Kappabashi is a famous and popular shopping area located in thr heart of Tokyo. Also known as Kitchen Street or Kitchen Town, Kappabashi has a plethora of shops selling all manner of kitchenware and goods. The street is 1km long and is home to over 170 shops!

The street lies between two of the most popular areas in Tokyo, Asakusa and Ueno, making it the perfect place to stop off for some shopping and exploration. It is most famous for its kitchenware such as tools, ceramics and knives. You can even see, buy and make the famous Japanese plastic food that you see all over Japan! If you want to buy a great souvenir, we highly recommend browsing the many knife shops that sell the best and highest quality knives in Japan. If you want something fun, why not buy a plastic food replica magnet or model making kit! The art of plastic food models and making is famous in Japan, so why not give it a go yourself!

The area has an interesting history. Due to the close proximity to the Sumida river, this area has been prone to much flooding throughout history. As a result, in the 1800’s, a local umbrella and raincoat merchant decided to use his personal wealth and capital to build a flood defence system which reduced the amount of destructive flooding in Kappabashi. He built embankments and a pedestrian bridge. His name was Kappaya and thats where the area gets its name!

Nearby is Kappa-dera, or Sogen Buddhist Temple where locals come to leave cucumbers as offerings to the Kappa, a mythlogical creature in Japanese folklore. The temple also supposedly contains the mummified hand of a Kappa and it is also where Kappaya is buried.  

Want to experience Kappabashi and so much more on your trip to Tokyo?

Why not join our ’1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa’ tour. Available throughout the year, this is the perfect tour to tick off Kappabashi, Asakusa and some hidden gems in the city. All tours are led by locally-based guides and will take you around the must-see sights in the region, as well as some lesser known gems. Our tours are fun, interactive and family-friendly. For more information, or to book a tour, click on the banner.

1 Day Tour

1 Day Walking Tour in Asakusa : Traditional Tokyo, Culinary Delights and Nature
Period	All Year Round
Time	09:30- 17:00
Meeting Place	Outside the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Centre
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000