Toki, Gifu Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Toki (土岐市) is a city located in Gifu, Japan. The total area of the city was 117.01 square km (45.18 sq mi). Toki is known as one of the largest producers of Japanese pottery, generally referred to as Mino ware.

Geography Toki is located in southern Gifu Prefecture, to the south-east of Gifu City and approximately 30 km north of Nagoya. The Toki River runs through the downtown area. Mount Mikuni is the highest point in the city, with an elevation of 701 metres (2,300 ft).

Neighbouring municipalities Gifu Prefecture ◦ Tajimi; ◦ Kani; ◦ Mizunami; ◦ Mitake; Aichi Prefecture ◦ Seto; ◦ Toyota.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Toki has declined gradually over the past 40 years.

History The area around Toki was part of traditional Mino Province. The history of pottery making in Toki area appears to have started more than 1300 years ago, with of Mino ware dating to the 16th century during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. During the Edo period, much of the area was tenryō territory under the direct control of Tokugawa shogunate. In the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, Toki District in Gifu Prefecture was created, and the village of Tokiguchi was established on July 1, 1889 by the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to town status on November 5, 1889 and was renamed Tokitsu. The city of Toki was incorporated on February 1, 1955, with the area formerly divided among 5 towns (Tokitsu, Oroshi, Tsumagi, Dachi, and Izumi) and 3 villages (Tsurusato, Sogi and Hida). In January 2004, a referendum held to decide whether Toki should merge with its neighbouring municipalities, the cities and town of Tajimi, Mizunami and Kasahara, failed to obtain majority support.

Economy Toki is increasing a bedroom community for nearby Gifu and Nagoya. The city is known for its production of ceramics. In Spring 2005, Toki Premium Outlets was opened on the outskirts of the city. Toki Premium Outlets is a luxury outlet mall full of name-brand stores. Besides pottery, this outlet mall is one of the biggest tourist spots. The city is home to the Large Helical Device, a stellarator investigating plasma physics with an eye towards fusion power generation.

Transport: Rail • - JR Central - Chūō Main Line ◦ Tokishi.

Transport: Road • Chūō Expressway • Tōkai-Kanjō Expressway • National Route 19 • National Route 21 • National Route 363.