Category:Aichi Prefecture

Aichi Prefecture (愛知県) is located in central Honshū, forming part of the Chūbu region along the Pacific coast. Its position on the Tōkaidō route has long made it a hub of travel, trade, and political power, linking eastern and western Japan.

The prefecture’s capital, Nagoya, is Japan’s fourth-largest city and a major industrial center, closely associated with the automotive industry and technological innovation. Historically, the area was the birthplace of three unifiers of Japan — Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu — giving Aichi an enduring role in national history.

Culturally, Aichi balances modern dynamism with deep traditions. It is famous for festivals such as the Nagoya Matsuri and for a rich variety of crafts, including Seto ware and Tokoname ware (two of Japan’s “Six Ancient Kilns”), as well as traditional textiles and lacquerware. Its combination of historical legacy, industrial vitality, and craft heritage gives Aichi a distinctive identity within Japan.

Signature Crafts of Aichi Prefecture

• Seto ware (瀬戸焼) – one of the "Six Ancient Kilns," known for versatile ceramics.
• Tokoname ware (常滑焼) – another of the "Six Ancient Kilns," especially famous for teapots.
• Traditional textiles – including Arimatsu and Narumi shibori (tie-dye).
• Lacquerware and woodworking traditions tied to Nagoya’s artisan culture.