Going to Japan for a week in July, need recs for knife shops to visit

[WiscoNole]

I'm interested in visiting a smith/shop where knives are produced, preferably a higher-end maker. Who is open to tours or showings or whatever you want to call it, and how would I set that up? I know almost nothing about this sort of thing, and I know there are people here, like Jon, who can help me with this.

 

[orange]

I'm interested in visiting a smith/shop where knives are produced, preferably a higher-end maker. Who is open to tours or showings or whatever you want to call it, and how would I set that up? I know almost nothing about this sort of thing, and I know there are people here, like Jon, who can help me with this.

If I were in your shoes, I would visit
1. kato and ask him for your custom knife (something like damascus clad yanagi)
2. hinoura and ask him for your custom knife
3. nenohi at tsukiji if you are into a honyaki

 

[Timthebeaver]

If I were in your shoes, I would visit
1. kato and ask him for your custom knife (something like damascus clad yanagi)
2. hinoura and ask him for your custom knife
3. nenohi at tsukiji if you are into a honyaki

Not sure if serious.

 

[pkjames]

not saying it is impossible, but you are most likely not able to see any of this without someone in the industry locally to help you out.

 

[Tall Dark and Swarfy]

Takefu Knife Village might be a place to start? They have various workshops up to 12 hours of hands on instruction.

Cheers,

Rick

 

[ecchef]

Matt, let me know if you're planning to visit Masamoto Sohonten.