【Industrial Tourism】A Journey into Sakai’s Heritage — Hands-On Crafting with a Local Blacksmith

• Table of Contents
• What is Sakai Uchihamono (Sakai Blades) & the World of Blacksmithing
• Tour Overview
• Eric Chevallier — A French Artisan Carrying on Sakai’s Craft Legacy
• Take a Peek Inside the Tour!
• Try Your Hand at Blacksmithing
• Facility Tour
• How to contact us

What is Sakai Uchihamono (Sakai Blades) & the World of Blacksmithing

The traditional blades crafted in Osaka’s historic city of Sakai are known for their exceptional durability and sharpness. They are made by forging soft iron and high-carbon steel together, creating a structure that is both strong and incredibly precise. These time-honored forging and sharpening techniques have been passed down through generations of artisans, earning high praise from chefs around the world. Sakai blades are also officially recognized by the Japanese government as a Traditional Craft. In Sakai’s blacksmith workshops, red-hot metal is heated and repeatedly struck with a hammer, sending bright sparks flying. With each strike, the sound subtly changes, and skilled craftsmen can sense the metal’s condition simply through its resonance.

On this tour, you’ll not only watch the forging process up-close, but also try hammering the heated metal yourself. It’s a rare chance to feel the intensity of the craft and experience the profound beauty of this centuries-old tradition.

Tour Overview

Eric, a Sakai-based blacksmith, will introduce the history and appeal of Sakai’s traditional forging culture while sharing stories from his own experience. He explains how artisans select charcoal, judge the temperature of heated metal, and approach their craft with skill and intuition.

During your visit, you’ll also have the chance to try forging yourself—gripping a hammer and striking glowing metal—as well as observe the knife-making process up close. Eric will even share simple tips on how to choose a quality kitchen knife and how to care for it at home. It’s a hands-on and educational experience that visitors of all ages can enjoy.

▪ Fee: From JPY 22,000 / group (approx. 1 hour)

▪ Group Size: 1–20 people

▪ Duration: Approx. 60–90 min

▪ Contents:

　・Blacksmithing experience + on-site observation (experience: up to 2 participants)

　　(Example)For 4–7 participants: approx. 2 hours / JPY 44,000 per group

　・Observation only: up to 20 participants

▪ Booking: At least 1 month in advance

※ Guidance available in English, French, and Japanese (no interpreter required).

For inquiries, please click here (Japanese, English)

Eric Chevallier — A French Artisan Carrying on Sakai’s Craft Legacy

Originally from France, Eric was fascinated by the Japanese language and culture, which led him to move to Japan in 2012. He trained at the renowned Sakai scissor forge “Sasuke,” where he learned traditional craftsmanship. His achievements were recognized in 2015, when he received the “Hope Star” award from the French government.

After about five years of training, he became an overseas market development coordinator at the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center. Today, he is based at Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum, where he guides visitors, gives lectures, and promotes Sakai blades internationally. He continues to play an active role as a bridge between Sakai’s traditional craftsmanship and the world.

Take a Peek Inside the Tour!

Here’s a look at what you can expect during the tour.

The general flow is as follows: Preparing the fire → Forging experience / Knife-making observation

From here, let’s take a closer look at the tour experience.

The first step in blacksmithing begins with building the fire.Binchotan charcoal—known for producing little smoke or odor—is combined with well-ventilated, hollow oga-charcoal to control the flames. The hollow structure of the oga-charcoal allows air to flow through easily, making it simpler to adjust the intensity of the fire.

Now, let’s ignite the fire. As the flames catch on the charcoal, it crackles and glows bright red—signaling the beginning of the blacksmithing experience.

Today, most blacksmiths heat charcoal with gas burners. However, here, Eric uses tools he crafted himself to recreate the traditional method—manually sending air into the fire. He pumps air from the device on the left into the furnace on the right, gradually raising the temperature of the charcoal to build the flame.

As the charcoal gradually heats up, its color shifts and eventually begins to glow a vivid red. Watching this transformation up close, you can’t help but be drawn into the craft and admire the blacksmith’s skillful technique.

Once the fire reaches a sufficiently high temperature, it’s time to place the iron inside. Although it may not look that hot from the outside, the furnace can reach temperatures of over 800°C (1,472°F).

At last, it’s time to pick up the hammer and strike the iron. When you bring the hammer down onto the red-hot metal, it rings out with a sharp clang, and the iron gradually begins to stretch and change shape. Feeling the weight, heat, and vibration through your whole body, you’ll get a true taste of a blacksmith’s world—an unforgettable moment.

Try Your Hand at Blacksmithing

In this experience, you’ll try your hand at making a keychain from iron. By heating, hammering, and twisting the metal, you’ll create your own one-of-a-kind piece to take home.

Now, let’s get started! Under Eric’s guidance, the first step is to build the fire.

Eric checks the condition of the fire with you as you work. While tending the flames, he also shares Japanese sayings and fun trivia related to iron. He knows so much about the Japanese language that you might find yourself laughing at his witty explanations—sometimes even more knowledgeable than a native speaker! The conversations are just as enjoyable as the hands-on experience, and time seems to fly by.

You’ll take the hammer in hand and strike the iron with a sharp clang! You might be surprised by how easy it feels—suddenly, you’re in the shoes of a true craftsman. Because the iron cools and hardens quickly, every strike counts. It’s a real, physical reminder of the saying, “Strike while the iron is hot.”

As you continue tapping and shaping the metal with the hammer, it gradually begins to take form. Surprisingly quickly, your piece comes together—leaving you with a wonderful sense of accomplishment as your work is completed.

Finally, a light coat of oil is applied to finish the piece. Right after applying the oil, the surface may turn darker, but this is a natural reaction caused by iron powder and oxidation—it’s completely safe. Once the oil sets, your piece develops a beautiful sheen, ready to take home as a special souvenir.

Facility Tour

At the back of the renovated Sakai blade shop—originally built in the late Edo period—there is a special private guesthouse that can be reserved in its entirety, exclusively for overnight guests.

Eric also guides you through the garden, sharing the stories behind its thoughtful design and the charm of the plants that flourish there.

In addition to the forging experience, you can explore the history of Sakai and take your time touring the entire facility. The program is popular among international visitors and offers an easy, enjoyable way to learn about traditional craftsmanship. With Eric guiding you in Japanese, English, or French, you can join with confidence and feel completely at ease.

How to contact us

1. Please fill out the required information in the form below and submit your inquiry.

2. We will get back to you from "industrial.tourism@nankai.co.jp" within three business days.

For inquiries, please click here (Japanese, English)

Feel free to contact us for anything from available dates to detailed information about the tour!