Tours/Kyoto/Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience
Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience
5.0(1)Kyoto1h 10min
TRIPADVISOR5.0(1)
+11 photos
At a glance
Duration
1h 10min
Price from
$498 / person
Location
Kyoto, Japan
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 1 reviews
Languages
JA, EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
GOATtrip
Meeting point
Meet in front of the head office of 宮越製砥株式会社(Miyakoshiseitei kabusikigaisya).Please look for the sign and the “GOATtrip” panel on the guide.8 minutes on foot from Jujo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway13 minutes walk from Jujo Station of Kintetsu Railway
Description
The sharpness of a sword is determined by sharpening!
Japanese kitchen knives are very popular. What is important is maintenance. Chefs continue to carefully sharpen their own precious kitchen knives with the best whetstones to prepare their dishes.
This is a kitchen knife sharpening experience by Miyakoshi Seito, which has continued to produce the most highly regarded whetstones among chefs at Kyoto's long-established ryotei restaurants.
Please experience how a worn-out kitchen knife is transformed into the best sharpness through the kitchen knife sharpening.
Sharpening techniques and whetstones are useful not only for professional chefs but also for home use.
You will receive a Miyakoshi whetstone as a gift. Please learn how to sharpen and use them at home after returning from Japan.
Miyakoshi Seito has been in business for 86 years, and its whetstones, made using a special technique called the vitrified method, are highly regarded by knife sharpeners and chefs around the world.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, and Fri
Group price
$498 per group of up to 4
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 22 of the next 22 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 20.
Tour Options
knife sharpening full-scale 2 hours
Duration: 2 hours: Take more time to polish with various grindstones, experience tying strings, and tea ceremony with the head of the family.
knife sharpening experience 1 hour
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
What's included
Included
Guided tours by interpreter-guides
Whetstones Inariyama (reference 4,950 yen) as a gift
Photo Download Service
Not included
Transportation and parking fees
Transportation to the meeting place
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
1 reviews
5
1
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The minimum age is 10 years old; children under 10 years old are not allowed to participate.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience take?
Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience lasts about 1h 10min.
How much does Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience cost?
Prices start at $498 per person for this Kyoto experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Does Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience sell out?
It can: 22 of the next 22 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Meet in front of the head office of 宮越製砥株式会社(Miyakoshiseitei kabusikigaisya). Please look for the sign and the “GOATtrip” panel on the guide. 8 minutes on foot from Jujo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway. 13 minutes walk from Jujo Station of Kintetsu Railway. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience offered in?
The experience is available in JA, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
The minimum age is 10 years old; children under 10 years old are not allowed to participate.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(1)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
C
custisc2026
May 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Awesome Whetstone Tour!
Fantastic experience. The tour of the facility was very interesting on how they make the stones. Then we learned how to sharpen a single bevel Japanese knife using multiple stones. The translator was great as the owner spoke in Japanese. Would recommend if you like diving deep into small niche manufacturing or want to improve your sharpening techniques!
Operator response
Thank you very much for your wonderful review!
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed both the tour of the facility and the knife sharpening experience. It is great to know that you found the explanation of the stone-making process interesting and that the hands-on sharpening session was valuable for you.
We are also happy that the translation support helped you fully enjoy and understand the experience.
Thank you for your recommendation and for taking the time to share your thoughtful feedback. We truly appreciate your visit and hope to welcome you again in the future!
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Whetstones Factory Tour and Knife Sharpening Experience
