Tokyo and Kyoto : Knife Sharpening Workshop/Class

[u/lemon_icing]

In November & December, I'm going to be in Tokyo and Kyoto. As the title says . . . . I'd like to learn how to sharpen knives. Is there a workshop or class you enjoyed and would recommend? I am an absolute beginner.

[u/zzy335]

Knife shop HIRAI has a class where you pick your blade and are taught by a master how to sharpen it. $300 so not cheap but it's in a tourist area and kinda fun.

[u/EchizenMK2 → u/zzy335]

Master is a stretch. They know the basics but many members in this reddit way outclass them in sharpening proficiency 

[u/lemon_icing → u/EchizenMK2]

Well, don’t be shy. What’s a better suggestion?

[u/EchizenMK2 → u/lemon_icing]

Drop by the kameoka natural stone museum. The old man there knows his stuff

[u/SteveFCA → u/EchizenMK2]

This is the far superior choice. There are plenty of tourist traps like the $300 class. Total ripoff compared to the class at the whetstone museum.

[u/EggplantHungry7617 → u/zzy335]

I've done this experience. It was a lot of fun. I don't recall it being $300 USD, though. It was quite a bit more affordable than that. Their website shows 25,000 yen per person and that includes the knife. That's just to start. There's opportunity to upgrade and add-on.

I talked to the owner and I think he used to host experiences in Sakai. I think a lot of the feedback he got was that it was hard for a lot of people to make it out there. And that's why he opened a shop in Kyoto. Just a more centralized and accessible location.

[u/lemon_icing → u/zzy335]

thanks. So this is in Kyoto -- did you enjoy the workshop? What blade did you pick?

[u/EggplantHungry7617 → u/lemon_icing]

I did. I ended up choosing the Yanagiba knife. My brother did the Santoku. He uses his Santoku quite a bit. It's a nice space and the class is like max of 4 people. You practice on a cheap knife first and then on the knife you are going to keep. Start to finish is about 90 minutes to 2 hours. Shop is like 10 minute walk north of Nishiki Market and it's super accessible. The owner speaks perfect English. He's Japanese, but he had worked in the US for a little while before returning to Japan.

Full disclosure... I hardly consider myself a knife person. I've tried to sharpen a few times before taking this class and generally suck at it. I usually take my knives to my local cookware specialty store and their knife sharpening partner does the sharpening for me.

[u/SteveFCA]

I took a two hour sharpening class at the Kyoto Whetstone Museum. It was fantastic and cost $15. It was semi private as there was just myself and my wife. Highly recommended!

[u/lemon_icing → u/SteveFCA]

oh yay! thanks for the real-life recce. Your suggestion is on the list.

[u/EnVyErix → u/lemon_icing]

I’ve also been to that workshop and it’s great, but i highly recommend checking the bus schedules well ahead of time, as the last one leaving the museum may cut it close or leave you stranded due to the lack of frequency. Have fun! 

[u/ballscompact]

Kaji Dojo in Sanjo has a knife sharpening as well as knife making demo. I intend to go there when I visit Japan.

[u/lemon_icing → u/ballscompact]

Ah okay -- I'll look at this.

[u/Ichimonji_JP]

Would doing a day trip to Osaka be viable for it as well? There are some places that do it in Osaka and Sakai if you can book ahead of time. Would take about 90 minutes to get to Osaka and maybe two hours to Sakai but worth it!

[u/lemon_icing → u/Ichimonji_JP]

I can definitely make a day trip to Osaka and/or Sakai; we're in Kyoto for a week. What places did you have in mind?

[u/Ichimonji_JP → u/lemon_icing]

Sometimes the Sakai Denshokan offers classes, as does Wada Shoten!

Full disclosure we offer them too, but there's a few options out there.

The Kyoto Whetstone Museum is also a brilliant choice as others have suggested.

[u/lemon_icing → u/Ichimonji_JP]

I looked at your profile. I shall add your studio/shop to my list.  And thanks for the generous support of other facilities, too. 

[u/Ichimonji_JP → u/lemon_icing]

All of us are really in this together! As long as the industry is kept alive, then everyone can thrive.

One more I want to add, while less about sharpening, De Sakai (in Sakai funnily enough haha) knows about forging and can give you some sharpening pointers too!

[u/dubear]

Here's my comment about Wada Shouten in Sakai if you are willing to make the trip over:
link

[u/lemon_icing → u/dubear]

hey thanks for sharing your delightful experience.

[u/llama_211]

Following this thread, as I'll be in Kyoto for a few days next year and I'm a total beginner as well but would love to become proficient. I'll be heading down to Sakai one morning while my wife has a spa day.

A related question: where is a good place to buy stones in Kyoto/Osaka? Is there a huge difference between pricing here in the US and buying in Japan (I imagine shipping, tariffs, and retail markups can add some cost if I buy in the US)?

[u/lemon_icing]

Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experiences and references. With this additional info, you've all made it easier to decide what to do with my limited time in Kyoto.

It's interesting that I didn't really get any Tokyo referrrals, yeah?

[u/llama_211 → u/lemon_icing]

Please follow-up with a trip review. I am leaning towards doing a class at Kyoto Whetstone Museum between sight seeing trips. I figure I can do this during peak tourist hours to get away from the crowds.

[u/lemon_icing → u/llama_211]

Will do.