Nagoya Samurai Sword Class: Inuyama Castle & Sharpening

Learn to sharpen a Japanese kitchen knife from a working bladesmith, then tour the oldest castle in Japan.

This eight-hour class from Nagoya takes you to Inuyama to meet a bladesmith, sharpen a kitchen knife, explore Japan's oldest castle, and taste matcha in a National Treasure tea house. You'll visit the Seki Swordsmith Museum to understand samurai sword craftsmanship, walk Inuyama's historic streets with free time for lunch and local shopping, tour Inuyama Castle and a wish-granting shrine, and finish in Uraku Garden where a guide teaches the traditional way to drink matcha. An English-speaking guide leads the full day, and transportation between all sites is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Seki, Inuyama, and Tea Ceremony

• Visit blacksmith shrine in Seki
• Learn swordsmithing at Seki Museum
• Sharpen Japanese kitchen knife
• Shop for knives and crafts
• Tour Inuyama townscape
• Free time for lunch or exploring
• Tour Inuyama Castle and shrine
• Visit Uraku Garden and Joan Tea House
• Taste matcha and traditional sweet

The experience

The day starts at the Seki Swordsmith Museum, where you learn the history and process of samurai sword creation before doing the hands-on work yourself: sharpening a Japanese kitchen knife under instruction. You'll have time afterward to shop for a knife of your own or browse locally crafted wares in Seki's shops. This isn't a lecture on craftsmanship. You're holding the blade and learning the angle, the pressure, the motion that matters.

From there, your guide takes you through Inuyama's townscape before you break for lunch at one of the town's restaurants or explore on your own. The afternoon brings you to Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure and the oldest castle in Japan, followed by Sanko Inari Jinja Shrine, where a stone is said to grant wishes. The final stop is Uraku Garden and the Joan Tea House, the second National Treasure of the day. Here you taste matcha and a traditional Japanese sweet while your guide walks you through the formal way to drink it: another skill, another moment where you're doing rather than watching.

The guide speaks English throughout, and all transportation between sites is included in the eight-hour itinerary. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the pace suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Knife sharpening experience at the Seki Swordsmith Museum.
• transportation between all destinations.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• matcha tasting and traditional Japanese sweet in Uraku Garden.
• admission to the Seki Swordsmith Museum, Inuyama Castle, Sanko Inari Jinja Shrine, and the Joan Tea House.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Apr 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you'll follow the instruction and the commentary without translation. This works for anyone who wants to learn a skill and understand the history behind it, not just see the sights.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

14 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6).

What exactly do I learn to do with the knife at the Seki Swordsmith Museum?

You learn how to sharpen a Japanese kitchen knife by hand under instruction from a bladesmith. The museum also teaches you the history and craftsmanship behind samurai sword creation before you move to the hands-on sharpening work.

Is lunch included in the tour, or do I need to pay separately?

Lunch is not included. You'll have free time in Inuyama to eat at one of the town's restaurants or explore on your own, so you can choose where and what you eat.

What is the Joan Tea House, and what happens there?

The Joan Tea House is a National Treasure located in Uraku Garden and was designed by one of Japan's pioneers of tea ceremony. You'll taste matcha and a traditional Japanese sweet there while your guide teaches you the formal way to drink matcha.

How much free time do I have to explore Inuyama on my own?

Your guide gives you a tour of Inuyama's townscape, then you have free time to grab lunch at one of the town's restaurants or explore the streets and shops before regrouping for the castle visit.

What is included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes knife sharpening instruction, transportation between all sites, an English-speaking guide, matcha tasting, and admission to the Seki Swordsmith Museum, Inuyama Castle, Sanko Inari Jinja Shrine, and Uraku Garden. Lunch and any souvenirs or knives you choose to buy are separate.