Learn How to Make Only One Samurai Knife with Your Name

【Outline】

Traveling one hour from the World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle, by car, you will get to the mountain full of nature. A swordsmith craftsman certified by the Agency of Cultural Affairs will welcome you and teach you carefully how to make a Samurai knife there. Also, the knife will have your name engraved which should be a special memorabilia of your trip. You will be able to bring back the knife to your country as a deposit baggage.

【Highlights】 

• Mold the Japanese sword steel material into a Samurai knife 
• Experience of fire making(Mold steel material by using a hammer ) 
• Create Hamon (blade pattern) which is unique to a Japanese sword by quenching 
• Take back home your self-made samurai knife 
• Observe the making process of Japanese swords (Samurai sword) (option) 
• Learn the history of Japanese swordsmith from interpreting guide (option)
  

【Schedule】

Assemble at the sword factory → Mold the heated material using the hammer → Form with a file → Prepare for quenching (apply grinding blade soil) → Quenching → Polishing → Name engraved by the swordsmith

【Details】

Rakan no Sato is a beautiful historical park where you can feel the four seasons with the trees and flowers such as sakura (cherry blossoms), camellia, and colored leafs. There are the Rakan statues which were made to mourn the spirit of the warriors during Japan's Sengoku (Warring States) Period and a water mill which is rare nowadays. You will be able to relax while feeling the nature and history there. 

You can experience the traditional work of making a Samurai sword from a swordsmith certified by the Agency of Cultural Affairs. In the process, you will mold the Japanese sword steel material into a Samurai knife by using a hammer, create Hamon (blade pattern) which is unique to a Japanese sword by quenching, and polish it. A god of blacksmithing is enshrined in the sword factory. Experience concentrating your mind and the work of swordsmith done with soul. It includes work with blades and fire. As it will be a long work, please follow the instructions and be very careful not to get injured.

The swordsmith will engrave your name on the Samurai knife you made. Although the knife is small, it makes full use of the techniques of the Japanese sword making. The knife with your name on will be the only one in the world. It will absolutely be a special memorabilia of your visit to Japan.

【Things to note】

• Time：Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9:00-18:00 (180-300 minutes)
  Only 1 group is available for each day

• Meeting point：Rakan no Sato / KATANAKAZI Kikyo Hayamitsu
  28 Uryu Rakanguchi, Yanocho, Aioi City, Hyogo Prefecture 678-0091

• Access： 
  About 2 hours from Osaka Station to Rakan no Sato
  (1) Bus: 20 minutes on foot from Uryuhigashi Station
  (2) Taxi: 16 minutes by taxi from Aioi Station (approximately 3,000 yen)
  (3) Taxi: 1 hour by taxi from Himeji Station (approximately 10,000 yen)
  

• Language support：Japanese, Basic English
  

• Included ：Samurai knife and a case, light meal (sandwiches) and drink (coffee or water)
  ※Please contact us in advance if you have any food allergies.
  

• Excluded ：Lunch
  

• Participation requirements：Over 18 years old

• Free Wi-Fi：None
  

• Toilet：Japanese style and Western style

• Other things to note：
  ・Please follow the instructions since we deal blades.
  ・Before you experience, you need to sign the letter of consent to follow the rules during the activity.
  ・If children under the age of 18 are attending, the parents' agreement is required.
  

【Cancellation policy】

7 to 4 days before the tour date 40% of the tour price
3 to 2 days before the tour date 60% of the tour price
The day before the tour date, on the day of the tour 100% of the tour price

※Right after the online settlement is made, a cancellation fee of 10% will be incurred in case of cancellation.
※The cancellation fee includes handling charges.