The complex was established to preserve the legacy of Inax, which started as a producer of terra cotta tiles for Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
The Kiln Plaza is built around an original, preserved 'Black Kiln' that was operational until the 1970s.
The Clay Works building allows visitors to experience the plasticity of clay through workshops that focus on modeling and molding.
The museum grounds feature a dedicated 'Tile Museum' with a rotunda display of decorative tiles that covers the walls from floor to ceiling.
The site uses traditional Japanese architectural techniques to house its modern, industrial-focused exhibits.
The Inax Live Museum is a specialized cultural complex dedicated to the history and technology of clay, ceramics, and architecture. It is situated on the grounds of LIXIL, a successor company to the original Inax porcelain manufacturer, in the heart of Tokoname, Japan's historic ceramic hub. The museum complex consists of six distinct pavilions, including the Tile Museum, the Kiln Plaza, and the Clay Works studio. The Tile Museum houses a collection of thousands of decorative tiles from around the world, showcasing historical patterns and manufacturing techniques. The Kiln Plaza features a restored large-scale black kiln from the Meiji period that was used to bake earthenware pipes. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops to create clay crafts or design custom mosaic tiles. The facility serves as a testament to the evolution of sanitation and ceramic craftsmanship in the Aichi prefecture.
The interior of the Tile Museum, featuring the circular, floor-to-ceiling mosaic tile display.
Check the workshop schedule in advance if you want to participate in a specific clay project.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes as you will be walking between several distinct pavilion buildings across the complex.
Allocate time to walk through the gift shop, which stocks unique tile-themed goods not found elsewhere.
Do not rush through the pavilions; the complex is spread out and each building offers a deep dive into a different aspect of ceramic history.
Closed on Wednesdays.
Refrain from touching historical artifacts; follow instructor guidance strictly during clay workshops.
