Guide to Knife Shopping in Japan?

[wetsox311]

Hey all,

Taking a trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) and wondering if anyone had any advice on how to go about shopping for a knife. I don't have any specific need, want more of a special, souvenir type knife but not sure what I'll be finding. Any advice for my trip?

Another question, if you were going, what is one knife you would be looking to bring home?
I would love to come home with something like a Konosuke Fujiyama, but i'm assuming they're just as hard to find there as they are in the US market.

 

[Ochazuke]

Counter question: do you speak any Japanese? If not, you'll be better served heading to the more touristy spots since they usually have English speaking staff on hand. Also the domestic market has less emphasis on fit and finish, so you're more likely to find something like a Fujiyama here in the states than in Japan.

 

[wetsox311]

No, I don't speak any Japanese.

Thanks for the insight!

Should I be looking for certain makers? Is there any issue of fakes or low quality knives for sale?

 

[Ochazuke]

So in Osaka there's Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide in kitchenware street. I know they recently hired in some younger folks who are much better at English and social media and they had pretty decent stuff last time I was there (2019, so take this with a grain of salt). For Tokyo there's also all the famous shops around Tsukiji (where the famous fish market used to be). Last time I was there there were also staffed with English speakers.

Your chances of getting to visit a maker as a non-Japanese speaker are pretty low since few handle all of the various processes in-house and deal directly with the public. There's usually various craftsmen involved in the forging, sharpening, handle making, etc and then the knives are usually sold to a retailer or wholesaler after that who put their own brand on it.

In that regard, as long as you go to any mainstream shop your chances of getting "counterfeit" are pretty low.

 

[dragjp]

For Tokyo I'd say check out the Kappabashi(かっぱ橋道具街) area where quite some knife stores were opened recently with English speaking stuff, and it's a fun district to visit for kitchen lovers.

 

[ethompson]

The Hitohira store front would probably be a good bet

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

Paging @Wabisabi-Ken ...

 

[blokey]

Always want to get some Tsujiki Masamoto, they are hard to get here and I heard good things about them.

 

[superworrier]

The Hitohira store front would probably be a good bet

FYI I hear this is less of a retail store and more of an appointments-only showroom. It's also not really in central Tokyo.
FWIW, Kama Asa has a store on Kappabashi and they have Tanaka/Myojin knives listed on their site (so same pair as Fujiyama).

 

[ethompson]

FYI I hear this is less of a retail store and more of an appointments-only showroom. It's also not really in central Tokyo.
FWIW, Kama Asa has a store on Kappabashi and they have Tanaka/Myojin knives listed on their site (so same pair as Fujiyama).

Disregard then!

 

[superworrier]

FWIW I heard this before but I just looked online and it seems they have regular hours posted. Best to inquire directly, but kappabashi ultimately has more stores and Hitohira will probably just carry stuff you can already buy.

 

[superworrier]

Would love to hear your findings after the trip, OP. It's always helpful to hear new perspectives especially since things change over time.

 

[wetsox311]

Thank you all for the great words of advice! Will definitely make my way around Kappabashi and the other areas mentioned. If I had more time I would have done the trip to Echizen or Sakai but unfortunately not this time. Will report back!

 

[spaceconvoy]

Personally if I wanted one knife as a souvenir I'd go to Aritsugu in Kyoto. It's in the dead center of the Nishiki Market pedestrian street so it'll fit better into your sightseeing than making a trek to a more utilitarian restaurant store district. Plus they'll engrave it for you

 

[enchappo]

Personally if I wanted one knife as a souvenir I'd go to Aritsugu in Kyoto. It's in the dead center of the Nishiki Market pedestrian street so it'll fit better into your sightseeing than making a trek to a more utilitarian restaurant store district. Plus they'll engrave it for you

I have Shigeharu in Kyoto and Ichimonji Mitsuhide in Osaka on my itinerary for a trip in July. Mitsuhide is a bit out of the way I think, and might mean a specfic trip to visit it, but Shigeharu is right near Nijo castle.

 

[Mute-on]

I have Shigeharu in Kyoto and Ichimonji Mitsuhide in Osaka on my itinerary for a trip in July. Mitsuhide is a bit out of the way I think, and might mean a specfic trip to visit it, but Shigeharu is right near Nijo castle.

+1 for Shigeharu. Have bought about four knives there over the years, though not since around 2018. Also Kikuichimonji in Kyoto - have bought Yoshiaki Fujiwara kiridashi there in the past.

 

[spaceconvoy]

I have Shigeharu in Kyoto and Ichimonji Mitsuhide in Osaka on my itinerary for a trip in July. Mitsuhide is a bit out of the way I think, and might mean a specfic trip to visit it, but Shigeharu is right near Nijo castle.

