Discover the craftsmanship behind Fukui’s knife-making tradition through a hands-on factory tour and custom knife experience. This immersive visit introduces the people, techniques, and materials behind knives known for their balance, precision, and beauty.

The experience begins at Yamaken Woodworks, a family-run workshop founded in 1912. Led by Takuya Yamamoto, a fourth-generation woodworking master, guests learn about the company’s history and its role in shaping modern Japanese knife handles.

During the factory tour, you will see traditional woodworking equipment in action and gain insight into Yamaken’s patented techniques, which produce handles prized by knife makers in Japan and abroad.

After learning how handles are made, head across the street to Yamamoto Blade Works. Inside the workshop, skilled artisans show how blades are forged and finished, sharing techniques shaped by Fukui’s long knife-making tradition.

Fukui Prefecture has been renowned for its high-quality blades since feudal times, when craftsmen supplied swords and other tools to samurai. Today, that legacy endures in knives prized for both their functionality and aesthetic appeal.

The experience concludes with the design of your own custom Fukui knife. Choose from more than 30 handle styles and two blade options to create a knife that reflects your preferences.

Once completed, the knife is finished by the craftsmen and shipped directly to your address. Standard knives typically arrive in about 10 days. Knives with added customization, such as lacquer wiping or painting, usually arrive within one month.

This experience offers a rare opportunity to connect with Fukui’s knife-making heritage and take home a tool shaped by generations of craftsmanship.