Published on Apr, 2025

Incredible experience! It all starts with the excellent energy and good vibes of Sumi, Yoshi, and Hiro. Then, the knife-making process step by step, it feels like the effort is magical. We are very grateful and hope many people will be encouraged to learn about this legacy of Japanese Craftmens with Samurai Soul. Greetings from Chile.

Published on Feb, 2025

I am from the US, and took the train from Nagoya, where I am visiting my mother-in-law. Hiro picked me up at the very remote train platform, and brought me to the workshop, where I joined another couple from Australia, and two instructors. First we made match tea, and drank it with mochi. Then we got to work. We chose our knife model, polished the blade, assembled the handle, then chamfered it to blend with the knife shank. We then removed the handle, and painted our name on the blade with kanji characters. Next we etched the blade, sharpened it, and tested the sharpness. We went to lunch of sushi, tempura, soup, and rice, at a cute little restaurant. When we returned our creations had been beautifully packaged for us, along with some gifts Hiro added. All in all, a very nice experience and now I have a very useful souvenir. Throughout Hiro was very attentive to ensuring we were having a good time.

Published on Jan, 2025

Ypu start out with high quality Damascus steel and then get taught how to polish, sharpen, and etch your name into the blade, as well as choose and shape your handle. It was a great experience, and my blade is sharp as all get out! The instructors were all super nice and knowledge, the lunch was delicious, and the sword museum was also very cool. Definitely worth a trip. Plus I had time, so I went to the nearby Inuyama Castle which is an original castle from the 1600’s. And I got super lucky with the timing and no one else being there. 10/10. Worth the trip.

Published on Nov, 2024

Could not recommend this experience enough! Thank you so much to Hiro, Sumi and Yoshi for an incredible day. I was treated like royalty, learned a lot, and am so happy to have such a unique, personalized souvenir. Hiro was waiting at the train station for me and had reached out on WhatsApp beforehand so I could contact him if any issues (there were none). First, you will be able to choose a handle from various wood types. You will learn to polish and prepare the blade (i.e., do it yourself), as well as create your own inscription on the blade. In addition to taking home your knife, you will also receive a lovely hand-written certificate. Lunch was included at a nearby restaurant and was a nice touch (we went for sashimi and tempura). Hiro, Sumi and Yoshi are fantastic instructors and are fun, lovely people. They will also take many videos and photos for you! Note: I was traveling solo, am English speaking, and had zero issues. In my group there were participants from all over the world - made some new friends.... bonus! If you are interested in cooking or knife-making, this experience is worth every penny and then some. When I return to Japan I will likely do it again just to see Hiro, Sumi and Yoshi - and to share the joy with friends.

Published on Nov, 2024

Could not recommend this experience enough! Thank you so much to Hiro, Sumi and Yoshi for an incredible day. I was treated like royalty, learned a lot, and am so happy to have such a unique, personalized souvenir. Hiro was waiting at the train station for me and had reached out on WhatsApp beforehand so I could contact him if any issues (there were none). First, you will be able to choose a handle from various wood types. You will learn to polish and prepare the blade (i.e., do it yourself), as well as create your own inscription on the blade. In addition to taking home your knife, you will also receive a lovely hand-written certificate. Lunch was included at a nearby restaurant and was a nice touch (we went for sashimi and tempura). Hiro, Sumi and Yoshi are fantastic instructors and are fun, lovely people. They will also take many videos and photos for you! Note: I was traveling solo, am English speaking, and had zero issues. In my group there were participants from all over the world - made some new friends.... bonus! If you are interested in cooking or knife-making, this experience is worth every penny and then some. When I return to Japan I will likely do it again just to see Hiro, Sumi and Yoshi - and to share the joy with friends.