Influencer Collaboration — Japanese Knife Shop HIRAI
About HIRAI
Japanese Knife Shop HIRAI is a Kyoto-based knife shop founded by a craftsman trained in Sakai, Osaka — home to one of Japan’s oldest and most respected bladesmithing traditions, dating back over 600 years. Drawing on the techniques of Sakai craftsmanship, we specialize in customizable wa-bocho (Japanese-style knives) with interchangeable blades and handles, alongside hands-on workshops in knife sharpening and handle attachment.
Our team is multicultural, our customers are global, and our knives are made to accompany a lifetime.
What This Collaboration Is About
We are inviting international creators to experience our workshops firsthand and share that experience with their audience — authentically, and in their own voice.
The focus is the experience itself: the craft, the process, the feeling of sharpening a blade or attaching a handle with your own hands. We are not looking for promotional content. We are looking for storytelling.
What You’ll Receive
- A complimentary invitation to our knife sharpening and/or handle-attachment workshop
- The finished knife to take home — yours to keep
- On-site staff support, including assistance with filming and language
Please note: travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
Who We’re Looking For
Content Focus — Primary (Required)
Your content should center on one or both of the following:
- Japanese culture, travel & lifestyle — creators who explore and share the depth of Japanese craftsmanship, daily life, or cultural experiences
- Craft, artisan culture & DIY — creators who appreciate the process of making, the hands behind an object, and the value of skill
Content Focus — Secondary (Considered)
- Home cooking with a focus on tools, food culture, or culinary craft — creators who go beyond recipes and show genuine interest in the story and quality behind what they cook with
Note: food and recipe-focused creators whose content does not reflect an interest in tools or culinary culture may receive lower priority in the selection process.
Audience Requirements
- Minimum 10,000 Instagram followers
- Average engagement rate of 3% or above over the past 3 months
(Calculation: avg. likes + avg. comments ÷ followers × 100) - 60% or more of your audience based in Western countries (US, UK, EU, etc.)
- Primary posting language: English
(English captions/subtitles consistently included)
Content Format
- Active posting on Instagram Reels (vertical short-form videos)
- Previous experience creating process or experience-based content (craft, travel, food culture, etc.)
- Bonus: YouTube channel with long-form video content (3+ minutes)
Blog / Web Presence (Preferred, not required)
- A blog or website with 5,000+ monthly sessions, covering topics aligned with HIRAI’s world — craft, travel, food culture, or lifestyle
- Applicants with an active blog will be given priority in the selection process.
For inquiries, please contact us from the form below.
質問やご応募に関しては以下問い合わせフォームまでお願いします。