Kai Group Opens Its First Direct Street-Level Store, 'Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto,' on Friday, May 1, 2026
To celebrate its 118th anniversary, global cutlery manufacturer Kai Group will open its first direct street-level store, 'Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto,' in Karasuma Oike, Kyoto, on May 1, 2026, offering new experiential value for cutlery.
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Global cutlery manufacturer Kai Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and COO: Hiroaki Endo) will open its first direct street-level store, 'Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto,' in Karasuma Oike, Kyoto, on Friday, May 1, 2026, marking the milestone of its 118th anniversary ('good blade' in Japanese wordplay) this year.
This store will operate as a 'solution boutique' that proposes new value for cutlery under the concept of 'Beyond Sharpness: If tools change, everyday life changes.'
Background of the 'Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto' Opening
Born in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, one of the world's three major cutlery towns, Kai Group is a global cutlery manufacturer founded in 1908. In 2026, it will celebrate its 118th anniversary, marking a special milestone fitting the wordplay of '118 = good blade' (ii-ha).
As a manufacturer handling everything from product planning and development to production, sales, and logistics, Kai Group sells over 10,000 items, including general cooking tools, grooming tools, daily necessities, medical cutlery, and industrial cutlery. The Kai products you use every day are packed with countless ideas and a commitment to design to make everyday life better.
With this commemorative step of its 118th anniversary, Kai Group will open its first direct street-level store in Kyoto, a city where many people come and go from domestic and abroad, aiming to expand brand awareness and improve its presence.
Kyoto is a region with a high affinity for cutlery, with a concentration of cutlery stores for chefs around the Nishiki Market, known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen.' In addition, because it has world-class tourist destinations such as Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kinkaku-ji, and is visited by many foreign tourists with a high interest in Japanese culture, high inbound demand can also be expected.
Against this background, we have decided to open this store as a place where customers from Japan and abroad can directly experience Kai Group's products.
About 'Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto'
The concept of this store is 'Beyond Sharpness: If tools change, everyday life changes - A Cutlery Solution Boutique.'
We will not only propose the most suitable kitchen knives tailored to the customer's purpose and ingredients but also carefully teach proper usage and care methods. Through test cutting and knife resharpening at the storefront, we propose the optimal 'encounter with cutlery' tailored to the user's lifestyle.
In addition, an '#Experience Lab' will be attached to the 2nd floor of the store, and workshop events to convey the appeal of the products are planned. Going beyond the framework of mere tools, we will redefine the value of a 'comfortable life' brought by cutlery and deliver new experiences that richly color everyday life.
■ Product Lineup
In addition to kitchen knives from popular series such as 'Shun' and 'Seki Magoroku,' we offer products in a wide range of categories.
[Handled Products]
Kitchen knives (Shun, Seki Magoroku), cutting boards, and other cooking accessories, nail clippers, sewing scissors including the 7000 series, miness, AUGER brands, etc. The Kyoto store will feature a broader lineup than the Narita store, communicating the diverse uses and appeal of cutlery.
■ Store Information
- Store Name: Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto
- Open Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
- Business Hours: 10:30-18:30
- Regular Holiday: Mondays (excluding public holidays)
- Address: 608-1 Kikkoyacho, Takakura-dori Oike-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Opening Commemoration Campaign Also Held!
To commemorate the opening, customers who purchase a total of 50,000 yen or more including tax will receive one furoshiki featuring the shop logo, created by 'Musubi,' a specialty furoshiki shop in Kyoto.
The furoshiki is appropriately sized for product wrapping and can be given directly as a gift.
* As quantities are limited, the campaign will end as soon as stock runs out.
Kai Corporation
Founded in 1908 in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, famous as a cutlery town. A global cutlery manufacturer that develops up to 10,000 items, mainly cutlery closely related to daily life, such as grooming tools like razors and nail clippers, beauty tools, cooking utensils including kitchen knives, confectionery supplies, and medical cutlery. It handles the entire process from product planning and development to production, sales, and logistics.
