Experience the Serenity of Zen and the Art of Natural Whetstones–A Private Tour with Zazen and Knife Sharpening

Kyoto
from $618 /person
290mins
Private: 1~6
experience-image-0

Overview

Set in the natural and historical surroundings of Kameoka, Kyoto, this experience offers a day to experience the depth of Japanese culture. Learn to sharpen a knife with a natural whetstone, savor a vegetarian meal made with seasonal vegetables, and practice zazen meditation in a Zen temple. Along the way, meet a former restaurant owner, a Zen priest, and a local culture specialist. You can also choose optional activities such as creating maki-e chopstick rests or joining a castle town tour.
(Itineraries vary by day. Please check the itinerary after confirming your reservation.)

Key Features

  • This Wabunka-exclusive experience introduces Kameoka, Kyoto, renowned as the birthplace of high-quality natural whetstones, through all five senses and local expertise
  • At the Natural Whetstone Museum, discover the history of Kameoka’s whetstones and learn about Japanese beliefs and the tradition of sharpening
  • Enjoy private access to a historic Zen temple, where you can experience spiritual culture through zazen meditation, matcha tea, and viewing cultural treasures
Location
Location DetailsGoogle Maps

Kyoto

290 mins

Private: 1 - 6

English-speaking host

Cancel free up to 11 days prior

Details

An Interactive Whetstone and Hone Museum in the Mecca of Natural Whetstones and Hones

Kyoto Prefecture’s Kameoka City has long been an important hub bridging the urban centers of Kyoto and Osaka with the surrounding countryside. In the Nara period, it grew as the political and economic center of old Tamba Province, and by the Heian period, it was a key crossroads connecting the capital with the San’in, Settsu, and Tango regions. It later sprouted up around Tamba Kameyama Castle, founded by the samurai general Akechi Mitsuhide during the 15th-16th Century Warring States Period. Here in a quiet forested area sits the Natural Whetstone and Hone Museum, a world rarity for both its focus on natural whetstones and its interactive exhibits. The whetstones and hones mined in Kyoto’s nearby Tamba Highlands are so highly regarded that Kameoka has come to be called the “Holy City of Whetstones and Hones” for both quality and variety. Visitors will find exhibits covering some 500 natural whetstone and hone specimens from not only Kameoka but other whetstone and hone regions of Japan and the wider world.

Visitors are greeted by a monument to whetstones and hones, adorned with motifs of mining and geological strata

A Private Tour with the Director Herself into the History of Natural Whetstones and Hones

Visitors are greeted at the entrance by an installation evoking a natural whetstone and hone mine, in homage to the prominent role that such mining played in Kameoka’s history. The museum's director, Aki Tanaka, begins the tour here with the origins of this industry, dating back not several centuries but millions – 250 million years, to be exact – when sediments began accumulating deep down on the seafloor at a rate sometimes as gradual as a single millimeter per millennium. Eventually, plate tectonics thrust these sediments up to the surface of the present-day Japanese islands and transformed them under the awesome heat of molten granite.

An array of whetstones and hones from all over Japan attests to just how widespread such mining regions are in the country

Layered, fine rock hones known as awasedo, mined in Kyoto’s Tamba Highlands, are a resource that many a chef, imperial carpenter, and sword sharpener – to name just a few professions – will readily tell you they cannot do their work without. 

In the museum displays, find exhibits on traditional Japanese swords, carpentry tools, and knives – all tools where precision sharpening is paramount – alongside displays of the world-class whetstones and hones themselves. Tanaka will shed light on each with her commentary, deepening your understanding of the crucial influence of such natural whetstones and hones on the development of Japanese bladed tools. Exclusive to this plan, you will also get a chance to hold a real Japanese sword, and use a traditional woodworker’s tool to experience planing high-quality Japanese cypress.

A rare opportunity to take a real Japanese sword into your own hands

At the display of world whetstones and hones, Director Tanaka introduces international visitors to whetstones and hones from their home countries or neighboring regions, among others, explaining the various characteristics of each in such a way that even those previously unfamiliar with the tools and craft can easily appreciate. The museum also has a microscope available for visitors to peer down at the tiny fossils embedded in the rock of the whetstones and hones, deepening their mysterious allure.

Fashioning a Finished Hone/Whetstone "Facing"

The Museum offers some 200 natural whetstones and hones for trial, along with traditional kuro-uchi forged kitchen knives. You can select from several types—such as the versatile santoku, the vegetable-cutting nakiri, or the slender koyanagi—depending on your cooking style. The stones include fine Kyoto hones once used for polishing Japanese swords, Aizu-to—elegant white finishing stones from Fukushima prized worldwide—and Amakusa-to, mid-grit stones from Kumamoto with striking wood-grain patterns.

