artisans continue to create pottery today, making it one of the best places to experience the history and craftsmanship of Tokoname-yaki firsthand.
Tokoname is also widely known as Japan’s “City of the Lucky Cat.” Thanks to its thriving ceramic industry, the city produces more ceramic maneki-neko (beckoning cats) than anywhere else in Japan. To celebrate this tradition, Tokoname features the popular Maneki-neko Street, where visitors encounter countless ceramic lucky cat sculptures in a variety of designs. Its most recognizable landmark is the giant Tokonyan statue, measuring approximately 3.2 meters high and 6.3 meters wide, which has become one of the city's most photographed attractions.
Visitors wishing to learn more about Tokoname-yaki can explore Tokoname Tounomori Museum (Tokoname Pottery Forest). The complex includes exhibition galleries, research facilities, and creative studios dedicated to the history, techniques, and representative works of Tokoname pottery, making it an essential destination for ceramic enthusiasts.
Tokoname also preserves several historic buildings associated with its maritime trading past. Among the most notable is Takita Family Residence, the restored home of a prosperous shipping merchant. Today, it showcases the history of local maritime commerce and offers visitors a glimpse into the prosperity of Tokoname as a port town during the 19th century.
In addition, Tokoname is closely connected with the origins of LIXIL, one of Japan’s leading manufacturers of bathroom and housing products. The company’s predecessor was founded on Tokoname’s ceramic industry, and its former factory site has been transformed into the INAX Museum. Through exhibits of early ceramic products, architectural materials, and sanitary ware, the museum illustrates how Tokoname’s traditional pottery industry evolved into modern manufacturing.
Near the airport, visitors can also explore the Flight of Dreams, an aviation-themed attraction featuring the world's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner prototype. Combining aircraft exhibits with shopping and dining facilities, it has become a favorite destination for aviation enthusiasts and families alike.
Beyond its pottery heritage, the northern Ono district preserves many historic landmarks. The reconstructed Ono Castle overlooks Ise Bay, offering panoramic coastal views. Nearby, Ono Beach is celebrated in Japanese literature and is regarded as one of the world's oldest seaside bathing beaches. Every May, the centuries-old Ono Festival fills the district with elaborately decorated festival floats and traditional celebrations, highlighting the enduring cultural heritage and festive spirit of Tokoname.
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