【Coming soon】Splendid Seki
Come see the cutting-edge expertise, the time-honored tradition, and the enduring legacy behind the foundations of one of the world's three major cutlery centers - Seki City, the City of Blades, with a lineup of exciting activities with plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience. Start with an introduction to the history of blacksmithing in Seki and viewing of Japanese swords at the Seki Swordsmith Museum before enjoying a delicious unagidon (eel rice bowl) lunch - a source of strength and stamina for the local swordsmiths. Then, try your hand at making nerikiri, a type of traditional Japanese sweet supervised by a well-loved and long-established local confectionery store, Seki-shi Toraya. Enjoy your delightful creations with green tea in the tea room of the Kominka Aiseki. You have the option of doing so dressed in kimono. Finally, discover spiritual balance at Seki Zenko-ji Temple, where you can choose between Zazen meditation or shabutsu (tracing an image of Buddha) as your activity of choice. Manji (swastika)-shaped kaidan meguri and kanetsuki (ringing the temple bell) are also available.
Recommended points
● Uncover the history of Seki, one of the world’s three major cutlery centers, at the Seki Swordsmith Museum before visiting a renowned, long-established restaurant specializing in eel dishes.
● Make traditional Japanese sweets and enjoy genuine matcha at a tea ceremony, with supervision from the staff at Seki-shi Toraya, a wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) shop with an illustrious history of over 90 years. You have the option to do both activities dressed in kimono of your choice. Also, check out the tasty and heat-resistant katana ice cream, a dessert fitting for Japan's City of Cutlery.
● Choose between Zazen meditation and shabutsu (tracing an image of Buddha) at the Seki Zenko-ji Temple. Your name can be written in kanji for the latter.
Overview
- Season
- 2025/12/1～2027/3/31 (Excluding Mon-Wed, the day after public holidays, Obon holidays, 10/11,12, year-end and New Year’s holidays, 1/26-2/3)
- Activity Time
- 7 hours 30 min.
- Place
-
Seki Swordsmith Museum (example)
9-1 Minamikasuga-cho, Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. 501-3857
- Number of Participants
- 1 to 8 people
- Reference Price
- ※ Please contact us for further details.
- Starting Point
- JR Gifu Station or hotel within Gifu City
- Ending Point
- JR Gifu Station or hotel within Gifu City
- Meeting Time
- 10:20
- Schedule
-
10:20 - Meetup at Gifu Station or hotel within Gifu City
11:00 - Visit the Seki Swordsmith Museum, shopping at Seki Terrace
12:00 - Unadon (eel rice bowl) for lunch
13:30 - Traditional Japanese sweets-making supervised by Seki-shi Toraya and tea ceremony at the Kominka Aiseki, (optional) kimono wearing + 40 minutes
15:30 - Pre-selected A) Zazen meditation or B) shabutsu (tracing an image of Buddha) at the Seki Zenko-ji Temple, manji (swastika)-shaped kaidan meguri, kanetsuki (ringing the temple bell)
17:00 - End of activities
17:50 - Drop-off at Gifu Station or hotel within Gifu City
* This itinerary is an example
- Important Information
-
・Kimono rentals available for the following - Men: heights up to 185cm, Women: heights up to 165cm, for the traditional Japanese sweets-making activity and tea ceremony. You will change into your kimono before visiting Seki Zenko-ji Temple. Please inquire for heights above ones listed.
・Unadon (eel rice bowl) is served for lunch. Please notify us at the time of booking if you require vegan options.
- Contact Information
-
Discover GIFU
Phone number: +81-(0)58-265-4831 (weekdays 9:30-17:30)
Email address: customer@gifu-tj.jp
