Zwilling J.A. Henckels Japan has unveiled a concept store in Kyoto, aptly named the Zwilling Made in Japan store. This is the German-headquartered knife manufacturerʼs 31st directly-operated Japanese retail store, but the first to carry the Made in Japan moniker. Zwilling J.A. Henckels has its own knife-manufacturing facility in Seki, Gifu Prefecture, and the new Kyoto store seeks to highlight the products and brands it makes there. “The majority of Zwilling branded knives we sell in Japan a
are, in fact, made in Japan” according Senior MD for the market, Andrew Hankinson. “Our Seki facility produces the Japanese-inspired brand, Miyabi, as well as renowned knife craftsman Bob Kramerʼs production knives.
“The Kyoto Made in Japan store allows us to showcase the brilliant combination of cutting-edge German technology with world-famous Japanese hand craftsmanship, which makes our knives the sharpest and most beautiful in the world.”
The shop also serves as the worldʼs first Miyabi knife flagship store – the only place where every Miyabi product is currently available. The store, smaller than 30sqm, presents a traditional Kyoto architectural exterior with a modern interior. On display are all the knife products/brands made in Japan: the Zwilling, Miyabi and Bob Kramer lines. In addition, the Zwilling Group portfolio French brand Staub showcases the Japan-developed “Japonesque” Staub series of kitchen products, which also includes Japan made Staub ceramic products not available outside the country.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels was established in Solingen, Germany in 1731. The Japan office opened in 1972, and the Zwilling Japan Seki factory began production in 2004, tapping Japanʼs well-established knife craftsmen and skilled workforce. The first retail store in Japan opened in 2011.
The Made in Japan store is centrally located in Kyoto, located less than five minutes’ walk from the nearest (Kyoto Shiyakusho Mae) subway station.
