Gifu Samurai Sword Town: Japanese Damascus Knife Making

Forge a Damascus kitchen knife in Gifu Samurai Sword Town. Learn sharpening skills and test your creation’s sharpness. Choose your perfect knife to craft.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • G. Sakai Knife Museum - Seki City in Gifu Prefecture developed as a major center for sword making as early as the 13th century thanks to rich deposits of iron sand in the local Nagaragawa River. During Edo period, there were several hundred blacksmiths producing a large number of Samurai Swords and knives. Today Seki is considered one of the…
What's Included
  • Instructor for making knife
  • Write your name on the knife
  • Damascus Knife set
  • Tool for making knife
  • Knife Museum
Additional Information

Craft and Test Your Knife
Under the guidance of skilled craftsmen, you’ll forge a stunning Damascus kitchen knife. Once completed, you’ll test its sharpness by cutting fresh vegetables, experiencing firsthand the exceptional quality of your creation. You may be amazed at just how sharp your knife is!
Learn the Art of Sharpening
Throughout the…

Location
G. Sakai Knife Museum
At Knife Museum which is Canadian style log house just next to G.SAKAI's factory.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(24 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Ashley
Sep 2, 2025
Highlight of our trip to Japan - We traveled from the US and wanted to get custom Japanese knives, yet also be part of the experience in making them. This far exceeded our expectations and became the highlight of our trip! Supine, Hiro and Yoshi were amazing people, and Sumi is so talented- he even made us drawings to remember our experience. We are completely blown away by the experience. If you're even considering this as an option, you MUST do it! Its not just a knife, it's a lifetime memory and a family heirloom we will keep forever!! Thank you Sumi, Hiro and Yoshi- we will never forget this experience! You are wonderful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Etoiledusahara
Jul 16, 2025
A highlight of my trip to Japan: Making my own Damascene knife! - I would like to thank Sumi and Yoshi for this incredibly great experience in making my own Japan knife. It was one of the highlights of my 6 week trip to Japan for me. Everything worked perfectly: from the reservation, pick-up to the end. The two experts have prepared everything precisely and explained each step of knife production in an easy to understand way. The fantastic Damascene knife decorated with my first name will remind me of this wonderful experience every day when using it. Sumi and Yoshi were generous, gracious hosts and I had a lot of fun with the two. If you value an individual, personal event, you are in the right place. I can highly recommend this workshop! Don't miss it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adrien
Jun 19, 2025
Superb activity - Exceptional welcome, Sumi, Hiro and Yoshi guided us through the different stages. Activity in several parts very clear, they take the time to explain everything to us in a very warm atmosphere. I recommend anyone passing through Seki to go there
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sydneywb4347xh
Jun 16, 2025
2025-06 Experience - Hiro San was very accommodating and responsive. He picked me up at the train stop as mentioned and drove me to the sword making site. I had 2 instructors who walked me through the whole process, they all spoke English so it made learning very easy. I got to choose the type of knife which was good, as I was looking for a chef knife. Great and friendly staff, I will probably come back with some friends to make a different knife next time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Talk2her
Jun 14, 2025
Highlight of our time in Japan! - My husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary with a trip to Japan. The highlight of our entire trip was making knives with Sumi and Yoshi! My husband purchased a few knives that he added to his collection. Yoshi boxed the knives we made and the ones we purchased so we could ship them home easily. After they treated us to lunch, Hiro took us to the Samurai Sword museum and saw in detail how a Samurai Sword is custom-made. Well worth the cost of the tour! We had a fabulous time. Great for those who love or even no interest in knives!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sander
May 26, 2025
Fun and educational experience to make your own kitchen knife - It was a very nice experience where you get to finish your own knife. You will learn polishing the bowls and the knife itself. You will also learn how to sharpen your knife on the whetstone. The people who guide you are also super friendly, and afterwards you have your own damascus kitchen knife where you have also put your name. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V5222hbchristopherw
May 23, 2025
Friendly staff and a unique experience - Hiro, Sumi, and Yoshi were all great and very friendly. Also a kind lady made us tea. English speaking friendly. Would definitely recommend it as a early day activity. Getting to and from was a little confusing but definitely worth it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alyssa
May 20, 2025
Memorable Experience - One of our favorite things we did visiting Japan. Yoshi, Sumi, and Hiro were fantastic guides to showing and explaining to us how to create our very own knives from polishing to etching our names and to sharpening the final product. The train getting there was also fun and nice to be away from the busy and noisy cities. We will never forget the awesome experience of creating our very own kitchen knife, highly recommended to do it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E1709talucc
May 15, 2025
A great day - We really enjoyed the experience. Hiro, Sumi and Yoshi were very friendly. The atmosphere was very friendly and the visit very interesting. It is a very good surprise that ous highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heloisec792
Apr 29, 2025
A good time - Great experience, I was very well received by the team and guided throughout the making of my knife (polishing, handle assembly, writing, blade aging, sharpening), all in benevolence and laughter. I was also able to visit the katana factory and leave with (in addition to my knife) many little presents. Be careful this experience does not include metal forging (which will be a real plus) or lunch at lunch.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $237
up to 5 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).