Not sure what cookware and tableware you should check out while visiting Japan? Here are 10 things that are worth bringing back in your suitcase from Japan.
One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from JOC readers is what cookware and tableware they should buy when they visit Japan. With limited suitcase space, I understand I can’t suggest everything. Living in the U.S., I have trouble finding certain Japanese cookware and tableware from local stores or online stores, so I made a recommended list here for you.
My suggestions are really for someone who enjoys cooking Japanese food frequently and appreciates Japanese household items. If that’s not you, these items also make great gift ideas for that person in your life who loves Japanese culture and cuisine! If you’re lucky, you may be able to purchase these items easily where you are, but generally, these items are pretty difficult to find and can be very expensive compared to the prices you pay while you’re in Japan.
I hope you find the list helpful and insightful.
Table of contents
Cookware and Kitchen Items to Get From Japan
1. Rice Bowls & Miso Soup Bowls お茶碗・お味噌汁椀
Rice bowls and miso soup bowls are essential items for Japanese families, used daily. In Japan, there are countless variations of rice bowls and miso soup bowls. High-quality wooden miso soup bowls made in Japan can be hard to find in the US. While you’re traveling in Japan, consider picking up some wooden bowls. They are light, easy to bring back, and can add a touch of fun and elegance to your daily miso soup!
I personally bought rice bowls adorned with Mount Fuji drawings in assorted colors. They bring a smile to my children and me every day. Whether it’s a bowl with a cute cat drawing, beautiful cherry blossoms, or the right color that attracts you, find the one that brings a smile to your face.
2. Ramen Bowls
Are you a huge ramen fan (see my ramen recipes) and enjoy serving ramen at home? If so, you must get some ramen bowls when you’re in Japan. Good-quality and good-looking ramen bowls can be hard to find in the U.S. I got mine at Kappabashi Kitchen Town.
On the other hand, if you love donburi dishes, consider getting a variety of donburi bowls. Donburi is a very common meal in Japan, hence we have SO MANY kinds of beautiful donburi bowls.
3. Chopsticks & Chopstick Rests
Even years before I started photo shooting my recipes, I’ve been a collector of chopstick rests. Something about them that is so attractive. Maybe because they are small and I love everything miniature.
If you are in Japan, you will see a lot of cute stores that sell kitchen and home goods. I love to stop by to check out some unique chopstick rests and chopsticks whenever I get a chance. Instead of buying a set of 4-5 pairs, I only buy one chopstick rest and a pair of chopsticks that I love from each store. I enjoy picking out which chopsticks and chopstick rests that would go well together, and everyone would have a different set. The mismatch is supposed to be fun!
4. Magewappa Bento Box
Bento (lunch box) is not only for children, adults can also enjoy it at school, work, or even at home. These wooden bento boxes, called the Magewappa (曲げわっぱ), not only is environmentally friendly, but they also make your lunches so much more appetizing and presentable.
It’s a lot more inexpensive to buy bento boxes in Japan than trying to buy online. You can purchase Magewappa at any tableware and bento stores, but it’s a lot easier to go to Tokyu Hands or a bento box section of the kitchen floor in department stores.
I forgot to mention. Bento box for adult is also great for portion control and perfect for those who try to lose some weight (aka me…).
5. Adjustable Stainless Steel Otoshibuta (Drop Lid) 落とし蓋
Otoshibuta or drop lid is an essential Japanese cooking gadget for all kinds of simmered foods. It’s a kitchen tool that is not so common outside of Japanese cooking, hence it’s hard to find it in kitchen shops in the U.S.
For the longest time, I’ve been waiting for someone or some company to sell these adjustable stainless steel otoshibuta on Amazon, but no luck yet. MTC Kitchen sells it for $19, but you can find an otoshibuta for less than $10 in Japan. This particular one above is around ¥800 ($8). So grab one (or two for your Japanese cooking buddy) when you visit Japan!
