Edge of Tradition: Sharpening the Soul of Japanese Cuisine through its Knives – KYOTO

Tour summary

Step into the world of Japanese craftsmanship by learning the art of knife sharpening from Koji Hirose, a master trusted by Kyoto’s top chefs. Using versatile santoku knives, you’ll not only gain hands-on skills in sharpening and maintenance but also discover the deeper cultural roots that elevate Japanese kitchen knives from tools to heritage.

Take home the knife you sharpened—your own name engraved upon it if you wish (takes just about 2 min)—and experience firsthand why the true value of Japanese knives lies not just in owning them, but in how they are cared for.

In detail 

The registration of Japanese cuisine as a World Heritage Site in 2013 has brought a surge of attention to Japanese kitchen knives. Japanese chefs in Kyoto contributed most to the World Heritage registration. Koji Hirose, the representative of Shokudogu Takegami, who is trusted by these professional chefs, will teach you how to sharpen kitchen knives along with ancient Japanese culture. The kitchen knives used for sharpening are Japanese-style Santoku knives, which can be used for all purposes. It is not the end of the process to just purchase a knife, but the most important part is how you maintain it afterwards. We will teach you not only how to sharpen but also how to handle knives.

You will be able to realize that it is not the Japanese kitchen knives because you bought in Japan, but sharpened Japanese kitchen knives that can be cut delicately are the real Japanese kitchen knives that people all over the world admire the most.

Your Host

The owner of the shop “Shokudougu Takegami” Koji Hirose

He had trained at a long established knife store in Kyoto and made his own shop “Shokudougu Takegami” in 2010.

As the store has specialised in the ancient Japanese culture of knife sharpening, he has gained considerable support from professional chefs and also home users.

He also travels throughout Japan to lecture how to sharpen knives at schools, restaurants, cooking classes and other places.

Location

Address

Sugiebisu-cho 238-2
Kuromon Dori Takatsuji Sagaru
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

5 min walk from Omiya Hankyu station

More information

※Available by 2026. Jun 30th

Scenes from the Tour