Choose your option on site after an explanation from Tanaka

Hones are produced by “facing,” or filing the raw rock on a diamond grindstone. This process causes purple spots to appear on the surface, often said to resemble lotus flower shapes. When the surface is flat and smooth, the stone is then attached to a cypress base made by a local carpenter, taking its finished form.

Lose yourself in the meditative act of filing the stone

By Sharpening and Polishing the Traditional Way, Discover the True Sharpness of Japanese Blades

The knives available to sharpen are both black-hammered blades of hagane steel from Yasuki, Shimane Prefecture, known for its historical roots in producing tamahagane sword steel. Black-hammered blades are hammered the old-fashioned way, by hand, and retain the oxide top layer produced in the forging and quenching process to provide better rust-resistance.

In this Wabunka original plan, have your knife handle laser engraved with your favorite characters. Choose your engraving on site from kanji, hiragana, the English alphabet, numbers, and so on. Engraving makes your knife a true one-of-a-kind original.

A knife made special with engraving

In finishing your knife, receive attentive instruction on how to hold it, position the hone, and sharpen effectively, so that even complete beginners can feel at ease.

Tanaka teaches you how to sharpen and finish the blade with your own hands

Test-cut a sheet of paper to measure the sharpness of your knife. The way a properly-finished blade glides straight through the paper with even the gentlest touch is incredibly satisfying. Next, receive advice on how to maintain your knife and hone, such as by using oils or other rust inhibitors.

Test-cutting a sheet of paper to measure sharpness

Enjoy the Bounty of Kameoka With All Your Senses

After your sharpening experience, head to the kitchen on the second floor. Test the sharpness of the knives you honed on natural whetstones as you slice fresh, local vegetables from Kameoka. Your instructor is a former proprietress of a traditional Japanese restaurant, bringing years of expertise in Japanese cuisine.

You will also use a carefully sharpened plane to shave bonito flakes, releasing a rich, aromatic fragrance. Using the resulting broth, learn to prepare a clear soup that highlights the umami of the ingredients.

Savor the local ingredients of Kameoka (Dishes vary by season)

During mealtime, enjoy seasonal Japanese dishes centered around vegetables prepared by the proprietress, designed to satisfy all your senses. This culinary experience celebrates the bounty of nature while harmonizing mind and body, a moment you will want to experience firsthand.

A Moment of Zen and Culture at Hojoji Temple

After lunch, travel to Hojoji Temple in a private car. On the way, your guide, Anna Namikawa, co-representative of the local organization Fogin and a Kameoka native, will share stories about the region’s history and climate. Drawing on her experience in urban development, regional tourism, and community projects, Anna offers valuable insights into local life. Feel free to ask her anything, as she will make your journey all the more enriching.

Anna Namikawa will make your journey all the more enriching

Hojoji Temple, founded in 1641, was established by Zen monk Isshi Bunshu at the invitation of Emperor Gomizuno-o. The temple developed close ties with the Imperial family and the prestigious Konoe family, gaining recognition as a temple commissioned by the Imperial Court.

Numerous historical treasures

The temple grounds hold invaluable treasures, including calligraphy, paintings, ancient documents, and artwork gifted by successive emperors. The temple continues to receive offerings from the Imperial family.

Tucked in the mountains, the temple is part of a cultural heritage conservation area designated by Kyoto Prefecture. Its gardens, including a dry landscape garden with moss-covered plants and large monoliths, are recognized as a Kyoto Prefecture Place of Scenic Beauty. The gardens’ appearance shifts with the seasons, with autumn foliage especially captivating.

The gardens, designated a Kyoto Prefecture Place of Scenic Beauty, change with the seasons

At Hojoji Temple, the head priest will guide you through the grounds, showcasing books, personal items connected to the Emperor, and the seasonal gardens.

Experience zazen meditation for approximately 15 minutes, followed by a cup of matcha tea to relax and reflect.

A moment of tranquility in zazen

A Special Experience to Add Color to Your Trip

This Wabunka Plus-exclusive plan combines the art of natural whetstones, a serene Zen temple visit, and carefully prepared vegetarian cuisine, allowing you to experience Japanese culture through all five senses.

Optional activities include creating lacquer and maki-e chopstick rests or joining a guided tour of the castle town, for a deeper understanding of Kameoka’s charm.

Natural whetstones and hones, long an unsung but vital linchpin of Japan’s traditional cultural arts and industry

Spend a day enjoying time-honored skills and moments of calm, restoring both mind and body. Discover Japanese culture in an experience available only through Wabunka Plus.

