Tokoname

Tokoname is a city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It lies on the Atsumi Peninsula, at the western edge of Mikawa Bay, southeast of Nagoya. The city is part of the Chubu region and is included in the Nagoya metropolitan area. It has a coastal landscape with small fishing harbors and rural hills, reflecting a mix of traditional industry and modern development.

Tokoname is best known for its long-standing pottery tradition, Tokoname-yaki. Ceramics production in the area dates back to at least the medieval period, and the craft remains a major part of the local economy. Porcelain and stoneware wares, including teapots and jar forms, are produced in kilns and studios around the hillside historic districts. Visitors can see workshops and purchase wares along pottery streets and in dedicated studios.

A center of transport and modern infrastructure is provided by Chubu Centrair International Airport, located on an artificial island in Ise Bay just off the city. Opened in 2005, the airport serves domestic and international flights and is linked to Nagoya by rail and road, making Tokoname a gateway for the region.

The city also features cultural sites and festivals connected to its ceramic heritage, and efforts are made to preserve traditional kiln sites and to promote tourism around Tokoname-yaki. The combination of artisanal crafts, coastal scenery, and accessible aviation facilities characterizes Tokoname as a small-city center of craft and logistics in central Japan.