Camille F.
Google
Great experience!
The shop at the Sakai Knife museum has a wide selection of knives, for all use and budget, gathering knives from local workshops, which don't always have a boutique.
I was looking for a knife for my dad, who enjoys cooking, but is not a professional chef. The ladies at the shop were very helpful, some of them speaking English, and asked various questions to narrow down the type of knife I needed, then proceeded to show me 4 or 5. The lady who assisted me also recommended to buy a small sharpening stone for an affordable price and showed me how to use it, giving paper instructions in my native language (French) to take care of the knife. I appreciated that she offered reasonably priced knives and stones, and was not trying to push the +¥50,000 ones, as it would be of no use for me.
The workshop I bought the knife from offered free engraving (Japanese characters only, understandably so). One of the ladies at the museum shop also worked at this workshop and walked me there. I could take a few pictures inside and watch the blacksmith engrave the knife. A magical experience.
I would definitely recommend going to this shop if you are looking for a knife and don't know where to start.