The experience
Kanetaka began as a sword maker, turned to razors in the early Edo period and has worked on its corner in Oike since 1770. It is now in its seventh generation and makes and sharpens tools for Kyoto's chefs and craftspeople, including shears for the Ikenobo school of ikebana across the street.
Yoshitaka Yamada, brother of the seventh-generation owner, explains how a knife is made and shows the forging. You choose the steel and the size and shape of the blade, then heat the steel in the forge and hammer it with him beside you.
The masters take on the difficult steps, so the knife is a properly sharp Japanese blade. It is finished and posted in about two months and cannot be taken home on the day. A talk on sharpening and care closes the session.
On the day
-
Talk
How a Japanese knife is made, from steel to edge.
-
Demonstration
The smith forges in front of you.
-
Your knife
Choosing steel and shape, then heating and hammering.
-
Sharpening
A talk on whetstones and caring for the blade.
Guide price
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per person, from | ¥77,700 |
- Includes the experience, facility charges, the interpreter and tax.
- There is a minimum of two guests. A booking for one pays the two-guest minimum.
- This is the lowest per-person rate. The final price depends on the number of guests and the date.
- A handle, with engraving if you want it, and shipping are paid on the day.
Good to know
- Booking deadline
- At least 1 day before.
- Cancellation
- Full refund up to 4 days before, by 17:00 Japan time.
- Language
- An English-speaking interpreter is included.
- What to wear
- Clothes that can get marked and sturdy closed shoes. Rings, earrings and necklaces come off. No perfume, please.
- Shipping
- The knife can be posted only to the countries on Wabunka's list. Customs duties may apply.
- Safety
- Guests do the basic steps and the smiths do the rest. The forge is very hot in summer, so drink plenty. Adult rate from 10.
What STAYGO does
- We arrange the session through Wabunka, the booking site the smithy uses, and keep in touch with them about your date.
- We check before arranging the session that the knife can be posted to your country.
- We place it on a Kyoto day that suits it and plan how you get there.
This experience is paid in advance by credit card, in yen, through Wabunka, at the price they show. STAYGO adds nothing to it. The handle and shipping are paid on the day.
Arranged only as part of a STAYGO journey.
Details checked on the host's published page on 13 October 2026. Hosts set their own prices and terms and may change them. We confirm them again when we arrange your date, and nothing is confirmed until the host accepts it.
You pay hotels, ryokan, restaurants and guides directly, at their own rates. We add no markups and take no commissions. The Signature planning fee is USD 3,500 for your group, for a journey of 7–14 days. Longer or more complex journeys are planned as Bespoke.
