Sakai: Osaka's Knife-Making City

South of central Osaka, a port city with ancient burial mounds and a famous blade trade turns out to be a rewarding day out.

Published October 18, 2026 at 9:37 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Sakai, just south of Osaka, has made blades for centuries and is known for Sakai knives used by many professional chefs. Visitors can see knife shops, a cutlery museum, giant ancient burial mounds called kofun and the old port district. It is a short Nankai line or tram ride from Osaka's Namba area, making it an easy half-day or full-day trip.

A Port City with Deep Roots

Sakai is a large city in Osaka Prefecture, directly south of Osaka city, and it has a long history as a port and trading center. In the medieval period it was a wealthy, self-governing merchant town that traded with the Asian mainland and later with European visitors. Merchants, craftspeople and tea masters lived here, and the city had a reputation for independence and refinement.

Many things associated with Japan's culture have roots in Sakai. The tea master Sen no Rikyu was born here, and the poet Yosano Akiko is a native of the city. Today Sakai is an industrial and residential area, but pockets of history remain, including old shopfronts, temples and moats. Visiting gives a view of a side of the Osaka region that most travelers skip.

How Sakai Became a Knife Town

The tradition of blade making in Sakai is said to go back to the era of the great burial mounds, when ironworking skills developed in the region. It grew in importance in the sixteenth century, when firearms and tobacco arrived through the port. In the Edo period, smiths made tobacco-cutting knives that were prized for their sharpness, and the trade spread to kitchen knives and other tools.

Today the name Sakai is associated with professional knives used by chefs in Japan and abroad. The knives are made through a division of labor: forging, grinding and handle-making are often done by separate specialists, who pass pieces along. Traditional Sakai knives are often single-bevel blades for tasks like slicing fish, though many modern designs exist. The craft is recognized as a traditional industry.

Where to See and Buy Knives

Sakai has a number of specialty knife shops, many of them concentrated in the central part of the city around the old shopping streets. A tourist office can give you a map. Some stores sell to professional chefs and welcome the public, offering knives for sashimi, vegetables and general cooking. Staff can explain steel types, shapes and care. English may be limited in some shops, but many are used to foreign visitors and can use simple phrases.

A local cutlery museum introduces the history and techniques, with displays of tools and demonstrations at certain times. Check its schedule before visiting. Prices range from modest to very high depending on materials and maker. If you plan to buy, learn the basics of sharpening and care, and ask about engraving or a custom name, which some stores provide for a fee.

For visitors who enjoy craft, the surrounding streets also hold other traditional industries, such as incense, bicycle parts and dyeing. Small museums and workshops sometimes open to the public for demonstrations or short classes. Opening days are limited, so check the city's tourism pages for events. Even a short stop adds context to what you see in the shops.

Practical Notes on Buying and Carrying Knives

A kitchen knife is a sharp tool, and rules apply to carrying it. Shops usually wrap knives carefully, and you should pack them in checked luggage rather than hand baggage when flying. Check the airline's rules and your destination's customs regulations for imported blades, since they differ by country. Keep receipts and the original packaging.

At home, care for the knife as you were told: wash by hand, dry thoroughly and store safely, since the steel may rust if left wet. Honing stones are sold in the same shops. Many people also buy a wooden handle cover, which protects the edge. Do not put these knives in a dishwasher, and avoid cutting bones or frozen foods.

Kofun: The Giant Burial Mounds

Sakai is home to a cluster of ancient burial mounds called kofun, dating mostly from the fifth century. The largest, often attributed to Emperor Nintoku, is a keyhole-shaped mound surrounded by moats and is among the largest tombs in the world by area. The cluster of mounds was listed as a World Heritage site in 2019.

The mounds are impressive but hard to appreciate at ground level, since they look like wooded hills ringed by water. Walking paths circle the moats, and nearby museums with models and a viewing platform offer a better sense of the shape. Check the city's website for hours. Some mounds are still managed by the Imperial Household, so access is limited.

The Old Port and Other Sights

The Sakai Port area has a preserved lighthouse and a harbor with an old-fashioned atmosphere. The Sakai Port Lighthouse is one of the oldest Western-style wooden lighthouses in Japan, and the neighborhood has a calm seaside air. Along the way you pass moats and old streets that suggest the medieval town.

Other sights include the Rikyu-related sites and tea houses, Myokoku-ji temple, which is known for a large old cycad tree, and the Hankai tram line that runs through the city. Tram rides are cheap and offer a relaxed way to see neighborhoods. A bicycle is another good option, as the city is flat. Local tourist offices offer maps, some in English.

Seasonal conditions matter in a flat, open city. Summer is hot and humid, and walking along the moats of the large mounds offers little shade, so carry water and a hat. Spring and autumn are comfortable for cycling, and the moats attract birds in winter. A light rain jacket is useful all year, since weather can shift quickly near Osaka Bay.

Getting There, Planning a Day and Eating Well

From Osaka's Namba Station, the Nankai Main Line runs south to Sakai Station in a short ride, and the Midosuji subway line continues south to Nakamozu, near the kofun area. From Sakai Station, you can walk, bike or take a bus or tram to the main sights. The Hankai tram line runs through parts of the city and is a pleasant, inexpensive way to see local neighborhoods.

A sensible plan is to spend the morning at the cutlery museum and knife shops, have lunch, and visit the kofun or the old port in the afternoon. Weekdays are best for shops, which may close on certain days, and a few may open by appointment only. The Nankai line also continues to Kansai Airport, so the trip fits neatly before or after a flight if you have time.

For food, Sakai shares the casual cooking of the wider Osaka area, so takoyaki, okonomiyaki and udon are easy to find. The knife trade also supports many restaurants that value fresh ingredients and careful cutting, and set lunches near the stations are a good choice. Check opening hours, as many places close in the afternoon, and ask staff for recommendations if you are unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sakai knives good for beginners?

They can be, but pick a style suited to how you cook. Ask shop staff about the steel type, edge shape and care needs, since some knives are made for professionals. Many shops offer all-purpose models, and you should be prepared to learn basic sharpening and drying habits.

Can Sakai knives be taken home on a plane?

Pack them in checked luggage, well wrapped and in their original box if possible, and check your airline and destination rules. Knives are not allowed in carry-on bags. Keep the receipt handy, and ask the shop whether it can ship the knife to your address instead.

Is Sakai easy to reach from Osaka?

Yes. Take the Nankai line from Namba or the Midosuji subway line south. The ride is short, and many sights are within walking distance or a brief tram or bus ride. A bicycle is also a pleasant way to cover the flat streets of the city.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Osaka Prefecture Travel Guide, Kofun: Japan's Giant Keyhole Burial Mounds and Kappabashi: Tokyo's Kitchenware Street.