Noritake Garden

Noritake's original factory grounds in Nagoya, where the company began producing fine porcelain for export in 1904, now house a museum tracing its designs from Meiji-era export pieces through art deco to contemporary collections. The preserved red-brick buildings contain a craft center where you can try painting your own ceramic piece. Outside, the park-like grounds have lawns, a fountain, and seasonal plantings that provide welcome green space in the city. A gallery shop sells current Noritake products alongside factory-outlet pieces at reduced prices. It's a well-organized look at how one Japanese company built a global brand from scratch.