A street of chef's knives and fake food
Known as Kitchen Town, this street in Tokyo has about 170 shops selling everything restaurants use, from chef's knives and pots to tableware and the plastic food models displayed in restaurant windows. The shops sell to anyone, not just chefs, and it is a short walk from Senso-ji in Asakusa. Many shops close on Sundays and holidays, so go on a weekday.
About 800 meters of shops for kitchen tools, tableware and restaurant supplies, lining both sides of the street. You can browse gear made for professional kitchens and pick something to use at home.
Founded in 1908, this shop sells Japanese knives, iron frying pans and pots made by craftsmen. When you buy a knife, they engrave your name on the blade, in kanji, katakana or English script.
One of the older knife shops on the street, with walls of knives for home cooks and professionals. Staff help you choose one for how you cook, and can engrave your name on it, mainly in kanji or katakana.
Restaurants in Japan display realistic replicas of their dishes in the window. Here you can make your own, such as tempura and lettuce from colored wax, with a craftsman showing you how. Workshops must be booked online, on a booking page available in English; instruction is mainly in Japanese, so bringing an interpreter is recommended.
Look up for the 11-meter chef's head on the roof: this building at the south end of the street marks the start of Kitchen Town. Inside are Western tableware and professional cooking tools.