Shigeharu has very limited hours, but yeah Nijo-jo is pretty cool. Arashiyama would be my first choice if I only had one day in Kyoto, there's a lot to see in walking distance. Transportation is a huge hassle in Kyoto. Then there's the Higashiyama classics - I like going straight up the hill to Kiyomizudera then down teapot lane, wander around Gion a bit and then Kenninji. Personally feel like the golden temple and Ryoanji are a waste of time cause they take a while to get to, you see the same classic views you've seen in photos, and there's not much else around. The whole Daitokuji complex is lovely if you're into smaller gardens, also isolated and far away but worth it to me. Never really vibed with the northern Higashiyama area / philosophers path for some reason. Sanzenin in Ohara is one of my favorite places on earth. It's a trek to get to, basically a whole day thing but the whole area is picturesque.

Ichimonji is actually in my favorite area of Osaka. You'll be walking a lot, but if you start at Dotonbori you can explore the shopping streets and back alleys in Namba making your way down to Ichimonji. The worst part about that store is it's mainly the same rebranded OEM stuff you can find anywhere, but they do have some unique high end things if you have $$$. Maybe it's different nowadays. And it's seedy but I like continuing all the way down to Shinsekai. It's a weird cool vibe and they have Spa World! That place is awesome. Honestly skip any temples and the castle in Osaka, especially if you're going to Kyoto, better to soak in the street life here.

Sorry I'm rambling and reminiscing, but maybe some of this helps. Hope you have fun!

 

[Lurkernomore]

+1 for Shigeharu. Have bought about four knives there over the years, though not since around 2018. Also Kikuichimonji in Kyoto - have bought Yoshiaki Fujiwara kiridashi there in the past.

Oh cool, what did you buy from him?

 

[enchappo]

Shigeharu has very limited hours, but yeah Nijo-jo is pretty cool. Arashiyama would be my first choice if I only had one day in Kyoto, there's a lot to see in walking distance. Transportation is a huge hassle in Kyoto. Then there's the Higashiyama classics - I like going straight up the hill to Kiyomizudera then down teapot lane, wander around Gion a bit and then Kenninji. Personally feel like the golden temple and Ryoanji are a waste of time cause they take a while to get to, you see the same classic views you've seen in photos, and there's not much else around. The whole Daitokuji complex is lovely if you're into smaller gardens, also isolated and far away but worth it to me. Never really vibed with the northern Higashiyama area / philosophers path for some reason. Sanzenin in Ohara is one of my favorite places on earth. It's a trek to get to, basically a whole day thing but the whole area is picturesque.

Ichimonji is actually in my favorite area of Osaka. You'll be walking a lot, but if you start at Dotonbori you can explore the shopping streets and back alleys in Namba making your way down to Ichimonji. The worst part about that store is it's mainly the same rebranded OEM stuff you can find anywhere, but they do have some unique high end things if you have $$$. Maybe it's different nowadays. And it's seedy but I like continuing all the way down to Shinsekai. It's a weird cool vibe and they have Spa World! That place is awesome. Honestly skip any temples and the castle in Osaka, especially if you're going to Kyoto, better to soak in the street life here.

Sorry I'm rambling and reminiscing, but maybe some of this helps. Hope you have fun!

This is awesome! Love it. Exactly the type of tips I love to get.

Sorry to slightly derail the thread OP, but hopefully you can benefit from this too!

 

[Tler]

Shigeharu has very limited hours, but yeah Nijo-jo is pretty cool. Arashiyama would be my first choice if I only had one day in Kyoto, there's a lot to see in walking distance. Transportation is a huge hassle in Kyoto. Then there's the Higashiyama classics - I like going straight up the hill to Kiyomizudera then down teapot lane, wander around Gion a bit and then Kenninji. Personally feel like the golden temple and Ryoanji are a waste of time cause they take a while to get to, you see the same classic views you've seen in photos, and there's not much else around. The whole Daitokuji complex is lovely if you're into smaller gardens, also isolated and far away but worth it to me. Never really vibed with the northern Higashiyama area / philosophers path for some reason. Sanzenin in Ohara is one of my favorite places on earth. It's a trek to get to, basically a whole day thing but the whole area is picturesque.

Ichimonji is actually in my favorite area of Osaka. You'll be walking a lot, but if you start at Dotonbori you can explore the shopping streets and back alleys in Namba making your way down to Ichimonji. The worst part about that store is it's mainly the same rebranded OEM stuff you can find anywhere, but they do have some unique high end things if you have $$$. Maybe it's different nowadays. And it's seedy but I like continuing all the way down to Shinsekai. It's a weird cool vibe and they have Spa World! That place is awesome. Honestly skip any temples and the castle in Osaka, especially if you're going to Kyoto, better to soak in the street life here.

Sorry I'm rambling and reminiscing, but maybe some of this helps. Hope you have fun!

keep rambling, i'm taking notes!

+1 for Shigeharu. Have bought about four knives there over the years, though not since around 2018. Also Kikuichimonji in Kyoto - have bought Yoshiaki Fujiwara kiridashi there in the past.

great info to help OP (and me eventually) find something more collectible.

Anyone else manage a special find at a specific shop?