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Natural Whetstone and Hone Museum / Hojoji Temple, Daibansan

Natural Whetstone and Hone Museum
This hands-on interactive whetstone and hone museum in Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture exhibits the city’s famous Tanba Aoto and Awasedo alongside precious natural whetstones and hones from all over Japan and the wider world alongside works from the city’s various traditional industrial crafts, and aims to spread Japan’s traditional artisanal craftwork to future generations around the world.

Hojoji Temple, Daibansan
Located in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture, Hojoji Temple is a Zen temple of the Myoshin-ji branch, founded during the Muromachi period. In the Edo period, Emperor Gomizuno-o commissioned the donation of a seated Shaka Nyorai statue. The temple grounds feature a garden designated as a Scenic Beauty by Kyoto Prefecture, offering a serene space where Zen spirit and nature are in harmony.

Location

Natural Whetstone Museum
Kameoka, Kyoto

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Kyoto

290 mins

Private: 1 - 6

English-speaking host

Cancel free up to 11 days prior

Reviews & Reflections

32 Reviews

Our hosts were knowledgeable and friendly. We learned alot.

L.O. United States

I love the place of the experience! I feel so grateful!

B.C.V. Mexico

It was great! I love learning more about topics that are directly applicable to me. AlLearning about the whetstone and history of it's use and application was very fascinating!

C.C. United States

Really fun and informative experience and really friendly and helpful staff.

C.L. United States

We had a great experience. It was truly great to learn from an experienced master and she was very nice.

A.S. United States

Amazing experience. It was engaging, educational and fun!

R.R. Canada

Everyone was so nice. The session was very informative. It was great. The instructors taught us well and ensured we had good technique. This will be a long lasting memory of our trip to Japan.

R.P. Qatar

I was in Japan for two weeks and tried so many things. This experience was my favorite! Aki San was amazing! Aki San gave an amazing class, let us pick our knives and stones, then taught us about the edge geometry and how to shape bevels. Then she gave us some cheap kitchen knives to practice on, before we were allowed to touch our own blades. We had the best time and I am so glad we chose this experience.

N.W. Qatar

I was in Japan for two weeks and tried so many things. This experience was my favorite! Aki San was amazing! Aki San gave an amazing class, let us pick our knives and stones, then taught us about the edge geometry and how to shape bevels. Then she gave us some cheap kitchen knives to practice on, before we were allowed to touch our own blades. We had the best time and I am so glad we chose this experience.

R.P. United States

The history that accompanied the activity was the perfect balance. We had an awesome time, learned while we did it, always felt engaged, and left with the best knife any of us own to show for it

J.B. United States

The experience was great! Worth every penny! The host was great and wewent home with some fun gear!

F.B. United States

Aki Tanaka was amazing. We loved her very engaging way of teaching about whetstones, and her personal way of being.

N.B. Qatar

Experience was very informative and fun. I could’ve spent a hours there learning about the history of the knife work and the stones. I loved the sharping skills being taught and learning about the regions the stone and craftsman are from.

R.C. United States

I took my son for his birthday as he has a growing interest in cooking. We were made to feel welcome and enjoyed the detail as knowledge provided. Our knives and whetstones were unique keepsakes of our trip to Japan and a great alternative to impersonal, mass produced products.

G.H. Australia

The experience was absolutely incredible. My group booked a private tour with a knife sharpening lesson at the Natural Whetstone Museum in Kameoka, Japan. The teacher, Aki-san, is an expert in the field and skilled at sharing her knowledge. She was such a pleasure to work with - knowledgeable, funny, and kind. It was also really nice to receive all the information straight from the source, as Aki-san speaks English; she communicated all the information about whetstones and knives directly to us - no interpreter necessary. It was also really cool to be able to see our knives before and after sharpening under a microscope. And of course, we were all super excited to be able to take home a hand-crafted knife and a whole whetstone with us. This experience was undoubtedly the best part of our entire trip to Japan. Thank you so much, Aki-san!

N.Y. United States

Because as a whole experience was amazing, the explanation, the friendliness of the host, me having questions and being answered, and talking about Japanese culture in general. I couldn’t be more satisfied

E.P. Greece

It was a great experience! We learned so much about knifes, hones and the region. So so nice, we were very thankful. We’ve already recommended the experience to our friends and will continue for the future!

I.K. Germany

The private tour and lesson on the day the museum is normally closed was really interesting and fun. Aki-san was a generous and entertaining host.

