Asano Kajiya Knife Making: Forge Your Own Samurai Knife with a Certified Swordsmith in Gifu

Overview

Book a samurai knife making experience with Rakuten Travel Experiences at the best rates online!* Make a Japanese knife at Asano Kajiya, the atelier of a genuine Japanese swordsmith. Based in Gifu Prefecture, Asano Taro is certified by the Japanese government, and one of the few artisans still practicing authentic Japanese sword forging today. Visit a Gifu sword making expert for the closest thing to forging your own knife in Japan in 1 day!

While you’re exploring Gifu Prefecture, don't miss the breathtaking ride up the Shinhotaka Ropeway!

Highlights

• Book online to secure one of the limited available dates at Asano Kajiya
• You can bring your own materials for a more personalized experience
• Learn 'kajiya,' the ancient art of the samurai blacksmith, with a certified artisan
• Easily accessible at just about 30 minutes by bullet train from Kyoto
• Book with a Rakuten account to earn or use Rakuten Points!

Important Information

• As of May 2025, our price of 41,000–58,000 JPY per participant and 5,000 JPY for spectators is equal or less than any other booking site. Please note direct bookings are not possible.

If you come up at a different time than you reserved, you will be charged an additional fee for the experience

We refer to the email from Rakuten to confirm your reservation time

We can accept only a limited number of people each month, so we recommend making your reservations early

The "Add-on for Spectators" option is not available for more people than will participate in the knife-making experience. (e.g., 1 person to experience, 3 visitors, etc.)

Please arrive at Gifu-Hashima Station via Tokaido Shinkansen before 08:50

You will be greeted at the North Exit by someone holding a sign reading "Make Your Own Samurai Knife"

If you cannot arrive before 8:50, please contact emergency contact number. Please arrive before 10:00 at the latest to participate from that point; after that time, it will be automatically canceled

There is always some risk of getting burnt, so please be very careful and follow all instructions; we cannot assume responsibility in case of injury

To participate during holiday seasons, a private charter booking is required: choose an option marked "Holiday Season" and the required add-on "Private Plan Upgrade"

— New Year holidays: December 28, 2024–January 3, 2025

— Golden Week holiday: April 29–May 5, 2025

We will close the workshop during August 3–24, 2025 due to overseas travel

• Please contact the host directly for any urgent matters, such as being late. (+81) 090-9944-1792 (ASANOKAJIYA)

What to Bring

Long-sleeved outfit

Long pants made of cotton

Meeting Point

North Exit of Gifu Hashima Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen

Venue Address

Gifu Hashima Station, 645-1 Fukujusho Hirakata, Hashima, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, 501-6257

Schedule

• Sample Itinerary

  08:50 — Pick-up at Gifu-Hashima Station*

  09:00–12:00 — Forge the knife at the atelier

  12:00–13:00 — Lunch

  13:00–14:00 — Shape the knife at the atelier

  14:00–15:00 — Complete the knife

  15:00–15:30 — Experience ends; drop-off at Gifu-Hashima Station

  Please arrive at Gifu-Hashima Station by Tokaido Shinkansen before 08:50

Cancellation Policy

No-show: You pay 100% of experience price

8 days before: You pay 100% of experience price

Description

Learning to make a knife usually takes about 10 years of practiced apprenticeship — making a katana or samurai sword takes even longer. But on this Japanese knife-making experience at Asano Kajiya you'll get a crash course in the basics in just a single day! Learn and experience the traditional craft of Japanese bladesmithing for yourself; then, when you're done, you can take your newly forged knife home with you.

You will use the same tools used for Japanese sword making to forge a knife in the morning. Take a lunch break at the smithy, then complete the activity by shaping the knife in the afternoon. Below is a sample itinerary for this experience:

08:50 — Pick-up at Gifu-Hashima Station

09:00–12:00 — Forge the knife at the atelier

12:00–13:00 — Lunch

13:00–14:00 — Shape the knife at the atelier

14:00–15:00 — Complete the knife

15:00–15:30 — Experience ends; drop-off at Gifu-Hashima Station

Your host will prepare a lunch for you. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions. If you would like to eat something special, you can bring it with you.

The number of lunch options purchased should be equal to or lower than the total number of participants as lunch is included in the price of the knife-making activity. Please book the lunch-only option for those who will not participate in the knife-making activity.

Transportation

Take the Shinkansen bullet train to Gifu-Hashima Station. A free pick-up service is available from Gifu-Hashima Station to transport you to the experience location. Please refrain from going direct to the venue, since we will meet all participants at the train station first.

Approximate times from major cities:

Kyoto: 30 minutes

Tokyo: 110 minutes

Nagoya: 10 minutes

Osaka: 50 minutes

If you're coming by car, exit highway at Meishin Highway Gifu-Hashima IC and drive for 3 minutes to the station. Be sure to contact us in advance if coming by car.