Top 10 cookware stores in Kappabashi Kitchen Town
Kappabashi Kitchen Town
Does it sound familiar to you?
Tokyo is in the top ranking of places visited by tourists when coming to Japan, but do you know where to go exactly if you are a professional chef, foodie, or just a lover of kitchen utensils or cooking?
In this article, we will introduce the best part of Kappabashi Kitchen Town as a Tokyo local.
First, let us talk a little about the neighborhood.
Kappabashi Kitchen Town Introduction
Kappabashi Street (かっぱ橋道具街) in Tokyo is also known as Kappabashi Kitchen Town, running over 800 meters (half a mile) with over 170 stores selling all types of kitchenware. It ranges from ramen bowls to pots and pans, Japanese knives, chopsticks, plastic food samples and much more.
Tokyo Skytree viewed from one of the little alleys in Kappabashi Street
There are a few theories about the origin of the name “Kappabashi Kitchen Town”.
The street dating from 1912 was an area frequently flooded during the rainy season and a local raincoat merchant called Kihachi Kappaya decided to build a channel to drain the water. Whereas some believe the street was named after Kappaya, the literal meaning of the word “Kappabashi” is “raincoat bridge”.
It is related to when people used to hang their raincoats on the bridge crossing the channel, which no longer exists.
The name “kappa” is also associated with the Japanese mythical creature that resides in rivers and ponds, it has been adopted as the mascot of the street and can be spotted throughout the whole area.
The street is of easy access with the closest station being Tawaramachi on the subway Ginza line, only 5 minutes away from exit 1. As it is located between Asakusa and Ueno station, it can be reached by both stations as well, within a 10-minute walk.
Our recommendation is either Tawaramachi or Asakusa, after all the shopping, stroll around Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. Walk around Naka-Mise street for souvenirs and street food before or after your shopping adventure!
Smart tip, if you are traveling with suitcases, be sure to visit the Kuroneko Yamato hands-free travel counter before your shopping spree. You can store your luggage for a small fee (800 yen/piece, around $8) so you won’t have to go through the hassle of having your hands full at the beginning of the day.
Finally, in this article, we will give you personally hand-picked recommendations of the best places to shop in Kappabashi along with an easy map with all the stores and useful landmarks, so you can easily find your way around.
Check it out at the end of the post!
Japanese Knife shops in Kappabashi
Japanese knives are among one of the best knives in the world, used by professional chefs worldwide.
They can be made of different types of material, from stainless steel to Hagane, which is the same kind of material used to make Japanese swords.
In fact, some of the oldest knife manufacturers nowadays used to be blacksmiths in the Edo period making samurai swords.
Due to different forging techniques and types of steel, Japanese knives usually have harder blades than Western knives, allowing the edge to hold sharpness for a longer time. However, on the other hand, it also makes the blade more vulnerable and less flexible.
If you ever get a Japanese knife, make sure to use it correctly and maintain it the right way.
Whetstones are highly recommended to sharpen knives, although if you don’t have one or don’t know how to use it, sharpening rods can also be used.
There is a wide variety of knife types, but the most commonly found in a Japanese household is the Santoku knife, an all-purpose kitchen knife.
If you are a professional chef in need of a high-quality knife or you enjoy cooking at home and want to take a look at Japanese knives, here are our top store recommendations.
1: Kamata (かまた刃研社)
Kamata is a family-owned business founded in 1923, passed on from generation to generation, currently on its 3rd generation, Seiichi Kamata. The store is popular among professional chefs, cooking lovers, and tourists that just want to appreciate the masterpieces.
The price range can vary from a hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on the type of steel and design, but you are guaranteed to receive a top-class product that if well maintained, could even be passed onto your grandkids!
Our recommendation is wabocho (和包丁), Japanese-style knives with wooden handles and the chef’s knives or gyutou (牛刀).
On top of that, they offer knife sharpening classes (pre-covid 19) and you can have your knife purchased at the store engraved for free (kanji, or katakana initials)! Great gift for a loved one or yourself.
Accept credit card: Yes
2: Seisuke (清助刃物)
Seisuke Knife offers a wide variety of knives from well-known craftsmen. Their goal is to introduce Japanese culture to customers by selling high-quality Japanese knives.
They believe that a kitchen knife is more than just a simple tool to cut food, but an art piece that a craftsman puts their soul into. They also have a store in Portland, OR as well, which opened in 2016.
Accept credit card: Yes
Chopsticks Stores in Kappabashi
Chopsticks are originally from China but have been widely spread throughout East Asia, especially Japan. The ones commonly used in Japan are traditionally made of wood or bamboo and can vary in size, shape, and design.
A good pair of chopsticks can cost from as cheap as 5 dollars to whooping hundreds of dollars!
Either way, it is a staple in the Asian community, and if you are a fan of Asian food or culture in general, we recommend you to have at least a few pairs at home.
If you are feeling fancy, check out the chopsticks rests as well! Here are some of our top chopsticks stores’ recommendations in Kappabashi.
3: Hashitou (はし藤)
Established in 1910, Hashito offers various chopsticks and related items, including chopsticks for beginners and children to big packs with disposable ones.