6. Tamagoyaki Pan 玉子焼きフライパン
Yes, there are some non-stick Tamagoyaki pans such as this copper Tamagoyaki pan available on Amazon. But the quality of some pans I purchased before was not very good. If you do make tamagoyaki for your children’s bento or for your breakfast regularly, you might as well stop by a kitchen store and get one while visiting Japan. Here you can find my favorite T-fal brand in the picture below (top left) at Tokyu Hands in Shibuya store.
See all the choices of brands and sizes? These are much better quality and less expensive compared to ones you can find on Amazon.
7. Ladles お玉
You may think I’m silly for listing a ladle on your Japan shop list. But true story… I had a really hard time finding the perfect ladle for serving miso soup. All the ladles I purchased in the U.S. are a bit too big to serve into standard size miso soup bowls. I may sound picky, but I’ve purchased enough ladles to try and all the ladles that I end up keeping are all from Japan. Let me say this, the size, shape, angle of the stem, and the material of these ladles from Japan are just perfect. I rest my case.
Here I took the picture at Kappabashi Kitchen Town. So many different sizes, shapes, and utility of ladles! I also recommend visiting supermarkets (especially the one that has a 2nd floor for home and kitchen goods), Tokyu Hands, and even department store kitchen floor. Try holding the ladles and see the difference!
8. Bamboo Baskets
Bamboo products are so much easier to find in Asia. Japan offers amazing hand-woven bamboo products that are made in Japan. There are a lot of bamboo specialized stores and you might spot them while traveling, especially when you visit Kyoto, Takayama, Kamakura, and more traditional cities.
9. Chiffon Cake Pans
I love baking chiffon cakes, so several years ago I bought two different cake pans (17cm and 20cm) in Japan and brought them home with me. Japanese chiffon cake pans are affordable and SUPER easy to use. I like that they come with a slim and tall shape, which are great when comes to making beautiful looking chiffon cakes compared to a flatter angel food cake pan.
This aluminum chiffon cake pan from Asai Shoten (浅井商店) is VERY famous and you can go to the store in Kappabashi Kitchen Town to find them.
With these pans, you can make my Meyer Lemon Chiffon Cake, Green Tea Chiffon Cake, Orange Chiffon Cake, and Earl Grey Chiffon Cake.
10. Plates & Bowls
Some people enjoy shopping for clothes and shoes, but I enjoy getting new kitchen gadgets, pots and pans, and my endless love – plates and bowls. I especially love ceramics from Japan that are so delicate, unique, and of course, handmade.
Some of the plates and bowls are from my grandmother, so they are sentimental pieces to me. My mom kept them in boxes for me knowing that I would need these for Just One Cookbook. I am just happy that I can continue to use this special heirloom tableware.
If you’re curious about how I pack and bring them back home, you can see my Instagram Stories titled “Packing” in my profile, where I explained some tips on wrapping the ceramics and packing them in the boxes.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2019: This year we got to visit and shop in Imari, Arita and Imbe (Bizenware).
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2019: A square copper tamagoyaki pan, different sized Yukihira pots and Shokupan pan were on my list.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2018: Mostly from my mom and grandma’s collections and a few gifts from my friends.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2018: These are actually from Thailand – I brought them to Japan, and then brought them back to the US.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2018: These white plates are all from Le Baise in Kappabashi Kitchen Town in Tokyo.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2018: Unfortunately, this happened a few times, even though I had carefully wrapped them individually.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2017: Ceramics from my trip to Bangkok on top and the rest are Japanese ceramics.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2016: Majority of ceramics are from a department store Takashimaya in Yokohama. The rest are from my mom.
Where to Find Japanese Tableware in Tokyo Area?
The easiest place to find Japanese ceramics and kitchen items is to go to the kitchen floor (usually 7th or 8th floor) of the nearest department stores or Tokyu Hands. If you are looking for one of kind ceramics, there are some shops that sell unique ceramics made by artists. Here’s a small list of popular ceramic shops in Tokyo.
