【INAX Live Museum】An experiential museum where you can explore the diverse world of clay and ceramics

The Origins and History of INAX (Now LIXIL) Manufacturing

Since the founding of Ina Seito, the predecessor of INAX, in 1924, LIXIL has continued for more than 100 years to pursue new value for everyday living and has created numerous innovations.

The founder of INAX came from a family of ceramic artisans in Tokoname. Tokoname ware began in the late Heian period when bowls and plates for everyday use were fired for common people. Later, the industry developed mainly through the production of practical household items such as large jars and pots. In the mid-Edo period, smaller teapots began to be produced, and their simple, rustic charm was favored by cultural figures of the time, gradually becoming recognized as works of art. The founder’s ancestor, the first-generation Ina Chozaburo, was one of the ceramic artisans born during this era.

Ina Chotaro (the founder of Ina Seito, later INAX, who inherited the name Chozaburo in 1926) and his father Hatsunojo experienced Japan’s Meiji industrial revolution. Amid rapid social change and waves of industrialization, they realized a series of innovative ideas with bold thinking. Their ceramic manufacturing technology was recognized when they were invited to serve as technical advisors for the Imperial Hotel Brick Manufacturing Plant (1917–1921), established specifically to produce architectural ceramics for the second main building of the Imperial Hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Together with skilled craftsmen, they successfully produced large quantities of ceramic building materials with the colors and distinctive designs Wright envisioned, meeting the high quality standards required for architectural use within a limited time.

At that time, the history of exterior tiles in Japan had only just begun. The idea that each uniquely expressive tile piece could come together to create an architectural space began here and continues to live on today. Afterward, various exterior tiles began to be used on building facades, gradually adding beauty and character to cities and streets throughout Japan.

Discover the History, Culture, Beauty, and Enjoyment of Clay and Ceramics

The INAX Live Museum includes several exhibition facilities such as the Kiln Plaza and Museum, the Tile Museum, the Architectural Ceramics Beginning Museum, the Clay Works Museum, the Ceramic Studio, and the Pottery Workshop, all dedicated to communicating the history, culture, beauty, and enjoyment of clay and ceramics.

The Kiln Plaza and Museum preserves and opens to the public a former factory that produced ceramic products such as clay pipes, shochu bottles, and tiles from 1921 to 1971. The building is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property and a Modern Industrial Heritage site. Highlights of the building include a powerful large brick kiln, a roof structure supported by thick beams and pillars, and a tall brick chimney. Exhibits include tools and machinery used to manufacture clay pipes that contributed to modernization, as well as videos showing kiln firing and the transportation of pipes in those days. Visitors can also enjoy the “Kiln Projection,” where images of flames are projected inside the kiln that once fired clay pipes, allowing them to experience the powerful atmosphere of kiln firing.

The Tile Museum houses more than 7,000 decorative tiles from around the world, spanning from ancient times to the modern era. As a specialized museum for tiles, it researches the history and culture of tiles and communicates their appeal through various exhibitions. Highlights include the world’s oldest glazed tiles that decorated the interiors of Egyptian pyramids and painted tiles from Spain. The museum is truly a treasure box of decorative tiles where visitors can experience the beauty that has fascinated humanity and the passionate decorative spirit of past generations.

From the Taisho period to the early Showa period, buildings of a new era were constructed one after another, and ceramic tiles and terracotta known as architectural ceramics decorated their exterior walls. The Architectural Ceramics Beginning Museum displays highly artistic terracotta works representing Japan. In the outdoor exhibition area called Terracotta Park, visitors can stroll while enjoying the shapes and designs up close in natural light.

The Clay Works Museum is a building constructed extensively using earth materials. Inside, visitors can feel the warmth and comfort unique to clay while learning about its possibilities and charm through exhibitions and hands-on workshops.

One of the exhibits, the “Room of One Hundred Soil Boxes,” features one hundred wooden drawers. When you gently pull the ceramic handles, each drawer reveals a different perspective on the world of soil. Visitors can enjoy exploring the drawers to discover their favorite one.

In the exhibition room of the Pottery Workshop, visitors can learn the basics of ceramics and view reproductions of tiles and terracotta produced in the workshop, as well as works created through collaborations with artists. It is a space where visitors can freely pick up and examine various tile samples.

Experience the Joy of Creating with Clay and Ceramics

At the Clay Works Museum, hands-on workshops are held to share the fascination and mystery of clay, a natural material that has been essential to homes and daily life since ancient times, while also introducing the joy of making things by hand.

In the “Shining Mud Ball” workshop, participants create a glowing clay sphere through a unique process different from the mud balls made in playgrounds or sandboxes. The experience involves shaping a clay ball, carving it, adding color, and polishing it until it becomes a smooth, shining sphere.

The Ceramic Studio also offers workshops where visitors can enjoy creating objects using ceramics. Participants can paint tiles using ceramic paints or select their favorite tiles to create art pieces. Some activities are designed so that even young children can easily participate. For details about reservations and fees, please refer to the official website.

Visit the Restaurant and Museum Shop

After exploring the museum at a leisurely pace, why not enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at the restaurant Pizzeria La Fornace? The name “La Fornace” means “made from the kiln.” In the relaxing atmosphere of the museum, visitors can enjoy pizza and pasta prepared with ingredients from the Chita Peninsula. The restaurant serves pizza baked in a wood-fired oven using Italian flour, pasta made with seasonal ingredients, and homemade Italian desserts, all carefully prepared. The restaurant is also open to visitors who are not touring the museum.

Before leaving, be sure to stop by the museum shop to pick up souvenirs and original goods to commemorate your visit. The shop offers items such as original design tenugui cloths and craft kits that allow you to enjoy the popular tile art experience from the Ceramic Studio at home. The most popular item is the unique Japanese sweet called “Toilet Monaka,” along with original toilet paper rolls and other playful items that add color and fun to everyday life. In the bright shop facing the terrace, visitors can take their time browsing and enjoying their shopping experience.