Kyoto: Authentic Knife-Making Experience at a Blacksmith Shop

this was a phenomenal experience. expect a lot of sweat and sore muscles after this, but it is so worth it. You start by choosing what kind of knife you want to make, then head own to the forge where the guides show you how to beat the heated metal to expand it into your knife. They help you through the process (my partner was fine, but I needed a bit more help as I don’t really have any wrist or arm muscle and got tired pretty quick) and help shape it into your desired knife. You’re there for an hour to an hour and a half, then sand your knife down to the perfect shape and sharpen the blade (which I loved). The guides tell you how traditional knives used to be made before the sanding belts they have now, and you get the full experience. The guides were amazing, gave the perfect amount of guidance, and helped with the final steps to make sure your knife was the best it could be. Shout out to Mits and Deiki! I would absolutely do it again, and highly recommend the experience!

Knife forging ⸻ The knife forging course I took was a great, beginner-friendly experience. The whole setup—getting to heat the metal, hammer it into shape, and see the process—was exciting and gave a real sense of what it’s like to make a blade. That said, it’s very much an introductory-level activity. When they tell you to hammer, they simply say “hammer”—there’s no in-depth guidance on how much force to use, technique, or finer details. So, if you’re expecting a highly technical lesson, this might not be it. Still, it’s a fantastic way to get a feel for knife forging and to understand the craftsmanship behind handmade knives and even katanas. After making one yourself, you gain a lot of respect for the skill and effort involved in creating a beautiful, functional knife. A word of caution—if you have a weak neck, shoulder issues, or old injuries, be aware that hammering can be a bit strenuous. Overall, it was a memorable and rewarding experience.

Need a kitchen knife? Make your own. This is it! As a family of 5, it was well worth it to learn an aspect of culture and have your kids participate. This business in particular, is tailored to your group so there is no large corporate awkwardness. As a small business they are able assist you one on one, as necessary. Learn to make a knife: heating, pounding to shape, grinding and sharpening; all in one. I'm from the US and have toured a lot if places.....this one is fun, enjoyable, and most everyone can get something out of this experience.

This is a once in a lifetime experience to do real black smithing with real Japanese blacksmiths. I highly recommend going, you will not be disappointed. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable and helpful in making the knives. They tell you how to flatten and sharpen the metal and help you along the way if you need it. They made sure you did things correctly and safely. Our knives came out sharp and we’ve been using them on our trip. You can also grab a beer upstairs afterward.

A truly excellent experience! The master blacksmiths are incredibly skilled in their craft and teach everything in a very playful way. They guide you from start to finish, so even someone who has never done anything like this before is in excellent hands! The kind lady who explains the exact blacksmithing process at the beginning is also very engaging, and you learn many facts about the history of blacksmithing, such as why katana smiths had to find a new niche after the war because katanas were no longer in demand, leading them to switch to making knives, which are now used in every kitchen worldwide! I can only highly recommend this activity 🙏 You even get to take your self-forged knife home 🙌 A heartfelt thank you to the entire team, Dōmo arigatogozaimasu 🙇

My husband and I had a lot of fun pounding the steel until it became a working knife. We noticed a couple of lonely husbands at the workshop because their wives would rather go shopping. That's no excuse! Every woman and man should try this and feel proud bringing home their own knife.

This was an incredibly fun and beginner/proof knife making experience! The 2.5h went by really fast. We went through all the steps with very helpful instructions from the staff as we go through the process.

Fantastic experience! the instructions were clear and easy to follow in English. The pounding could be tough, but the guides were there to help at every step. I enjoyed the grinding and finishing my knife. Highly recommend if you have a teen or young adult.

What an amazing experience to do with my teenage sons + nephews!! One of the highlights of our trip for sure. Ako + Atsushi (I apologize if this is the wrong spelling) were wonderful guides + super helpful. As others mentioned, it is a workout but assistance is available if needed. The result is an authentic, one-of-a-kind souvenir + a new core memory for all. 1000% highly recommend!!

As I don't tend to work with my hands that much, I was a bit worried going into the course, but Mao and Mitsu explained everything step by step and even helped out when the knife was looking a bit rough (from my hammering). Highly recommend, a unique souvenir and a good workout!