- Allegory Home Tools in Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku
- Amahare in Shirokanedai, Minato-ku
- Aoba-do in Shirakawa, Koto-ku
- At Kiln Aoyama in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Beniya Mingeiten in Komaba, Meguro-ku
- Bloom & Branch in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Bondo in Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino-shi
- Casica in Shinkiba, Koto-ku
- Chidori in Misaki-cho, Chiyoda-ku
- CLASKA Gallery & Shop “DO” in Chuo-cho, Meguro-ku
- Dengama in Nishi Asakusa, Taito-ku
- FALL in Nishiogikita, Suginami-ku
- Fragile in Ginza, Chuo-ku
- Gyokusendo in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Japanese Pottery shop (Aritayaki Yakimono Ichiba) in Hiroo, Shibuya-ku
- Jokogumo in Shirogane-cho, Shinjuku-ku
- Kagure Omotesando in Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
- Kahahori in Kichijoji Minami-cho, Musashino-shi
- Kakesu Zakkaten in Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Asakusa, Taito-ku
- Kappabashi Kitchen Street in Asakusa, Taito-ku
- KnulpAA Gallery in Shakujiimachi, Nerima-ku
- Koharuan in Yarai-cho, Shinjuku-ku
- Kohoro in Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku
- La Ronde d’Argile in Wakamiya-cho, Shinjuku-ku
- Lion Pottery in Chuo-cho, Meguro-ku
- MARKUS in Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino-shi
- Migo Labo in Gohongi, Meguro-ku
- Migratory in Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku
- Mist∞ in Kichijoji Kitamachi, Musashino-shi
- Monsen in Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku
- Outbound in Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino-shi
- Pond Gallery in Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku
- POTPURRI in Shirakawa, Koto-ku
- Proto Tablewares and Precious in Kuramae, Taito-ku
- Roundabout in Uehara, Shibuya-ku
- Rozan in Nishiogikita, Suginami-ku
- Shouan Bunko in Shouan, Suginami-ku
- SML in Aobadai, Meguro-ku
- Sonomono in Nagasaki, Toshima-ku
- Sora in Himonya, Meguro-ku
- Spiral Market in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Style Hug in Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku
- Syuro in Torigoe, Taito-ku
- Takahashi Sohonten in Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Asakusa, Taito-ku
- Takumi in Ginza, Chuo-ku
- Tasogare-do in Nezu, Bunkyo-ku
- Tenoha in Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku
- Teshigoto in Todoroki, Setagaya-ku
- Touan Yabukita in Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Asakusa, Taito-ku
- Utsuwa Aoba-do in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Utsuwa Daifuku in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Utsuwa Dokoro Kurumi in Kamiogi, Suginami-ku
- Utsuwa Kaede in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Utsuwa Kenshin in Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
- Utsuwa Shizen in Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
- Utsuwa Party in Komaba, Meguro-ku
- Vada Antiques in Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino-shi
- Wise Wise Tools in Akasaka, Minato-ku
- Yuyujin in Takaban, Meguro-ku
- Zakka Tsuchi no Kioku in Asagaya Minami, Suginami-ku
Japanese Online Shop
- Japanese Pottery Shop (ships internationally)
- Monsen
- Tojian
- Tableware East
- Uchill
- Utsuwaya Nishiyama
Have you brought back anything for your kitchen while visiting Japan? What are your favorites? Comment below and share your stories with us!
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Hi
Unfortunately, I could not add the photo to your email. I tried uploading it to your facebook page and am also unable to do so. Question: is there another way I can add the photo of the bamboo section small cups so you can see and advice on where to purchase?
Thanks!
Nancy
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2221238017924222&set=pcb.2221245787923445&type=3&theater
Thought I would try one more time with the link to the bamboo cups.
I guess you can see I really would like to find these bamboo cups 🙂
Thanks!
Nancy
Hi Nancy! It’s the same link. I think the reason I can’t see is that this photo is private and not open to public (you are connected to this person or page?). What I see is a message saying “Sorry, this content isn’t available right now”. If you can, please get a screenshot and email me. 🙂
Hi Nami,
I have sent the picture via your web page connect email…Fingers crossed you receive it.
Appreciate your response!
Thanks
Nancy
Hi Nancy! I just responded to your email. 🙂
THANK YOU! I really appreciate your help!
Nancy
Hi!
