Discover the living craftsmanship of Seki, one of Japan’s historic blade-making cities, through a hands-on Damascus kitchen knife-making experience at G.SAKAI.
This tour is more than a simple workshop or sightseeing visit. You will help complete your own Damascus kitchen knife, engrave your name on the blade, test its sharpness, and take it home on the same day. It is a rare opportunity to bring home a beautiful, practical, and personal Japanese knife that you can actually use for many years.
Guided by an experienced master craftsman with over 50 years of knife-making expertise, you will take part in the key finishing steps of your knife, including assembly, polishing, sharpening, finishing, and name engraving. Each guest is guided patiently, step by step, at their own pace, making the experience comfortable even for beginners.
One of the highlights is the sharpness test. First, the craftsman will show how smoothly a finished Japanese knife cuts paper with almost no force. After finishing your own knife, you will test your own blade in the same way and feel the quality of a knife made in Seki.
You can choose your favorite kitchen knife style from four popular types: Santoku, Gyuto, Nakiri, and Bunka. Santoku is a versatile all-purpose knife, Gyuto is ideal for slicing meat and vegetables, Nakiri is designed for vegetable preparation, and Bunka is known for its distinctive shape and Japanese character. Choosing your own knife makes the experience more personal and memorable.
During the tour, you will also enjoy a Japanese lunch featuring local specialties at a well-known local restaurant. This adds another enjoyable part to the day and gives you a taste of Gifu’s local food culture.
You will also visit the Knife Museum next to G.SAKAI’s factory, where you can see rare knives, cutlery, and blade-related exhibits from Japan and around the world. Depending on the day, you may also get a closer look at the world of modern Japanese knife craftsmanship.
Seki is easy to visit as a day trip from Nagoya. It can also be added to a travel route from Kyoto or Osaka via Nagoya with an early start. This experience is especially recommended as a unique craft stop before continuing to Gero Onsen, Takayama, or Nakatsugawa / Magome-juku on the historic Nakasendo Trail route.
At the end of the experience, you will take home your own personalized Damascus kitchen knife, a certificate of completion, and a meaningful memory from Japan.
This tour is especially recommended for food lovers, chefs, culture seekers, design enthusiasts, and travelers looking for an authentic hands-on experience beyond ordinary sightseeing. If you are looking for something personal, practical, and unforgettable, this knife-making experience in Seki will become one of the most special memories of your journey in Japan.
