Kappabashi-dōri

Kappabashi-dōri is a shopping street in Taitō-ku with over 170 specialty shops selling professional kitchen equipment, utensils, and tableware for restaurants and homes. The stores stretch across several blocks offering everything from knives to specialized cooking gear for different kitchen styles.

The street started in the early 1900s when merchants began selling kitchen tools to supply the city with cooking equipment. Over time it became Tokyo's main destination for restaurant supplies, growing from a small market into a large trading center.

The street shows how Japanese cooking traditions remain alive through the work of local craftspeople who sell handmade kitchen tools and dishes. Visitors can watch shop owners help customers choose items, keeping old skills and knowledge at the heart of daily commerce.

The street is near Tawaramachi Station on the Ginza Line, positioned between Ueno and Asakusa, making it easy to reach. Most shops are open during the day, so visiting during regular business hours works best for browsing.

Many shops display plastic food replicas that restaurants across Japan use in windows to show their menus to passersby. These realistic copies are themselves a form of Japanese craftsmanship that often surprises visitors.