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Katana knife making and workshop tour in Kyoto Katana knife making and workshop tour in Kyoto

Katana knife making and
workshop tour in Kyoto

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Highlights

  • Learn about the history and appreciation of Japanese swords
  • Forge your very own small Katana knife with a friendly swordsmith.
  • You can engrave your name or favorite words on blade.

Experiences

  • #1
    Recommended!

    #1

    Traditional steel small knife making

    -Duration
    3.5～4 hours
    -Starting time
    9AM and 13PM
    -Up to
    4 people
    -Price
    38,000JPY / person

    Reserve

  • #2

    #2

    Japanese-style survival knife making

    -Duration
    4 hours
    -Starting time
    8:30AM and 13PM
    -Up to
    3 people
    -Price
    59,000JPY / person

    Reserve

  • #3

    #3

    【Unavailable】One-day apprenticeship in authentic Tanto knife making

    -Duration
    1 day（12hours）
    -Starting time
    8:30AM
    -Up to
    2 people
    -Price
    750,000JPY～ / person

    Reserve

Important Notice

Taking home your Traditional small knife / Japanese-style survival knife

  • You can take your knife home with you after the workshop ends. When flying home, be sure to place your knife in your checked luggage. Just to be safe, we recommend that you to confirm your airline’s baggage rules in advance.
  • Unfortunately, we are unable to ship your knife outside of Japan. If you wish to send your knife to a different country, please arrange shipping while you are in Japan.
  • The leather sheath for the Japanese-style survival knife will be sent to you 7-14 days after your workshop. Although shipping costs for the sheath are included in the original workshop fee, you will be responsible for any taxes or duties incurred through shipping.

Things to know

About reservations
  • ・Reservations are accepted only through the reservation form on this page.
  • ・Advance reservation and pre-payment are required to participate in the experiences.
  • ・Our reservation desk is closed on weekends and Japanese national holidays.
  • ・If you do not receive a response within a week after submitting your reservation via the form, please contact us via email.
  • ・Reservations will not be accepted within one week of the reservation date.
Languages
  • ・The experience itself is offered in Japanese.
  • ・If you wish to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese sword culture through the experience, we highly recommend hiring an interpreter which we can arrange for you.
  • ・Interpreters are available in English and French.（Add 22,600 JPY）
Included
  • ・#1 Traditional steel small knife making : knife with wooden box
  • ・#2 Japanese-style survival knife making : knife with leather sheath
  • ・#3 One-day apprenticeship in authentic Tanto knife making : knife with wooden sheath
Not included
  • ・Transportation
  • ・Meals
  • ・Shipping fee
  • ・Interpreter
Meeting/Finishing point
Masahiro sword forge
Google Map
Sample Itinerary of “Traditional steel small knife making”
08:30 JR Kameoka sta. / Take taxi to the studio
(about 30 minutes, 5,500JPY)
09:00

Workshop starts

  • ・Learn about Katana from the smith
  • ・Forging, annealing, quenching, tempering and filing
    *You can engrave your favorite word on knife
12:30 Workshop finishes / Take taxi to the station
13:00 Arrive to JR Kameoka sta.

*The schedule is subject to change depending on the number of participants and circumstances.

About this website
  • ・This page is run by Woodland Kyoto.
  • ・We, Woodland Kyoto, are not concerned about reservations made through other websites such as expedia, Maikoya, etc.

FAQ

  • Yes! You can take your knife home with you right after the workshop has concluded.

  • You can...but be sure that you put the knife in your checked baggage, and not your carry-on baggage. However, rules and regulations may differ between airlines and countries.

  • Yes! The “Traditional steel small knife” course is available to anyone 10 years or older, the “Japanese-style survival knife” course is available to anyone 13 years or older, and the “One-day apprenticeship in authentic Tanto knife” workshop is available for anyone 15 years or older.
    Furthermore, there are no age-restrictions for observers. We’ve had a lot of families come and participate.
    *Children 14 years or under require a parent or guardian.

  • Although the shape and size may look the same as a regular knife, the unique blade pattern or “Hamon” becomes more visible as you sharpen the blade. “Tamahagane” is also the same material used to make traditional Japanese katana.

  • When inside the forge, soot and sparks may land on your clothing. For this reason, we recommend that you wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, and avoid wearing clothing made with synthetic materials.
    Since there are no convenience stores or vending machines nearby, we recommend that you bring your own drink.

  • Yes! It is perfectly fine for 2 people to make 1 knife. Each knife allows 1 participant, and 1 observer. Any additional observers will cost 4000JPY (per person).
    *Due to the extreme heat of the summer, only 1 observer is allowed per sword from July to September.

  • 1-2 participants take 3~4 hours.
    3~4 participants take 4~4.5 hours.
    The apprenticeship workshop takes 10~12 hours.

  • If arriving by car: Travel directly to “Masahiro Sword Forge”. There is a free parking area next to the forge.
    If arriving by train: Take the train to JR Kameoka Station. A taxi stand can be found at the station’s south exit. The taxi ride takes around 30 minutes (Approx. 5,500 JPY one way)

  • Of course! The trip from JR Kyoto station to Masahiro Sword Forge takes only around 1 hour. If your workshop starts at 9am, take the 8am train. If it starts at 1pm, take the 12am train. The drive from Kyoto city to Masahiro Sword Forge also takes around an hour.
    We will send you further details when making a reservation.

  • Pre-payment is required to confirm a reservation (credit card or bank transfer).

  • A cancelation penalty will be incurred starting from 2 weeks before the date of your reservation.
    Cancellation fees are as follows:

    • ・14-7 days before your reservation → 30%
    • ・6-1 day(s) before your reservation → 50%
    • ・Day of your reservation. → 100%

  • Since the forge has steps and an open flame, we ask that any disabled individuals be accompanied to the forge.
    Please let us know about any special accommodations when making a reservation. Woodland Kyoto DMO email: jigyoubu@morinokyoto.jp

    In the case that we aren’t able to fulfill your request for specific measures to be arranged, there may be a chance that your reservation is rejected, or that you will be unable to participate in the workshop.
    In principle, customers are responsible for the cost of any special measures enacted on their behalf.

  • We encourage you to contact our office (Woodland Kyoto DMO) at
    jigyoubu@morinokyoto.jp

Cancellation policy

Our cancellation charges are as follows:

#1 Traditional steel small knife making

#2 Japanese-style survival knife making

  • 14-7 days before your reservation: 30%,
  • 6-1 day(s) before your reservation: 50%,
  • Day of your reservation.: 100%

#3 One-day apprenticeship in authentic Tanto knife making

  • 30-15 days prior: 20%
  • 14-8 days prior: 30%
  • 7-2 days prior: 50%,
  • the day prior, on the day: 100%
interview

Interview

Sword-smith Masahiro /
NAKANISHI Yuya

View more

Contact Woodland Kyoto

Established in 2017 with funding from the Kyoto prefectural and municipal governments,
our mission is to share with the world the wonderful attractions of the mid-mountain region
adjacent to the famous city of Kyoto.

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