Japanese Kitchen Knife Making Experience with Swordsmiths in Gifu

Overview

• Book an incredible Japanese knife-making experience in Gifu with expert guidance from master samurai swordsmiths!

  Make your own customized Japanese kitchen knife at a real forge, to take home and treasure forever. Includes English support, with pick-up and drop-off from the nearest train station.

  We also offer these in-depth bladesmithing experiences:

  Real Samurai Sword Making Full-Day Experience
• Samurai Kozuka Knife Making Experience
• Sword Forge Tour and "Otsuchi" Hammering Experience

Highlights

• English-speaking staff support you at each step
• Personalize your knife with your own blade pattern and name engraving
• Learn to make a Japanese kitchen knife using traditional techniques
• Book with a Rakuten account to earn or use points for each reservation!
• Convenient pick-up service from the JR Mino-Ota Station

Important Information

Participants must be aged 10+

Children must be accompanied by an adult

This experience is charged per knife: spectators and extra participants may join for free, but please tell us the total number of people when booking

Cautions

This experience takes place at a real forge: please follow the instructions of staff at all times

Sparks and charcoal dust may fly within the forge: please wear clothes that are easy to move in, which you don't mind getting dirty or damaged

We assume no liability for any injury or damage to belongs

Although this is held indoors, the forge is not an enclosed space, so please dress for cold weather in winter and take measures against heat stroke in summer

Access

Coming by car: 10 minutes from Minokamo IC or Tomikaseki IC on the Tokai Kanjo Expressway

Coming by train: 15 minutes by taxi from JR Mino-Ota Station

Pickup from JR Mino-Ota Station is free for groups of up to 5; meet by 08:45 (mornings) or 12:45 (afternoons) unless otherwise noted

Pickup also offered from lodgings within 20 minutes drive of Swordsmith Masaya

What to Bring

Clothes that are easy to move in, that you don't mind getting dirty or damaged

Warm clothes in winter or cool clothes in summer

Sweat towel (recommended)

Meeting Point

Katanakaji Masaya (Swordsmith Masaya) or JR Mino-Ota Station (pickup for up to 5 people)

Venue Address

912-1 Kajita, Tomika Town, Kamo District, Seki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, 501-3301

Schedule

• Starts from 09:00 or 13:00 (mornings only if the forge tour add-on is selected)

Introduction to Japanese knife-making

Shaping the blade with a hammer

Applying clay for the blade pattern

Attaching and sharpening the blade

Engraving your name on the knife

• Lasts about 3–4 hours including breaks
• Groups making 3+ knives will take longer than smaller groups
• Depending on the day, we may be able to adjust by around one hour, so please contact us if you have any requests

Cancellation Policy

Non-refundable after you booked

Description

Join us for an immersive workshop where you'll learn to craft a traditional Japanese kitchen knife under the guidance of a master swordsmith. Using the same high-quality "tamahagane" steel as Japanese swords, you'll shape the blade with a hammer, apply clay for the unique blade pattern, and finish by sharpening and engraving your name on the knife.

This hands-on experience is both challenging and rewarding, but don't worry — our expert swordsmith will assist you throughout the process, making it accessible even for those who may not be confident in their strength. Feel free to capture the entire process with photos and videos to remember your unique creation.

The workshop fee covers the creation of one knife, but multiple participants can work together on a single knife if desired. For groups making three or more knives, please allow extra time or consider an earlier start. We also offer a convenient pick-up service from JR Mino Ota Station to make your visit hassle-free.

Access

• Coming by car: 10 minutes from Minokamo IC or Tomikaseki IC on the Tokai Kanjo Expressway

  Coming by train: 15 minutes by taxi from JR Mino-Ota Station

  Pickup from JR Mino-Ota Station is free for groups of up to 5; meet by 08:45 (mornings) or 12:45 (afternoons) unless otherwise noted

  Pickup also offered from lodgings within 20 minutes drive of Swordsmith Masaya

  Booking (5 steps)

  1

  Check availability and select date

  Select Date

  2

  Choose your option

  Japanese Kitchen Knife Smithing

  67,000 JPY

  Duration

  4 hours

  Included

  Smithing experience at a samurai sword forge

  Japanese kitchen knife

  Not Included

  Training tour add-on option

  Final sharpening add-on option

  Special knife add-on option

  What to Bring

  Clothes that are easy to move in, that you don't mind getting dirty or damaged

  Warm clothes in winter or cool clothes in summer

  Sweat towel (recommended)

  Meeting Point

  Katanakaji Masaya (Swordsmith Masaya) or JR Mino-Ota Station (pickup for up to 5 people)

  Venue Address

  912-1 Kajita, Tomika Town, Kamo District, Seki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, 501-3301

  Schedule

  Starts from 09:00 or 13:00 (mornings only if the forge tour add-on is selected)

Introduction to Japanese knife-making

Shaping the blade with a hammer

Applying clay for the blade pattern

Attaching and sharpening the blade

Engraving your name on the knife

• Lasts about 3–4 hours including breaks
• Groups making 3+ knives will take longer than smaller groups
• Depending on the day, we may be able to adjust by around one hour, so please contact us if you have any requests

Provided by

Swordsmith Masaya

3

Choose your start time

Select start time

4

Select units or quantity

Select units or quantity

5

Select Add-ons

Finishing Sharpening

Item

30,000 JPY

Price per knife

0

Duration

: 3 hours

Included

A sharpening experience that brings your knife to the final usable state. You can also perform artistic sharpening like that of a Japanese sword. The experience will last approximately 3 hours.

Provided by

Swordsmith Masaya

Special Knife

Person

20,000 JPY

Price per knife

0

Included

Request a specific blade length (over 20cm), width, or thickness

Provided by

Swordsmith Masaya

Forge Tour

Group

25,000 JPY

Price per group (up to 6 people).Additional charges for 7 or more people

0

Duration

: 1 hour

Included

Add a tour of the sword forge for half price.

Provided by

Swordsmith Masaya

Cancellation Policy

Non-refundable after you booked

Description

Join us for an immersive workshop where you'll learn to craft a traditional Japanese kitchen knife under the guidance of a master swordsmith. Using the same high-quality "tamahagane" steel as Japanese swords, you'll shape the blade with a hammer, apply clay for the unique blade pattern, and finish by sharpening and engraving your name on the knife.

This hands-on experience is both challenging and rewarding, but don't worry — our expert swordsmith will assist you throughout the process, making it accessible even for those who may not be confident in their strength. Feel free to capture the entire process with photos and videos to remember your unique creation.

The workshop fee covers the creation of one knife, but multiple participants can work together on a single knife if desired. For groups making three or more knives, please allow extra time or consider an earlier start. We also offer a convenient pick-up service from JR Mino Ota Station to make your visit hassle-free.