Knife Shop Sakaitoku｜【2026】Japanese Knives

Hello, I'm Okudaira, owner of "Japan Knife Toku".
At our shop, we offer a wide range of knives made by craftsmen from Osaka, Sakai, and across Japan, selling them, resharpening them, and holding sharpening workshops in Asakusa.

 

What kinds of Japanese knives are there?

In recent years, Japanese knives have become globally popular, and many overseas customers visit Kappabashi in Tokyo, Seki in Gifu, and Sakai in Osaka to buy knives.
So, what kinds of knives are made in Japan?
Most people in Japan commonly use Santoku knives, Gyuto knives, and Petty knives. Santoku and Gyuto knives are all-purpose knives used for cutting meat, fish, and vegetables. Petty knives are often used as fruit knives for cutting fruits like apples.
Other well-known knives include Deba knives and Yanagiba knives (sashimi knives).

 

Where are Japanese knives made?

Where are Japanese knives made?
The three major knife producing regions are Seki City in Gifu Prefecture, Tsubame-Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture, and Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture. Seki and Tsubame-Sanjo are famous for stainless steel knives, while Sakai in Osaka is famous for steel knives.
Other regions include Kochi Prefecture (Tosa), Fukui Prefecture (Takefu), and Kagoshima Prefecture (Tanegashima).

 

Steel materials for making knives

To make a knife, you need the steel material that forms the basis of the knife.
Knowing the types of steel materials used to make them can be a plus when purchasing a knife.
The first steel I'll mention is called Yasuki steel, specifically known as Shirogami #2 (White Paper Steel #2) or Aogami #2 (Blue Paper Steel #2). It's a type of steel often used in Japanese-style knives due to its excellent sharpness. While it's often avoided due to its tendency to rust, its sharpness is truly exceptional.
A common stainless steel material seen recently is called VG10. It has moderate hardness and is easy to sharpen, making it highly maintainable. This steel is used in many Damascus-patterned knives.

 

What kind of knife do you recommend?

Steel knives, stainless steel knives, Santoku knives, Gyuto knives, Deba knives, Yanagiba knives...
What kind of knife should you choose?
Many people have these concerns.
For practical use, if you're buying your first knife, a Santoku knife is a good choice.
It's suitable for cutting meat, fish, and vegetables, and many are affordably priced.
Gyuto knives seem popular with international customers, but compared to Santoku knives, their blades are a bit longer, so you might be hesitant to buy one as your first knife. However, as you get used to it, you'll find more variety in how you use the knife, so many people find Gyuto knives more versatile.
Some people think they need a Deba knife or Yanagiba knife to fillet fish, but I recommend starting with a Santoku knife to fillet fish. Once you become reasonably proficient at filleting fish, then you might consider purchasing a Deba knife or Yanagiba knife.
When purchasing, it's best to hold the knife in person and check its feel and weight. You should check if the handle shape fits comfortably in your hand, and if it's not too heavy or too light.
As for appearances like Damascus patterns or hammered finishes, these are unrelated to sharpness, so you should decide based on your personal preference.

 

Recommended knives from "Japan Knife Toku"

Here are some knives recommended by "Japan Knife Toku":

Santoku Knife
https://japanknifetoku.com/products/damascus-santoku-vg10-180

This is a Santoku knife with a Damascus pattern. It has a moderate weight, and its oval-shaped handle is designed to fit comfortably in the hand. With a blade length of 180mm, it's long enough to cut a whole cabbage.

Gyuto Knife
https://japanknifetoku.com/products/gyutokiritsuke-tsuchime-vg5

This is a Gyuto knife with a hammered finish. The tip has a Kiritsuke shape, inspired by Japanese swords. With a blade length of 190mm, it's long enough for household use. Also, the octagonal Japanese-style handle fits comfortably in the hand. Although it's a Western-style Gyuto knife, it has a Japanese-style finish, making it a suitable souvenir for international customers.

 

Where to buy a knife?

So, where should you buy a knife?
If possible, it's best to visit a specialized knife store and see the products in person before purchasing.
Also, it's reassuring to buy from a store that offers maintenance services (like resharpening) after purchase. If it's a Japanese-style handle, handle replacement is also possible, so it's a good idea to buy from a store that can provide such after-sales support.
By the way, "Japan Knife Toku" also offers maintenance services such as mail-in resharpening and handle replacement, so please feel free to contact us.

 

For inquiries, please also use LINE https://lin.ee/QCPsiZEi

 

Store Information / Access

 

Knife no Sakai Toku Asakusa Store (Opening April 2025)

Business hours: 10:00 - 18:00

Location: NW Building 6F, Hanakawado 1-11-4, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map

           •          1-minute walk from Asakusa Station North Exit (Tobu Skytree Line)

           •          4-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)

※Please take the elevator to the 6th floor.

※It might feel a bit difficult to enter, but "just looking" or "just asking questions" is perfectly fine!

 

We're also sharing information on social media!

We introduce tips on how to choose and sharpen knives with videos and photos on YouTube and Instagram.

     •          ▶︎ [Click here for our YouTube channel]
     •          ▶︎ [Click here for our official Instagram]