The best spot for kitchenware in Japan – How to enjoy Tokyo Kappabashi kitchenware street with baby/kids

Contents

What is Kappabashi kitchenware street?

If you heard about “Kappabashi street”, you must be a chef or kitchenware lover.
Kappabashi street is famous for everything about kitchen-related goods with 100years history – about 170 specialized stores for kitchen tools, pots, pans, cooking utensils, kitchen knives, sweets and bakery equipment, noodle bowls, chopsticks,,, and more.

There are also a few stores which sell plastic and wax food samples, used by many restaurants in their show windows. They also produce cute magnets or home objects which is getting very popular as Japanese souvenir.

So, this is very fun place not only for professionals but housewife and moms!

Great kitchen knife line ups at “Kama-asa”

Retro and New

Can we go with baby or toddler?

Actually each shops are not very big. You can go though sidewalk with baby stroller, but stroller is better to wait outside with someone when you shop inside.
If you can hold baby with baby carrier, that’s better.

About toddlers, I would not recommend to take them inside store together, as too many small fragile stuffs are on pile.

So what I suggest is “go shopping with team“. Half go inside store, the other half stay outside with baby on stroller or toddler.

I found some small children’s outdoor playgrounds near the street, toddler might be happier to play there while the other half team shopping.
(Please see following for playground details)

Location & Opening hours

The nearest station is “Tawara-machi” subway station, about 5min walk from Tawara-machi station (Ginza line)

Or if you are in Asakusa, which is the most popular sightseeing spot in Tokyo, it’s not so far from there – about 10min walk from Asakusa Kaminarimon gate (Asakusa Sensoji-tample).

Most shops open from 9:00 to 17:00 on Weekday.
90% are opened on Saturday, Most of shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Kappabashi street : 1-4-6, Nishi-Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0035 (Link to Google Map)
Kappabashi Dougu street (Link to Official Website)

Recommend kitchenware for baby/kids

It’s also fun to look for something for kids here.
Find unique souvenir for your family or your friend’s family.

Realistic food samples (made by plastic and wax)

Food replicas shops are also one of the famous attractions in Kappabashi.
Sushi, Templa, ramen noodles, watermelons, pizza, spagetti, they are so realistic.

Magnet, Key-holder, Pen stand are very cute and good as souvenir.

And the shop named “Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya” offers food sample making experience.
(*for ages 6 and up / Need reservation / 2500yen par parson / Need to bring translator)

They also have many kinds of craft kit of food replicas called “Sample’n”.
Icecream, shaved ice, pasta, soba noodle, ramen noodles, etc. are available at store with English instruction manuals.

Try find big beetle on their shop building with kids.

Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya (Official website)
Sample making experience detail page (Japanese only)
*For ages 6 and up / Need reservation in advance / 2500yen par parson / Need to bring translator

Children’s playground near Kappabashi street

There are at least 3 small outdoor public children’s playgrounds along Kappabashi street.
If you are with toddler, I suggest to take them to those park while the other team member enjoy shopping.

1, Matsuba Park

Address : 1-12-6, Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Link to Google map)

2, Nishi-Asakusa Kawamura Park

Address : 2-21-12, Nishiasakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Link to Google map)

3, Kinryu Park

This one located near Taito-community center and Kappabashi coffee. Size is little bit bigger compare with the other two.

Address : 3-25-7 Nishiasakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Link to Google map)

Toilet / Nursing rooms

Most of store does not have bathroom for customers. So better go to toilet before come to Kappabashi street.
But when kids need to pee suddenly, there are three bathroom spots around here ;

Tawaramachi subway station‘s toilet
Children’s playground’s public toilet (please see above)
Taito-city community center (Life-long learning center) at the end of the Kappabashi street.

For nursing room, This Taito-city community center has nursing room on 4F.
Please ask staff when you get there.

Cafes and restaurants

For lunch/Coffee break with family, those are my recommendations.

Kappabashi Coffee&Bar

Most popular cafe&bar in this area.
Free space on 2nd floor might be comfortable for family.
Select shop inside this cafe is my one of my favorite place. ( →interior select shop “Soi” )

Kappabashi Coffee&Bar (Official page)
Address : 3-25-11, Nishiasakusa Taito City, Tokyo (Link to Google map)
Open : 8:30-18:00

Hidden shop in the back

Bamiyan (Family-friendly Chinese restaurant)

Located at the end of the Kappabashi street, chain restaurant Bamiyan is on 2F of Taito community center building.
You can use community center’s elevator if you are with baby stroller.
There is diaper changing board on toilet.

Bamiyan Asakusa Kappabashi store (link to Tabelog page)
Address : 2F, 3−25−16, Taito City, Nishiasakusa, Tokyo (Link to Google map)
OPEN : 10:00～24:00 (open on Sunday)

BOICHI (Beef restaurant)

Casual beef restaurant. Located near Tawaramachi subway station.
Steak, hamburg steak, roasted beaf etc. lunch is about 1,000-1300yen.

BOICHI (link to Tabelog page)
Address : 1-8-5, Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Link to Google map)
OPEN : 7:00～10:00, 11:30-15:00, 17:00-23:00 (open on Sunday)

Komeda Coffee (family-friendly cafe)

Komeda coffee is Japanese local chain cafe-restaurant started Nagoya in 1960s.
They are famous for morning coffee & service at reasonable price.
It’s located between Tawaramachi station and Kappabashi street. Light foods, coffee, desert, good for short break .

Komeda Coffee Tawaramachi store (link to Tabelog page)
Address : 1-2-3, Nishi-asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Link to Google map)
OPEN : 7:00～23:00 (open on Sunday)