I was wondering if you could help me locate these small bamboo cups They are made from sections of bamboo and they would be perfect for homemade tofu.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2221238017924222&set=pcb.2221245787923445&type=3&theater
Thank you!
Nancy
Hi Nancy! I clicked the link but it doesn’t work. Could you resend again? Thanks!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2221238017924222&set=pcb.2221245787923445&type=3&theater
I’m wondering if this facebook account is private, so the link does not work. Is there another way I can send you the picture? Thanks!
Nancy
I just noticed you have sent an email. I have sent to picture via email. Hope you receive it
Thank you
Nancy
No, I didn’t receive email from you. Please send it to hello @ just one cookbook .com (no space). Thank you!
Omg, Nami! I wish I had read your Kappabashi post earlier! Or rather, again BEFORE I went to Japan. My family and I just returned from a 14 day trip….9 days in Hokkaido and 5 days in Tokyo! We had a marathon day on Monday, but Kappabashi was our last stop, so I really didn’t have enough time to see much. What a fun area!
Hi Mara! Hope you had a great time in Japan! 2 weeks is very nice! At least you got to visit Kappabashi. It’s quite overwhelming that you probably need more than once to take it all in and shop… LOL.
Hi Nami,
May I know where can I get Square Chiffon cake pans in Tokyo area?
Thanks in advance
Sandy
Hi Sandy! Try Asai Shoten in Kappabashi. They are known for baking (and cooking) supply store. You may want to call before going since it’s a special shape pan.
Or you can buy online from Asai Shoten: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/asai-tool/r11-0526/ (use chrome to translate).
Hi Nami,
Thanks for your replied. Your info very helpful. By the way do you know surrounding Yokohama have any shop that sell Square Chiffon Cake Pans?
Yokohama… maybe TokyuHands or some department stores kitchen floor or 富澤商店 (TOMIZ) but I’m not 100% sure if they have a square chiffon cake pan…
Oh I went crazy with Japanese kitchen items on our last visit in Japan
– got myself a Japanese wok, a small hibachi grill, and a tempura fryer. I was also able to bring back a small bag of binchotan charcoal. And I went to Kappabashi to ogle at the stores. I would’ve bought more things but I did not have luggage space anymore!
Hi Karen! Haha I am same way and I can relate. I don’t need clothes or anything else, but kitchen stuff. I can imagine inside of your luggage space. It’s like a mini kitchen coming back to the country. 😉
This is a wonderful post. Kitchenware is my “downfall” when we go to Japan. I love the ceramics and wooden products! I keep telling myself that I don’t need anymore, but there are times I just can’t resist. If it’s breakable, I tend to bring it in my handcart which then limits how much I can get. Love your blog and posts! Will trying a kabocha recipe shortly!
Hi Anne! Thank you so much for reading this post. Haha yeah it is definitely “downfall” for me too. I just do my best to bring home since I can’t find good Japanese ceramics, tableware, and cookware in the US, everything I can bring would be a plus! Thank you for your sweet comment, Anne!
After wrapping with bubble wraps, put them in shoe boxes or any boxes that fit into your luggage. Also, make sure the luggage is full, leaving no room for them to move. This is what I do and I never have any broken plated or bowls.
Hi Rebecca! You’re lucky and must be a packing pro! I usually try to pack in my suitcase but this time we had purchased so many plates and bowls for our photo shooting, hence we had to pack in several boxes… with many layers of bubble wraps and papers, it was sad to see 4 broken pieces…. but majority arrived safely.
Hi, Nami,
I am going to have a trip to Fukuoka next week. Please would you suggest some shops where I can buy Japanese cookware and tableware there. I am not able to find any kitchenware shops online. Looking forward to receiving your reply. Thanks.
Cindy
Hi Cindy! I’ve been to Fukuoka twice, first time 30 years ago (!!!) and 2 years ago… and we didn’t really shop for cookware/tableware there so I don’t have a favorite one or ones to suggest…
It’s much easier for me to suggest Tokyu Hands in Hakata. It’s right next to the station:
https://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en/list/hakata/
Go to the kitchen floor. 🙂
My Japanese aúnt sends me the most creative kitchen gadgets, many of which come from the 100 yen store. They are sooo great! Japan is unbeatable when it comes to kitchen gadgets.
