Noritake Garden

Since the rainy season is over, today was a beautiful sunny day in Nagoya.  I hated being stuck inside, so I stepped onto my balcony and saw Noritake Garden looking all lush and green and inviting.

Mom and Dad visited Noritake Garden when they were here in April (while I was at work), and they raved about it.  I can't let Pam and Vance see something in Japan that I haven't seen... so here we go!

Noritake was established in 1904, and all of you married ladies out there should know that it is famous for china, pottery, and general tableware.

Noritake claims to be the birthplace of the modern ceramic industry.  These red brick buildings symbolizes the history of Western-style dinnerware in Japan.  From 1904 through 1975, Noritake products were sent from these factories to all over the world. 

Lovely place to take a stroll or have a quick break, but no one dared to sit in the sun today.  Not only are the Japanese overly paranoid about UV rays, but the heat index was well in the mid-90's.

Here 4 of the chimneys leftover from their original factory.  The plant was moved in 1979, but the chimneys were left as a monument.  The chimneys were constructed at 45 meters tall each, and they were the tallest structure in Nagoya for many years.  Now the chimneys have been reduced to only 12 meters tall.

Side note:  It's been a really great experience for me to see Nagoya in all 4 seasons.  Here's a picture from Mom's visit.  There were no vines on the chimneys in April!

Here are some monuments dedicated to JAM: the Japan Art Movement of 2005.  The sign was all in Japanese, so let's just say it looked cool.

One of the first "Single Kilns" preserved from 1904.

Noritake Garden called this area a "biotope", a place whose natural environment has been recovered, enabling plants, insects, fish, birds, and other animals to coexist.  It's an example where humankind can live in harmony with nature.  Pottery is produced out of soil taken from the natural environment.  Noritake hopes to treasure earth, soil, and nature, so that they can always make ceramics. 

(It just looked like a weedy marsh to me!)

Gorgeous view of the Kiln Wall and the Nagoya skyline!

It's interesting how some parts of the lawn are mowed and other areas are left long.

Biggest green space I've seen in all of Japan!  Seriously, I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen grass in Japan.  It's so sad.  Thank goodness I can look out the window of my apartment and see this place :)  Maybe next time I'll bring my lawn sheet (plastic blanket) and take a snooze!

The Kiln Wall is constructed with chunks of bricks leftover from the old factories, and Noritake Garden Foundation donors have their name inscribed on the many ceramic plates that line the wall.  I was impressed because I found a plate with a couple names in English!

Old brick foundation and chimney.

What's a good blog entry without a pic of KG?!

Nagoya doesn't have any swimming pools but based on the number of people wading in this tiny stream, I think the city should consider constructing one or two!!  I thought it was really bizarre.

I loved that even this private garden had truncated domes for blind people!

Sadly, I didn't get to watch the video (or tour the factory) on the history of the actual pottery and china production because there was a jazz festival going on which interrupted the normal scheduled programs.  It just means I'll have to make another trip back across to the street to visit this place again.  I think I can handle that!