An ink receiving device C for an ink jet printer includes: an ink receptacle which receives ink discharged from nozzles of ink jet heads; and a support member which supports the ink receptacle in a manner to enable the ink receptacle to move horizontally. The ink receptacle is enabled by the support member to move horizontally to three positions including: a standby position at which the ink receptacle does not disturb the ink jet heads from printing on a print medium; an ink receiving position which is below the ink discharging surfaces of the ink jet heads and at which the ink receptacle receives ink discharged for a purpose other than printing; and a maintenance position which is different from the ink receiving position and the standby position and at which a maintenance work of the ink receptacle is performed.