– egg hole puncher for hard boiled eggs that makes it easier to peel
– tube to insert into lemon so that when you squeeze the lemon the juice comes out of a spout on the lemon itself
– mukkichan: gadget that easily slits and peels the thin skin off of orange/mandarin wedges
– veggie peeler that actually provides shredded veggies
-veggie peeler that takes off the absolute thinnest layer if peel thereby minimizing waste
-plastic bag that facilitates washing your cutting boards
Etc etc… Just amazing stuff and so creative!
Hi Ana! Aww thanks so much for sharing! I have seen most of them! Yeah 100 yen shop quality in Japan is pretty amazing! I love browsing in the store too. A bit too much plastic usage that made me a bit worried though. xD
These are the kind of things I love to buy as well! thanks for sharing. I always wondered where you got these beautiful ceramics showcased on Justonecookbook. I feel the same about ladles and spatulas in USA too. The handles are just too long for us regular home cooks. Plus long handles are hard to hold for those of us with shorter arms. I’ll keep these in mind next time when we travel to Japan.
Hi Lily! Thanks so much for your comment. Ahhh short arms! I didn’t think about that before. That’s true! I also don’t like the angles of the stem and the bowl part of the ladle… just a tiny thing that makes it very uncomfortable. 😀 Thanks for your feedback!
Knife! My most favourite and I want to get a set next time I travel to Japan. As Australia custom is very strict hence I have to avoid items made from wood. Also Japan was the 1st country we went during our 8 weeks vacations, Mr didn’t allow me to buy too the whole kitchen back.
Hi Liz! I didn’t know that Australia custom is strict on products made from wood. Thanks for letting me know! We can easily bring back the whole kitchen, don’t we? 😀
Hello, Nami-San, I am a big fan of your website and I just love kitchen items. So, this post was extremely helpful and informative. I look forward to more of these and your amazing recipes. Thank you so much.
Hi Kousani! Thank you so much for following my blog! I’m glad to hear this post was helpful. 🙂 If you have any questions about something, don’t be shy and email me. I probably wouldn’t be able to guess what topics you’re curious. 🙂 Thank you!
Ceramics and chopstick rests are going to be one of my many downfalls when I finally get to Japan… Cute post, and I like the chopstick rest tip! Plus, if I only buy one of each, I will be able to get so many more different kinds… Great idea! 🙂
Hi Emy! Thank you! I’m happy that you liked my chopstick rest tip! It encourages dinner guests to talk about different chopstick rests they have in front of them as well. 🙂
Hi Nami-san….
Glad to know I’m not the only ‘weirdo’ who finds joy in shopping for tableware/crockery etc rather than bags/shoes/clothes when in Japan! Haha
I have bought nearly all the items you named above on my trips to my favourite country, except ladles, cake pans and wooden bento boxes!
Besides Kappabashi and Kitchen Town in Osaka, another place I find so much joy in are those pre-loved stores like Hard Off and Book Off! I bought beautiful Arita ceramic wares that were still in boxes at such knock-down prices and many other stuffs. Some flea markets also offer good quality products like wooden boards too.
Looking forward to my next trip and ‘purchases’!
Hi Marhamah! Hehehe! We could shop together at tableware and cookware all day in Japan, instead of going to shop for clothes etc! 😀
True! I thought of that option too, but it seems a bit harder to tell tourists to find flea markets and Book Off! I’ve been to some but they are not the best, and the one I’ve been wanting to go in Tokyo only happens once a month! I missed all the days because I had other stuff to do. I can tell you’re pretty expert in finding treasures, already going to flea markets during your trip!! 😉
Hi Nami,
Do you know if I buy in Kappabashi street can they shipped my stuff to Yokohama?.
Thanks,
Hi Carla! I did ship some stuff to my home in Yokohama. You can ship to anywhere in Japan. They use local Takkyubin service.