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
Key Information
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
Booking (4 steps)
Duration
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
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.