R.M. Australia

Wonderful! Absolutely one of the most interesting and unique experiences I have ever had while traveling. It was great to learn a new art and skill in knife sharpening, and even got to learn some carpentry techniques as well. The artisans involved are all so talented and it was a privilege to learn more about their work. Thank you Tanaka-san! Arigato gozaimasu!

K.M. United States

The experience was really amazing. Aki-san was so personable and engaging, making the entire event with her exciting, fun, and really welcoming. She was patient and supportive in the crafting process, and endlessly knowledgeable. She even helped us find a more scenic route back into Kyoto so that we could see the bamboo forest and went above and beyond in making sure that we enjoyed the experience. From the booking all the way through to the experience itself I felt there was attention to detail, a warm and engaging customer service, and a fantastic relay of information.

D.R. United States

The experience with Aki-San was amazing. She is a wonderful host and incredibly knowledgeable.

R.M. United States

The experience is priceless because I can never forget about it. I can use it for my life. It has been passed down generations and Ms Tanaka was so kind and informative. I learned a life long lesson.

S.K. United States

We found the class really helpful. We learned a lot and got to take knives back with us - a great souvenir from our trip! It educated me on how Japanese knife culture became so popular.

J.K. United States

This was incredible to be part of the knife sharpening experience - understanding the art of the sharpening, the stones that are used and the history associated with it. Would highly recommend it was so unique and enriching on so many levels. Very professional. The people were so knowledgeable and passionate too.

J.R. South Africa

Great tour, very nice staff.

V.L. Greece

Incredible experience that you should definitely visit when coming to the Kyoto region. It was quite expensive, however worth it, seeing all the work that was done to craft such a knife and the stones. It gave a good view on the evolving use of the wet stone and the craftsmanship that comes into place when making these knifes.

L.H. Netherlands

Informative, a great learning opportunity, fun, very enjoyable and overall extraordinary way to spend a day in Japan. Everyone was so nice and there was a good mix of cultural exploration and hands on craft. The experience deepened our interest in the culture and artisans of the country.

J.G. United States

The one on one time with a master craftsman. We learned about the tradition of knife making, the traditions it is rooted in as well as the origin of the materials. It was fun with an interesting educational element.

C.L. United States

I can't express enough how kind, respectful, and knowledgeable the women we worked with were. The two ladies we worked with were absolutely amazing! They were so informative, understanding, kind, and supportive! I appreciate more of the history and the rural location that we were in. There is so much love and tradition that comes from Japan's culture. I am glad I got to learn about how whetstones take a part in that. 11/10 need to do in Japan! It is worth the travel. Unforgettable.

S.W. United States

Deep dive into Japanese culture to learn more about whetstones, knifes and the environment they come from. We went with a group of three and were greeted very cheerfully at Tennentoishikan. The director of the museum explained about the history of whetstones as well as the specialties of the region. After that, we were guided to another room to choose our knifes and whetstones. We specifically asked to follow the explanation in simple Japanese and the director was happy to do so. For more difficult terms, English was used, so we understood all the explanations and instructions while also practicing and improving our Japanese listening and speaking skills. Very special with this experience were several things. First we were asked to choose kanji, katakana or hiragana for the engraving of the knife handle. When we discussed that those kanji would look nice on a hanko, the director consulted one of the employees and made it possible for us to also get a hanko handcrafted by an artisan (paid at the location). Wow, we did not expect that! Second, while the hanko was made and we had finished sharpening our knifes, the director showed us how to shave bonito flakes and made us a bonito flake drink. Very tasty! Third, we went to the little shop on the second floor and checked out the local produce as well as eating a few packed sweet breads from the shop. We felt like kings (well, queens actually), everyone was really nice and genuinely happy to have us around and to share their knowledge with us. Next to that, the director was so kind to call a taxi for us to bring us to the nearest station. It showed how appreciative Japanese people are if foreigners are trying to speak Japanese and trying to act conform the norms and values of Japanese society. Japanese are genuinely friendly and happy to share their culture with others. This experience made me feel invited to join and come back at another occasion. Worth the time and money (we spent more time there than anticipated, but it was worth it), a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

L.K. Germany

Top rating all the way because we really felt like important visitors. The whole experience was calm, informative and great fun. I always wanted to learn about how to sharpen a Japanese knife with a whetstone. This visit gave is that and so much more. I knew that cutting techniques and different blades was important for chefs, but I learned that different blades have had influence in many ways to many occupations.

A.R. Norway

Everything was great! I think the most memorable part was receiving our completed knives at the end. This definitely helped us better understand the craftsmanship and history of knife/sword making in Japan. A great way to stay cool, learn a new skill, and experience Japanese culture and hospitality.

R.L. Canada

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