Historic Kawagoe north of  Tokyo

Kawagoe in Saitama is a short train ride just north of Tokyo. This historic city is charming and a great day trip. The downtown “kurazukuri” area is filled with old, wooden buildings and this tall bell tower.

Machikan Knife Store in Kawagoe

Shinji and I came to Kawagoe to purchase knives for each other. Machikan is on the main street in downtown Kawagoe and I believe is a seventh generation shop.

Machikan Knife Shop in Kawagoe

Here is the noren (banner) in front of Machikan.

Machikan Knives

Shinji’s knife is the long, yanagibocho, for cutting fish into sashimi slices. I chose a small debabocho, for filleting small fish.

Shinji slicing hirame with his yanagibocho

Shinji’s first fish with his new knife was a gorgeous winter hirame, rich with fat.

Machikan Knife Shop

Saitama-ken, Kawagoe-shi, Saiwaicho 7-3

049-222-1516

www.oakv.co.jp/sylvan/0801/index.html

Check out the website for gorgeous photos of the interior of the shop.