3 Must-Visit Knife Specialty Stores in Tokyo - Plus a Beginner's Knife Buying Guide
As the capital of Japan, Tokyo is a place where numerous high-quality crafts can be found. It also has the largest number of restaurants in Japan, staffed by not only Japanese chefs but also many renowned international chefs. It only makes sense that a wide variety of knife brands and types can be found here. Whether you’re a home cook or professional chef, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs. But before you shop, keep reading - we’ll introduce some tips on how to choose the best knife for your needs, along with some well-known knife specialty shops in Tokyo.
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What to Look for When Buying a Knife
Knife Length and Weight
When choosing a knife, it’s important to consider the overall length, from the handle to the tip of the blade. Selecting the right length for your intended use allows for more efficient and comfortable cooking. Here’s a general guide:
- Under 15 cm: Suitable for cutting vegetables, fruits, and smaller ingredients.
- Between 16-18 cm: Can be used for a wide range of ingredients, including both vegetables and meat.
- Over 18 cm: Best for larger ingredients like large cuts of beef or fish. Do note however that these knives require more force and workspace.
At the same time, it’s also important to consider the weight of a knife. The right weight can make food preparation a lot more comfortable. Many people tend to choose lighter knives (under 100 grams) because they believe they’re easier to handle, but if they’re too light, you’ll have to use extra force to compensate.
As a general guideline, 150 grams is considered a decent weight - easy to use and not too light. Anything heavier may cause fatigue during extended use.
Blade Materials
Knife blades are typically made from stainless steel, ceramic, or carbon steel. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
For beginners or those looking for an everyday knife, stainless steel or ceramic knives are generally recommended. They are relatively easy to maintain and resistant to corrosion, so they’re less prone to rust.
In terms of which material is most popular, stainless steel wins hands down. One reason is the wide range available, making it easy to find options that suit different needs and budgets.
Ceramic knives are far less likely to leave a metallic smell on the ingredients. However, they require careful handling, as they’re easy to chip and damage compared to other blade materials.
Carbon steel knives have the sharpest edge, but they require meticulous maintenance. Furthermore, they’re prone to rust and tend to be heavier. So, they’re generally recommended only to professional chefs and those who have a strong passion for cooking.
Where to Buy Knives in Tokyo
Kappabashi (Kappabashi Kitchenware Town) - One of Tokyo’s Largest Kitchenware Districts
Located in the Asakusa area, Kappabashi is well known among both locals and tourists for its history as a place for kitchenware and professional cooking equipment.
Along an approximately 800-meter street, you’ll find over 170 stores lined up. These range from small shops to long-established, well-known retail establishments, and many of them specialize in knives and other cooking equipment.
For this reason, Kappabashi is a must-visit destination for not just professional chefs, but anyone who loves cooking, as you can find virtually everything needed for food preparation and even for restaurant use.
These items come at a wide price range, from affordable knives around 5,000 yen to premium products costing tens of thousands of yen, making it easy to find something based on your budget and needs.
Each shop offers different services, from having English-speaking staff to offering name engraving and providing expert advice on how to select the right knife.
Other Areas in Tokyo to Buy Knives: Ginza and Nihonbashi
First, let’s look at Ginza. This is a famous high-end shopping area. In addition to fashion items like bags and clothing, you can also purchase kitchenware such as knives here. They can be found at standalone specialty kitchenware stores as well as department stores like Mitsukoshi Ginza.
Nihonbashi is a historic area and one of Tokyo’s business hubs. It is home to many shops carrying high-quality kitchenware, especially premium knives. Many of these stores have staff who are more than happy to give detailed, personalized advice on what to get.
Since Nihonbashi is located in central Tokyo, it is a convenient location for travelers staying nearby or who want to shop while sightseeing. There’s nothing quite like enjoying the traditional atmosphere of Tokyo while out shopping!
A recommended store in this area is Kiya Nihonbashi. This long-established kitchenware shop was founded in 1792 and is well known both in Japan and abroad.
