Seki Knife Guide: Sword Forging, Knife Shops and How to Get There

Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-19

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Seki, a quiet city about 40 minutes by bus from Gifu Station, has been making blades for more than 700 years and is often counted among the world's great cutlery towns (Go Central Japan). If you want a Japanese kitchen knife, or want to watch a swordsmith at work, this is the place.

Important for 2026–27: the sword museum is under renovation

The Seki Kaji Denshokan (Seki Swordsmith Museum) is closed for renovation from September 7, 2026 to March 31, 2027. The forging workshop stays open during this period, and the first-floor exhibition room is expected to reopen first. Dates may change (Gifu tourism, Japanese, as of October 2026).

Watch traditional sword forging

Swordsmiths give public demonstrations of traditional Japanese sword forging at the Seki Kaji Denshokan:

• When: the first Sunday of February to September and of November and December, plus January 2 and the October cutlery festival day
• Times: 10:30 and 13:00 on regular demonstration days
• Next dates: Sunday, November 1 and Sunday, December 6, 2026. Because of the renovation, these two days show sword forging only; the sword polishing and fittings demonstrations are not held (Seki City, Japanese, as of October 2026)

(Gifu tourism, Japanese, as of October 2026. Times may change, so check before you go, especially while the museum is being renovated.)

Getting there: 3-minute walk from Seki Terrace-mae Station on the Nagaragawa Railway.

Buy a knife: Seki Hamono Museum (Cutler SANSYU)

A shop and museum where you can buy the in-house Seki Yoshihide kitchen knives and scissors, and watch traditional swordsmithing at the on-site forge. Trying it yourself costs extra and needs a reservation (Visit Gifu, as of October 2026). Entry is free, and it's open 9:00 to 16:30 every day, with irregular closures during the New Year holidays (January 1–3) (Seki Hamono Museum, official, as of October 2026).

Getting there: From JR Gifu Station, take Gifu Bus B81 (Gifu Seki Line, toward Seki Higashiyama) from bus zone 14 to the Oyana stop (about 35–40 minutes) (Gifu Bus timetable, Japanese PDF, as of October 2026). From the stop it's about a 14-minute walk (Seki Hamono Museum access guide, PDF).

Tips for buying a knife in Japan

• Carry it home in checked baggage. Knives are not allowed in airplane carry-on bags.
• Ask about the steel. Stainless steel is easier to care for; carbon steel holds a sharper edge but can rust.

Where to stay

Seki is an easy day trip from Gifu City.

FAQ

How do I get to Seki from Gifu Station?

From JR Gifu Station, take Gifu Bus B81 (Gifu Seki Line, toward Seki Higashiyama) from bus zone 14 to the Oyana stop, which takes about 35–40 minutes (Gifu Bus timetable, Japanese PDF, as of October 2026). The Seki Hamono Museum is about a 14-minute walk from the stop (Seki Hamono Museum access guide, PDF).

Is the Seki Swordsmith Museum open in 2026?

The Seki Kaji Denshokan is closed for renovation from September 7, 2026 to March 31, 2027, but the forging workshop stays open during this period. Dates may change (Gifu tourism, Japanese, as of October 2026).

When can I watch sword forging in Seki?

Demonstrations are held on the first Sunday of February to September and of November and December, plus January 2 and the October cutlery festival day, at 10:30 and 13:00 on regular demonstration days. The next dates are Sunday, November 1 and Sunday, December 6, 2026, which show sword forging only because of the renovation (Seki City, Japanese, as of October 2026).

Where can I buy a Japanese kitchen knife in Seki?

The Seki Hamono Museum (Cutler SANSYU) sells its in-house Seki Yoshihide kitchen knives and scissors. Entry is free, and it's open 9:00 to 16:30 every day, with irregular closures during the New Year holidays (January 1–3) (Seki Hamono Museum, official, as of October 2026).

Can I take a knife bought in Japan on the plane?

Knives are not allowed in airplane carry-on bags, so carry it home in checked baggage.

Book ahead

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Prices, hours and bus routes change. Check official sources before you go. Facts last checked: 2026-10-19.

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