← Back to RESOURCE
Hello and welcome. Below is a list of common Customer Service related questions we receive at Unique Japan.

If your question is not answered within the list below please click here.

I’m interested in purchasing an authentic Japanese sword. Can you help?

Yes, absolutely. Unique Japan is proudly licensed to sell antique Japanese swords to customers around the world. Our costs are below the average high-priced dealers in central Tokyo. You have the option of shopping our collection directly online and to attend one of our regular “Sword Shows” throughout the year. At these events we will amass a large number of Japanese swords that can be purchased on premises. All swords are registered with the Japanese Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Unique Japan can handle all required paper work to legally export swords globally.
Please visit our upcoming Sword Shows page for more information and Contact us for direct purchases and any questions you may have.
Can you ship the sword to the United States?

Yes, and most any other country too. In fact, our customers from US Military bases in Japan and around the world require that we do. Shipments are insured and sent safely with a tracking code. They arrive at destinations normally within 2 weeks once we ship them from Japan.
Do you offer a guarantee with each sword?

All swords proudly listed on Unique Japan’s website and featured at our shows are guaranteed to be authentic. Each sword is a razor sharp hand-forged object of art, created to the absolute highest standards of human (and spiritual) craftsmanship.
Most of the swords we offer are certified antiques in superb condition that are several hundreds of years old, dating from the Edo Period (17-19th century) to as far back as the Kamakura period (12th century).
If you cannot view the sword in person prior to purchase, we offer a three (3) day worry free inspection period in which the sword may be returned if you (the buyer) are not 100% completely satisfied.
Do you have a LAYAWAY PLAN? If so, I can afford a more expensive piece and I don’t mind waiting.

Yes, we have an attractive layaway plan, which is very popular with our customers. If you are an American citizen living on Okinawa, we partner with G.I. Bill Pay, which makes paying regular payments easy and cost effective. Payments can also be made by direct bank transfer or transfers in yen via PayPal. General contract details of our layaway plan can be downloaded here.
I don’t have a PayPal account, can I pay by credit card?

Yes, absolutely. PayPal allows you to safely pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover WITHOUT necessarily opening a PayPal account. It is recommended that you do open a PayPal account though, as it is free and very convenient for making future purchases as it saves your billing information for quick checkout.

How soon will my item ship? How fast will it arrive? Will I get a tracking code?

Orders generally ship within one week. For domestic addresses, they arrive within 1 day of shipping. For international addresses, they normally arrive within 5 days of shipment and are sent by air using EMS (Express Mail Service) out of Japan – the most trusted delivery service in the country. Shipments are professionally packaged safely and beautifully and YES you will receive a tracking code. For shipping information click here.

NOTE: For orders of Japanese swords, shipments generally leave within 1 month as we need to acquire an exportation pass from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs before the sword can be shipped internationally. If it is a domestic purchase, the sword can be picked up in person or we can send to a local address within about a week.
How are shipping costs calculated?
International and domestic shipping rates are calculated by the product that is ordered – based on the weight and destination. The extra costs are listed on the right hand column of each product page below the price. All kitchen knives ship for FREE domestically and internationally. Swords ship for a small and reasonable fee, often below the cost that we pay. For further shipping information click here!
Can you ship to an FPO/APO address?
Absolutely. If you are stationed at a base in locations such as Yokosuka, Yokota, Zama, Misawa, Iwakuni, Okinawa, we have no problem shipping there. Shipping is totally free to any APO or FPO mailbox.
Can you offer me the same price as at military bazaars?

YES. By the way, shipping is totally free to any APO or FPO mailbox worldwide.

How long will the knife stay sharp and how do I resharpen?
You should be able to get between 6 months of use (assuming you are preparing about 4-5 family meals a week) out of our Unsui knives. Our Damascus Series will last even longer due to its powdered steel hagane core (9 months to a year). When it does become time to re-sharpen, the easiest solution is the Kyocera/Fiskars Ceramic Roll Sharpener or our Suehiro 3-Type Roll Sharpener for single-edge knives. If you’d like for Unique Japan to sharpen your knives professionaly, please contact us.
What is the best surface to cut on?
Wood is best. Wood has natural anti-bacterial agents and high density plastic boards can be cleaned quite easily. Sharp knives should not come into contact with materials harder or as hard as they are, the surface has ‘to give’ a little. Never use glass, marble, melamine, china, tiles, steel or any hard material as a cutting board. This will prematurely undermine the edge and could cause chipping.
What is your best knife?

Well, we’re proud of all our knives, and it does depend on what you are going to use the knife for. However, since you asked, if you are looking for a professional level traditional Japanese knife, our Kuromori Series is outstanding, and for a professional modern-day knife, our R4 Damascus series is really second to none.

Is a product description included in the package?

Yes is it. We’l also include instructions on how to care for your knife too. Your knife is a lifetime investment to proudly take great care of.

I am a professional chef and would like to offer your knives to my students. Is there a commission program?

Yes, there is. If you are interested in becoming one of our trusted UJ Partners, please contact us here.

I am a volunteer at an Officers Spouses Club and we’d like to offer your knives at our next charity bazaar outside of Japan, possible?

Yes it is! We’re actually looking to partner with charitable events from all over the world. Please contact the Managing Director, Pablo Kuntz, with more information.

Will a sales tax be added to my order?

No. The 5% consumption tax is included on all domestic orders (if the shipping and/or billing address is in Japan). On international orders no sales taxes are charged on purchases made on uniquejapan.com. In some cases you may be subject to minor taxes and import duties, which are levied once a shipment reaches your country.

What is the privacy policy and how secure is my payment information?

All payments are completely secure and captured by PayPal.

We do not sell, give, or distribute any customer information. And we will never share your email address.

Please tell me about your 110% money-back guarantee

All Unique Japan products are supported with a 110% money-back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with a product purchased on ujknives.com, simply return it for a prompt and courteous 100% refund of your full purchase price, plus an additional 10% gift certificate. We take great pride in our all of our merchandise. Japan is a country with a reputation for producing products of superior quality and craftsmanship that dates back for centuries.

How can I contact you?

For all inquiries, please click here.

I am a press agent and would like to do a feature on Unique Japan. Who should I contact?

Thank you very much for your interest. Please fill out our contact form here.

Which credit cards do you accept?

PayPal accepts all major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.