So I have a guest coming to Japan (Tokyo) who is really interested in kitchenware. Plates, cups, teapots, knives, etc. Is there a good location or any recommended shops that are really unique?
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I know “Kappabashi,” but I feel like that’s super touristy and maybe not the real best location for this sort of thing. Any recs on less well-known or interesting places?
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Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.
6 comments
Kappabashi is not touristy. Sure there are a couple of shops that have signs now in English to deal with tourists, but it really is the location where many restaurants, professionals etc. buy their goods.
Especially if that person knows exactly what they are looking for, these shops can order for a much lower price than, for example, department stores.
That said, a lot of the things they sell are strictly utilitarian. High quality, but not necessarily something that people would have in their house. Dishes that look great in a restaurant may not be the best for a house, or professional grade pots and pans may be out of their price range and unsuitable for home use.
Maybe get more info from them as to exactly what kind of level they are looking for. Certainly department stores like Isetan and Takashimaya have high quality, but equally high prices. ¥100,000 chopsticks anyone??
Kappabashi isn’t a tourist place, though some tourists do go there. So it’s a good place to start
I was in Takashimaya in Shinjuku the other day, and on around the 10th floor they were having a kind of kitchenware display- bowls, kettles, chopsticks, etc. They had the most amazing glassware I’ve ever seen (¥165,000 for just one tumbler, though…)
Throughout the department store they had a lot of more reasonably priced stuff, too. Might be worth a look.
If they are willing to travel, I recommend the towns of [Tsubame-Sanjo](https://thehiddenjapan.com/tsubame-sanjo/) in Niigata.
The towns are famous for cutlery, copper ware, and knives. It’s the home of [Gyokusendo](https://www.gyokusendo.com/) (copper tea kettles) and some big names in kitchen knife manufacturing.
The museum there is very well done and has English headsets you can rent. Attached to the museum is an experience hall where you can hammer copper sake cups or other things.
Many of the businesses in the town have open factories where you can see how the products are made (often with an English-speaking guide).
You can get some great deals on kitchen knives and and other items near the station as well.
For expensive stuff, head to large department stores.
I’ve seen futons that would still be too expensive for me if they erased a zero or two off the price.
For knives, I’d suggest that one half decent santoku is all you need. Maybe 165-170mm, and stick with that–not bigger or smaller. this can be done for a couple thousand yen, and more will get you fancy but not anything more useful.