Gifu Samurai Sword Town;Japanese Damascus Knife Making Experience

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

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 knife-making process, you'll learn the essential skill of knife sharpening. This knowledge ensures you can easily maintain the razor-sharp edge of your knife, keeping it in prime condition for years to come.

Choose Your Perfect Knife

Select from three distinct types of knives to craft:

Japanese Damascus Kitchen Knife: Ideal for everyday culinary use.

Folding Damascus Hunting Knife: A versatile and portable option for outdoor enthusiasts.

Chinese Damascus Kitchen Knife: Perfect for traditional Chinese cooking techniques.

(Note: Prices vary based on the type of knife chosen.)

Join us for a memorable and educational experience.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

You can easily join for a day trip, roughly 1.5~2 hours by train from Kyoto

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Instructor for making knife

Write your name on the knife

Damascus Knife set

Tool for making knife

Knife Museum

What To Expect

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 world's three best places for cutlery manufacturing, together with Sheffield, UK, and Solingen, Germany. G.SAKAI is a leading Japanese knife producer with trade partners all over the world. The variety of their products and their high-quality knives have been acknowledged by many customers around the globe. G.SAKAI's knives are now used in various professional fields, such as cookery, hunting, outdoor sports, and something. In this activity, you will visit the Knife Museum, situated in attractive Canadian-style log house just next to G.SAKAI's factory. There you will see interesting rare items and cutlery exhibits from all over the world. Next you will enter the factory and see how quality of Japanese knives are made nowadays. Finally you will construct your own knife in the atelier by assembling, polishing, sharpening and writing your name on it with knife craftsman.

Options

Make your Japanese Damascus knife in Samurai Sword town of Gifu

Pickup included

Make a Damascus hunting knife

Make a Damascus Hunting Knife: You can choose another type of knife also

Make a Chinese Damascus knife

Make a Chinese Damascus Knife: You can choose a Damascus Chinese Kitchen Knife also.
Pickup included

Reviews

4.96

27 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

One of the best activities in Japan!!
R6829LJcjm,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An absolutely amazing experience!! The team you work with for making the knife is extremely kind and very helpful. They guide you through the whole experience and make you laugh and smile the whole time. We had a scheduled time for 10:30am and the time flew by. They even took us to a very tasty lunch where we had delicious sushi and got to take photos with the chef. With all that included, we ended up finishing around 2:30pm. 10/10, would recommend to anyone considering having a fun and unique activity while in Japan.
Unforgettable Experiences
R2119VZlauraz,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our family had a wonderful experience! Totally exceeded our expectations with such kind, expert attention and patient instructions resulting in an unforgettable time. We will cherish our ultra-sharp knives every time we use them, and remember fond times with Yoshi-San, Hiro- San, and Sumi-San. - Les, Laura , Alex and Dan.
Very good experience
941sylvies,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great time making our knives. Mood was very nice and we learned a lot. Really an experiment to do.
Highlight of our trip to Japan
Ashley L,
Sep 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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!
A highlight of my trip to Japan: Making my own Damascene knife!
etoiledusahara,
Jul 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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!
Superb activity
Adrien M,
Jun 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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
2025-06 Experience
sydneywB4347XH,
Jun 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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!
Highlight of our time in Japan!
talk2her,
Jun 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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!
Fun and educational experience to make your own kitchen knife
Sander v,
May 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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
Friendly staff and a unique experience
V5222HBchristopherw,
May 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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!