Recommended Knife Specialty Shops in Kappabashi
KAMA-ASA - A Classic Knife and Kitchenware Specialty Store
Founded in 1908, KAMA-ASA is a shop with over a century of history that specializes in knives and other kitchenware that are not only beautiful but also practical and of high quality.
The store is divided into two buildings, with one solely dedicated to knives. The staff there are knowledgeable and happy to provide detailed explanations about different knife shapes, blade materials, and their intended uses.
They also offer knife name engraving services as well as tax-free shopping for tourists.
This store is for you if you are:
- A home cooking enthusiast or chef looking for high-quality, practical knives
- A tourist who wants to handle and compare knives in person
- Someone who is interested in not just knives but other kitchen tools and wants some guidance from the expert staff
Product price range
Standard knives: Around 8,000 - 15,000 yen
Premium knives: Around 30,000 - 80,000 yen (depending on size and material)
Tsubaya Knives - A Knife Specialty Store
Tsubaya Knives is a knife specialty shop offering a wide selection, from traditional Japanese knives to Western-style knives. You can find everything from knives for home use to ones made for professional cooks.
One of the store’s standout features is its impressive display of over 1,000 knives filling up the walls and shelves. You can freely hold them and compare various knives in person.
On top of employing English-speaking staff who can offer helpful advice on what to choose, the shop also offers knife sharpening services, so customers have a place to go to maintain their knives after purchase.
This store is for you if you are:
- Someone who wants to choose and compare a wide range of knives at the store
- Someone who wants to get a specific type of knife, such as a knife for fish and another for vegetables, or a professional who is looking at a wide variety of knives
- A person who is interested in experiencing and understanding the differences in blade types firsthand
Product price range
Standard knives: Around 10,000 - 30,000 yen
Premium knives: Around 40,000 - 100,000 yen (depending on size and material)
Recommended Knife Specialty Shop in Ginza
Seisuke Knife - High-Quality Knives Made by Brands and Craftspeople Across Japan
Seisuke Knife is a well-known knife specialty shop that mainly stocks a curated selection of premium knives made by individual craftspeople and brands from across Japan. They have multiple locations in Tokyo, which employ staff who can speak English. Many reviews from tourists praise their excellent service and the superior quality of the knives they stock. Customers can shop with confidence at their stores!
Collaboration: Yu Kurosaki × Bar Centifolia
This ice knife’s design was inspired by the samurai. It is a collaborative creation between master bladesmith Yu Kurosaki and renowned bartender Yuzo Komai of Bar Centifolia, combining Kurosaki’s masterful forging techniques with a weight and balance specifically designed for delicate bartending work. It is a piece that beautifully blends traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern, refined cocktail artistry.
This store is for you if you are:
- A person looking for carefully selected, premium knives
- Someone seeking expert advice tailored to those from abroad
- Someone who is searching for knives with unique designs or materials, or looking for knives made by individual craftspeople in Japan
Product price range
Standard knives: Starting from around 14,000 yen
Premium knives: Starting from around 70,000 yen (can even exceed 150,000 yen depending on size and materials)
By the way, knives at the Ginza store start from around 80,000 yen and can even exceed 2 million yen!
Seisuke Knife - Tokyo Stores
Seisuke Knife - Kyoto Store
About Tax-Free Shopping for Tourists in Japan
When visiting Japan, be sure to take advantage of the tax-free/duty-free shopping system!
Under the current system, travelers can purchase knives and other items tax-free by presenting their passport at participating stores, saving the 10% consumption tax.
This system will change starting November 1, 2026, transitioning into a “tax refund” system. Under this new system, travelers will pay the standard tax at the time of purchase and then receive a refund at the airport when departing Japan. This means you will need to keep your receipt until you’re able to complete the tax refund procedure at the airport before leaving the country.
Try and Buy Knives While Sightseeing Tokyo
Tokyo is home to many great places to shop. This time, we carefully selected three knife specialty stores that we can strongly recommend for this article. When buying knives, it is best if you can actually hold it in your hand so that you can test if it suits you. So, if you’re looking to buy a knife while in Tokyo, we hope you’ll take the opportunity to visit these stores.
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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