Trip to Japan -- any knife-related destination recommendations?

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ajack17

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Hello everyone,

I am a chef taking a month off to visit to Japan between March and April.

Like the rest of you, I have a have a borderline-unhealthy interest in kitchen knives.. namely Japanese ones.

I am looking for recommendations of places to visit while I am in Japan -- preferably in Tokyo or a speed-rail trip outside of Tokyo.

While I am totally receptive to check out knife shops in the area, I am wondering if it is at all possible to visit a forge, knife factory, or even buy a knife direct from producer as well? I am wary of the reception to foreigners and do not want to overstep any boundaries as an outsider, but would also like to immerse myself and learn much as possible, if that makes sense.

While I have some knowledge of knives, I am completely unfamiliar and a total newbie to Japan. Any and all insight will be greatly appreciated.
 
I just spent 3 weeks touring Japan. I have bought a petty from Tower Knives in Osaka. They also have a Tokyo branch if I remember correctly. They spoke English, were really knowledgeable and certainly took their time to help me.

Kappabashi is also a good place to look, but I found them a little bit unfriendly at times.
 
I just came back from a trip in Japan. I went to Sakai on a whim because I had half a free day in Osaka.

I think it's awkward visiting the workshops/factories unless you have connections. There are a bunch you can find just on the tourist map, Ashi, mizuno, jikko, Yusuke, along with dozens of others in one neighborhood. However most are just distribution places with no shops or reception. I don't think they want random tourists snooping around either especially ones that don't know any Japanese. I only talked with the owner that distributes Sakai Yusuke, he spoke English and was very nice. I don't think Sakai gets many tourists at all, the streets were pretty dead.

The museum was cool though, they display a whole array of knives from many familiar names. They had some English speaking staff that was very enthusiastic about showing me all the knives.

I only spent a couple of hours there with no prior preparations. I'm sure there are ways to visit forges, but you most likely need someone local that can hook you up before hand.
 
First of all, I have never been in Japan but I did some research about where to buy a knife. As a pro chef, which knife do you need to buy, style, handle, steel material. After that there couple store I check online they have website and address to shop.
Tsukiji market:
http://www.tukijimasamoto.co.jp
http://www.tsukiji-masahisa.jp/contents/en/
http://nenohi.co.jp/en/index.html
Beside that in Tokyo:
http://www.kama-asa.co.jp/en/
http://www.kiya-hamono.co.jp/english/shop-e.html
http://kap-kam.com/index_english.html
 
Visit Shigeharu in Kyoto.
When I went this year, the maker came into the showroom still wearing his forge gloves. You can see the smokestack from the side of the building. He works in Aogami and Shirogami.

In any event, visit Kyoto. Really beautiful and more approachable than Tokyo (easier to just wander and explore).

Enjoy!

J :)
 
Maybe if you happen upon the Kiya lol


I wonder if it would be worth going to sanjo. I'm surprised the Aussies don't make pilgrimages to the shigefusa shop lmao!!
 
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