7 Best Cutting Board for Japanese Knives 2022

Looking for the best cutting board for Japanese knives? Well, check out here to find out the top cutting boards for a Japanese knife. 

Japanese knives are known as some of the best and most sort after knives, among home chefs and professional chefs alike. 

Japanese knives are known to be made of harder metal and have much thinner and lighter blades. The sharper blades mean that ordinary cutting boards do not stand a chance. 

The biggest mistake people make when choosing a cutting board for their Japanese knives is choosing the wrong material. As opposed to popular belief, bamboo is not an ideal choice for cutting boards for Japanese knives. Bamboo is quite hard and can dull the knife blade. 

Best Cutting Board for Japanese Knives: Quick Summary

Best Cutting Board for Japanese Knives	Type of Wood	View Cutting Boards for Japanese Knives on Amazon
Shun DM0817 Hinoki Cutting Board	Hinoki (Japanese cypress)	Check the latest price here
Yoshihiro Hi-soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board	Soft polyvinyl acetate	Check the latest price here
NoTrax- Sani-Tuff Premium Rubber Cutting Board	Natural rubber	Check the latest price here
John Boos Maple Classic Reversible Wood End Grain Chopping Block	Maple wood	Check the latest price here
Kiso Japanese Cypress Hinoki Cutting Board	Hinoki (japanese cypress)	Check the latest price here
Asahigomu Synthetic Rubber Cutting Board	Synthetic rubber	Check the latest price here
Kikusumi Aomori Hiba Wood Cutting Board	Wood	Check the latest price here

So why should you choose the right cutting board for your Japanese knives? 

Well, Japanese knives can be quite expensive and they truly are a piece of art. Using the wrong cutting board can dull the blade and reduce the life of your knife significantly. You don’t want to have to buy a new knife because of something that can be avoided. 

• Related: Best Japanese Chef Knives

With so many options available in the market, it can a tough task to find the perfect cutting board for you. That is why we have put together this list of some of the best cutting boards for Japanese knives. Read on to find the best cutting board for your Japanese knives!

Best Cutting Board for Japanese Knives

Shun DM0817 Hinoki Cutting Board

This is one of the finest cutting boards you can purchase. Crafted from natural hinoki wood, this cutting board is durable and ideal for Japanese knives. 

After using this board for some time now, it was a pleasant surprise to see that it doesn’t warp or crack like other wooden cutting boards. 

The wood has a lovely, delicate fragrance that makes using it a delightful experience. The cypress wood “gives” while cutting and this prevents dulling of the knife’s edge. It’s definitely the best cutting board for Japanese knives. 

The slim design of the board makes it easy to store as it doesn’t take up too much space. It is easy to clean as well and can be washed with detergent. 

Pros:

• Made from real hinoki wood
• Prevents dulling of knife-edge
• Easy to store
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• None

Yoshihiro Hi-soft High-Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board 

Besides Hinoki, polyvinyl and synthetic rubber are some of the best materials that can be used to make cutting boards. These materials make the cutting board durable and resistant.

This cutting board is designed in a way that it reduces the stress on your hand and the impact on the knife’s blade as you cut. This in turn prolongs the life of the knife. It’s the best cutting board for Japanese knives for its durability. 

The cutting board is odor resistant and can be washed easily. The texture of the material used to make the board prevents water from seeping in. 

It is advised that you wet the board before using it to prevent stains. It comes in different sizes to suit your specific needs. 

Pros:

• Durable and long lasting
• Prevents dulling of knife-edge
• Easy to store
• Available in different sizes
• Reduces stress on hand while cutting

Cons:

• Needs to be wet before using 

NoTrax- Sani-Tuff Premium Rubber Cutting Board

Made from 100% natural rubber, the is a slightly cheaper alternative for cutting boards used for Japanese knives. 

The natural rubber prevents odor and bacteria from building on the cutting board. This durable cutting board does not crack or splinter even after long use. 

It is easy to keeps knives sharp and doesn’t absorb any liquids. It’s tested and certified by NSF International. It should be washed by hand and not put in the dishwasher. It’s one of the best cutting board for Japanese knives. 

