Experience 600 Years of Sakai Blade‑Making Tradition: Knife‑Making Demonstration and Authentic Blacksmithing Experience

• Table of Contents
• What Are Sakai Forged Blades? 600 Years of Traditional Blacksmithing Craft
• Who Is Eric Chevalier? A French Blacksmith Bridging Japan and Europe
• Let’s Explore the Tour: From Fire Making to Blacksmithing Experience
• Hands-On Steel Key Holder Making: Experience Blacksmithing the Easy Way
• Facility Tour: Experience the History of Sakai Blades Through Architecture and Garden Design
• Tour Details
• How to Make an Inquiry

What Are Sakai Forged Blades? 600 Years of Traditional Blacksmithing Craft

Traditional Sakai forged blades, crafted in Osaka’s historic city of Sakai, are made using a blacksmithing technique that forges together soft iron and hard steel. This unique method creates knives that are both highly durable and exceptionally sharp. Passed down through generations of skilled craftsmen, Sakai blades have earned high acclaim from professional chefs around the world. Today, they are officially recognized as a Traditional Craft of Japan.

At Sakai blacksmith workshops, blades are shaped through a traditional forging process known as tanzō, in which heated iron is repeatedly hammered and stretched to form the blade. With every strike, craftsmen carefully judge subtle changes in temperature and force, refining the metal through skill and experience. Watching this process up close allows visitors to truly appreciate the dedication and high level of craftsmanship honed over generations.
On this tour, guests can go beyond observation and actually take part in the blacksmithing process. By swinging a hammer and forging heated iron themselves, participants can feel the raw power of the work and experience, with all five senses, the depth of traditional techniques refined over centuries of history.

For inquiries, please contact us here (Japanese, English, and Traditional Chinese).

Who Is Eric Chevalier? A French Blacksmith Bridging Japan and Europe

Eric Chevalier, a French blacksmith, was drawn to the Japanese language and culture and moved to Japan in 2012. He trained at Sasuke, a long-established blacksmith workshop in Sakai, where he mastered traditional Japanese forging techniques and the production methods of Sakai forged blades. His dedication and craftsmanship earned international recognition, and in 2015 he received the “Rising Star” award from the French government.
After approximately five years of training, Eric began working as an overseas market development coordinator at the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center.
Today, he is actively involved in guiding visitors, giving lectures, and promoting Sakai forged blades to international audiences. As a cultural bridge between Japan and the world, he plays a key role in sharing the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship globally.

Let’s Explore the Tour: From Fire Making to Blacksmithing Experience

Here is an overview of the blacksmithing tour experience. The tour includes the following stages:
Fire making and preparation → Hands-on blacksmithing experience → Knife-making demonstration

From here, we take you inside the blacksmithing tour experience. The first step of Japanese blacksmithing begins with fire making, a critical foundation for every stage of the forging process.
In the workshop, fire is created using high‑quality binchōtan charcoal, chosen for its low smoke and odor, combined with a well‑ventilated forge. To precisely control the intensity of the flames, hollow charcoal is carefully selected, allowing airflow to pass through and enabling delicate temperature adjustment.

Once the fire is lit, the charcoal gradually catches, crackling with a gentle “pop‑pop” sound as it glows red. In that moment, visitors can truly feel the opening act of the blacksmithing world.

While modern forges often rely on gas heating, this workshop uses traditional, manually operated bellows crafted by Eric himself. By pumping air into the furnace through a hand‑powered system, the fire is slowly nurtured, raising the temperature little by little—just as it was done centuries ago.

As the charcoal changes color and begins to shine bright red, watching closely reveals the craftsman’s ability to judge heat levels and charcoal conditions through experience and intuition. It is a fascinating process that naturally draws visitors in. Once the forge reaches sufficient heat—sometimes exceeding 800 degrees Celsius—it is finally time to place the iron into the fire. This marks the beginning of the authentic knife‑making process.

Next comes the most exciting part: picking up a hammer and forging the iron yourself. When the hammer strikes the glowing metal with a powerful “clang,” you can see the iron gradually extending and taking shape. Feeling the weight of the hammer, the resistance of the metal, and the rising heat all at once, participants gain a deeper understanding of the blacksmith’s craft. Standing in the workshop, this immersive experience allows visitors to truly grasp the depth of Japanese forging traditions.

