Price in japan

[Minx]

Hi, I'm going to Japan in few days, unfortunately masamoto will closed for new year holiday while I'm in Japan. Ill chcek in Osaka (manba station), problem is I don't speak Japanese n im affraid to buy less known brand since I don't know what material. And thinking to visit sakai yusuke but maybe out if my budget (for gyuto, usuba, deba) under cad$650.
What is the price difference in North America n Japan? Maybe for takayuki?
Thanks?

 

[KenHash]

I can't give you a specific rundown on every brand name but I can tell you that firstly, nearly all stores are closed for the New Years Holidays. But it varies from store to store and while some are closed for 3 days some are only closed on January 1st.
The prices at the maker's stores do not vary much from their export prices. The best deals can be had from dealers who are carrying stock that they want to move. I have gotten 10-30% off on Masahiros ,Masamotos and Tojiros in the past. All the major department stores, many of which are located at Namba Station, carry good brand cooking knives but their selection will be limited and you wont get any kind of deal out of them. I can not be sure right now but it is worth checking if the store will sell tax-free and duty-free if you show your foreign passport. Alot of stores do this.
Naturally the current exchange rate makes a big difference. 650 CD is about USD 470 right now, but I can't tell from your post if you meant that as a price for one knife, or for a gyuto/nakiri/deba set. There are five Cutlery Shops located near Namba Station (not Manba - that's a blackjack knife lol). This is a webpage that shows the store locations as well as JR (Japan Rail) Namba Station. You will have to printscreen this and print out the map at least.


http://hotpepper.omisenomikata.jp/station/28172/c1348/

The Cutlery Stores are:
1. Minamoto Masayoshi
2. Shoujiki Hamonoten
3. MInanoto Masakazu
4. Oono Shouten
5. Yamagen Hamono Senmonten

There may be some others inside the Shoutengai (shopping arcades). I personally have not been to any of these stores.

Hope this helps you out.
Ken

MODS might want to move this Kitchen Cutlery.

 

[craytab]

Great info Ken!