- Duration
- About 2 hours (excluding transfer)
- Group size
- 4–30 pax
- Cities
- Osaka
- Indicative budget
- From ¥75,000 per person
Sakai, just south of Osaka, has been making blades for about six centuries and today supplies a large share of the knives used by professional chefs in Japan. Its distinctive feature is the division of labour: one craftsman forges the blade, another puts on the edge, a third fits the handle. The visit shows at least two of these stages and explains why a Sakai knife stands out for its geometry and finish.
After the demonstration, each participant picks a knife from a pre-selected range (santoku, gyuto or petty depending on budget), tries whetstone sharpening under the craftsman's guidance, then has their name or a short message engraved in Latin letters or katakana. An interpreter stays with the group throughout.
For a company, the workshop works on two levels. It opens a window on a precise craft and manufacturing culture, a useful starting point for conversations about quality, skills transfer and specialisation. And it replaces the usual corporate gift with a useful, personalised object made in Japan that participants will keep for years.
Objectives
- Illustrate quality, specialisation and skills transfer with a real-world case
- Give each participant a personalised, long-lasting gift
- Offer a cultural visit away from Osaka's usual itineraries
How it works
- 1Beforehand: choice of knife model and price range, collection of each participant's engraving text.
- 2Transfer to Sakai by coach or train (30 to 40 minutes from central Osaka).
- 3Workshop visit and forging or sharpening demonstration, with commentary and interpretation.
- 4Hands-on whetstone sharpening in sub-groups of 6 to 8.
- 5Personalised engraving, packing and care advice before heading back.
Good to know
- Knives are banned from the cabin on every flight: they travel in checked luggage only. We provide rigid protective packaging.
- Shipping option: direct delivery to each participant's home or office, subject to the destination country's customs rules (duties and taxes payable on arrival).
- Engraving takes about 10 minutes per knife. Above 15 people, we plan rotations or prepare engraving in advance.
- Workshops are small: above 12 people, the group is split between two sites or visits in turns.
- Closed shoes recommended; the workshop can be noisy and hot during forging.
Indicative budget
From ¥75,000 per person (private session, small-group basis, engraved knife included). Group rates quoted on request depending on headcount and knife range; interpreter, transfers and shipping optional.
Frequently asked questions
Can participants fly home with their knife?
Yes, but only in checked luggage, never in the cabin. For participants travelling with cabin baggage only, we arrange direct shipping to their country; the destination's import rules then need checking.
How much time should we allow in the program?
Allow half a day: about 2 hours on site plus 30 to 40 minutes each way from central Osaka. The workshop pairs well with lunch in Sakai or a visit to the Mozu burial mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Can the workshop host 30 people?
Yes, by splitting the group between two workshops or rotating sub-groups through the visit, sharpening and engraving. Engraving texts are collected before the trip to keep to time.
Is the knife suitable for everyday use?
Yes. We favour versatile models in stainless steel or with a clad carbon-steel core, which are easier to care for. The craftsman explains washing, drying and sharpening so the knife lasts.
