Gifu Pocket Knife-Making Workshop & Sword Town Tour

We are in Gifu, a bounty-blessed, steel-forging Japanese prefecture home to Seki, a town celebrated for producing the world's finest knives, swords and cutlery.

Even beyond the city limits, generations of knife makers and bladesmiths have dedicated themselves to the art of sword and cutlery making, a tradition passed down from parents to children and masters to apprentices for over 800 years.

In this exclusive workshop, you'll design your own traditional-style pocket knife at Fukuda Cutlery Co, a local knife factory established 100 years ago. Your journey begins with a tour of the site, where you'll witness the forging of knives from tungsten carbide — the same material used by the Japanese Mint Bureau to cut through hundreds of stacked banknotes. Known for its durability and hardness, second only to diamond, this material is ideal for high-quality blades. This knife can only be crafted at this factory, making it a one-of-a-kind product that can’t be found anywhere else.

After the tour, you'll create your own pocket knife using recycled cemented carbide and take it home. If properly maintained with regular sharpening and honing, this pocket knife can serve you for a lifetime.

Following your hands-on experience, you'll enjoy a meal at a local Japanese restaurant where the very same knives are used to prepare delicious dishes featuring fresh vegetables and fruits sourced from Gifu. Participants will also visit the Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum to learn more about the fascinating history of knife-making in the region and have the option to shop for more knives at the Cutlery Hall nearby.