Red-brick buildings of the original factory are preserved in the Noritake Garden.
NORITAKE CO., LIMITED
While gaining a reputation as a world-famous tableware brand, Noritake has continuously adopted and cultivated various ceramic manufacturing techniques such as pulverizing, kneading, forming, firing and printing.
Based on the technology of ceramic grinding wheels for finishing porcelain, Noritake began the production and distribution of industrial grinding wheels in 1939. Developing into one of the greatest grinding and polishing specialists in Japan, Noritake currently provides grinding wheels, diamond/CBN tools and coated abrasives to manufacturers in various fields, including the automotive, steel, electronics and semiconductor.
Noritake’s printing and color mixing technologies to decorate tableware have been adopted in the production of electronic components in the automotive, energy and medical industries.
Additionally, the company’s firing and drying process technologies are employed in the manufacturing process of electronics and battery materials.
As the company continued to expand into different fields, Nippon Toki was renamed Noritake Co., Ltd. in 1981.
As one of the most important themes in the commemorative projects for the company’s centenial in 2004, discussions continued concerning the most effective way of utilizing the original factory land. The company decided to create the Noritake Garden, with the idea of expressing the company’s reverence for the site where the Noritake Group began.
For 110 years through 2014, the predecessors of today’s managers and employees passed down and nurtured over successive generations the spirit of “manufacturing beautiful, white, fine detailed porcelain in Japan” that lives on to this day as the “Noritake spirit.”
The Noritake Garden embraces the passion of the company’s founders who entered the export business in order to contribute to society and realize mutual prosperity.
The six 8-meter high chimneys, which used to be 45-meters, proudly stand in the garden as a monument symbolizing the history of the modern ceramic industry in Japan.
Bunshodo Building 2F, 3-4-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Noritake Ginza is a 1-minute walk from Exit A13,
Ginza Station on the Ginza, Marunouchi and Hibiya lines;
Opened in October 2012, Noritake Ginza is a directly managed store of Noritake Co., Ltd. The store harkens back to the company’s first incarnation, Morimura-gumi, which was founded in the Ginza district in 1876.
Since completing Japan’s first ever Western-style dinnerware set, Noritake has continued to produce fine, high-quality ceramics. In October 2011, the company announced the launch of “Masterpiece Collection,” high-end tableware produced with technology and craftsmanship that have been nurtured over the company’s more-than-100- year history. In February 2012, the company began sales of “cher blanc,” an elegant range of casual dinnerware ideal for both everyday use and for entertaining.
On display and sale at Noritake Ginza are dinnerware sets and fine porcelain pieces, which evoke an upscale, luxurious image. Additionally, the store’s “cher blanc” corner will inspire a new cuisine environment.
The store also has an area showcasing a range of dinnerware for commercial use aimed at hoteliers and restaurateurs.