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HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum
Visit Sakai to discover world-class knives and the best of Japan’s traditional industries
Sakai City
Home to the Mozu Mounded Tombs—part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan”—Sakai City in southern Osaka Prefecture is renowned for its production of high-quality knives. Sakai’s metalworking tradition is said to date back to the construction of the mounded tombs between the 3rd and 6th centuries, when blacksmiths gathered in the area and new techniques were developed. Since then, Sakai has flourished as a center of craftsmanship and trade, and numerous traditional industries, including incense sticks, hand-dyed cotton products using the *Chusen technique, and Japanese sweets, continue to thrive today.
* Chusen is a traditional Japanese dyeing technique in which dyes are poured through stencils to create patterns on fabric.
Reopened after renovation in March 2022, the Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum, commonly known as Denshokan, is a comprehensive facility where visitors can see, experience, and learn about Sakai’s traditional crafts, with a focus on knife-making. The Sakai Knife Museum CUT on the second floor exhibits the history, techniques, and tools of knife production, featuring numerous models and illustrations. Don’t miss the HIBANA chandelier, made from materials used in the knife-making process. The Takumi Exhibition on the same floor showcases the finest of Sakai’s traditional industries.
The first-floor retail space, Takumi Shop, offers a wide range of knives for various purposes, crafted from different materials and fitted with a variety of handle styles. You’re sure to find the perfect knife for your needs. In addition to knives, the shop also sells traditional items such as incense sticks and Chusen-dyed products, as well as seasonings, sake, and Japanese sweets—ideal souvenirs for family and friends.
How to get there
From Kansai International Airport, take the Nankai Airport Line to Sakai Station (about 30 minutes). Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum is about 15 minutes on foot from Sakai Station.
1-1-30 Zaimokucho-nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka
