New experience by JapanTicket PRESTIGE gives travelers rare access to one of Japan’s most revered crafts

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Imagine spending a month helping create a Japanese sword.

Not in a museum. Not as a spectator.

But inside a working forge, alongside a master swordsmith whose craft has been passed down through generations.

That is the experience now being offered by JapanTicket PRESTIGE and Asano Kajiya, a traditional swordsmith workshop in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

Limited to just ten participants per year, the new program allows travelers to take part in the creation of a Katana while gaining rare access to the traditions, techniques, and philosophy behind one of Japan’s most iconic cultural crafts.

For travelers seeking meaningful experiences rather than luxury for luxury’s sake, the program offers something increasingly difficult to find: time with a master, a deeper understanding of a living tradition, and the opportunity to become part of a story that began centuries ago.

Experience the Birth of a Japanese Sword

A Japanese sword is more than a weapon or an artwork. It is the result of countless decisions, years of training, and traditions that have been handed down from one generation of craftsmen to the next.
This new experience invites guests to step inside that world.

Participants can choose between two immersive programs:

 Meet the Swordsmith

The experience is led by Fusataro (Taro Asano), a master swordsmith trained under the renowned 25th-generation Kanefusa lineage.

Over the years, he has shared Japanese sword culture with audiences around the world through live forging demonstrations, lectures, and workshops in countries including France, Canada, and the United States.

Today, his forge in Gifu continues a tradition that stretches back centuries while welcoming visitors from around the world who wish to better understand the craft and culture behind the Japanese sword.

“A sword’s value is not limited to its finished form. The techniques, culture, and human connections behind its creation are equally important.

Through this experience, I hope participants can discover not only the craft itself, but also the people, daily life, and traditions that continue to sustain Japanese sword-making today.”

— Fusataro (Taro Asano), Master Swordsmith and President of Asano Kajiya

Beyond the Forge

JapanTicket PRESTIGE can arrange a fully customized journey around the swordsmith experience.

Guests may combine the program with luxury accommodations, private transportation, interpreters, cultural activities, and exclusive regional experiences throughout Japan.

The goal is not simply to visit a forge, but to gain meaningful access to the people, places, and traditions that define Japan’s cultural heritage.

A New Kind of Luxury Travel

As travelers increasingly seek authenticity, access, and personal connection, experiences like this are redefining what luxury travel can be.

For JapanTicket PRESTIGE, the mission is not to create expensive products. It is to reveal extraordinary value that already exists within Japan’s regional cultures, craftsmanship, and traditions.

Across Japan, there are countless traditions and crafts that deserve greater recognition on the global stage.

We believe true luxury is not about exclusivity alone. It is about access to something genuine, meaningful, and difficult to experience anywhere else in the world.

Through JapanTicket PRESTIGE, we will continue connecting travelers with the people and stories that make Japan extraordinary.

— Yuki Miyazaki, Head of JapanTicket PRESTIGE

Location

Asano Kajiya

454-1 Egira-cho, Hashima City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Booking Information

Katana Program:
https://e.japanticket.com/shops/asanokajiya/products/14513/

Wakizashi Program:
https://e.japanticket.com/shops/asanokajiya/products/14512/

General Inquiries:
https://e.japanticket.com/shops/asanokajiya

About 「JapanTicket PRESTIGE」

JapanTicket PRESTIGE is the luxury travel division of Japanticket Inc.
Under the concept of “UNCOVER JAPAN,” the company develops extraordinary travel experiences that connect international travelers with Japan’s culture, craftsmanship, nature, and people.