The Chef’s Secret Street: Why You Must Visit “Kappabashi” (Kitchen Town)
You are in Tokyo. You visited the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Now, walk just 10 minutes west. You will see a building with a Giant Chef’s Head on the roof.
Welcome to Kappabashi (Kitchen Town).
This is not a normal tourist street. This is where Tokyo’s restaurant owners come to buy their supplies. It is a mile-long street filled with bowls, pans, lanterns, and signs. But for you, the traveler, there are two main reasons to come here: Knives and Fake Food.
As your friend, here is how to find the best souvenirs that will last a lifetime.
1. The Best Knives in the World
Japanese knives (Hocho) are legendary. They are made with the same techniques as Samurai swords. They are incredibly sharp and hold their edge.
- Where to go: Shops like “Kama-Asa” or “Tsubaya”. They look like galleries.
- The Experience:
- Consultation: Tell the staff what you cook (Meat? Fish? Vegetables?). They will recommend the perfect shape (usually a “Santoku” or “Gyuto” is best for home use).
- Engraving: This is the best part. Many shops will hand-engrave your name into the blade (in Kanji or Katakana) for free or a small fee. It takes about 10 minutes.
- The Result: You go home with a personalized tool that makes cooking a joy.
2. The Art of “Sampuru” (Plastic Food)
You’ve seen them outside restaurants: incredibly realistic wax or plastic models of ramen, sushi, and beer. These are called “Sampuru” (Samples). And Kappabashi is the capital of Sampuru.
- The Souvenirs: You can buy a magnet that looks like a perfect piece of Sushi. Or a keychain that looks like a piece of Wagyu beef. Or a phone case with a fried egg on it.
- Make Your Own: Some shops (like “Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya”) offer workshops where you can make your own lettuce head or tempura out of wax! It is a fun, weird, and uniquely Japanese experience.
3. Professional Ceramics & Chopsticks
Don’t buy expensive plates at department stores. In Kappabashi, you can find stacks of beautiful, professional-grade Japanese ceramics for cheap.
- What to look for: Ramen bowls, Sake sets, and tiny plates for soy sauce.
- Chopsticks: There are specialty shops with thousands of chopsticks. You can choose the wood, the length, and the design.
4. The “Noren” (Curtains) and Lanterns
Want to make your house look like an Izakaya? You can buy the red paper lanterns (Chochin) and the blue fabric dividers (Noren) here. They make for very cool interior decor back home.
5. Location Tip (The Golden Route)
Kappabashi fits perfectly into a day in Asakusa.
- Morning: Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa).
- Walk 10-15 mins to Kappabashi.
- Shop for knives and fake food.
- Walk to Ueno or take a train to Tokyo Skytree.
Summary: Useful & Unique
Magnets break. T-shirts fade. But a hand-forged Japanese knife? That is a souvenir you will use every single day for the rest of your life. And every time you slice a tomato perfectly, you will remember Tokyo.
Are you intimidated by buying a professional knife? Not sure which steel to choose? Our guides can translate for you and help you negotiate with the shopkeepers to find the blade that fits your hand perfectly.
