Comparison: Japanese Knives Best Cutting Board (Updated | Dec 8th)
When it comes to keeping your prized Japanese knives in top shape, your choice of cutting board matters more than you might think. These precision tools deserve a surface that protects their razor-sharp edges while making prep work a joy. But with so many options—wood, plastic, bamboo—how do you know which one’s truly best? We’ve tested the most popular boards side by side to find out which ones honor your knife’s craftsmanship, feel great under your hand, and stand up to daily use without skipping a beat. Let’s dive in.
- Best for premium large hinoki: Shun Cutlery Large Hinoki Cutting Board
- Best for compact hinoki classic: Shun Hinoki Cutting Board – Medium – 15.75″ x 10.75″ x 0.5″
- Best for synthetic edge guard: Yoshihiro Hi Soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board Japanese Sashimi Chef’s Tool Made in Japan (Large)
- Best for mini hinoki board: Shun Cutlery Small Hinoki Cutting Board
- Best for medium synthetic shield: Yoshihiro Hi Soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board Japanese Sashimi Chef’s Tool Made in Japan (Medium)
- Best for authentic hinoki craft: Yoshihiro Hinoki Cypress Cutting Board
- Best for kyoto small hinoki: YAMASAN KYOTO UJI Japanese Hinoki Cutting Board – Small – Natural Cypress Wood Cutting Board
- Best for reversible hinoki slim: BOUMBI Hinoki Wood Reversible Cutting Board (17.3 x 9.8 x 0.55 Inch_Slim Large)
- Best for colour‑coded set: Joseph Joseph Folio Icon 8-Piece Colour coded Cutting Board Set with Japanese Stainless Steel Knives
- Best for multi‑colour board set: Joseph Joseph Folio Icon 8-Piece Multi Colour coded Cutting Board Set with Japanese Stainless Steel Knives
Product Comparison: Japanese Knives Best Cutting Board
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
- 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.
Shun Hinoki Cutting Board – Medium – 15.75″ x 10.75″ x 0.5″
- MEDIUM CUTTING BOARD: The Shun Cutlery Medium 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 medium 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.
Yoshihiro Hi Soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board Japanese Sashimi Chef’s Tool Made in Japan (Large)
- 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.
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
- 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.
Yoshihiro Hi Soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board Japanese Sashimi Chef’s Tool Made in Japan (Medium)
- 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.
Yoshihiro Hinoki Cypress Cutting Board, Japanese Hinoki Wood, Knife Friendly, Professional Grade (X-Large)
- 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.
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)
- Hinoki
BOUMBI Hinoki Wood Reversible Cutting Board (17.3 x 9.8 x 0.55 Inch_Slim Large)
- [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 is very slim and lightweight
- [Scent] Hinoki will give forth the scent of a forest and the beautiful tree age-ring will bring cleanness and comfort to your kitchen
Joseph Joseph Folio Icon 8-Piece Colour coded Cutting Board Set with Japanese Stainless Steel Knives, Slimline case for organized storage, Graphite
- Slimline case for easy-access and organised storage
- Double-sided boards with knife-friendly, textured cutting surfaces and non-slip feet
- Elevate knives with Japanese stainless-steel blades and integrated tool rests to improve hygiene and reduce mess
- Board size: 20 x 30 cm (8 x 12 inches)
- Knives included: 3.5″ Paring knife; 4.5″ Serrated knife; 5.5″ Santoku knife; 6.5″ Chef’s knife
Joseph Joseph Folio Icon 8-Piece Multi Colour coded Cutting Board Set with Japanese Stainless Steel Knives, Slimline case for organized Kitchen storage, Silver
- 4 food-specific, non-slip chopping boards plus 4 knives
- Stylish case for easy-access and organized storage
- Elevate knives with Japanese stainless-steel blades and integrated tool rests to improve hygiene and reduce mess
- Knives included: 3.5 Paring knife; 4.5 Serrated knife; 5.5 Santoku knife; 6.5 Chef’s knife
- Board size: 20 x 30 cm (7?x 11? inches)
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
What material is best for preserving the edge of a Japanese knife?
Soft woods like Hinoki Cypress are ideal because they give slightly under the blade, reducing edge wear. Synthetic boards such as Yoshihiro’s Hi‑Soft also protect blades while offering odor resistance. Both options are gentler than hard hardwoods like maple.
How do the Shun Hinoki boards differ from the Yoshihiro Hi‑Soft boards?
Shun boards are made from natural Hinoki wood, offering a pleasant fragrance and a traditional look, while Yoshihiro’s Hi‑Soft boards use a high‑performance synthetic material that resists staining and odor. The Shun boards are double‑sided and vary in size, whereas the Hi‑Soft boards focus on ergonomic thickness for hand comfort. Price points reflect the natural wood versus engineered material.
Which size cutting board should I choose for everyday home cooking?
A medium‑sized board (around 15‑17 inches long) like the Shun Medium Hinoki or Yoshihiro Medium Hi‑Soft provides enough surface for most prep tasks without taking up too much storage space. If you often work with larger items or multiple dishes, the large Shun Hinoki (17.75″ x 11.75″) offers extra room. Smaller boards are convenient for limited countertops or quick tasks.
Do I need to treat or maintain a Hinoki cutting board differently than a synthetic one?
Hinoki boards should be lightly dampened before each use, cleaned with mild detergent, towel‑dried, and air‑dried away from direct sunlight; occasional lemon rubs help remove stains. Synthetic Hi‑Soft boards can be washed with warm soapy water and do not require oiling or special drying. Both benefit from regular cleaning to prevent bacterial buildup.
Is the price difference between Shun and Yoshihiro boards justified?
Shun’s Hinoki boards command a premium due to the sustainably sourced Japanese cypress and handcrafted quality, which many chefs value for aesthetics and aroma. Yoshihiro’s synthetic boards are priced lower but deliver comparable blade protection and added features like odor resistance. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize natural material and visual appeal over cost efficiency.
Can I use the same cutting board for both meat and vegetables without cross‑contamination?
Yes, especially with double‑sided boards like Shun’s, you can designate one side for raw proteins and the other for produce. Synthetic boards such as Yoshihiro’s Hi‑Soft are non‑porous and resist odor absorption, making them easy to sanitize between uses. Always clean thoroughly after handling raw meat to maintain food safety.
What are the benefits of a reversible cutting board?
A reversible board doubles your usable surface area, allowing you to switch sides for different tasks or to extend the board’s lifespan by rotating wear. Both Shun Hinoki and many synthetic boards offer this feature, which is handy in busy kitchens. It also helps keep cross‑contamination in check when you assign each side a specific food type.
How important is the board’s thickness for comfort and durability?
Thicker boards (around 0.8‑2.5 cm) provide a stable, less flexing surface, reducing hand fatigue during prolonged chopping. Yoshihiro’s Hi‑Soft boards are 0.8 cm thick and engineered for ergonomic comfort, while Shun Hinoki boards range from 0.5 cm to 0.8 cm, offering a lighter feel. Choose thickness based on your cutting style and countertop space.