Tokyo · Asakusa and Sumida
Kama-asa Shoten
Kama-asa was founded in 1908 on Kappabashi street and sells kitchenware, today also in Paris and Brooklyn. The Tokyo shop has two buildings on either side of the street: one with kitchenware, the other with knives and ironware. The knives come from knife-making areas such as Sakai, Seki in Gifu Prefecture, and Niigata.
A santoku is the all-purpose Japanese knife. In the online shop, the cheapest one in stock on 1 November 2026 costs ¥14,740, and the most expensive ¥77,000. A children's knife costs ¥12,100 and is currently sold out online. Stock in the shop can differ, so if you want a particular model, check in advance.
Engraving a name on the blade is included when you buy a knife. Sharpening is a paid service. There are staff who speak English and French, but not every day.
Good to know
- Imitation websites pose as the shop: the company itself warns about them, and the official site in Japan is kama-asa.co.jp. If you order from home, use only that site.
- Engraving is not always immediate, and online it adds 7 to 10 days. If you are leaving soon, ask how long it will take before you pay.
- Knives go only in the suitcase checked into the hold.
- Tax-free shopping requires your original passport and a purchase from ¥5,500. Since 1 November 2026 in Japan you pay the full price and get the tax back at the airport.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Kama-asa Shoten.
- HereKama-asa Shoten
- 1 min
Kappabashi Dougu Street Street
800 meters of shops for chefs: Japanese knives, plastic food as a souvenir, and ceramics.
- 1 min
Kamata Hakensha Shopping
A knife shop on the same street, with free hand engraving and free sharpening for the shop's knives, which gives a good comparison before you buy.
- ~2 min
Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya Kappabashi Shopping
Plastic food models as souvenirs, and a workshop for making plastic tempura, ¥3,300 by advance booking.
- ~5 min
Sometaro Food
An okonomiyaki house from 1937 in a wooden house with tatami, where you cook it yourself on the griddle in the table. ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 per person. Cash only. Not kosher.
- ~6 min
Niimi Kappabashi Shopping
A tableware shop from 1907, with the giant chef's head on the roof. Porcelain and restaurant trays.
- ~8 min
Coffee Tengoku Cafe
A cafe from the Showa era, only 15 seats. Order the hotcake with the character 天 branded on it, with coffee, ¥1,100 to ¥1,400. Cash only. Not kosher.