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Samurai Knife Making Experience
5.0
15 Ratings
Seki
Craft your own Damascus steel kitchen knife, explore Samurai history, and test your creation. Join this unique, hands-on cultural adventure.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Knife Museum - Create Your Own Samurai Knife at the Knife Museum in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. Discover a variety of rare and unique knives from around the globe. Enjoy a hands-on experience crafting your own knife with a skilled artisan, making it a memorable Japanese keepsake. G.SAKAI, a leading Japanese knife manufacturer, partners with global traders. Their diverse, high-quality knives are recognized worldwide, showcased at the 2017 Milan trade fair “Salone del Mobile Milano,” a premier event for the furnishing and design sector. G.SAKAI’s knives are utilized in various professional fields, including culinary arts, hunting, outdoor sports, and military training. During this activity, you’ll visit the Knife Museum adjacent to G.SAKAI’s factory, where you’ll see fascinating rare items and exhibits from around the world. You’ll assemble, polish, sharpen, and personalize your own knife in the atelier.
- Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum - At the Swordsmith Museum, delve into the rich history of Samurai and Japanese swords. Seki City in Gifu Prefecture emerged as a significant sword-making hub as early as the 13th century, thanks to abundant iron sand deposits in the local Nagara River. During the Edo period, hundreds of blacksmiths produced numerous Samurai swords and knives.
- Gifu Cutlery Hall - Seki City in Gifu is one of the world’s top three cutlery-producing regions and boasts the highest cutlery production volume in Japan. Seki’s cutlery tradition spans over 700 years, blending time-honored techniques with modern technology to create high-quality, functional, and beautifully designed blades. You might discover something new here.
- Seki Zenko-ji Temple - Founded in the mid-18th century, this temple is home to “The Great Bell” and “The Tour of the Kaidan,” both significant in Japanese history and tradition. You can ring the bell and enjoy its resonant tones. The temple also features a kaidan, a sacred dark passageway beneath the main hall. Kaidan, meaning a Buddhist ordination platform, is believed to purify the mind and body, leading followers to enlightenment. A visit here promises a blessing of happiness.
What's Included
- Lunch
- Professional knife instructor
- Knife making set
- Museum admission fee
- English guide
Additional Information
Create Your Own Kitchen Knife Experience
Discover the art of crafting your own kitchen knife with a personalized touch by engraving your handwritten name on a stunning Damascus steel blade. This unique tour goes beyond a simple visit to a tourist spot, offering participants a deeply meaningful and satisfying experience.
Crafting Your Unique Knife
Collaborate with skilled craftsmen to create your own knife, tailored exclusively for you. Be prepared to be amazed by the exceptional cutting performance of your handmade knife.
Explore the Blacksmith Museum
Delve into the rich history of Japanese Samurai swords and Seki City at the Blacksmith Museum. Gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring value of Japanese traditions.
Test Your Knife
Put your newly crafted knife to the test by slicing through vegetable. Experience firsthand the superior quality and performance of your creation.
This tour promises an unforgettable adventure, combining hands-on craftsmanship, cultural exploration.
Location
Sekitomioka Station
We will pickup Sekitomioka Station of Nagara River Train nearest transportation from Knife Museum in Seki City.
Our driver will wait for you in front of station at 10:08AM when is arriving time of train.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(15 Ratings)
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Travel04907455668
Aug 19, 2024
Best day in Japan - This time spent in Seki was exceptional. The experience was very interesting and highly enjoyable, even for my Mrs which is not especially into knives.
The kindness of our host was beyond any expectations. We had such a great time, with a lot of laugh and we can only recommend to anyone to grab the opportunity to do this experience.
If you are interested in knives it will be a must do experience, and if knives don't interest you that much it will still truly be a very enjoyable trip that you will remember. It was probably one of our best day trip in Japan.
Thanks again to Hiro and Sakai-san for their huge sense of hospitality and their kindness. We feel blessed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y2499pnmarkh
Aug 6, 2024
Experienced and Welcoming Team - I enjoyed learning how these types of knives are made. It was fun and I felt like an old friend of theirs when I visited. I will treasure the knife I made and use it frequently at home.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Camper32538416667
Jul 30, 2024
Amazing experience and warm people - The experience was extraordinary! Even though I was not fluent in Japanese, Sumio, Yoshi, and Hiro accompanies and guided me with great patience and kindness throughout the whole knife-making process. It's very interesting to be able to customize our own messages on the knife and the final result really was a piece of art! Moreover, I appreciate all the friendly and relaxing conversations we had together, which definitely makes for a delighting unforgettable memory in Japan.
The treat after was also fabulous. The experience of dining in the local Japanese restaurant was very unique and I would never have gotten the chance were it not for the tour guided. Thanks Sumio, Yoshi and Hiro again for everything in Gifu. Highly recommend visiting this place if you want to have an in-depth travel experience in Japan!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
731rufush
Jun 29, 2024
Beautiful experience and wonderful people! - This was one of my best experiences in Japan! I was led through all the steps of making my own knife with great patience and knowledge. The result was a wonderful damascus folding knife, engraved with my name, that makes me proud of the accomplishment. The experience is unique and couldn’t have been better. The people are so nice that it makes the experience a wonderful precious memory. Don’t be discouraged about the location, that is a bit inconvenient. I guarantee you won’t regret it. This will be one of the best experiences you will ever have!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carlgraham_d
Jun 22, 2024
Wonderful day! - The Samurai Knife Making Experience was exceptional. I honestly count this experience as very special. The hosts Sumio, Yoshi, and Hiro were very kind and good company, the instruction was clear and the finishing of my new knife was good fun. I also very much enjoyed the subsequent lunch locally (the best tempura ever!) and museum tour of the Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum, etc.
Thank you so much Sumio, Yoshi and Hiro!
Review provided by Viator
Grandtour53114129917
Jun 21, 2024
A wonderful experience - The Samurai Knife Making Experience was exceptional. I honestly count this experience as very special. The hosts Sumio, Yoshi, and Hiro were very kind and good company, the instruction was clear and the finishing of my new knife was good fun. I also very much enjoyed the subsequent lunch locally (the best tempura ever!) and museum tour of the Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum, etc. with Hiro.
Thank you so much Sumio, Yoshi and Hiro!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trail27615901784
Jun 13, 2024
Amazing experience knife making - Amazing hospitality right from when we arrived at the shop. The owners took time to explain even though we only understood English. Very patient with the entire process and fun conversations throughout. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C
Jun 9, 2024
Knives, laughs, and lifelong memories - Sumio, Yoshi, and Hiro made this experience one to remember for a lifetime!! The knives were a bonus. My son and I had such fun creating a knife under the direction of Sumio. Creating our own knife from an already forged blade base, grinding our own handle, sharpening the blade, then assembling, this experience was well worth every minute. Yoshi made us feel at home and took care of taking photos, ensuring our memories were captured. Hiro was our hero picking us up and showing us all the museum gems, taking us to meet a katana maker, and taking us to an amazing lunch! If you have a chance to visit Seki, Gifu, take time to do this experience. Thank you all again. I pray you all are well. Keep being awesome.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amanda-denniskortman
May 20, 2024
Experience of a liftime - The decades of experience where clearly visible. Thank you so much for the time and Guidance. It was an experience of a lifetime for us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael
Apr 3, 2024
Absolutely incredible - What an amazing experience!
Got to learn so much new information about knives and the history of smithing in japan, all while having lots of laughs and great chats along the way.
Definitely a favorite experience of my trip, and something I will never forget!
10/10 will be back
Review provided by Tripadvisor
