Sakai - Knife Factory and Craft Walking Tour
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Osaka Prefecture, Japan
- 3 to 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- SnacksOne sweet per guest included
- All Fees and Taxes
- Bilingual Guide
- Visit of the Knife Factory
- Knife Sharpening lesson
- Extra Food
- Shopping and souvenirs
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 3-chōme-22 Ebisujimachō, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0985, Japan
The meeting point is located at the Nankai Sakai Station, East Exit, in front of the Gates. Please make sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before departure time, so your guide has time to check the guest list and give you the basic info needed before the tour starts. Thank you.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
八百源来弘堂本店
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
1-chōme-2-21 Shukuyachōnishi
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum and Knife Shop
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- While single travelers can book this tour directly, there is a "2 guests minimum" rule to give the tour a GO. in case of a single guest, the session might be cancelled and the guest will be notify as soon as possible, offering a rescheduling, or a full-refund.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 48 reviews
Natasha_B, Dec 2025
This tour was great! Our guide Scott provided us with interesting history and was great for conversation. We got to try delicious mochi and see the incredible skill and detail that goes into knife making. Very interesting and enjoyable. Would recommend the tour to anyone.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! 😊
We’re truly happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and had such a lovely time with Scott.
We’re also delighted that you enjoyed tasting the mochi and discovering the incredible skill and dedication behind traditional Japanese knife making ⛩️🔪
These special moments are exactly what we hope our guests will take home with them.
Thank you sincerely for your recommendation. We would be absolutely delighted to welcome you again on another journey in Japan someday 😊
Warmest regards from all of us,
Ayumi /
Japan Tour Adventure Team
Shaun_L, Oct 2025
I was really excited for this tour and left pretty disappointed. First, the tour presents the history of Sakai from an off-putting Euro-centric lens. And secondly, the guide did not appear to be very knowledgeable about knives and knife-makers in the area.
The highlights of the tour were: visiting Sakai Traditional Knife and Craft Museum (which you can and should do alone, because you'll have more time to browse and to make a purchase if you want), and the visit to De Sakai -- where the blacksmith, Eric, makes his knives by hand in traditional ways.
To the company, people who join a knife tour in Sakai are likely to want to purchase a knife in Sakai. Please hire tour guides who know about knives and knife-makers, and who will support people in buying knives rather than rush us from place to place.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you very much for sharing your honest impressions with us. We’re truly sorry that the tour didn’t meet your expectations, especially as you were so excited to join it.
Your comments about the historical explanations feeling too Western-centered in tone are very important to us, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We will review this carefully to ensure that our narration better reflects local perspectives and aligns with what guests on a Sakai knife tour are looking for.
We’re also sorry to hear that you felt the guiding during the knife-related portions was not as knowledgeable or supportive as it should have been. We completely understand that guests on this tour often hope to learn deeply about knife-making and potentially purchase a knife during their visit — and we want our guides to fully support that experience. Despite our guides being trained extensively, they will never know as much as a the blacksmith or knife maker, which is why we recommend our guests to ask the very specific questions directly to the experts during the tour. We hope that you had the opportunity to do so at the forge of De Saikai, and could ask your questions directly to the blacksmith.
Nonetheless, we will reinforce training to make sure our team provides deeper information, allows more browsing time, and accompanies guests through the process without feeling rushed.
Thank you again for your thoughtful review. We appreciate your honesty and will use your feedback to improve. We hope we may welcome you again in the future for a smoother and more satisfying experience.
Warm regards,
Japan Tour Adventure Team
Dawn_B, Oct 2025
The big advantage is to get access to purchase knives. Most of the other things you can do on your own.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you very much for joining our Knife Walking Tour in Sakai City, and for sharing your feedback with us. We’re glad to hear that having access to purchase knives directly from the craftsman was valuable for you — that is something we are proud to offer through our close partnership with local artisans, blacksmiths and knife makers in Sakai.
