The city of Seki in Gifu Prefecture is a blacksmithing town which was once known among samurai warriors as a place that creates blades that “never break or bend and are incredibly sharp.” During the Muromachi Period (1336-1573), there were over 300 blacksmiths concentrated in this picturesque region of Central Japan.

Today, the city is regarded as one of the world’s three major cutlery centers (along with Solingen in Germany and Sheffield in the UK), and is still home to ​​around 100 blade manufacturers, and 10 active swordsmiths. 

The city is surrounded by pristine nature including “Monet’s Pond” —named as it looks just like the French painter Monet’s water lily paintings.

Major attractions in Seki include the Seki Swordsmith Museum—where you can learn about the process of crafting a sword from start to finish, and the Gifu Cutlery Hall—where you can tour a showroom with over 2,000 knives and locally made goods, or shop for a Japanese kitchen knife of your own.

Seki City can be reached from Nagoya by both bus and train. 

Want to experience Nagoya’s unique culture for yourself?

Based in Central Japan and operating all-year-round, we offer highly entertaining group-tours of Nagoya and the surrounding areas that are sure to please. All tours are led by locally-based guides and will take you around the must-see sights in the region, as well as some lesser known gems. Our tours are fun, interactive and family-friendly. For more information, or to book a tour, click on the banner.

1 Day Tour

1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Samurai Swords and Japan’s Oldest Castle
Period	All Year Round
Time	9:00-16:30
Meeting Place	JR Nagoya Station
Adult Rate	¥21,900 ~
Child Rate	¥14,000 ~

Of course, we also offer private tours and transport in and around the Nagoya area, and other regional destinations. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are well-maintained and in good condition, allowing you to relax and enjoy your ride to wherever you are going. 

We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter. With door-to-door service, we can pick up you up from where you are and take you to where you want to go anywhere in Central Japan and the neighboring regions. For more information, please click HERE to check availability and pricing for your trip. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Central Japan and help you discover even more!