Japan Ceramic Center Old Building

Introduction: The Former Japan Ceramics Center — A Monument to Nagoya's Porcelain Legacy

Standing quietly in the Daikan-chō district of Nagoya's Higashi Ward, the Former Japan Ceramics Center (日本陶磁器センター旧館) is a reinforced concrete office building that speaks volumes about the city's once-dominant role in Japan's ceramic export industry. Built in 1934 as the joint sales office for the Japan Ceramics Industry Federation, this three-story structure — with a partial fourth floor and one basement level — was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in August 2015. Its generous use of tiles and ceramic materials throughout the interior and exterior reflects the very industry it was built to serve, making it a rare example of architecture that literally embodies its own purpose.

Historical Background

The Japan Ceramics Industry Federation (日本陶磁器工業組合連合会) was established in 1931, during a period when Nagoya had become Japan's largest production and export hub for ceramics. Master artisans from Kutani, Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kyoto had gathered in Nagoya, developing the celebrated "Nagoya-style painting" (名古屋絵付け) — an opulent decorative technique that captivated markets worldwide.

In 1934, the Federation constructed the building as its joint sales office, serving as the nerve center for quality control and production coordination of export ceramics. The building played a pivotal role in Japan's pre-war ceramic trade, and its third-floor Grand Conference Room became the venue for bilateral trade negotiations on export ceramics in the post-war period.

In 1957, the widening of Sakura-dōri avenue necessitated the building's relocation. Using the traditional Japanese technique of hikiya (building relocation), the entire structure was moved to its current position slightly north. The vacated site was then used to construct the New Building (新館), designed by the Yamashita Kotarō architectural firm. Both the Old and New Buildings were designated as Nagoya City Certified Regional Architectural Assets in 2012 before receiving national registration in 2015.

Why It Was Designated a Cultural Property

The Former Japan Ceramics Center was registered under the criterion of being "a model of fine form" (造形の規範となっているもの). Several factors contributed to this recognition. The building is a rare surviving example of a pre-war reinforced concrete commercial structure built specifically for the ceramics industry. Its lavish use of ceramic tiles and travertine throughout the interior demonstrates the pride and craftsmanship of the industry it represented. The third-floor Grand Conference Room is particularly noteworthy, featuring a barrel-vaulted ceiling, parquet flooring, wood-paneled wainscoting, plastered upper walls, and an ornamental alcove with Art Deco detailing on the north wall. The building's successful relocation via hikiya in 1957 is also a testament to Japanese engineering skill.

Architectural Highlights

The Former Japan Ceramics Center is a reinforced concrete building of three stories with a partial fourth floor and one basement level, covering a building area of 291 square meters. A chimney is attached to the structure. The exterior features abundant ceramic tile cladding, befitting a building created for the ceramics trade.

Inside, the staircase landings and corridors showcase travertine baseboards, tiled floors and wainscoting, with plastered upper walls separated by travertine trim — creating an elegant transition between materials. The crowning interior space is the third-floor Grand Conference Room, where an alcove projects outward from the building facade on the north side, framed with refined Art Deco ornamental details. This room witnessed some of the most important post-war negotiations in Japan's ceramics export industry.

The building is connected at the first floor to the adjacent New Building (1958), creating a unified complex. The New Building, a five-story steel-reinforced concrete structure designed in a Modernist idiom, offers an interesting architectural contrast with its glass-heavy facade and streamlined horizontal window bands.

Visitor Information

The Japan Ceramics Center complex remains in active use as the office of the Japan Ceramic Industry Federation (日本陶業連盟). The New Building houses the Nittōren Art Museum on its fourth floor, which displays approximately 70 works from a collection of about 400 pieces, showcasing the artistry of Japanese export ceramics. Visitors should note that as a working office building, access to the Old Building's interior may be limited. It is advisable to check ahead for any special open-house events or guided tours.

The building is located along Sakura-dōri in the Daikan-chō area of Higashi Ward. The nearest station is Takaoka on the Meijo Subway Line, approximately a 10-minute walk. The area is also accessible from Higashiōte station on the Meitetsu Seto Line.

Surrounding Attractions

The Higashi Ward of Nagoya is rich in cultural heritage. Nearby, the Nagoya Ceramic Hall (名古屋陶磁器会館), itself a Registered Tangible Cultural Property built in 1932, offers free admission to its first-floor exhibition space showcasing the history of Nagoya's ceramic export industry. The historic Shiro-kabe (White Wall) district, with its well-preserved Meiji and Taishō-era residences of ceramic traders, is within walking distance. The Tokugawa Art Museum and its renowned garden, Tokugawaen, are also nearby, providing a deeper immersion into the cultural heritage of the former Owari domain. For those interested in modern architecture, the Nagoya Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, another Registered Tangible Cultural Property registered at the same time, is in the vicinity.