Sakai knives draw global fans to Japanese city, sharpening sales

Crafts museum sees influx of tourists seeking to try out blades steeped in tradition

20231129N Sakai Traditional Crafts Musuem

Eric Chevallier, second from right, explains the finer points of Sakai knives to French tourists at the Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum. (Photo by Tomohiro Takasa)

TOMOHIRO TAKASA, Nikkei staff writer

December 4, 2023 01:22 JST

SAKAI, Japan -- About a 30-minute train ride from central Osaka, a museum in Sakai showcasing the knives the city is known for is attracting culinary enthusiasts from around the world.

The Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum features a variety of local crafts from hand towels to incense. But one big highlight is a showroom where visitors can test and purchase chef's knives from among the hundreds on display.