A wholesale street between Ueno and Asakusa with about 160 to 170 shops selling everything for a restaurant kitchen except fresh food: knives, lacquerware, ceramics, stoves, lanterns and the realistic plastic food samples seen in Japanese shop windows. A giant chef statue guards the entrance, and kappa (water imp) figures appear all along the street.
- Address
- 3 Chome-18-2 Matsugaya, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0036, Japan
- Hours
- Most shops at least 10:00-17:00; many close on Sundays and public holidays (japan-guide.com)
- Best time to go
- Morning, Afternoon · About 1 h
- Price
- Free to browse; shop prices vary
- Price level
- JPY
Details can change. Check hours and prices before you go.
Good to know
- Most shops sell to the public as well as professionals, so it is good for tableware and kitchen knives (gotokyo.org, ja.wikipedia).
- Plastic food sushi magnets and food-themed phone covers are popular souvenirs (gotokyo.org).
- About 10 minutes on foot from Senso-ji; nearest station is Tawaramachi on the Ginza Line (japan-guide.com).
- Bring cash: knife shops often discount for it (Tokyo Cheapo).