We also understand your feeling that some parts of the experience can be done independently, as it is the case for most walking tours. Our aim is always to add meaningful context, exclusive access, and a smoother experience, so guests can enjoy Sakai’s history and craftsmanship in a deeper, more engaging way. Your comment helps us continue improving that value, and we hope that you felt it during your brief time with us in Sakai.
We truly appreciate your visit and hope the rest of your time in Japan was wonderful. If you return to Sakai, we would love to have the chance to welcome you again, and offer an even better experience. Warmest regards from all of us. Ayumi/ JTA Team
Laura_D, Jul 2025
Scott was a terrific guide and we really enjoyed seeing how the beautiful knives we crafted. It was a fun day!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your 5-star review!! Thrilled you enjoyed the tour with Scott!! Your kind words encourage us to deliver the most fun experience possible!! Warm regards, Ayumi, J.T.A. Team
Gladys_S, Jul 2025
Fantastic and informative tour. Jean-yves was knowledgeable and kind. Toured us around Sakai and knife factory. We enjoyed our day out. Thank you! Wonderful recommendation for lunch and mochi!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! 🌟
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day in Sakai with Jean-Yves. His knowledge, kindness, and passion for the city truly shine, and we’re glad you felt that throughout the tour. It’s great to know the knife factory visit, along with the lunch and mochi recommendations, added to a memorable experience.
Warmest wishes from all of us 🌿
Ayumi / JTA Team
Nell_R, Apr 2025
We learnt a lot about the whole knife making process and about Sakai as well, thanks to our friendly and knowledgeable guide Rémi.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed learning about the full knife-making process and the history of Sakai. Rémi will be very happy to know his friendliness and knowledge made the tour meaningful for you.
We truly appreciate your kind words and the 5-star review.
Warmest wishes from all of us 🔪✨
Ayumi / JTA Team
Audrey_T, Jul 2024
3 of us ladies just joined this knife walking tour to accompany 1 friend who is planning to help her son to buy a special knife in Sakai. We dont know what to expect for the tour except to learn more about knife-making. It turned out the factory that we visited isn't the brand/type of knife my friend's son wanted. Our Guide Remy (Hope I spell his name correctly) even made an effort to bring us to the knife factory that my friend wanted to go. However, the factory was closed for lunch and we had to return in disappointment in not getting the knife but not with our walking tour. Its a good experience to know about Sakai and its history.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Hello dear Audrey! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave 5-star review and sharing your experience!! We are really sorry to hear that the other knife factory your friend's son wanted was closed for lunch, however, we hope you had a fun time! Your kind words and feedback inspire us to keep delivering the best experience possible!!
Sincerely,
Ayumi, J.T.A Team
lynn_b, Nov 2023
So much precision,skill & pride in making these knives.Didn’t realise how interesting this subject could be.Fascinating.I felt so embarrassed about the blunt selection of my knives at home thatI decided to buy one & promised to treat this personalised one with the respect it deserves .No hard sell given but you just want to own one
Response from Host, Dec 2023
I would like to thank you for sharing this great review about our tour! We are thrilled that you enjoyed your experience. We hope that you will enjoy cooking with your new knife.
Richard_M, Oct 2023
Remy was a fantastic guide and we had a wonderful time learning about Sakai’s history, tasting its delicacies, and seeing its handicrafts come to life before our eyes. Truly truly a unique Japan experience and the highlight of our entire trip through the country.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you so much for your 5-star review! We will share this with Remi to let him know to keep up the amazing work.
MarieJos_A, Oct 2024
Rémi, Guide d origine française parlant le français, l anglais et le japonais. Connaît parfaitement son sujet et nous en apprend beaucoup sur la culture japonaise. Visite très intéressante. Je recommande fortement. Très bon rapport qualité prix.
Merci encore à Rémi pour sa compétence et sa sympathie.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Nous vous remercions chaleureusement pour votre évaluation 5 étoiles!
C’est un plaisir de savoir que notre équipe Remi a pu répondre à vos attentes.
Nous ne manquerons pas de lui transmettre votre message, qui devrait lui faire plaisir !
Cordialement,
Ayumi, J.T.A Team
From $64.07
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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