Where two days are never the same. Each product at Dream of Japan is a tapestry of untold tales and their creations, of who, how, and where, and the threads that weave them together. But that's only the tip of the iceberg. Regardless of your interests, we hope and believe that you will find information that is helpful, sparks curiosity, fosters discussions, and leaves you with plenty of food for thought. We firmly believe that every artisan product has stories that will unfold in the Receiver's hands. These narratives inspire us to create and share meaningful stories daily.
Let's create stories together.
Discover the game-changing Hojicha powder your kitchen has been waiting for — richer flavor, easier recipes, and surprising health perks that might just make this your new daily ritual.
We are excited to announce that our Yokohama Peach is now available on the regular menu at the popular Japanese Bakery, Okayama Kobo! Check out their bakery and hosted events,...
Discover how our one-of-a-kind event booth came to life—from Japanese Kōshi (格子) design and rare Port Orford Cedar to more than six months of craftsmanship and refinement.
Dive into the soft, chewy world of Hojicha Banana Daifuku—where toasted tea meets sweet banana in a cloud of fresh mochi. Discover why everyone’s craving this treat!
Intermittent fasting is becoming increasingly popular. Because there are no restrictions on what foods to eat or limit, it is more of a lifestyle pattern than a diet. This article...
Discover how Osaka Honey blends mellow Japanese black tea and honey powder into a daily ritual that brings calm, flavor, and mindful luxury to modern life.
Five months, countless iterations, and your votes brought this matcha package to life—a fusion of washi(和紙), kiri(桐), and kinpaku(金箔). See the masterpiece you helped create.
A modern twist on tradition—Hojicha’s warm aroma meets creamy almond in the delicate Hojicha Almond Daifuku. Taste Japan’s comfort in every bite.
Welcome to the famed History of Katana YouTube Channel—unlocking rare stories, epic blades, and what comes next. Curious? Dive into the reveal. Learn more.
Discover how a tropical coconut‑green tea dessert whispers the spirit of ‘wa‑modan’ — where tradition meets trend in every bite. Want to taste the fusion?
We were thrilled to return to OC Japan Fair 2025—the biggest Japan-themed event in SoCal! Here is a recap video from the event!
Delve into the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli films, Shinto traditions, and the calming ritual of Japanese green tea in this cultural exploration.
Download this comforting donabe recipe for rice, grilled salmon, and nutty genmaicha broth. A simple, soothing Japanese chazuke to enjoy anytime at home with gentle heat.
Experience Hojicha tea's delectable flavor and health advantages, as well as its unique roasting process, serving options, and cultural significance in Japan's tea heritage.
Learn how to create a creamy and flavorful Hojicha Oat Milk Latte at home. Indulge in this delightful tea beverage that offers both taste and health benefits.
Discover how a Japanese tea farm is tackling aging farmers. Their innovative approach ensures continuation of traditional farming methods.
In this complete guide, learn about the history, grades, flavor, and health benefits of Sencha green tea. Improve your tea knowledge and become a connoisseur.
Learn the unique secrets of Japanese green tea harvesting. Discover ten surprising facts about this historic tradition and obtain a better understanding of the journey from leaf to cup.
Mr. Arahata, Farm Master at Arahataen Green Tea Farm, produced Issaku Reserve, a proud masterpiece of premium green tea. If you're seeking for the greatest, most traditional, and authentic Japanese...
Green Tea Mania's selfish guide will help you find the right combination of Hawaiian charm and Japanese Green Tea. Discover hidden jewels and delectable fusions in this tea lover's dream.
Discover the diverse world of Japanese tea. From sencha to matcha, explore the flavors and traditions that make each type unique. Expand your tea horizons and savor the essence of...
Treat yourself with a slice of Chocolate Hojicha Pumpkin Bread- the perfect fall treat! Get the recipe and more easy baking ideas here!
Single origin cultivar refers to tea leaves grown in a single place, delivering distinct flavors and characteristics; learn more about Japanese tea!
Looking for new plant-based recipes? Check out these 10 delicious and healthy matcha-infused vegan dishes!
Discover the benefits of pyramid-shaped tea bags. Learn why they are considered superior for brewing tea and elevating your tea-drinking experience.
Learn more about the hard work that went into making our appealing homepage video by seeing the process behind its creation.
Through the art of 2nd infusion, you can unlock the full taste potential of your Japanese tea leaves. Dig into our guide to learn how to extract rich flavors in...
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Confused? We made graphs to let you know where all the blade material lives in terms of all the materials used for most Japanese knives in the market today.
I hope the above graph helps you understand what you are picking. (Our product materials are in blue letters.)
Below is another graph showing differences and price and hardness of each material.

