Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Welcome to the FAQ section for Zahocho Knives Tokyo, your trusted online source for authentic Japanese kitchen knives. Located in Minato-ku, Tokyo, we are committed to bringing you competitively priced, high-quality Japanese knives that cater to a wide audience, including home cooks, professional chefs, serious enthusiasts, and even discerning collectors of high-end Japanese cutlery. If you still have questions after reading this FAQ, please feel free to contact us.
1. Where are you located, and do you have a physical store?
We are based in Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, and operate entirely online without a physical storefront. All our products are shipped from our location in Minato-ku, Tokyo. We ship worldwide via JapanPost EMS or DHL.
2. What types of Japanese knives do you offer?
We offer a wide variety of Japanese knives, including gyuto, santoku, bunka, nakiri, petty, yanagiba, and more. We also have a selection based on your budget; if you are new to Japanese knives, we recommend this collection. Also, check out our list of Japanese knife brands such as Nakagawa, Yu Kurosaki, Masamoto, among others.
3. How do I choose my first Japanese knife?
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.
4. How do I place an order?
To place an order, simply follow these steps:
(a) Choose the product(s) you want.
(b) Click "Add to Cart" for each item you wish to purchase.
(c) Complete the checkout process by entering your shipping and payment details.
(d) Wait for a confirmation email from us.
Alternative ordering method for customers in the Philippines:
In addition to the standard checkout process, we offer direct email ordering for our customers in the Philippines who prefer GCash/BPI payments. Click here for details.
5. What payment methods do you accept?
We accept various payment methods, including major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and GCash/BPI (for Philippine buyers).
Please note that we do not offer Cash on Delivery (COD) for any orders, as it is not possible for international shipments (via DHL or EMS).
6. How long does shipping take?
US, Canada, Australia, Europe: 3-5 days
Middle East: 5-10 days
Asia: 2-5 days
For Philippines:
Manila and nearby cities: 2-5 days
Visayas/Mindanao: 10-15 days
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, which are beyond our control.
7. Is it door-to-door delivery?
DHL and EMS provide door-to-door delivery. These carriers provide convenient delivery directly to your doorstep. (For very remote areas, there are rare cases in which they might ask you to pick up your package at the nearest post office branch.)
8. Are import taxes included in the price?
Please note that import taxes are not included in the prices listed on our website. If you wish to request your order to be sent as a "gift," please let us know.
9. Do you offer gift-wrapping?
Yes, we do, and it's free. Just let us know in the notes section when you place an order.
10. How can I track my order?
Once your order has been shipped, we will send you an email with a tracking link. You will also receive email notifications from the courier service we used for shipping, either DHL or EMS. Simply click on the tracking link in the email or follow the updates from the courier to track the progress of your order.
11. Can I get my knife engraved or personalized?
We do not offer engraving or personalization services for our knives. However, you may consider taking the knife to a local engraver or specialist after receiving it if you would like to have it personalized.
12. What is your return policy?
We stand by the quality of our products and want you to be satisfied with your purchase. Check out our Return Policy for more details.
13. Why do your prices seem to fluctuate at times?
Our store's default currency is Japanese Yen (JPY). The price variations you notice are due to fluctuations in exchange rates, which are provided and managed by Shopify. Since we do not have control over these rates, when you view prices in currencies other than JPY, they might change slightly from day to day based on the current exchange rates set by Shopify.