FAQ

• Where is Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide located?

  Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide is located at 14-8 Nanbasennichimae, Doguyasuji Lane, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 542-0075, Japan. The shop is situated in the historic Doguyasuji Shopping Street, known as "the Kitchen of Japan," offering traditional Japanese cutlery in a culturally rich environment.
• What are the business hours of Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide?

  The shop operates Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM and Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. They close annually on January 1-2 and may have special closures during major Osaka events, ensuring optimal shopping experiences during regular business hours.
• How do I get to Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide using public transportation?

  The knife shop is easily accessible via multiple transit options. It's a 5-minute walk from exit 4 of Namba Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji or Sennichimae lines) and Namba Station on the Nankai Railway. Alternatively, it's about 8 minutes from exit 5 of Nippombashi Station, making public transportation access convenient for visitors.
• Is Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide open on weekends?

  Yes, Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide welcomes customers on weekends with slightly adjusted hours. They open at 10:30 AM (an hour later than weekdays) and close at the regular time of 6:30 PM on both Saturdays and Sundays, accommodating weekend shoppers seeking premium Japanese knives.
• Does Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide have English-speaking staff?

  Yes, the shop provides English-language assistance for international visitors. They employ English-speaking staff members who can guide you through their extensive knife collection, explain Japanese blade traditions, and offer personalized recommendations, ensuring a comfortable shopping experience for non-Japanese speakers.
• What is the significance of Sakai in Japanese knife making?

  Sakai is renowned as Japan's premier blade-making region with over 600 years of history. The city became famous for crafting samurai swords before transitioning to kitchen knives, bringing the same meticulous craftsmanship to culinary tools. This traditional knifemaking heritage makes Sakai blades highly sought after by professional chefs worldwide.
• Why is Doguyasuji Shopping Street called "the Kitchen of Japan"?

  Doguyasuji Shopping Street earned its nickname as "the Kitchen of Japan" because it has historically been Osaka's primary marketplace for professional-grade kitchen equipment. For generations, this specialized shopping arcade has supplied restaurants, chefs, and culinary establishments with high-quality cooking tools, making it a culinary institution in Japanese food culture.
• What makes Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide knives unique?

  Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide knives feature exceptional sharpness and durability created through traditional craftsmanship techniques. Their uniqueness comes from combining ancient forging methods with modern metallurgy, creating blades with superior edge retention and precision. Each knife represents the culmination of centuries of Japanese bladesmithing expertise.
• What types of knives does Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide offer?

  The shop maintains an impressive inventory of over 2,000 knife varieties. Their selection includes traditional Japanese single-bevel knives (yanagiba, deba, usuba), Western-style double-bevel knives, specialty knives for specific ingredients, and both professional and home-use options. This comprehensive collection caters to every culinary need and skill level.
• Does Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide sell left-handed knives?

  Yes, Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide offers specialized left-handed Japanese knives. Unlike Western knives, traditional Japanese single-bevel blades require specific left-handed versions. The shop provides these specialized options and can even create custom left-handed designs, ensuring southpaw chefs have access to the same exceptional cutting tools as right-handed users.
• Can I get my name engraved on a knife purchased at Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide?

  Yes, Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide provides a popular on-site name etching service that takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. This personalization service is especially popular for gifts and creates a unique connection between the knife and its owner. The engraving adds both sentimental value and helps identify your knife in professional settings.
• What price range can I expect for knives at Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide?

  Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide offers knives across a wide price spectrum to accommodate various budgets. Entry-level quality knives begin around ¥10,000 ($70-90), while mid-range professional options typically cost ¥30,000-60,000 ($200-400). Premium hand-forged specialty knives with rare materials or master craftsman signatures can exceed ¥100,000 ($700+), reflecting exceptional craftsmanship.
• Besides knives, what other products does Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide sell?

  Beyond their extensive knife collection, they offer a comprehensive range of kitchen accessories. This includes whetstones for knife maintenance, cutting boards, kitchen shears, specialized cooking tools, and other culinary implements. Their complementary products support proper knife care and enhance overall cooking experiences for both professional chefs and home cooks.
• How knowledgeable are the staff at Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide?