 

[wetsox311]

Shigeharu has very limited hours, but yeah Nijo-jo is pretty cool. Arashiyama would be my first choice if I only had one day in Kyoto, there's a lot to see in walking distance. Transportation is a huge hassle in Kyoto. Then there's the Higashiyama classics - I like going straight up the hill to Kiyomizudera then down teapot lane, wander around Gion a bit and then Kenninji. Personally feel like the golden temple and Ryoanji are a waste of time cause they take a while to get to, you see the same classic views you've seen in photos, and there's not much else around. The whole Daitokuji complex is lovely if you're into smaller gardens, also isolated and far away but worth it to me. Never really vibed with the northern Higashiyama area / philosophers path for some reason. Sanzenin in Ohara is one of my favorite places on earth. It's a trek to get to, basically a whole day thing but the whole area is picturesque.

Ichimonji is actually in my favorite area of Osaka. You'll be walking a lot, but if you start at Dotonbori you can explore the shopping streets and back alleys in Namba making your way down to Ichimonji. The worst part about that store is it's mainly the same rebranded OEM stuff you can find anywhere, but they do have some unique high end things if you have $$$. Maybe it's different nowadays. And it's seedy but I like continuing all the way down to Shinsekai. It's a weird cool vibe and they have Spa World! That place is awesome. Honestly skip any temples and the castle in Osaka, especially if you're going to Kyoto, better to soak in the street life here.

Sorry I'm rambling and reminiscing, but maybe some of this helps. Hope you have fun!

General trip guidance is more than welcome! I'm not going to spend much of my time hunting for knives because I want to experience the country first and foremost so this is super helpful.

 

[SWF]

Hey all,

Taking a trip to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) and wondering if anyone had any advice on how to go about shopping for a knife. I don't have any specific need, want more of a special, souvenir type knife but not sure what I'll be finding. Any advice for my trip?

Another question, if you were going, what is one knife you would be looking to bring home?
I would love to come home with something like a Konosuke Fujiyama, but i'm assuming they're just as hard to find there as they are in the US market.

As far as I know, Fuijamas has never been sold in Japan, it's an international product. And it's not produced anymore. But I might be wrong...

I'd visit Ichigo Tadatsuna and get at least a gyuto from them: https://www.instagram.com/ikkanshi_tadatsuna/

I've got a gyuto, funayuki and bunka from them. Excellent quality for a fair price. As you only get them in Japan, it's worth a visit. You can preorder the gyuto and pick it up.

And Takada no hamono, as they have a little store where they produce their knives. With some luck you can grab some rare knives.

 

[Lurkernomore]

I just visited hidehisa in Kyoto and all the shigefusa kurouchi and kato kiridashi he had like three months ago were gone. Some American was there and bought like ten natural stones and razor hones, probably to flip them.

Everybody be quick. Things are going fast.

 

[blokey]

I just visited hidehisa in Kyoto and all the shigefusa kurouchi and kato kiridashi he had like three months ago were gone. Some American was there and bought like ten natural stones and razor hones, probably to flip them.

Everybody be quick. Things are going fast.

Or maybe people just want to buy stones...Consider what people posted in the stone castle thread I won't be surprised one guy just collects 50 same stones with slightly different size and ratings

 

[blokey]

Jokes aside enjoy your trip, don't let knives getting too much in your way of enjoying new stuff.

 

[Lurkernomore]

Or maybe people just want to buy stones...Consider what people posted in the stone castle thread I won't be surprised one guy just collects 50 same stones with slightly different size and ratings

It was all the exact same razor hones. Of course it’s ok to do that, it’s just not what the shops can sustain. May have been someone from kkf...

Aritsugu was out of every type of forged double bevel as well.

 

[blokey]

Huh I thought the market would calm a bit now, guess flippers gonna flip. Probably won't get better tho since people outside of western countries are increasing interested in Japanese knives too, got more than thousands of people in Chinese knife chat group now...

 

[blokey]

It was all the exact same razor hones. Of course it’s ok to do that, it’s just not what the shops can sustain. May have been someone from kkf...

Aritsugu was out of every type of forged double bevel as well.

BTW do you have any reccomendation for an entry level Usuba? Might just go with Gesshin Uraku since I can go to the store and check it, can't find any on BST now. A friend also recommends Goh Umanosuke Yoshihiro, they are really popular in China but not here.

 

[Lurkernomore]

I think we will see one more small boom fueled by what’s in stock now, new or new old stock, and then it will die down. During the pandemic Japanese knife shops did get some rare products, such as hisahide with his shigefusas.

Yanagi, usuba, and Deba shall remain along with monosteel gyutos. So I guess everyone get into single bevels.

To OP I’d say don’t worry and go hunting anyway. There’s still cool stuff. Hisahide has tamahagane kiridashi for example and other things made by accomplished craftsmen that just happen to be unknown on the internet.

 

[enchappo]

To OP I’d say don’t worry and go hunting anyway. There’s still cool stuff. Hisahide has tamahagane kiridashi for example and other things made by accomplished craftsmen that just happen to be unknown on the internet.

What about wrought-clad kiridashi, or is that more of an export market thing? I would love to pick up one as a stone tester…