Comparison: Best Wood Cutting Board For Japanese Knives (Updated | Oct 22nd)
When selecting a wood cutting board for Japanese knives, durability, knife-friendliness, and maintenance are key considerations. This comparison explores top options made from sustainable hardwoods like walnut, bamboo, and end-grain maple, evaluating factors such as resistance to warping, ease of cleaning, and surface gentleness on sharper, high-carbon blades. Whether you prioritize traditional craftsmanship or modern functionality, our guide aims to help you find a board that balances protection for your knives with long-term usability in the kitchen. Always follow safety and care guidelines to preserve both board and blade.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
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Best for best overall:
Shun Cutlery Large Hinoki Cutting Board -
Best for compact choice:
Shun Cutlery Small Hinoki Cutting Board -
Best for complete set:
Shun Cutlery Hinoki 3 Piece Cutting Board Set -
Best for synthetic protection:
Yoshihiro Hi Soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board Japanese Sashimi Chef's Tool Made in Japan (Medium) -
Best for best budget:
YAMASAN KYOTO UJI Japanese Hinoki Cutting Board – Medium- Natural Cypress Wood Cutting Board -
Best for large surface:
Yoshihiro Hi Soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board Japanese Sashimi Chef's Tool Made in Japan (Large) -
Best for handled convenience:
BOUMBI Hinoki Wood Reversible Cutting Board with Metal Handle(17.3×9.8×1.05 RM_Large) -
Best for premium build:
Yoshihiro Hinoki Cypress Cutting Board -
Best for mini option:
YAMASAN KYOTO UJI Japanese Hinoki Cutting Board – Small – Natural Cypress Wood Cutting Board -
Best for durable design:
Hinoki Cypress Reversible Wood Cutting Board
Product Comparison: Best Wood Cutting Board For Japanese Knives
Best overall
Shun Cutlery Large Hinoki Cutting Board, 17.75" x 11.75" Large Wooden Japanese Chopping Board for Kitchen, Medium-Soft Wood Preserves Knife Edges, Forest Stewardship Council Certified
Shun
- LARGE CUTTING BOARD: The Shun Cutlery Large Hinoki Cutting Board is expertly designed to be the perfect cutting surface for any knife. Medium-soft wood "gives" as you cut, helping to preserve knife edges.
- PREMIUM MATERIALS: This Shun wood cutting board is made from hinoki, a type of Japanese cypress long-renowned for its beauty and delicate natural fragrance. Forest Stewardship Council certified for sustainable forest management practices.
- VERSATILE DESIGN: The large size and double-sided functionality of this kitchen cutting board makes it perfect for a variety of uses – from food preparation tasks to showcasing as a wooden charcuterie board at gatherings.
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS: To resist staining, dampen the board before each use. Clean with a mild detergent, towel dry, and then air dry away from direct sunlight. For stubborn stains, rub a cut lemon over the area to restore its beauty.
- JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP: Each Shun knife is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, reflecting a legacy of traditional knife-making expertise and a dedication to superior quality.
Compact choice
Shun Cutlery Small Hinoki Cutting Board, 10.75" x 8.25" Small Wooden Japanese Chopping Board for Kitchen, Medium-Soft Wood Preserves Knife Edges, Forest Stewardship Council Certified
Shun
- SMALL CUTTING BOARD: The Shun Cutlery Small Hinoki Cutting Board is expertly designed to be the perfect cutting surface for any knife. Medium-soft wood "gives" as you cut, helping to preserve knife edges.
- PREMIUM MATERIALS: This Shun wood cutting board is made from hinoki, a type of Japanese cypress long-renowned for its beauty and delicate natural fragrance. Forest Stewardship Council certified for sustainable forest management practices.
- VERSATILE DESIGN: The small size and double-sided functionality of this kitchen cutting board makes it perfect for general-purpose tasks while remaining compact and easy to store.
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS: To resist staining, dampen the board before each use. Clean with a mild detergent, towel dry, and then air dry away from direct sunlight. For stubborn stains, rub a cut lemon over the area to restore its beauty.
- JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP: Each Shun knife is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, reflecting a legacy of traditional knife-making expertise and a dedication to superior quality.
Complete set
Shun Cutlery Hinoki 3 Piece Cutting Board Set, Small, Medium and Large Boards, Wooden Japanese Chopping Board for Kitchen, Medium-Soft Wood Preserves Knife Edges, Forest Stewardship Council Certified
Shun
- CUTTING BOARD SET: The Shun Cutlery Hinoki 3-Piece Cutting Board Set is expertly designed to be the perfect cutting surface for any knife. Medium-soft wood "gives" as you cut, helping to preserve knife edges.
- PREMIUM MATERIALS: These Shun wood cutting boards are made from hinoki, a type of Japanese cypress long-renowned for its beauty and delicate natural fragrance. Forest Stewardship Council certified for sustainable forest management practices.
- VERSATILE DESIGN: The various sizes and double-sided functionality of this kitchen cutting board set makes it perfect for a variety of uses – from food preparation tasks to showcasing as a wooden charcuterie board at gatherings.
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS: To resist staining, dampen the board before each use. Clean with a mild detergent, towel dry, and then air dry away from direct sunlight. For stubborn stains, rub a cut lemon over the area to restore its beauty.
- JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP: Each Shun knife is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, reflecting a legacy of traditional knife-making expertise and a dedication to superior quality.
