This article was updated in December 2022 to ensure all picks are in stock and reflect accurate pricing. We've also added a new pick, the Yoshihiro Gyuto Japanese Chef's Knife.
Japanese knives are coveted for their beautiful and detailed design, as well as the cuts they produce. Unlike German knives, which are typically heavy and sometimes bulky, Japanese knives are generally thinner, sharper and delicate, and they can be prone to breaking if you don't take care of them properly — not ideal for the clumsy chef. German knives are better suited for heavy-duty tasks like breaking down chicken, while Japanese knives allow for thin, precise cuts and gorgeous presentation. This doesn’t mean that German knives can't execute stunning presentation and thin cuts, or that Japanese knives can't break down chicken, just that delicate knife work is where Japanese knives really shine.
Vincent Lau, the sole knife sharpener at Korin, a Japanese knife store in lower Manhattan, says the reason Japanese knives have become so popular around the world is for the very reason they're integral in Japanese cuisine: to enhance and preserve the ingredients, as well as accentuate the flavor of the dish.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab, we have a century-long history of testing kitchen essentials, including bread knives, kitchen knives, electric knives, butcher knives and more. We test by cutting a variety of foods, such as whole rotisserie chickens, hard carrots, fibrous celery, slippery onions, sticky cheese and soft tomatoes, to assess the knives' sharpness and comfort, as well as the grip. Here are the best Japanese knives you can buy, based on a combination of testing and pro picks. And luckily, a few of them have one-day Prime shipping so you'll be ready in time for the holidays.
Our top picks:
At the end of this article, you'll find more information about how we tested Japanese knives, plus a guide to everything you need to know about how to shop for yourself — or a new, burgeoning home cook. If you're looking for more on knives, check out our guide to sharpening a kitchen knife like a pro and where to get the best cutting boards.