Highlights
- Fully custom blade tailored to your cooking style
- Private online design meeting following artisan consultation
- Individually forged in Okuizumo by a fifth-generation bladesmith
- Personal engraving available, including your name in Kanji
Premium Tour
Custom Japanese Knife Commission from Okuizumo
In the mountains of Okuizumo, where Tatara ironmaking shaped Japan’s blade culture for centuries, fifth-generation bladesmith Kuzunoki continues his family craft. He does not speak of secrets or special techniques. He simply forges steel carefully, one blade at a time. This program allows you to commission a fully custom knife through a structured rural design process guided by ThoughINAKA. We coordinate directly with the artisan, refine technical details, and conduct a private design meeting before production begins. This is not mass production. This is individual commissioning. Limited to three commissions per month.
Storyteller
Tailored byBased in Okuizumo, Sameera Gunawardena serves as the bridge between client and bladesmith for this custom knife process. Working closely with Kuzunoki-san, he ensures that your cooking style, technical preferences, and engraving requests are clearly understood and realistically refined before forging begins. His role is to translate not only language, but intention. Through careful coordination, each blade becomes a considered collaboration between maker and owner.
From10,000 (JPY)
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Description
A knife reflects how you cook, how you move, and how you handle ingredients.
Through this commissioning process, you will define:
• Blade type (Gyuto, Santoku, Petty, Survival Nata, etc.)
• Single or double bevel
• Blade length and balance
• Steel type and finishing
• Handle material
• Personal engraving
After your inquiry is submitted, we consult directly with Kuzunoki-san to confirm technical feasibility and refinements.
Only then do we hold your private online design meeting.
Each knife is made to order.
Estimated production time: 8–12 weeks.
How it works
| Step 1 | Inquiry & Design Sheet | You complete a structured form describing cooking habits, preferences, dominant hand, engraving request, and budget range. |
| Step 2 | Design Commitment Fee | A ¥10,000 non-refundable Design Commitment Fee is required before the online meeting. This secures your consultation slot and confirms serious intent. This amount is fully deducted from the final knife price. |
| Step 3 | Artisan Consultation | We review your request directly with Kuzunoki-san to confirm feasibility and provide recommendations. |
| Step 4 | Private Online Design Meeting | We meet one-on-one to finalize specifications clearly and transparently. |
| Step 5 | Final Payment | After design confirmation, the remaining balance is paid. |
| Step 6 | Craft Production | Your blade is individually forged in Okuizumo. |
| Step 7 | International Shipping | The completed knife is carefully packed and shipped to your address |
Overview
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Tour Type
Remote Craft Commissioning Experience
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Price
¥10,000 Design Commitment Fee
(Non-refundable. Fully deducted from final knife price.)
Final price depends on blade size, steel selection, handle material, and customization level. -
Availability
Limited to 3 commissions per month
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Meeting time and place
Private online meeting via Zoom
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End of Tour
Completion upon international delivery
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Eligible participants
Serious intention to commission a custom blade
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Number of participants
Private commissioning (one client per booking)
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Japanese Level
None
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Accommodation
None
Inclusions
- Design review process
- Direct consultation with bladesmith
- Private online meeting
- Custom blade production
- Personal engraving (including Kanji option if desired)
- International shipping coordination
- Care instructions
Exclusions
- Import duties and customs fees
- Express production requests
- Refund of the ¥10,000 Design Commitment Fee
- Major redesign after final confirmation
Coordinator
ThoughINAKA serves as the cultural and communication bridge between guest and artisan, ensuring clarity, transparency, and respect for the rural craft process.
Travel planning and implementation
Tavikala Co., Ltd.
Registered Travel Agency with the Governor of Shimane Prefecture: Region – 106
Shimane Governor-registered travel service arrangement business: No. 5 – Other
Address: 406-12 Mitoya, Okuizumo Town, Nita District, Shimane, Japan
Phone: +81-50-3559-0222
Email: get@tavikala.com
Cancellation Policy for “Though Inaka” [Custom Japanese Knife Commission from Okuizumo]
Custom Japanese Knife Commission from Okuizumo
ThoughINAKA × Tavikala Co., Ltd.
This program is a made-to-order commissioning process.
Each knife is forged individually based on confirmed specifications.
Because of this, cancellation terms differ from regular tour services.
1. Design Commitment Fee
The ¥10,000 Design Commitment Fee is:
• Non-refundable
• Required before the online design meeting
• Fully deducted from the final knife price upon confirmation
This fee covers:
• Administrative review
• Artisan consultation
• Design meeting preparation
2. Cancellation Before Final Design Confirmation
If cancellation occurs before final design approval and before forging begins:
• The ¥10,000 Design Commitment Fee remains non-refundable
• No further charges apply
3. Cancellation After Final Design Confirmation
(Before Forging Begins)
If cancellation occurs after final design approval but before forging:
• 30% of the total confirmed knife price will be charged
This covers artisan preparation time, material allocation, and scheduling.
4. Cancellation After Forging Has Begun
Once forging has started:
• 100% of the total confirmed knife price is non-refundable
This is because the blade is custom-made and cannot be repurposed.
5. Payment Refund Process
If any refundable amount applies:
• Bank handling charges will be deducted
• Refunds will be processed within 14 business days
• Refund will be remitted to the customer’s designated account
6. Modification Requests
Minor specification adjustments may be possible before forging begins.
Major redesign after final confirmation may incur additional charges.
7. International Shipping & Customs
Import duties, customs taxes, and local regulations are the responsibility of the recipient.
8. Force Majeure
In the unlikely event that production becomes impossible due to natural disaster, serious illness, or artisan incapacity, a full refund (excluding completed production costs) will be discussed individually and in good faith.
By proceeding with this commission, the customer acknowledges and agrees to the above terms.
Questions?
If you're interested in this tour or activity and would like to learn more about it, please feel free to contact us.
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