And here are the detail of each materials.
Popular options as they do not require heavy maintenance like non-stainless steel options.
CM Stainless (CM合金鋼製)The Most Popular Material
The material of choice for professional chefs. It’s rust-resistant, and in turn easy to maintain. It is made of high-carbon steel with chromium molybdenum. Which is equal in sharpness, sharpening properties, and hardness to carbon steel knives. This material is used for both CM options - the Japanese Style magnolia wood handle and the western style handle.
The More Economical Choice, That Is Still Equally Sharp.
Super French knives are made using carefully selected alloy steel that creates a more affordable price. Making it ideal for at-home cooking enthusiasts and beginners alike. It is equal in sharpness, sharpening properties, polishability, and hardness to carbon steel knives. Plus it is also rust-resistant. The notch in the lower part of the handle creates ease of use. While it isn’t super sharp or hard like the other types, it can do most jobs just as well.

These knives require high maintenance and will rust very easily. They are only used by limited chefs in Japan.
HM Carbon Steel (HM炭素鋼製)The Hardest & Sharpest Knife in Japan.
The knife of choice for top-tier chefs around the world. In fact, it’s the hardest and sharpest knife in Japan - perhaps even the world. However, it also requires the most upkeep as it easily rusts.
It’s handmade with the same technique as samurai swords. Using specially selected blade steel, of pure iron + carbon. The key advantage is that it holds its sharpness extremely well. Then it’s forged with traditional bladesmith techniques passed down for generations. It truly is a legacy knife!

Kasumi Superlative Knives are made by joining a piece of soft iron with a piece of carbon steel. The soft iron portion protects the hardened steel that tends to fracture. This reduces brittleness and makes sharpening easier.

Honyaki knives are made of steel strengthened by quenching. Since quenching the entire steel blade makes the blade brittle and makes aligning its curve difficult, the blade is quenched only from the cutting edge to about the blade's half-point. The high price of Honyaki products is because their production is extremely labor-intensive.

It's not an exact science, but it gives you a good idea of whether or not a knife will suit you.

Here is a chart of what sizes of knives are available based on the blade length.

There are many reasons that home cooks and chefs choose to use a magnolia handle. The foremost is that they're incredibly comfortable and feel perfect in hand. The importance of this can't be understated - a knife that's easier to hold is easier to cut with.

Magnolias are beautiful, large flowering trees that have sweet, floral fragrances. The wood of the Magnolia tree is beloved by Japanese artisans for a number of reasons. Such as its easy workability, strength, and lightness. It is also highly water-resistant, has a lovely bright color, and is reasonably priced. These qualities have made it a popular material choice for a variety of objects, including chopping boards, sheaths, furniture, and knife handles.

Magnolia handles are the most popular in Japan. The bright-colored wood adds a beautiful natural look and comfortable feel. The wood itself is lightweight and soft, yet tough. It provides a textured grip that helps prevent slipping while cutting. It’s a great choice for knives as it is water-resistant and doesn’t contain any resins that might cause corrosion in carbon steel.
Learn More about Magnolia Wooden Handle

For Left Handed knives, we will situate the D-shape in the opposite way than right-handed knives.

Vegan Friendly & Economical
For those concerned about using animal products - we offer a plastic alternative. It’s just as reliable, waterproof, and durable. It is also the standard, free option.
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For an additional $100

Buffalo horn is a waterproof, durable, and natural material pleasing to the eye. It feels especially nice when held. This material is a traditional choice and gives knife handles a classic Japanese look. It also makes the knife 100% natural origin.
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There are many reasons that home cooks and chefs choose to use a magnolia handle. The foremost is that they're incredibly comfortable and feel perfect in hand. The importance of this can't be understated - a knife that's easier to hold is easier to cut with.

Magnolias are beautiful, large flowering trees that have sweet, floral fragrances. The wood of the Magnolia tree is beloved by Japanese artisans for a number of reasons. Such as its easy workability, strength, and lightness. It is also highly water-resistant, has a lovely bright color, and is reasonably priced. These qualities have made it a popular material choice for a variety of objects, including chopping boards, sheaths, furniture, and knife handles.

Magnolia handles are the most popular in Japan. The bright-colored wood adds a beautiful natural look and comfortable feel. The wood itself is lightweight and soft, yet tough. It provides a textured grip that helps prevent slipping while cutting. It’s a great choice for knives as it is water-resistant and doesn’t contain any resins that might cause corrosion in carbon steel.
Learn More about Magnolia Wooden Handle

For Left Handed knives, we will situate the D-shape in the opposite way than right-handed knives.
