Category:Tōkai Region

Tōkai (東海地方) is a cultural and geographic subregion of Chūbu (中部地方), located along the Pacific coast of central Honshū. Historically, the region developed around the Tōkaidō, the principal route connecting Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). This corridor fostered active trade, cultural exchange, and the growth of castle towns, port cities, and artisanal markets.

Tōkai is one of Japan’s most significant craft regions, especially known for its ceramic production. The Seto and Mino kiln systems, located in Aichi and Gifu respectively, form major centers of Japanese ceramic history, with continuous production traditions dating back over a thousand years. The region’s crafts are closely tied to its geography—river systems, clay deposits, coastal trade networks, and mountain forests shaped local material practices.

The region combines industrial modernity with living workshop heritage. Urban centers such as Nagoya coexist with villages and valleys that continue to maintain specialized artisanal techniques, preserving historic craft identities while supporting contemporary studio innovation.

Tōkai consists of four prefectures:

• Shizuoka Prefecture
• Aichi Prefecture
• Gifu Prefecture
• Mie Prefecture

• Major center of Japanese ceramics, including Seto ware and Mino traditions (e.g., Shino, Oribe).
• Historic trade corridor shaping cultural exchange and artisanal specialization.
• Strong woodworking, metalworking, festival craft, and papermaking traditions.
• Cultural identity shaped by river valleys, mountain passes, and maritime ports.

• Location: Pacific coastline of central Honshū
• Landscape: Coastal plains, inland basins, mountain foothills
• Major cities: Nagoya, Shizuoka, Gifu, Tsu

• Chūbu (中部地方)
• Seto ware
• Mino ware
• Tōkaidō