“Kappabashi Kitchenware Town”Where You Can Discover Tools Unique to Japan

Located between Asakusa and Ueno, “Kappabashi Kitchenware Street” is one of Japan’s leading shopping districts, featuring a row of specialty stores stretching approximately 800 meters. It offers a wide variety of items—including cooking utensils, tableware, knives, noren curtains, and food samples used in restaurants—and has become a popular destination for international travelers seeking to experience Japanese food culture. While the selection is primarily geared toward professionals, one of its charms is that anyone can easily enjoy shopping there. The colorful Japanese tableware and unique kitchen goods make perfect souvenirs. In particular, the hands-on experience of making lifelike food samples is a popular activity for families with children. Additionally, the golden “Kappa” statue—beloved as the street’s symbol—and the various cooking utensils displayed in storefronts are a joy to simply look at, making for a pleasant stroll. If you combine a visit here with sightseeing at Senso-ji Temple and the Tokyo Skytree, you’ll gain a deeper, more intimate understanding of Japanese daily life and food culture.