Learn to sharpen Japanese Kitchen Knives from the experts in sharpness and cutting power!
Our courses are available in English and Spanish!
Good knives must be paired with good maintenance, so let us teach you!
With decades of experience sharpening knives for Japanese chefs, learn the techniques needed to bring out the best sharpness possible.
Basic techniques can be taught in just thirty minutes!
The techniques we teach are the same techniques we use.
Suitable for newcomers and experts alike.
Group Workshops - Max Group Size of 4
All group workshops below are suitable for one to four people. These are designed for participants of all skill levels, and will be tailored to your experience levels on the day, or beforehand if the course is reserved - so we recommend reserving for the best experience!
Please note that walk-in appointments have a maximum group size of two people.
You may be paired with others outside your group.
Short Course - 30 Mins.
Spend time with one of our experts understanding basic whetstone knowledge, sharpening techniques, and important notes on knife positioning for sharpening single-edged and double-edged knives.
Great for newcomers to Japanese kiitchen knives, or those wanting to sharpen the same way Japanese chefs do with some hands-on time. Walk-ins are accepted, with priority given to reservations.
Medium Course - 1 Hour
Learn specialised sharpening techniques, with added coaching and feedback to improve your sharpening skills specifically. Use multiple stones, and be introduced to advanced techniques used by our expert team everyday.
Great for newcomers or those with sharpening experience, especially if you want to really kickstart your sharpening journey and spend hands-on time on many whetstones. Reservations are mandatory.
Long Course - 2 Hours
Understand not just sharpening technique, but theory too. Hear about knifemaking history, high-carbon steel, and single-edged knives in a specialised lecture before learning technique and getting coaching from our team.
Great for those who want to truly make the most of their Japanese kitchen knives, or who want to understand the history and science behind knifemaking from Sakai in a lecture exclusive to us. Reservations are mandatory. Launching soon.
Man-to-Man Workshops - Max Group Size of 1
Workshops are also available for a single person, reserving the sharpener's time especially for you. For these, we ask that you bring your own knives, so that we can give you advice specifically tailored to your knives. You will get a discount if you use a knife from our brand!
Man-to-man workshops are available via reservation only.
1-on-1 Course - 1 Hour
Our staff will have a brief discussion with you about your knife sharpening experience levels, aims and goals, and create a bespoke program for you on the day to teach you exactly what you need to know.
Bringing your own knives is required. Recommended for those who want to spend as much time sharpening as possible in an hour. Reservations are mandatory.
If you bring a Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide knife, the class is ¥2,000 cheaper!
Bespoke, Corporate, and Tourist Group Experiences
Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide offers sharpening and other kitchen knife related experiences in a bespoke fashion for professional culinary groups, management teams, corporate staff teams, luxury travel partners, and more.
We have run special experiences with culinary schools and executive chef teams from the United States of America, corporate teams in Japan, and luxury tour groups from all over the world.
These have a maximum capacity of 25 people, but we recommend smaller groups. Splitting larger groups into groups of 25 or less is also possible.
All bespoke tours go through our internal team based on direct consultation to give you the best experience possible.
Bespoke Courses
Learn more about our professional bespoke knife sharpening programs by contacting us through out Contact Us page. Our staff will help you create something perfect for your group or team that exemplifies Sakai traditional kitchen knife making and usage.
Outbound and inbound packages are available, designed especially for you! Like our knives, our bespoke programs are always designed with a focus on being entertaining and informative for a chef of Japanese cuisine, making it great for food enthusiasts too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve a sharpening class?
Reservations can be made through our online website directly via the links and buttons above, via contacting us on our Contact Page, or by messaging us on Instagram.
Are walk-in sharpening classes possible?
Walk-in sharpening classes are possible, but priority will always be given to booked classes.
Bookings are available up to the day before the class takes place.
Walk-in sharpening classes have a maximum of two people.
Monday classes are available via walk-in only, so we recommend visiting Monday if you do not wish to make a reservation.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations are possible up until the day of the event.
For cancellations before the day of the event, a 100% refund will be granted.
Cancellations made on the day of the event are non-refundable (a 0% refund will be granted). We appreciate your understanding.
Are your classes available tax-free?
All prices above include Japanese taxes, and are ineligible for tax-free purchases.
What is the maximum group size?
Group sizes depend on the experience, but as a general rule, group classes with reservation have a maximum group size of four, whereas walk-in groups have a maximum size of two.
What days are your sharpening classes available?
Classes by reservation are available from Tuesday to Wednesday. Classes are available from 10:00 AM and must finish no later than 2:00 PM.
Classes by walk-in are available from Monday to Wednesday. Classes are available from 10:00 AM and must finish no later than 2:00 PM. Priority will be given to reserved classes.
If the day is a public holiday, sharpening classes will not run on that day. We appreciate your understanding.
How long do your sharpening classes go for?
Sharpening classes last anywhere between thirty minutes to two hours, depending on your available time and the class selected.
What skill level is your sharpening classes for?
Our sharpening classes are available for all skill levels! Whether you are a beginner and new to sharpening, or someone who already knows a great deal and is looking for some pointers, all of our classes are modifiable to suit.
Can I bring people along to watch?
Observers are highly encouraged! All observers can watch our Short and Medium Courses for free! If they wish to participate, a fee will be applied based on the standard course rate.
Child observers can watch our Long Course for free too! Adult observers (over 15 years old) will incur a ¥5,000 charge for our Long Courses.
Can children participate in your sharpening classes?
Kitchen knives are incredibly sharp, so at this time we do not offer any sharpening classes to those under the age of fifteen.
Can I take photos and videos during the lesson?
Yes! We highly encourage it.
Specialised lighting is on site if needed, but only for appointments made by reservation and advance request.
How do I pay for a sharpening class?
For walk-in appointments, please pay in the store on the day.
For reservations, you will pay via our website. Either you will go through our checkout procedure, or if you wish, we can provide a custom invoice for you.
I just bought a knife from you. Can I take a sharpening class immediately?
Our walk-in Short Course is designed specifically with this in mind! Please talk to our in-store staff to take this class, or reserve it for a future date if noone is available that day. We accept walk-in Short Course appointments on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Start times are available from 10:00 AM and must finish no later than 2:00 PM.
Please be mindful that we may be booked out that day, or other pre-booked resevations may take priority. We appreciate your understanding.