For inquiries, please contact us here (Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese).

Hands-On Steel Key Holder Making: Experience Blacksmithing the Easy Way

Let’s try making a steel key holder using traditional forging techniques. By hammering and twisting heated metal, participants create their own unique, one‑of‑a‑kind souvenir. This hands‑on process offers a fun and accessible way to experience the joy of craftsmanship.

Throughout the activity, Eric carefully checks the fire and working conditions, ensuring that even first‑time participants feel safe and confident. In a relaxed atmosphere, he also shares stories about iron, blacksmithing, and Japanese language insights, making the experience enjoyable both as a workshop and a conversation.

When you pick up the hammer and strike the steel with a satisfying “clang,” many are surprised by how approachable the process feels. Because iron cools and hardens quickly, every strike matters—bringing the phrase “strike while the iron is hot” vividly to life.

With repeated hammering and careful adjustments, the shape gradually comes together. The process moves more smoothly than expected, and before long, your piece is complete—bringing a strong sense of accomplishment.

To finish, oil is applied to the surface. The steel may briefly darken, a natural result of iron particles and oxidation, but this does not affect quality. Once the oil settles, the key holder develops a beautiful patina. The finished piece can be taken home as a memorable handcrafted keepsake from your blacksmithing experience in Japan.

Facility Tour: Experience the History of Sakai Blades Through Architecture and Garden Design

Behind the renovated building of a former Sakai blade merchant, originally constructed in the late Edo period, lies a special private accommodation reserved exclusively for guests. While preserving the charm of historical architecture, the space has been carefully modernized, allowing visitors to experience the unique atmosphere of Sakai as a town shaped by craftsmanship and blade-making traditions.

Eric also offers a guided introduction to the thoughtfully designed garden and the plants that thrive there, explaining the ideas and techniques behind the landscape. Providing a different perspective from the blacksmithing experience, this calm and reflective tour offers insight into Japanese aesthetics and spatial design, creating a peaceful moment to appreciate the cultural depth of Japan.

Tour Details

Led by Sakai blacksmith Eric Chevalier, this tour introduces the history and appeal of Sakai blacksmithing through his own personal journey. In addition to expert explanations—such as how charcoal is selected and how iron temperature is judged—participants can enjoy a hands‑on blacksmithing experience by hammering heated iron themselves, as well as live demonstrations of the knife‑making process.
The tour also covers practical knowledge, including how to choose and properly maintain Japanese knives—information that can be useful in everyday life. Suitable for both adults and children, this experience blends hands‑on activity with cultural learning, making it an engaging and educational tour for all ages.

・Price：From ¥25,300 (tax included) per group / per hour
*Rates vary depending on language support
・Group Size：1–20 participants
*Observation‑only tours are available for up to 20 guests
・Duration：Approximately 60–90 minutes
・Includes：Hands‑on blacksmithing experience / Knife‑making process demonstration / Steel key holder workshop (up to 2 participants)
*If you wish to join the key holder making experience with 3–7 participants
→ ¥50,600 (tax included) per group /  Approx. 2 hours
・Booking Deadline：Reservations required at least one month in advance
・Languages Available：English / French / Japanese
*Other languages require separate interpreter arrangements

For inquiries, please contact us here (Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese).

Beyond the authentic blacksmithing experience, this tour also offers opportunities to explore the history of Sakai and take a relaxed walk through the entire facility. Popular among international visitors, the experience is designed to be approachable and enjoyable for guests from abroad.
The tour is guided by Eric, who fluently speaks Japanese, English, and French, allowing participants to join without any language concerns. Visitors from overseas are warmly welcomed, including those who wish to take part in observation-only tours.

How to Make an Inquiry

１.Please fill out the required information using the inquiry form below.
２.You will receive a response from our team at industrial.tourism@nankai.co.jp within three business days.

For inquiries, please contact us here (Japanese, English, and Traditional Chinese).

Feel free to contact us for availability, scheduling consultations, or detailed tour information. We look forward to hearing from you!