Craft Days · Seki, Gifu

Japanese Master Swordsmith Demonstration with Pickup

Watch a master swordsmith forge a real Japanese sword in Seki,
with English narration throughout and free pickup from Seki Station.

Location: Seki, Gifu
Price: From ¥93,000 (Per private group, not per person.)
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
Languages: English narration by the swordsmith
Group size: Private, up to 10 guests

Overview

Seki has forged blades for over seven hundred years. In this private demonstration you stand just steps from a working forge, not behind glass, while a licensed swordsmith heats and hammers tamahagane through the forging (tanren) and fire-forming (hizukuri) stages. The smith narrates everything in English, so the craft opens up as you watch. Free pickup and drop-off at Seki Station is included.

Highlights

Feel the heat and sparks as a swordsmith forges a real sword a few steps away
Learn the process of forging a Japanese sword from a master
See the forging (tanren) and fire-forming (hizukuri) stages up close
English narration throughout makes it easy to follow
Free pickup and drop-off at Seki Station

Who you learn from

A licensed swordsmith

Only a small number of smiths in Japan hold a licence to forge traditional swords.

Your host is a young, active swordsmith based in Seki who narrates the entire process in English. You stand just steps from the forge as tamahagane, the same steel used for samurai swords, is heated and hammered, and every question you ask reaches him directly.

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The Experience

01
Start
Pickup at Seki Station
Meet your driver at Seki Station for the short ride to the workshop, about 10 minutes by car. You can also make your own way there.
02
+10 min
Sword forging demonstration
Watch the swordsmith heat and hammer the steel through the forging (tanren) and fire-forming (hizukuri) stages, up close and narrated in English. About 1.5 hours at the forge.
03
+1 h 40 min
Return to Seki Station
Your driver takes you back to Seki Station, or you can stay and continue exploring the area.

Location & Access

Seki, Gifu: a swordmaking town for over 700 yearsAbout 10 minutes by car from Seki Station. Free station pickup and drop-off is included.

Booking & Practical Details

Price: From ¥93,000 (Per private group, not per person.)
Participants: Up to 10 people (private group)
Booking deadline: 2 days (48 hours) before the tour date.

Meeting point

Seki Station (free pickup and drop-off included). You can also make your own way to the workshop in Seki, Gifu.

What to bring

Clothes that can get dirty, ideally flame resistant

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation: cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later to keep your travel plans flexible.

Good to know

Suitable for all ages: no age, height or build restrictions
This is an observation experience: you do not make or take home a sword
Not recommended for anyone sensitive to loud noises: forging is loud, with hammering and flying sparks
The demonstration involves fire, blades and a power hammer: very rarely, sparks may cause a minor burn or scorch clothing
Photos and video are welcome throughout, with no restricted areas
A short safety briefing is given on arrival: no waiver or participant insurance is required
Available year round including in light rain: closed December 31 to January 4

Before You Book

What’s included

1-hour live Japanese sword forging demonstration (about 1.5 to 2 hours in total with the round-trip transfer)
English-speaking narration by the swordsmith
Free pickup and drop-off at Seki Station

Not included

Hotel pickup
Food and drinks
Gifu or Nagoya Station transfer (available for a surcharge)
Physical souvenirs

Do I need any experience?

None at all. This is an observation experience with English narration from start to finish. You do not make or take home a sword.

Can children join?

Yes. The demonstration is suitable for all ages, with no age, height or build restrictions. It is loud though, so it may not suit anyone sensitive to sharp noises.

Can I take photos?

Yes. Photos and video are welcome throughout, with no restricted areas.

Ready to experience this yourself?

Plan your visit

Trusted by Japan Culture Enthusiasts

🇺🇸United States

It was a Zen-like immersive experience that taught us not only the technique but also the why: the feelings involved, and our connection to the craft. I was deeply moved that the smith remembered us.

S.S