With a finely sharpened Japanese knife, transform ingredients into Japanese food carving art.
[Activity] Japanese Knife Sharpening & Food Carving Art
Japanese kitchen knives are traditional craft tools that have supported Japan’s culinary culture for centuries.
In this programme, you will handle Japanese knives firsthand and learn about their sharpness and structure. You will then take on the basics of knife sharpening, acquiring practical skills that can be used at home.
Next, you will try kazari-giri (decorative cutting) using vegetables and fruits. You will experience the moment when ingredients are transformed into flowers, leaves, and seasonal motifs, becoming works of edible art.
Kazari-giri is a traditional Japanese technique in which vegetables and fruits are delicately carved with a knife to add beauty and a sense of seasonality to dishes. While decorative food carving traditions also exist in China and Thailand, Japanese kazari-giri is characterised by its greater subtlety and simplicity, enhancing the overall elegance of the cuisine.
Duration
120 min
Location
Central Tokyo (Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama available upon consultation)
Capacity
3 - ９名
Interpretation
▲：Without an interpreter (staff speak basic English)
Highlights
- Experience exceptional sharpness
Japanese kitchen knives embody the spirit of traditional craftsmanship. By learning about their structure and refined finishing, and handling them yourself, you will experience firsthand the difference of truly exceptional sharpness and precision.
- Try your hand at knife sharpening
You will take on the fundamentals of sharpening techniques passed down by master craftsmen.
A finely honed blade is not only beautiful as a tool, but also elevates everyday cooking into a more refined and rewarding experience.
Be moved by Japanese food carving art
Using vegetables and fruits as your medium, you will create elegant forms through Japanese food carving art, transforming ingredients into edible works of beauty.
The finished pieces are visually striking and offer a memorable experience to enjoy with both the eyes and the senses.
Perfect For
- For those who wish to experience Japanese tradition
You can discover the sharpness and structure of Japanese kitchen knives and try Japanese food carving art, transforming vegetables and fruits into beautiful forms. It is an accessible way to appreciate the depth of Japan’s culinary culture.
- For those who want to see, touch, and experience the real thing
By engaging directly with techniques passed down through generations, you will encounter the unique world of Japanese knives—something rarely experienced in everyday cooking.
- For those seeking special memories or meaningful gifts
The skills and insights gained through the experience become a lasting travel memory. In addition, Japanese knives available for custom order make an ideal reward for yourself or a refined gift for someone special.
Experience Details
What’s Included
- Explanation of the structure and finishing of Japanese kitchen knives
- Hands-on experience of basic knife sharpening (using practice Japanese knives and whetstones)
- Creation of Japanese food carving art using vegetables and fruits
- Take-home of the tools used during the experience
Highlights
- Feel the difference of a truly exceptional sharp edge with your own hands
- Practical sharpening skills that can be applied in everyday life
- Experience the moment when ingredients are transformed into works of art
Optional Add-ons
- Purchase and custom orders of Japanese knives available
- Kimono fashion fitting and purchase also available
Meet the Artisan
Miki Ueda
Founder of Japonistique
Miki Ueda is dedicated to sharing the beauty of Japanese traditional crafts and artistic disciplines with audiences in Japan and around the world through immersive, hands-on experiences.
With Japanese knife sharpening and food carving art as her starting point, she curates and directs authentic cultural programmes—including ikebana, traditional weaving, zazen meditation, shinobue bamboo flute, and incense making—working closely with devoted artisans and instructors to offer genuine encounters with Japanese culture.
As the owner of the Sakai-based Japanese knife brand KŌHŌ, she is deeply engaged in blade culture and studied under Mr Kawabata, successor to the techniques of the late master sharpener Akizō Mizuyama.
This formative encounter profoundly shaped her appreciation for the spiritual depth and refined aesthetic inherent in Japan’s traditional crafts.
Today, through experience design, co-creation with instructors, the establishment of quality standards, and partnerships with overseas travel agencies, she provides travellers from around the world with opportunities to experience Japanese aesthetics through all five senses.
Qualifications
Certified Kimono Dressing Instructor
Registered Nutritionist
Career Highlights
Extensive experience in international trade and global business operations
Discovered the world of traditional crafts through Japanese knife sharpening and began producing cultural experiences
Founded Japonistique and continues to curate and direct authentic Japanese cultural experiences
Message
“Traditional culture should not only be preserved, but also carried into the future through experience.
I hope to share the beauty and craftsmanship of Japan in forms that allow people to truly feel and connect with them.”