Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We are based in Tokyo, Japan, and operate entirely online without a physical storefront. We ship worldwide via Japan Post EMS or DHL.

We carry limited, rotating stock -- quite different from big retailers. Once something sells out, we don't necessarily reorder it right away. It could be months or longer before that item comes back, if at all. We bring in new knives regularly, but they're not always the same ones. Our newsletter is the best way to stay updated on new arrivals. Subscribe for updates.

For your first Japanese knife, we usually recommend multipurpose ones like gyuto or bunka/santoku. Check out our Beginner's Guide for more information. If you need further assistance, our team is always ready to help.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay. We do not offer Cash on Delivery (COD).

We process and dispatch orders within 24-48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays). Once shipped, we'll email you a tracking link.

Note: These estimates are averages and not guaranteed delivery times. The actual number of days may vary due to factors such as transport, customs, and handling conditions in the destination area.

All orders include online tracking. Once your order is shipped, we'll email you a tracking number and link. You'll also receive email notifications from our shipping partner (DHL or JapanPost EMS).

Yes, both DHL and EMS deliver directly to your door. Your package will be delivered to the address you provide, and both carriers handle all customs procedures.

Yes, we can ship to your hotel when you are here in Japan via Yamato Transport or JapanPost. Delivery typically takes 1–2 days. Make sure the recipient name on the order matches the name registered at the hotel for smooth delivery. We cannot ship to Airbnbs as most hosts do not accept deliveries.

Import taxes, GST, VAT, and similar local charges are not included in our prices. These are determined by your country's customs authorities and may be collected upon delivery — we're unable to estimate them in advance.

For US customers ordering via the Shop app, sales tax is automatically calculated and added at checkout as required by US Marketplace Facilitator laws. No tax is collected if you checkout directly on our website.

For details on the US de minimis rule change, please click here.

Our prices are the same for all customers, regardless of their location. While we're based in Japan, we don't add Japanese consumption tax to our listed prices. The price you see is the actual price you'll pay, whether you're in Japan or ordering internationally.

Our base prices are in Japanese Yen (JPY). If you're viewing prices in another currency, you may notice small variations day-to-day as global exchange rates fluctuate.

Yes, we offer a Price Match Guarantee. We have always aimed to provide the best prices, but if you find the same product at a lower price from another authorized retailer, we will match it and beat it. For full details, please see our Price Match Guarantee policy.

Yes, we offer free gift-wrapping. Simply request this service in the order notes when placing your order.

We don't offer engraving or personalization services.

The size displayed in the product name (e.g., "Masamoto KS gyuto 240mm") is what we call a nominal or standard reference size used by knife makers. However, the actual blade length can vary slightly from this displayed size due to several factors:

1. Crafting process: Each knife is handcrafted, which can lead to small variations in length.
2. Traditional sizing: Some sizes are based on traditional Japanese measurements that don't precisely match modern metric units.
3. Brand & regional variations: Some regions consistently produce knives that are longer or shorter than the nominal size (e.g., Sakai knives tend to be undersized, while other brands or regions might produce longer. Of course, there are true-to-size knives as well).

For example:

• 240mm Masamoto KS gyuto - actual blade length is 251mm
• 210mm Nakagawa honyaki ktip gyuto - actual blade length is 199mm
• 210mm Takamura SG2 gyuto - true-to-size blade length at 210mm

30-day returns. If something isn't right, just email us at info@zahocho.com and we'll sort it out. Full details on our Returns & Refunds page.