Kappabashi Kitchen Town

kappabashi kitchen town, tokyo

We rounded the corner onto Kappabashi-dori. My eyes lit up, my heart skipped two beats. At the same time Jack let out a big sigh and whined “oh nooo… today is going to SUUCK.”

Luckily, there was some free wifi in the area so he could distract himself while I carefully looked through every last copper pot, ginger grater, and tiny painted bowl… I have no words, really. Store upon store, stuffed with stuff (good stuff). Pinch me.

click to keep reading, more after the jump:

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If you’re heading to Tokyo and you like kitchen things, Kappabashi street is a must-do. It’s 4 or so blocks full of kitchen stores, many of which are commercial restaurant supply stores. I suggest visiting nearby Asakusa on the same day, especially if you think your travel buddies will not be as excited about kitchenware as you are. (Go there first, so you won’t have to lug your purchases around all day).

Here’s a link with subway info and a map.

27 comments

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  1. Marian Ferris
    09.18.2018

    Im going to Kyoto in a few weeks time. Do you know if there is a similar shop there?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      09.24.2018

      Hi Marian, there’s not a similar area in Kyoto that’s as amazing. I suggest a trip to Tokyo for the best (and most affordable) stuff!

  2. Catherine from catherinesprunt.com
    07.21.2015

    So happy I came across this post! I’m going in September and I’m bringing a half empty suitcase just for this!

  3. Abby from gmail.com
    01.03.2014

    I’m so happy I found your post! I’m headed to Tokyo in a couple weeks. I’ll be traveling alone, and am a little nervous about that but this post got me really excited to take on Tokyo! Kappabashi is now on the top of my list. I’ll probably have to bring additional carryon with me to fit all the kitchen goodies! Do you by chance have any other posts of Tokyo recs like the Kyoto list?

  4. MiME from blog.hellomime.eu
    10.19.2013

    Hi Jeanine! I love this post and the great photos!!! On monday I will tell the readers of my blog about your trip to this shop in Tokyo. I will put a link back to your post. They must see themselves!!! Have a nice weekend… MiME from Germany

  5. Cheri from cherilitchfield.blogspot.com
    10.13.2013

    We lived in Tokyo for three years and I practically haunted this street after I discovered it. On return trips I never miss a run to Kappabashi. It is absolutely the most fun kitchen shopping out there! Great post.

  6. Kasey from turntablekitchen.com
    10.11.2013

    Omg, I can’t believe I missed this place. I want to hop on a plane to Japan right now.

  7. Sini from myblueandwhitekitchen.com
    10.11.2013

    This is what heaven should look like. Oh man! I would go nuts. *need to book a ticket to Japan*

    • jeanine
      10.11.2013

      my thoughts exactly. I went nuts 🙂

  8. Alyssa from alyssaandcarla.com
    10.11.2013

    Kappabashi is one of my happy places! Love the pictures 🙂

  9. My husband is in the Air Force, and on our “wish list” of places to be stationed, Japan is in our top 3. I would absolutely love to live there for a while & your posts about your travels there are making me itch to go. I love their clean aesthetic & so many pretty cooking things!

    • jeanine
      10.10.2013

      Ooh, crossing my fingers for you!I would love to live there for awhile. Even though our trip was pretty long, it was still not enough time to explore and take it all in!

      • That’s what I’ve heard from everyone who’s been there. Friends who’ve been stationed there have only really great things to say about it. I’m crossing my fingers, too 😉

  10. Jess H
    10.10.2013

    As if this post wasn’t amazing enough, the words “tamagoyaki pans (recipe coming soon)” just made my morning. I love making tamagoyaki and can’t wait to see your rendition!

    • jeanine
      10.10.2013

      ha! Well, I’m still working it out. First, I haven’t brought myself to actually use that pan yet because it’s so pretty! I just love to look at it, all shiny and new.

      I’m also trying to figure out how to make it in a non-rectangle pan as well because I’m sure most readers don’t have one.

  11. Aurore from labaronnerie.com
    10.10.2013

    I’ve always wanted to go to Tokyo but now I can’t wait to visit such a shop !! One more excellent reason to visit this amazing country for its great “love of cooking” and food culture ! Thanks for this great post ! I can understand you got stuck in this place for a while !

    • jeanine
      10.10.2013

      Such an amazing food culture, it was so inspiring!

  12. Tokyo is at the top of my travel wishlist — even more so now because of this post!

    • jeanine
      10.10.2013

      🙂 I’m so glad!

  13. I am rabid collect of those plastic sushi things! I have been dying to go here. So jealous.

    • jeanine
      10.10.2013

      they had plastic everything, it was crazy 🙂 Too many photos to post…

  14. Fabian
    10.10.2013

    I LOVE Kappabashi! Every time I visit Tokyo the first day will be totally filled with a time consuming stroll through this road and it’s neighbouring tiny streets. And I love the green tea on one of your pictures… Haaaa, missing Japan… Enjoy!

    • jeanine
      10.10.2013

      ha, I knew someone would notice that 🙂 I really miss those green tea vending machines… Made it so easy to drink green tea all day every day!

  15. Rebecca from iliveinvancouvernow.virb.com
    10.10.2013

    Drooling with envy… this looks like heaven!

    • jeanine
      10.10.2013

      it really was heaven – I always try to bring home kitchen things whenever I travel, but I’ve never seen anyplace like this :). Really good prices too.

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.