Sword Forging Experience for 6.5 Million Yen: JapanTicket PRESTIGE Launches New Product for High-Net-Worth Inbound Tourists with Asano Kajiya

Japanticket Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter referred to as JapanTicket) has, through its "JapanTicket PRESTIGE" business specializing in high-value-added travel for inbound high-net-worth individuals, jointly developed a special experience product with "Asano Kajiya Co., Ltd.," a sword forging workshop located in Hashima City, Gifu Prefecture. Sales will commence in June 2026. We will begin selling a special program for 6.5 million yen per sword, where participants work alongside a swordsmith to create a Japanese sword (Uchigatana), and a program for 2 million yen focused on creating a short sword (Wakizashi). The Japanese sword creation is a special program limited to 10 groups per year.

Product Page: https://e.japanticket.com/shops/asanokajiya

Amidst the continuous increase in the number of inbound tourists in recent years, and against the backdrop of the Japan National Tourism Organization's (JNTO) call for a "shift from quantity to quality," there is growing attention on content for high-value-added travelers. JapanTicket PRESTIGE is engaged in the planning and development of high-value-added content that re-edits the cultural heritage, techniques, and human activities passed down through generations into experiential value and delivers it to the world. This initiative is one symbolic example of that effort.

Making the Sword Forging Process Itself an Experiential Value

Asano Kajiya has previously offered a program for approximately 50,000 yen where participants can experience knife making, which has garnered strong support from inbound tourists, primarily from Europe and North America. Interest in Japanese swords and sword forging culture is high overseas, and many tourists visit Japan with the aim of experiencing striking iron with their own hands. The short sword and Japanese sword creation plans to be sold this time are further developments of these existing experiences.

Participants will be involved in the creation process alongside a swordsmith, which takes approximately one week for a short sword (Wakizashi) and over one month for a Japanese sword (Uchigatana). From material selection to forging, shaping, and finishing, Japanese sword creation requires numerous steps and considerable time.

For short sword creation, participants who wish to can observe almost the entire process. For Japanese swords (Uchigatana), participants can directly observe the initial few days of production, and then throughout the production period, they can watch the entire process of the sword being born through videos and photographs. The characteristic of this program is not just receiving the finished product, but sharing the time itself during which that sword is created.

Through the production process, participants can not only learn the techniques of Japanese sword making but also gain insight into the judgments, philosophies, and cultural background that artisans face daily.

Leveraging its functions as a travel agency, JapanTicket PRESTIGE coordinates not only the sword forging experience but also transportation, accommodation, and interpreter arrangements in an integrated manner. By combining the sword forging experience with encounters with local culture and people, we offer a special journey that seamlessly connects everything from booking to stay, experience, and departure, allowing guests to touch the profound depths of Japanese culture.

Asano Kajiya: Spreading Japanese Sword Culture to the World

Mr. Taro Asano (Swordsmith name: Botaro), the swordsmith leading Asano Kajiya, is a swordsmith who inherited the traditional techniques of Japanese sword making after studying under the 25th generation master, Fujiwara Kanehisa. He has been involved in the popularization of Japanese sword culture through public forging demonstrations, lectures, and technical guidance in countries such as France, Canada, and the United States. Furthermore, he continues to convey the value of Japanese swords and the culture behind them through ongoing exchanges with overseas artisans and researchers. This program will also offer the knowledge and experience cultivated through these long years of activity as experiential value.

Product Overview [Two Authentic Experiences to Choose From]

Japanese Sword (Uchigatana) Creation Program

Price: 6.5 million yen (tax included)

Production Period: Approximately 1 month Limited to 10 groups per year

[Product Details] https://e.japanticket.com/shops/asanokajiya/products/14513/

Short Sword (Wakizashi) Creation Program

Price: 2 million yen (tax included) Production Period: Approximately 1 week [Product Details] https://e.japanticket.com/shops/asanokajiya/products/14512/

◾️Experience Location: Asano Kajiya (454-1 Ejiracho, Hashima City, Gifu Prefecture) ◾️How to Apply: Apply by filling in the necessary information on the URL above (JapanTicket application page) ◾️Supported Application Languages: Japanese, English ◾️On-site Languages: Lecture provided by the swordsmith himself in Japanese or English. ◾️Other: JapanTicket PRESTIGE can provide total coordination for tours including the sword forging experience, such as arranging hotels and transportation, and hiring licensed guides, according to customer needs.

Comments from Stakeholders

Taro Asano (Botaro), Representative and Swordsmith, Asano Kajiya Co., Ltd.

"The value of a sword lies not only in its finished form but also in the technology, culture, and human connections behind it. Through this initiative, I want to convey to more people the charm of sword forging as a human endeavor, and the appeal of the place where Japanese swords have been continuously made."

Yuki Miyazaki, General Manager of the "JapanTicket PRESTIGE" Business, Japanticket Inc.

"Our goal is not simply to create high-priced products. We aim to deeply re-examine the value of culture and techniques passed down through generations and re-evaluate them on a global standard. 'Adding one to zero' does not mean raising prices, but rather correctly delivering 'hidden value' that has not been properly appreciated until now. There is still much authentic value in Japan that should be shared with the world. We will continue to transmit Japan's unique appeal to the world together with businesses nationwide who take pride in their craftsmanship and local culture."

*Japanticket Inc. is a group company of Japan Ticket Holdings Inc.

[About Japanticket Inc.]

Japanticket Inc. is a travel tech company within the Japan Ticket Holdings group. Through the digitalization and sales support of travel experiences and various services, we provide total inbound customer acquisition support for businesses across Japan.

Furthermore, under the concept of "UNCOVER JAPAN," our luxury brand "JapanTicket PRESTIGE" plans and develops high-value-added experiential content centered on encounters with culture, nature, and people across Japan.

Official Website: https://japanticket.com/

JapanTicket PRESTIGE: https://prestige.japanticket.com/

[Japan Ticket Holdings Inc.]

Japan Ticket Holdings Inc. is a corporate group that supports businesses in the food service, tourism, and experience sectors through technology. With "ebica," a reservation management system for restaurants, and "Japanticket Plus," which develops inbound customer acquisition and e-ticket businesses, as its core, the group provides integrated support from sales and operations to data utilization. We also engage in creating high-value-added experiences that leverage regional resources and cultural experiences, and under the mission of "Supporting hospitality for businesses with people and technology, and spreading 'chic experiences' to the world," we are working to create an environment that turns the value of regions across Japan into sustainable profits.

Location: 8F, Santomi Building Shinkan, 1-20-18 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Representative: Hiroaki Tanaka, Representative Director Business Activities: - Operation of "ebica," a reservation management system for restaurants - Operation of "Japanticket Plus," an inbound customer acquisition support service - Planning and support for inbound high-net-worth individual experiences and tours (JapanTicket PRESTIGE business) - DX support for food service, tourism, and experience businesses

Official Website: https://japanticket-holdings.co.jp/