Synthetic protection
Yoshihiro Hi Soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board Japanese Sashimi Chef's Tool Made in Japan (Medium)
Hayate Yoshihiro
- Size Dimension: Medium 17.3" x 9.8"x 0.8"(44cm x 25cm x 2cm)
- A cutting board has a significant impact on knife edge durability, more so than the food itself.
- The Hi Soft cutting board is constructed to be the best cutting surface for high carbon steel knives.
- Features a high quality synthetic material specifically designed to minimize stress on your hand and impact on the blade, resulting in better edge retention and a longer lifespan for your knives.
- Allows for easy cleaning and provides odor resistance.
- Size: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-A, XX-Large, XXX-Large available. Made in Japan.
- Not made of wood. Made with LDPE Plastic.
Best budget
YAMASAN KYOTO UJI Japanese Hinoki Cutting Board – Medium- Natural Cypress Wood Cutting Board, Kitchen Chopping Board, High Durability, Made in Japan (15.35×8.66×0.59 inch) (Medium)
YAMASAN KYOTO UJI
- Hinoki
Large surface
Yoshihiro Hi Soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board Japanese Sashimi Chef's Tool Made in Japan (Large)
Hayate Yoshihiro
- Size Dimension: Large 19.6" x 10.6"x 0.8"(50cm x 27cm x 2cm)
- A cutting board has a significant impact on knife edge durability, more so than the food itself.
- The Hi Soft cutting board is constructed to be the best cutting surface for high carbon steel knives.
- Features a high quality synthetic material specifically designed to minimize stress on your hand and impact on the blade, resulting in better edge retention and a longer lifespan for your knives.
- Allows for easy cleaning and provides odor resistance.
- Size: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-A, XX-Large, XXX-Large available. Made in Japan.
- Not made of wood. Made with LDPE Plastic.
Handled convenience
BOUMBI Hinoki Wood Reversible Cutting Board with Metal Handle(17.3×9.8×1.05 RM_Large)
BOUMBI
- [Natural] Solid reversible hinoki wood cutting boards are made by Hinoki from the natural forest in Korea
- [Technoloy] Each board is dried in a vacuum chamber at a low temperature with a high-frequency heating to prevent the wood from the potential split and losing inherent properties such as strength or aroma
- [Construction]Boumbi hinoki cutting board is made from joined pieces to avoid splitting and deformation
- [Comfort] Soft grain of hinoki wood make it a cutting that won’t dull your knives, and you can handle it easily because it has a metal handle.
- [Scent] Hinoki will give forth the scent of a forest and the beautiful tree age-ring will bring cleanness and comfort to your kitchen
Premium build
Yoshihiro Hinoki Cypress Cutting Board, Japanese Hinoki Wood, Knife Friendly, Professional Grade (XX-Large)
Yoshihiro
- Authentic Japanese cutting board, handcrafted from Hinoki Cypress wood
- Knife-friendly surface protects blades and helps maintain sharpness
- Maple anti-twist core prevents warping for long-lasting durability
- Naturally prevents odor absorption
- Available in three sizes: Large 15.75" × 9.53", X-Large 17.72" × 10.24", XX-Large 19.69" × 11.81"; Thickness is 2.5cm on all sizes.
- Proudly made in Japan
Mini option
YAMASAN KYOTO UJI Japanese Hinoki Cutting Board – Small – Natural Cypress Wood Cutting Board, Kitchen Chopping Board, High Durability, Made in Japan (14.17×8.66×0.59 inch) (Small)
YAMASAN KYOTO UJI
- Hinoki
Durable design
Hinoki Cypress Reversible Wood Cutting Board, 17.3" x 9.5" x1.2", Chopping Board, Butcher Board, Serving Board, Solid Single Piece, No Joint, No Glue | Holiday Gift
jNE
- Hinoki Wood is a species of Japanese cypress known for its delicate, natural fragrance as well as its beauty.
- Not glued, not coated, one piece hinoki cypress wood. Gentle to delicate edge of knives
- Each and every single piece of wood was carefully chosen and beautifully designed for aesthetical pleasing and style.
- 1.2 inches thickness: Durable and provides deformation resistance.
- Easy to clean and maintain. To avoid stains, moisten the cutting board before each use; wash with mild detergent and towel dry, then air-dry.
- Great gift idea for wedding, housewarming, bridal shower, home decor, birthday
- The perfect gift with bubbly joy for every mom!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
Which cutting board is best for Japanese knife sharpness retention?
Hinoki wood boards like Shun Cutlery Large Hinoki (B00KXAVCFO) are gentle on blades.
What size cutting board is recommended for Japanese knives?
Medium to large sizes, such as BOUMBI Hinoki (B07Q71SGCY) at 17.3"x 9.8", provide ample space.
Are reversible cutting boards suitable for Japanese knives?
Yes, BOUMBI Hinoki (B07Q71SGCY) and Hinoki Cypress Reversible (B08JX6NYSP) offer dual-use surfaces.
Which board is ideal for frequent use with Japanese knives?
Yoshihiro Hi Soft Professional Grade (B0B6BVNLCN) is designed for durability and knife-friendly performance.
Do all listed boards use hinoki wood?
Most do, but confirm material—e.g., YAMASAN KYOTO UJI (B0B6BVNLCN) specifies natural cypress wood.
Is a cutting board set practical for Japanese knife users?
Shun Cutlery 3-Piece Hinoki Set (B0F2R22GC6) offers size versatility for different tasks.
Which board has a non-slip feature for safety?
BOUMBI Hinoki (B07Q71SGCY) includes a metal handle for stability during use.