Headquarters: 3-9-5 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
President and COO Hiroaki Endo
https://www.kai-group.com
Inquiries regarding this matter from readers
Kai Corporation Customer Consultation Room
101-8586 3-9-5 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 0120-016-410 (Toll-free / Hikari Wide)
https://www.kai-group.com
This store will operate as a 'solution boutique' that proposes new value for cutlery under the concept of 'Beyond Sharpness: If tools change, everyday life changes.'
Background of the 'Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto' Opening
Born in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, one of the world's three major cutlery towns, Kai Group is a global cutlery manufacturer founded in 1908. In 2026, it will celebrate its 118th anniversary, marking a special milestone fitting the wordplay of '118 = good blade' (ii-ha).
As a manufacturer handling everything from product planning and development to production, sales, and logistics, Kai Group sells over 10,000 items, including general cooking tools, grooming tools, daily necessities, medical cutlery, and industrial cutlery. The Kai products you use every day are packed with countless ideas and a commitment to design to make everyday life better.
With this commemorative step of its 118th anniversary, Kai Group will open its first direct street-level store in Kyoto, a city where many people come and go from domestic and abroad, aiming to expand brand awareness and improve its presence.
Kyoto is a region with a high affinity for cutlery, with a concentration of cutlery stores for chefs around the Nishiki Market, known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen.' In addition, because it has world-class tourist destinations such as Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kinkaku-ji, and is visited by many foreign tourists with a high interest in Japanese culture, high inbound demand can also be expected.
Against this background, we have decided to open this store as a place where customers from Japan and abroad can directly experience Kai Group's products.
About 'Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto'
The concept of this store is 'Beyond Sharpness: If tools change, everyday life changes - A Cutlery Solution Boutique.'
We will not only propose the most suitable kitchen knives tailored to the customer's purpose and ingredients but also carefully teach proper usage and care methods. Through test cutting and knife resharpening at the storefront, we propose the optimal 'encounter with cutlery' tailored to the user's lifestyle.
In addition, an '#Experience Lab' will be attached to the 2nd floor of the store, and workshop events to convey the appeal of the products are planned. Going beyond the framework of mere tools, we will redefine the value of a 'comfortable life' brought by cutlery and deliver new experiences that richly color everyday life.
■ Product Lineup
In addition to kitchen knives from popular series such as 'Shun' and 'Seki Magoroku,' we offer products in a wide range of categories.
[Handled Products]
Kitchen knives (Shun, Seki Magoroku), cutting boards, and other cooking accessories, nail clippers, sewing scissors including the 7000 series, miness, AUGER brands, etc. The Kyoto store will feature a broader lineup than the Narita store, communicating the diverse uses and appeal of cutlery.
■ Store Information
- Store Name: Kai Cutlery Store Kyoto
- Open Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
- Business Hours: 10:30-18:30
- Regular Holiday: Mondays (excluding public holidays)
- Address: 608-1 Kikkoyacho, Takakura-dori Oike-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Opening Commemoration Campaign Also Held!
To commemorate the opening, customers who purchase a total of 50,000 yen or more including tax will receive one furoshiki featuring the shop logo, created by 'Musubi,' a specialty furoshiki shop in Kyoto.
The furoshiki is appropriately sized for product wrapping and can be given directly as a gift.
* As quantities are limited, the campaign will end as soon as stock runs out.
Kai Corporation
Founded in 1908 in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, famous as a cutlery town. A global cutlery manufacturer that develops up to 10,000 items, mainly cutlery closely related to daily life, such as grooming tools like razors and nail clippers, beauty tools, cooking utensils including kitchen knives, confectionery supplies, and medical cutlery. It handles the entire process from product planning and development to production, sales, and logistics.
Headquarters: 3-9-5 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
President and COO Hiroaki Endo
https://www.kai-group.com
Inquiries regarding this matter from readers
Kai Corporation Customer Consultation Room
101-8586 3-9-5 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 0120-016-410 (Toll-free / Hikari Wide)
https://www.kai-group.com