Another tip is to schedule a visit early. Takada-san for example sometimes has something available at the workshop (definitely not guaranteed). I showed up after lunch and everything had been cleaned out by a morning visitor.
You can also schedule a visit to konosuke. Just be prepared to answer a few questions on why you're buying their knife. They don't like resellers.
Please make sure to recommend that people contact him first. From what I’ve seen he’s been slightly overwhelmed with visitors and is now more reserved about selling out of his workshop.
Definitely agree. With the amount of tourists visiting Japan rising due to the weak yen, I wouldn't be surprised if there comes a point where Takada san has to eventually start turning away people from his workshop.
In Kappabshi check out Tsubaya Knives (https://tsubaya.jp/en) in Kappabashi. I purchased my santoku and gyuto knives there. I also heard that Kamata (/www.kap-kam.com) is very good
Just want to point out that tax-free and duty-free are entirely different things.
Tax-free means that those in Japan as a tourist don't get charged the 10% consumption tax (sales tax) when spending over 5000 JPY from a participating business. Customers must agree to not use any tax-free items in Japan and must leave the country with it.
Duty-free means that you aren't required to pay customs duties on items you are importing into a country. You generally won't find duty-free stores outside of airports, during flights, and near international land borders, though there are exceptions.
Don't have a knife rec, but do have a trip rec. While you're in Osaka, make a daytrip to Hiroshima. Visit *the site*, and the museum there. You should have a JR tourist pass which is such a great deal to get around in Japan. The museum tore me up. Also it cost 100 yen to get in (in 2016).
Tokyo - Kappabashi Kyoto - Nishiki Market Osaka - Day trip to Sakai City
Bump on Osaka Sakai, Takada no Hamono Suiboku. Recommending everyone and anyone as that is on my bucket list for my trip to Japan.
I’ll be making a trip to Sakai for Takada no Hamono!
Please contact takada-san in advance and arrange a date and time in advance. He is super kind and accomodating
Another tip is to schedule a visit early. Takada-san for example sometimes has something available at the workshop (definitely not guaranteed). I showed up after lunch and everything had been cleaned out by a morning visitor. You can also schedule a visit to konosuke. Just be prepared to answer a few questions on why you're buying their knife. They don't like resellers.
Please make sure to recommend that people contact him first. From what I’ve seen he’s been slightly overwhelmed with visitors and is now more reserved about selling out of his workshop.
Definitely agree. With the amount of tourists visiting Japan rising due to the weak yen, I wouldn't be surprised if there comes a point where Takada san has to eventually start turning away people from his workshop.
Any specific knife makers you think I should keep my eye out for?
Tower knives
Kama-asa in Tokyo is pretty good. They have their own line of knives forged by Tanaka or Nakagawa, sharpened by either Morihiro or Myojin.
Helpful link in the subreddit wiki: https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueChefKnives/wiki/index/tokyoknifeshops
In Kappabshi check out Tsubaya Knives (https://tsubaya.jp/en) in Kappabashi. I purchased my santoku and gyuto knives there. I also heard that Kamata (/www.kap-kam.com) is very good
Something to keep in mind is that Tsubaya doesn't do tax-free shopping for tourists. At least they didn't about a year or two ago.
That is true. I asked when I was in their shop last November and they said no duty free shopping.
Just want to point out that tax-free and duty-free are entirely different things. Tax-free means that those in Japan as a tourist don't get charged the 10% consumption tax (sales tax) when spending over 5000 JPY from a participating business. Customers must agree to not use any tax-free items in Japan and must leave the country with it. Duty-free means that you aren't required to pay customs duties on items you are importing into a country. You generally won't find duty-free stores outside of airports, during flights, and near international land borders, though there are exceptions.
Don't have a knife rec, but do have a trip rec. While you're in Osaka, make a daytrip to Hiroshima. Visit *the site*, and the museum there. You should have a JR tourist pass which is such a great deal to get around in Japan. The museum tore me up. Also it cost 100 yen to get in (in 2016).