This establishment features info points at the numbered locations shown on this map, where you can get more information through the Trip Guide Fukui app.
Takefu Knife Village is a shared workshop for research groups specializing in Echizen Forged Blades, a traditional handicraft of Fukui Prefecture. Within this unique building, masters of their craft work to preserve traditions while simultaneously introducing modern industrial designs, creating entirely new knives and blades.
Visitors to the workshop may watch traditional forging techniques for free, as well as shop for knives and blades from a wide selection of new, modern designs, in addition to traditional Japanese ones, on display.
Visitors can also make their own knives in the hands-on area with a master's guidance (reservations required beforehand).
Points of Interest
Building Design Concept
Takefu Knife Village's building was designed by the world-famous architect Mozuna Kikou. The interior of the building, including the beams and walls, is painted in colors evocative of steel, fire, and water, the essential elements of blade production. The kamidana shrine, in the highest part of the building, keeps watch over the open space in the building.
Watch as Knives and Blades are Made
The workshop features an observation route, and visitors can watch the masters' traditional forging techniques from the observation deck.
The observation route is open from 9:00 to 17:00.
Some steps of production cannot be seen from the observation deck.
About the Kamidana Shrine
The third floor is home to a kamidana shrine, dedicated to the originator of Echizen Forged Blades, Chiyozuru Kuniyasu.
Each time he made a sword, Chiyozuru Kuniyasu would carve a komainu guardian dog (as seen at the entrances of shrines) and submerge it in a well. This was symbolic of his hopes that his swords would be used not as weapons to kill people, but rather as symbols of the samurai.
In order to represent this spirit of craftsmanship and consideration for tradition, Takefu Knife Village has a shrine dedicated to Chiyozuru Kuniyasu, and treasures this story of his komainu carvings.
Hands-On Workshops
Takefu Knife Village provides visitors with the opportunity to make their own knives through a hands-on workshop. Reservations are required beforehand.
Knife-Sharpening Lesson (includes kitchen knife to take home)
Time: 1 hour. Price: Single-bevel kitchen knife ¥2,000; double-bevel kitchen knife ¥3,000. Available to: Visitors 18 and older.
Make a Metal Keyholder
Time: 40 minutes. Price: ¥600. Available to: Elementary school 4th graders and older.
Make a Paper Knife (letter opener)
Time: 1.5 hours. Price: ¥800. Available to: Elementary school 4th graders and older.
Make a Small Deba Knife
Time: 3 hours. Price: ¥3,000. Available to: Visitors 18 and older.
Make a Small Knife
Time: 4 hours. Price: ¥5,000. Available to: Visitors 18 and older.
Make a Kitchen Knife
Heat, hammer, and shape your very own kitchen knife. Begins at 9:30.
Time: 6 hours. Price: ¥15,000. Available to: Visitors 18 and older.
Make a Handmade Forged Knife
Available twice per year. Over the course of this two-day lesson, you will authentically forge your own handmade knife.
Time: 12 hours. Price: ¥28,000. Available to: Visitors 18 and older.
Please contact us ahead of time (email, etc.) to confirm course dates.
Our email address is tkv@dream.ocn.ne.jp