Accept credit card: Yes
4: Mikura (みくら)
Mikura offers over 500 different types of chopsticks in their specialized store. The shop is located on the second floor, so it is a little bit harder to spot. The inside of the store is beautifully organized with chopsticks of all colors and designs, even anime-related ones! You will be sure to find whatever you are looking for and more.
Accept credit card: –
Ceramics and Pottery Shops in Kappabashi
5: Soutei Yabukita (創亭やぶきた)
Yabukita’s pottery collection is wide and very colorful. They carry a lot of sakura (cherry blossom) themed ceramics, and beautiful flower vases, not so common in other ceramics stores. They have another outlet in Kappabashi, Touan Yabukita, only five minutes away, but our recommendation is Soutei Yabukita due to the bigger variety of products. Don’t forget to visit the second floor as well!
Accept credit card: Yes
6: Yakimono Gallery Tobe Tobe (やきものギャラリー とべとべくさ)
Yakimono Gallery Tobe Tobe is in a small alley in Kappabashi area, they exhibit pieces from famous artisans, therefore the price range is a bit higher. The atmosphere inside is indeed like a museum gallery and even if you’re not buying anything, visiting them to check on all the pottery is definitely recommended.
Accept credit card: –
7: Maeda (かっぱ橋まえ田)
Maeda is the jack of all trades in Kappabashi. You will be able to find ceramic bowls, plates, knives, chopsticks, glassware, and the list goes on.
Our recommendations are the ramen bowls, chopsticks rests, and matcha cups. Although they do carry a variety of knives, we recommend you check out the specialized knives stores we mentioned before. Be sure to be overwhelmed with shelves full of items and be careful not to bump into anything, the store has quite narrow aisles!
Accept credit card: Yes
8: Dengama
This 2 story shop, Dengama offers a wide variety of ceramic items from all over Japan. On the first floor, you can find daily use items with reasonable prices, whereas on the second floor they display pottery made by famous artisans with higher quality and price.
Either way, you are guaranteed to find whatever you are looking for and much more.
Accept credit card: Yes
Fake Food Samples Shop in Kappabashi
In the late 1920’s Japanese artisans began making fake food samples, usually made out of plastic, resin, or wax. It was a way of better introducing food that was not on the menu, especially Western cuisine items, that were just making their way into the Japanese culture at the time.
Nowadays, some restaurants still display the food replica on their windows in order to attract and appeal to customers. It has become a very popular souvenir among foreign tourists and a lot of people buy fake food samples magnets or keychains as souvenirs for loved ones or themselves.
9: Ganso Shokuhin Sample-Ya (元祖食品サンプル屋)
(Standing sushi in soy sauce, because why not?)
Ganso Shokuhin Sample-Ya is THE place to shop for fake food samples, it doesn’t matter if you are a foodie or just interested in the culture. They carry a wide variety of products, from magnets, keyholders, accessories such as paperweights and pen stands, and even DIY fake food sample kits that everyone can enjoy, from kids to adults.
If you are a fan of Japanese food, this is the perfect place for you. You can find DIY replicas of ramen bowls, fried rice, steak, and even beer, ranging from 20 to 45 dollars.
(Make sure to have eaten before visiting this store, or you’ll get super hungry with the hyper-realistic food replicas)
They also provide workshops where you can make your own fake food samples, lessons ranging from 25~70 dollars (pre-covid).
Accept credit card: Yes
Kitchen Tools
10: Kama-asa (釜浅商店)
Kama-Asa offers a variety of kitchen tools, as well as knives, pots, and other utensils. For them, “good tools have individual reasons. They possess a universal design that has been developed over a long period of time. For example, to cut into the fiber, the tip of the knife is pointed and the body is curvy. Good tools have such reason and help make food taste better.”
All of the items on display in their store are selected by themselves after visiting each craftsman.
It was first founded in 1908. They opened their first overseas branch in 2018 in Paris, France.
Accept credit card: Yes
Extra store!
11: Kakesu Zakka-ten (カケス雑貨店)
(Cute teapots in every color for all tastes and preferences)
This Kakesu store specializes in teapots, mugs, and cups with simple yet colorful modern designs, all made in Japan. Some of the items can only be found here, we highly recommend a visit!
Accept credit card: Yes
Other recommendations
During the pandemic that has struck worldwide, unfortunately, it has been difficult to travel abroad. Ninja Food Tours offers an online tour program for Kappabashi Online Shopping where you can actually visit and shop in Kappabashi virtually with a local host. In addition, we offer an online trivia quiz experience where you will learn about Japanese culture and cooking furthermore in a fun way! It is great for family gatherings and corporate team-building events.
For more inquiries check out our homepage and DM us on Instagram, we would love to help you!
If you want to simply shop Japanese kitchenware online, also visit Ninja Kitchen Market which offers a wide range of Japanese cookware you would not see outside of Japan.
We hope this guide can be helpful on your next visit to Japan, and please don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments or reach out to us on our social media.
Feel free to download and use this map as your guide in your shopping adventure in Kappabashi.
Let us know what you think!
August 3, 2022 @ 11:43 pm
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing!
January 23, 2023 @ 2:28 am
Thanks for sharing this blog. I just know that Boning knives are perfect to deb-one meat, and fillet knives are the most useful for fish. But today I learned a lot about this boning knife and fillet knife through this blog. So, again thanks.