Knife Japan Guide is an independent guide to knife-making, forging and sharpening workshops in Japan. We help travellers choose between very different experiences — a forge in Kyoto, a finishing workshop in Tokyo, a blacksmith tour in Sakai — with clear prices, durations and practical advice.
Who we are
Kenji Arai grew up in Sakai, Osaka, among blacksmith workshops and sharpening stalls. Claire Morgan is a food and travel writer based in Kyoto. Together we write for travellers who love cooking and craftsmanship and want an honest answer to a simple question: where should I make my knife?
How we compare workshops
- We only list experiences that travellers can actually book.
- We distinguish forging (you hammer the steel), finishing (sharpening, handle, engraving) and tours.
- We check prices, durations, languages and access every 30 days and date every update.
- Our rankings are editorial: no workshop pays to be listed or ranked.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links to GetYourGuide. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our recommendations — several workshops we recommend, such as rural forges booked directly, earn us nothing.
Contact
Spotted a price change, a closed workshop or a new forge worth adding? Write to us at hello@example-knife-japan.com.
Start with our guide to the best knife-making workshops in Japan.