
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.