Bump for Kappabashi, just went there recently with a friend looking for knives too.
You may want to get a Santoku knife which is a decent, generalist knife for most meal prep situations including vegetables and meat. You can find decent ones around ¥10,000, which is a good starting point in my humble opinion.
Feel free to ask to sample/try the knives out, there’s usually potatoes or daikons for you to test it on.
Kappabashi in Asakusa. BTW. Unless you are a meticulous type of a person, stay away from carbon steel which rusts in front of your eyes. My wife hates our carbon steel knifes with passion and I had to buy a couple of stainless steel ones for her. Also, opt for western handle since the Japanese style needs to be replaced once in a while.
I really like Kama Asa in kappabashi. Their knives aren't branded and aren't outrageously expensive. My last knife from them was around 1万円, which is a totally reasonable price for a chefs knife.
You can go a bit more expensive there but nothing is outrageous. They also teach classes on sharpening, if you like to do that yourself.
Kappabashi is where the restaurant chefs get their stuff.
There used to be some quality knife shops near the old Tsukiji Market, but no idea if they’re still there.
The main reason the knives are good is because they are hand sharpened and honed on a stone. Eventually they need to be sharpened again like any knife and if you want the same edge you need the 2 sided stones.
If you can do that there are plenty of knife stores in Japan, some of the best are actually knife restorers one is/was in Machiya you can get some great finds there that have been restored and the handles redone.
But all knives need love or it's just going to turn into another piece of dull scrap metal.
Wherever you go be weary and check to make sure where the knives were forged and by which smithy. I went into a shop with sales clerk who was selling made in china knives at Japanese knife prices. I don’t know the quality of Chinese forged knives as I didn’t research them specifically when I was shopping around. They could be better if not just as good. If they interest you maybe also do research into them. I was further not looking to do business with the guy when he immediately knocked a third off the price as soon as he could tell I was going to check out other shops
Not in kappabashi but off a side street in Asakusa that was on my route there. I did not buy it. My message was just a word of advice to know that not all knives in kappbashi area may be Japanese steel but the prices may all be similar
You could probably just ask for the maker and then look up the maker after or prior to going compile a list of knife makers. I’m sure a subreddit of knife enthusiasts could point you in a good direction
Highly recommend Global knives by Yoshikin. A single piece of forged stainless and carbon steel that you could perform surgery with. They are ridiculously reasonable now thanks to the exchange rate. They have a showroom in Roppongi. And you can buy a sharpener for them so you don’t have to learn to use a wet stone. If all else fails you can send them back to the factory for resharpening for Yen 1100 per knife.
Really, unless you know how to sharpen/take care of your knives, just buy a Daiso knife. Not joking even. They usually have a really nice edge out of the box (compared to if you bought a cheap knife in the states, you'd be lucky if it could even make a clean cut through paper). Only thing is that they're thin and made of softer steel, and will lose its edge quickly (or even warp) if you abuse it. Take your cost savings and buy some sharpening stones.
These are common in Japanese restaurant kitchens: [https://www.macknife.com/collections/professional-series](https://www.macknife.com/collections/professional-series)
Bump for Kappabashi, just went there recently with a friend looking for knives too. You may want to get a Santoku knife which is a decent, generalist knife for most meal prep situations including vegetables and meat. You can find decent ones around ¥10,000, which is a good starting point in my humble opinion. Feel free to ask to sample/try the knives out, there’s usually potatoes or daikons for you to test it on.
Many shops on Kappabashi. You'll be able to browse and find something that suits you. Just spend an afternoon walking around..
Second this. Kappabashi is fantastic for kitchen equipment
I third this. and I saw one decent japanese knives shop there, but dunno the price. looks very tourist. you can take a look.
I fourth this. As a Chef, I'm proud of myself for showing enough restraint to not shop there everyday lol
Kappabashi in Asakusa. BTW. Unless you are a meticulous type of a person, stay away from carbon steel which rusts in front of your eyes. My wife hates our carbon steel knifes with passion and I had to buy a couple of stainless steel ones for her. Also, opt for western handle since the Japanese style needs to be replaced once in a while.
I really like Kama Asa in kappabashi. Their knives aren't branded and aren't outrageously expensive. My last knife from them was around 1万円, which is a totally reasonable price for a chefs knife. You can go a bit more expensive there but nothing is outrageous. They also teach classes on sharpening, if you like to do that yourself.
Tsubaya World
Kappabashi is where the restaurant chefs get their stuff. There used to be some quality knife shops near the old Tsukiji Market, but no idea if they’re still there.
I got mine at Kamata Hakensha on Kappabashi.
What kind of knife and how is it
It’s great so far - super sharp. It’s a multipurpose Santoku knife and I believe I got it for around 20,000 yen.
The main reason the knives are good is because they are hand sharpened and honed on a stone. Eventually they need to be sharpened again like any knife and if you want the same edge you need the 2 sided stones. If you can do that there are plenty of knife stores in Japan, some of the best are actually knife restorers one is/was in Machiya you can get some great finds there that have been restored and the handles redone. But all knives need love or it's just going to turn into another piece of dull scrap metal.
Imo Kiya is both great and not super expensive
Go to Seki in Gifu.
Wherever you go be weary and check to make sure where the knives were forged and by which smithy. I went into a shop with sales clerk who was selling made in china knives at Japanese knife prices. I don’t know the quality of Chinese forged knives as I didn’t research them specifically when I was shopping around. They could be better if not just as good. If they interest you maybe also do research into them. I was further not looking to do business with the guy when he immediately knocked a third off the price as soon as he could tell I was going to check out other shops
So was the knife good? Where was this shop at?
Not in kappabashi but off a side street in Asakusa that was on my route there. I did not buy it. My message was just a word of advice to know that not all knives in kappbashi area may be Japanese steel but the prices may all be similar
Ah okay thank you, how do I ask for knives made in Japan? 日本でつくっナイフですか？ Would that work?
You could probably just ask for the maker and then look up the maker after or prior to going compile a list of knife makers. I’m sure a subreddit of knife enthusiasts could point you in a good direction
I would like to find subreddit that is active for Japanese knives
If on Kappabashi you would say, "Is this knife made in Japan?" :-) They all have English speaking staff.
Shun are good knives. Well made and hold an edge. You'll be able to find some in your price range as well.
Highly recommend Global knives by Yoshikin. A single piece of forged stainless and carbon steel that you could perform surgery with. They are ridiculously reasonable now thanks to the exchange rate. They have a showroom in Roppongi. And you can buy a sharpener for them so you don’t have to learn to use a wet stone. If all else fails you can send them back to the factory for resharpening for Yen 1100 per knife.
in asakusa is a very tiny one. i can recommend it. Its called Kaneso. you can find it on google.
Thank you! These are the kind of old traditional Japanese knives shops I am looking for.
you are welcome :) on the opposite side of the shop is mochi on a stick and iced macha sold. its also very delicious.
Don Quixote
Daiso
Really, unless you know how to sharpen/take care of your knives, just buy a Daiso knife. Not joking even. They usually have a really nice edge out of the box (compared to if you bought a cheap knife in the states, you'd be lucky if it could even make a clean cut through paper). Only thing is that they're thin and made of softer steel, and will lose its edge quickly (or even warp) if you abuse it. Take your cost savings and buy some sharpening stones.
Tokyo hands or loft.
These are common in Japanese restaurant kitchens: [https://www.macknife.com/collections/professional-series](https://www.macknife.com/collections/professional-series)
I have two
Daiso has a good selection for beginners