Japanese Sword Forge Tour & Knife Making in Kameoka, Kyoto
Overview
Visit a sword forge in Kyoto, learn how Japanese swords are made, and create your own knife!
Highlights
- Visit an authentic sword forge in Kyoto
- Meet and listen to a sword smith, only two left in Kyoto Prefecture
- Learn traditional technique of katana making
- Create your own survival knife by heating and hammering
Key Information
Description
This tour lets you visit one of the two remaining katana-making studios in Kyoto Prefecture. You can not only see and hold real katanas but also learn to appreciate them. Discover how their shapes have changed over time and understand why Japanese people have cherished them even after they became obsolete as weapons with the advent of guns. All this will be explained directly by the smith. After watching a live demonstration by the smith, you will forge your own original survival knife, guided by the smith himself. It will be crafted using traditional knife forging techniques. Listening to the explanations provided during each step will help you realize the maturity and refinement of these techniques that have been handed down over centuries. This experience is available to beginners, and you can take your knife with you on the same day. The studio is accessible via a 30-minute train ride and a 30-minute taxi ride from the center of Kyoto. You will make the knife, and the smith will provide a leather cover for it. Don't miss this wonderful sword-making opportunity when you are in Kyoto, especially if you are looking for an extraordinary experience to enjoy during your visit!