Tojiro Knife Gallery: Where Craft Meets Modern Design

Japanese knives are renowned worldwide for their exceptional sharpness and quality. Now, knife lovers have a new place to visit in Osaka. The Tojiro Knife Gallery has officially opened to the public.

This new space celebrates the history of Japanese knives and the intersection of modern design. The gallery is also a place to learn, explore, and experience the art of craftsmanship. 

Additionally, the space showcases why Tojiro knives are trusted worldwide. This gallery also brings the history of Japanese blade-making into the modern era of Osaka. It helps visitors understand how knives are made and cared for. Every detail in the space has meaning and purpose. Keep reading to learn why this gallery is so special.

A New Flagship in Osaka’s Doguyasuji Alley

The Tojiro Knife Gallery is in Doguyasuji Alley, a renowned destination for kitchen tools and cooking supplies. Generally, professional chefs and home cooks visit this area to find high-quality equipment with a long food history.

Opening here connects Tojiro to Japanese food culture and shows respect for cooking traditions. This gallery is Tojiro’s flagship store in the Kansai region, placing the brand at the heart of Osaka’s food scene.

A flagship store represents a brand’s values and vision, and Tojiro chose this location very carefully. The space was designed by the creative agency L/O, led by designer Katata Yoshihito. They also renovated an older retail space to create a sense of both tradition and modernity. The design reflects Tojiro’s philosophy by honoring old techniques while embracing new ideas.

Inspired by Traditional Japanese Cladding

One of the most eye-catching features is the wall used to display the knives. The wall uses overlapping wooden panels inspired by yoroi-bari (a traditional Japanese building style). Yoroi-bari was designed for strength and protection, drawing inspiration from samurai armor with its layered plates.

In the gallery, this old technique is remade using thin wood panels with a warm texture. The panels hide LED lights and magnets that safely hold each knife in place. Moreover, this design makes the knives appear to be floating on the wall.

Small supports under each knife add extra safety and keep them steady. The wood also resembles cutting boards, reminding visitors of how knives are used daily in kitchens.

A Gallery Space That Feels Calm and Inviting

The knife gallery feels simple, calm, and welcoming. Wood walls, soft lights, and clean lines help visitors slow down and look closely. The quiet colors make the knives stand out, showing their steel, shapes, and handles.

This calm space feels very different from the busy street outside. As a result, walking inside generally feels like entering a quiet museum. Here, knives are viewed as tools, art, and therefore, an integral part of Japanese culture.

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A Window Into Craftsmanship: The Maintenance Room

Next to the gallery is a small maintenance room with a large window. Visitors can watch experts sharpen and care for the knives. The room looks like Tojiro’s factory in Tsubame-Sanjo, a famous metalworking area in Japan. This room also feels more industrial than the gallery. Additionally, metal surfaces and tools lend it a workshop feel. It shows the hard work behind every beautiful knife.

Designer Yoshihito says this room helps tell Tojiro’s full story. Watching sharpening up close shows skill, focus, and care. It explains how Japanese knives stay sharp and reliable.

A Facade That Connects Past and Present

The connection between tradition and industry is also visible on the store’s exterior. The facade also links the gallery and maintenance room through galvanised metal cladding, applied using the same yoroi-bari technique referenced inside. As a result, this choice bridges the warmth of wood with the toughness of metal, symbolizing Tojiro’s fusion of heritage and modern manufacturing.

From the street, the facade signals that this is not an ordinary knife shop. It invites curiosity while also remaining rooted in Japanese architectural language.

Recognition on the Global Design Stage

The Tojiro Knife Gallery has garnered international attention. Design experts and visitors praise its clever layout and clean style. As a result, the gallery was shortlisted for a 2025 Dezeen Award for Small Retail Spaces. Dezeen is a well-known website that celebrates great design worldwide.

This honor places the gallery among the top retail designs worldwide. It shows the space was carefully planned, not rushed or copied. Every detail reflects Tojiro’s values of skill, care, and quality. The design helps visitors better understand the Tojiro brand. For Tojiro, the gallery is more than just a store.

It is a place to learn about Japanese knife culture. Visitors see tradition and modern design working together. The space explains why these knives are special and respected. Guests also learn how to care for knives properly.

They see that great knives need time, skill, and attention. The gallery teaches people to value beauty and function. It turns shopping into a meaningful learning experience.

Why the Tojiro Knife Gallery Matters

For chefs, home cooks, and design fans, the new Tojiro Knife Gallery is special. It brings together architecture, craftsmanship, and everyday use. Visitors can also shop, learn, and watch experts at work. Therefore, they can discover why Tojiro knives are valued for sharpness, balance, strength, and care.

Because it’s in one of Osaka’s food-focused neighborhoods, the gallery fits right in. It invites guests to look beyond the blade itself. Visitors learn about the history, skills, and design behind Japanese knives today. Tojiro honors tradition while looking toward the future, one knife at a time.