Why Global Chefs Wait 3 Years for Nenohi Japanese Kitchen Knives

Some chefs wait 3 years just to hold a single piece of steel. In the small, hilly town of Nakai in Kanagawa Prefecture, a beacon for the culinary world has emerged. According to reports from Nikkei on January 4, 2026, Nenohi Cutlery has become the gold standard for high-end blades, captivating culinary artists across the globe with its proprietary honing methods.

The Craft Behind Nenohi Japanese Kitchen Knives

Nenohi's President, Yusuke Sawada, believes that the secret lies in the accumulation of marginal gains. He's stated that even a single improvement in every step of the knife-making process is vital. This relentless pursuit of perfection has turned a small town with a view of Mt. Fuji into a mandatory stop for any chef serious about their craft.