Real Samurai Sword Making Full-Day Experience in Gifu
Overview
Make a Japanese samurai sword of your very own, in a full-day workshop with expert swordsmiths in Gifu, central Japan!
Craft a sword under expert guidance, with English support every step of the way. From cutting charcoal for the forge to hammering, forging, quenching, sharpening, and more — by day's end you’ll know the process from start to finish with real hands-on experience.
The master smiths of the forge will sharpen and register the blade later, and ship to you when it’s complete. Our standard plan makes a “tanto” shortsword up to 30 cm long. Choose an add-on option to make a wakizashi, katana, or tachi up to 80 cm!
We also offer these experiences: • Kozuka Samurai Knife Making Experience • Japanese Kitchen Knife Making Experience • Sword Forge Tour and "Otsuchi" Hammering
Highlights
- Create a real Japanese sword blade of your very own with an expert swordsmith
- Experience the key steps of the process for an in-depth authentic experience
- Personalize the blade with your own unique pattern and name engraving
- Includes convenient shuttle pickup service and delivery of the finished blade
- Book with a Rakuten account to earn or use points for each reservation!
Key Information
Important Information
- Participants must be aged 10+
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- This experience is charged per blade: 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 unless otherwise noted
- Pickup also offered from lodgings within 20 minutes drive of Swordsmith Masaya
Blade registration
- Price includes registration of the blade; a certificate will be provided with domestic delivery
- Due to the Firearms and Swords Possession Control Act, the swordsmith will engrave their own name on the sword; it is possible to also engrave the participant's name
- The owner's name, address, and phone number are required for the registration and for shipping the finished product; please provide this when booking
- We will shop to the address provided on booking, unless instructed otherwise
- Anyone in Japan can own the sword if you keep the registration certificate; if exporting the sword, the registration card must be returned and cannot be shipped overseas
- Since both registration and sharpening are required after you finish the workshop, it will take 6 to 9 months to deliver the sword
Delivery
- Price includes delivery within Japan; for international shipping, please consult us about costs
- International delivery carries charges for packaging, shipping, export application fees, and customs clearance
- Shipping is not be possible to some countries; please inquire
Booking
Description
Immerse in the ancient art of Japanese sword-making with this full-day workshop in Gifu. Guided by a master swordsmith, with English support, you'll craft a short sword (tanto) with a blade length up to 30 cm.
Throughout the day, you'll engage in hands-on activities to grasp the intense process of forging a samurai sword, and touch on every step that makes your blade unique to you. This workshop includes essential steps throughout the process: cutting charcoal for the forge, hammering tamahagane steel, forging, shaping, applying clay for the unique blade pattern, quenching, and initial sharpening.
For those interested in creating larger swords, options to craft wakizashi, katana, or tachi are available as well.
After the workshop, the blade will undergo final sharpening by the experts and essential registration. Then we will have it delivered to your home along with a registration certificate and acrylic display case with stand.
Sword Blade with Stand
You can also replace the display case with “habaki” fitting and wooden “shirasaya” storage sheath for a more traditional display.
Sword Blade with Shirayasa
Or, opt for the full fittings including the sheath, handle, and "tsuba" guard.
Sword with all Fittings
The workshop fee includes all costs for registration, packaging, and shipping within Japan. Please note that international shipping may incur additional fees and require verification of import regulations in your country.