Pros:

• Made from 100% natural rubber
• Prevents dulling of knife edge
• Easy to maintain
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Some may find the board too soft

John Boos Maple Classic Reversible Wood End Grain Chopping Block 

This cutting board is a brilliant investment. The best part is that it is reversible, which means that the board will last you for really long. 

It is handmade with Northern Hard Rock Maple Wood. This type of wood is known to be one of the best kinds of wood used in food preparation. 

The end grain design not only makes the cutting board durable but also beautiful to look at. It’s the best cutting board for Japanese knives that prevent dulling of knives. 

The board needs to be oiled regularly to maintain it. It is also advised to wash it by hand after every use. 

Pros:

• Is reversible
• Durable
• Prevents dulling of knife-edge
• Made with sustainable wood

Cons:

• Is very expensive
• Product is heavy 
• Needs to be oiled regularly which could make maintenance tedious

Kiso Japanese Cypress Hinoki Cutting Board

This cutting board is made from 100% Hinoki. This softwood is known to be gentle on knife blades and protect them from dulling. This adds to the appeal of the cutting board. 

This cutting board is made from one-inch strips of hinoki that are not layered. This ensures the premium quality of the board. It’s the best cutting board for Japanese knives for it’s smell. 

The also gives out a pleasant woody scent that adds to the cooking experience. The board is hard but offers very little resistance when chopping and this helps protect the knife’s blade.

Pros:

• Durable
• Prevents dulling of knife-edge
• Made with renewable wood
• Has a pleasant woody scent

Cons:

• Some may find the board too soft

Asahigomu Synthetic Rubber Cutting Board

As mentioned earlier, cutting boards made from synthetic wood are a great choice for Japanese knives. 

This cutting board is durable, scratch-resistant, and also heat resistant. So you don’t have to worry about damaging your board with heat. It’s the best cutting board for Japanese knives because of its durable material. 

The board drains well and dries quickly. This is especially great to prevent bacterial and mold growth. The board doesn’t warp and can be cleaned using bleach. 

Pros:

• Durable
• Prevents dulling of knife-edge
• Dries quickly
• Easy to clean
• Easy to store

Cons:

• Not made with environment-friendly material

Kikusumi Aomori Hiba Wood Cutting Board

Another premium cutting board on our list is the Aomori Hiba Wood cutting board. The board has a smooth surface and ideal size for chopping ingredients.

It also has properties that resist bacterial growth. The board is tough and durable and also protects the blade of the knife from becoming dull. 

The cutting board is easy to maintain and doesn’t need to be oiled like the other boards. It’s the best cutting board for Japanese knives because it’s easy to clean and store.

Pros:

• Durable
• Prevents dulling of knife-edge
• Easy to clean
• Easy to store
• Doesn’t need to be oiled

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive

How did we choose the best cutting board for Japanese knives?

We understand how important it is to protect your Japanese knives and finding the right cutting board is the best way to do so. Our in-house team of experts went through over 20 cutting boards and rated them on reviews, finish, and durability. After intensive research, we have put together this list of the best cutting boards for Japanese knives. Through our research, we found that the Shun DM0817 Hinoki Cutting Board is currently the best cutting board for Japanese knives. 

Which is the best cutting board for Japanese knives?

My team and I tested 20+ best cutting board for Japanese knives on the basis of the wood used, the thickness of the wood, durability and finish. We found Shun DM0817 Hinoki Cutting Board to be the best on the list. 

Shun DM0817 is made of Hinoki wood, otherwise known as Japanese cypress. Hinoki wood is one of the best woods that can be used to make cutting boards. The pores in the wood prevent the knife from slipping on the surface and do not dull the knife’s edge like hardwood does. The slim design of the board makes it easy to store as it doesn’t take up too much space. It is easy to clean as well and can be washed with detergent. It’s available on Amazon for sale. 

Best cutting board for Japanese knives: FAQs:

Also Read:

1. Best Japanese Kitchen Goods