in Sakai, outside of Osaka, there are dozens of small knife factories within walking distance — if you enjoy cooking and sharp things it's a necessary pilgrimage

+1 i love that they engrave them by hand too

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The story and connection is everything to me with objects. I appreciate your suggestions here very much. Thank you!

IMO the story of how you got the object and the connection you make with the maker is more important than finding the 100% perfect thing. Any place in Sakai will get you at least 96% there.

The main thing is to find a general knife style you like (probably gyuto or santoku, and a petty knife). Buying the same knife in the US is 2-3X more expensive than going to the factory, so buy a few extra to play with and you can always gift the ones you don't like as much :)

This is at the top of my shopping list for the next Japan trip. We enjoy cooking in our household and finding it’s time to invest in great knives.

How do you decide which shop of the dozens to patronize?

Beautiful. Meanwhile in Germany there are Waffenverbotszonen and grandmothers (!) are checked whether they carry a swiss army knife. Failing society.

I know where I need to go next time I’m in Japan