  The staff possesses exceptional expertise in Japanese cutlery and can provide detailed information about blade types, materials, maintenance techniques, and usage recommendations. Many employees have years of specialized knowledge about different knife styles, edge geometries, and steel compositions, allowing them to offer personalized guidance based on your cooking style and needs.
• Do I need to know Japanese to shop at Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide?

  While knowing Japanese enhances the experience, it's not necessary for a successful shopping visit. The shop employs English-speaking staff specifically to assist international customers. Additionally, they use visual demonstrations and product displays that transcend language barriers, ensuring all visitors can access their exceptional knife collection regardless of Japanese language proficiency.
• What payment methods does Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide accept?

  Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide accepts multiple convenient payment options including major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), cash in Japanese yen, and modern payment systems like Apple Pay. For international visitors, they can process tax-free shopping paperwork when eligible purchases exceed the minimum threshold, streamlining the transaction process.
• Does Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide offer international shipping?

  Yes, Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide provides reliable worldwide shipping services for customers who cannot visit in person. They use secure packaging methods specially designed for safely transporting sharp items across international borders. Shipping costs vary by destination country, and delivery typically takes 5-14 business days depending on the shipping method and customs processing times.
• Can I order custom knives from Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide?

  Yes, Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide offers bespoke knife creation services for customers seeking personalized cutlery. Custom orders might include specific blade lengths, handle materials, steel types, or specialized designs for particular cooking techniques. These made-to-order knives typically require 4-12 weeks for completion depending on complexity and the artisan's schedule.
• Is there a warranty on knives purchased from Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide?

  Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide stands behind their products with a craftsmanship quality guarantee. While they don't offer conventional warranties, they will address manufacturing defects that aren't due to normal wear or improper use. Additionally, they provide lifetime sharpening advice and can recommend appropriate maintenance techniques to extend your knife's lifespan substantially.
• What makes Japanese knives different from Western knives?

  Japanese knives typically feature harder steel with sharper cutting angles than their Western counterparts. Traditional Japanese knives often have single-bevel edges (sharpened only on one side) for precision slicing, while Western knives have double-bevel edges. Japanese knives excel at clean, precise cuts but require more careful maintenance, representing a different philosophical approach to kitchen cutlery.
• How should I maintain a knife purchased from Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide?

  Proper maintenance involves regular careful sharpening with whetstones rather than mechanical sharpeners. Clean and dry your knife immediately after use, especially with acidic foods. Store knives separately from other utensils to protect their edges, and use appropriate cutting surfaces (wood or soft plastic). Following these traditional care methods will significantly extend your knife's performance and lifespan.
• What is the cultural significance of Sakai knives in Japanese cuisine?

  Sakai knives represent an essential element of washoku tradition (Japanese culinary culture). These precisely crafted tools enable the meticulous cutting techniques central to Japanese food presentation, where visual appearance is as important as flavor. For centuries, Sakai blades have facilitated the precise cuts necessary for specialized dishes, making them cultural artifacts that connect modern chefs to centuries of culinary heritage.
• Can tourists participate in knife-making demonstrations at Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide?

  Through their ICHITOI event space, Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide occasionally offers immersive cultural workshops demonstrating traditional forging and sharpening techniques. While visitors typically cannot forge their own knives on-site, these educational demonstrations provide fascinating insights into the craftsmanship behind premium Japanese cutlery. The schedule for these special events is available on their website or by contacting the shop directly.
• What makes Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide a must-visit destination for culinary enthusiasts?

  Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide offers a once-in-a-lifetime culinary heritage experience that goes beyond simple retail shopping. Visitors gain access to centuries-old Japanese blade-making traditions, expert guidance on selecting professional-grade cutlery, and an authentic cultural immersion in Japanese culinary arts. Their combination of unparalleled selection, craftsmanship knowledge, and personalized service creates an exceptional destination for serious cooking enthusiasts.