Kama-Asa

Kama-Asa Knife Shops offer a fantastic experience for anyone looking for a quality Japanese chef knife. While in Tokyo, I was on a mission to find the perfect knife based on several recommendations. After exploring a few options, I settled on Kama-Asa because of their friendly and knowledgeable staff. Not being well-versed in knives, I appreciated how the associate took the time to explain the differences between various models and guided me to the one that suited my needs best. They cater to every budget, making it accessible for all. The highlight of my visit was watching my chosen knife get engraved by hand—a perfect, personalized souvenir that made the experience truly memorable. Highly recommended for both novices and enthusiasts alike!

Shopping for a Santoku knife at Kappabashi Street is a pilgrimage every home cook or professional chef should make when in Tokyo. Nestled between Ueno and Asakusa, this street—often dubbed “Kitchen Town”—is a paradise for culinary enthusiasts, lined with specialty stores selling everything from lacquered bento boxes to plastic food replicas and artisanal ceramics. But the real magic lies in the knife shops. Wandering into a knife store like Kama Asa, Kamata or Tsubaya is like stepping into a temple of steel, where generations of craftsmanship come to life. Rows upon rows of gleaming blades glint under soft lighting, each one honed to perfection. The Santoku—Japan’s all-purpose kitchen knife—is a particular standout. Its name means “three virtues,” referring to its mastery of slicing, dicing, and mincing. Decided on the V5 Damascus stainless shell Santoku knife from Tsubame, a refined blend of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and modern steel technology. Crafted in Tsubame City—famed for its precision metalwork—the knife features a V5 stainless steel core for exceptional edge retention, corrosion resistance, and easy upkeep. The outer Damascus shell, formed by layering multiple steels, creates a striking wave-like pattern that enhances both beauty and durability Choosing one is an experience in itself. Shopkeepers will let you feel the balance of the blade, explain the steel’s origin, and may even offer to engrave your name in kanji. You leave not just with a tool, but with a slice of Japanese culture—sharp, elegant, and deeply personal. There’s a quiet reverence in these shops, where passion meets precision, and shopping becomes a moment of connection between tradition and the modern kitchen.

Great experience shopping here. From viewing to payment, it was a seamless & thoughtful process. Staff are friendly and speak English well. No pushy sales here. I was attended by Nori-san who was hospitable and patient in explaining how to take care and maintain the knives I bought. Arigatoo-gozaimasu, Nori-san!

A must-visit shop at Kappabashi when I travel to Tokyo. It has a lot of nice pots, knives, cutting board and BBQ equipment etc. The staff are very friendly and patient. Most of them can speak English very well.

Great shop to buy high quality knives at a decent price. Staff are very helpful, we got our names engraved into the knives. A lot of the popular styles sell out though, especially if you’re looking to buy a set, they have a big selection.

Beautiful shop with knowledgeable and friendly personnel, also perfect if you don’t speak Japanese. Despite the boutique being filled with customer, it didn’t take long to get the help I needed. Jérémy is incredibly knowledgeable and helped me find a suitable knife within minutes. Optionally, one can engrave the knife for free. All in all, superb service, I will come back here in the future.

This shop is beautiful and most important of all is managed by highly skilled staff. They directed me towards the right choice for a gift and they were really available to answer all my question. If you want to buy a kitchen knife this is the place in Kappabashi. In particular, Jeremy was great; another guy which unfortunately I don't know the name, did the engraving, he was great too. Kudos to this shop!

- If you're in Japan, grab a cool kitchen knife from Kama-Asa shop. - They've got lots of different knives, all looking really nice. - And hey, they'll even engrave it for you for free. - Don't miss out on this Tokyo spot if you're into cooking!