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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I super love the Mt. Fuji shaped sauce dishes, do you remember where you got them?
Going to Japan in the spring. Love your chopstick rests too!
Hi Nerak! Yes, I got them at Seizan in Imari (Saga prefecture) – We will blog about it one day.
http://www.kawazoe-seizan.com/
https://seizan.shop-pro.jp/
The next door was Seizan Plus where we can get relatively cheaper plates etc. I bought Fuji-san mamezara there. 🙂
Dear Nami-san,
Please remind your readers that Japanese bowls and plates have a smaller and higher “base rim.” For plates especially this mean that plates will sometimes tip if you’re trying to use them with a fork and knife. I love my Japanese dishes, but I’ve found that it’s best to serve Japanese foods on them, or at least Western foods like stews – foods (especially meats) that have been cut to bite-size.
Hi Barbra! Thank you for your feedback! That’s a great point! Thanks for sharing with us!
WOW, Nami さん、you have so much cool stuff from Japan!! Where do you store it all? I’m looking for your お節 playlist/blog notes now. Looks like I’m doing お正月 at my place this year!! Your food stylist and photographer are amazing!!
Hi Yosh! Thank you! It was a lot of work to bring back, but I’ll have enough ceramic to shoot until I go back next summer. Hope you find some recipes for Oshogatsu!
Haha! We wish we have a professional help. Food bloggers do everything… being a cook, dishwasher, food stylist, photographer, photo editor, filmmaker, film editor, writer, customer service… LOL. Thank you, I’ll take it as a compliment. xoxo
[…] 10 Cookware & Tableware You Should Get from Japan […]
I shop online with Akazuki. I love their ramen bowls! Their prices are very reasonable and they ship to the United States. It can take a while to receive, generally, my orders have arrived in 2 – 4 weeks, but it was well worth it. And while I do not speak or read Japanese, if you do, you can read the newspapers they wrap the products in to keep them safe! Which I found charming to see actual newspapers from Japan.
https://www.akazuki.com/
Hi Kathie! Thank you for your feedback! I used to run giveaways with them. It’s a very cool shop indeed!
Hi Nami! I know you did, that’s how I found them! 🙂 Thanks for introducing me to them. I love my ramen bowls so much!
OHHHHH! I’m glad! 🙂 🙂
I bought a pair of cooking chopsticks from Mt Koyasan.. I smile every time I use them, remembering that beautiful, restful place. Kitchen wares make the best souvenirs.. I am in awe of your collection Namisan.
Hi Sally! I can totally relate – it brings lots of joy when I look at things I brought back from Japan – whether it’s a kitchen tool or tableware. Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Fun toys/useful gadgets.
Thank you! 🙂
I love this post and will check out the stores above the next time I am in Japan. This summer we brought back some rice and miso bowls and a lot of chopsticks. I like your idea about mixing and matching different chopsticks and chopstick rests.
Hi Lisa! Thank you for reading my post and I’m glad it was helpful. 🙂 Yeah, mix and match is fun for the host (to think and arrange) as well as guests to see something different (each visit). 🙂
I love shopping at Kappabashi-dori as well as Tokyu Hands, where I find the most
interesting and useful gadgets for the kitchen.
Hi Amy! I agree. Both stores are a nice one-stop for visitors since you don’t have to go to multiple shops and get necessity!
I brought various small bowls in Japan but the thing I’m most happy with is a three-legged triangular sieve that sits in the sink (“corner sink strainer” seems to be the search term). When you’re preparing food, you toss your vegetable waste in it so it can drain before you put it into the compost bin. It’s especially great for stuff like melons, which would leak through the bin liner. Everyone who has been to my home and seen it thought it was a great idea and wanted one.
Hi AE3nn! Oh yeah, it’s a kitchen essential in Japan. When I came to the US, I had one of those and I was told: “oh here we have a garbage disposal machine”. I was shocked then that garbage would go into the drain… now I have a compost bin, but I should look for a stainless steel triangle sink strainer/compost bin with a lid. LOL. Hope that will exist! I really don’t like putting the compost bin on the countertop. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me to look for the triangle sink strainer!!!
Hello Nami,
I really like the black ramen bowl with gold pattern. Do you know where I can get it?
Hi Steve! It’s from Akazuki: https://www.akazuki.com/collections/japanese-bowls/products/kokuyu-ramen-bowl
They kindly gifted me. 🙂
Wish I saw this page before we went visit Toyko this past July. I had put down bentos and tamagoyaki pan on my shopping list but I didn’t come across any home stores near where we stay in Shinjuku or along our itinerary. We did spend sometime in Bic Camera. Not sure they may have those items I was looking for. I have missed Toyko Hands! My lost. We only had full three days in Toyko so hopefully I have more time to shop next time. I bought a tamagoyaki pan at Sogo in Hong Kong afterwards. It is made in Japan and an iron pan with coating. I forgot to ask them if I need to do anything to the pan before using it. The instructions are all in Japanese, oh well…
To continue… I know you live in the Bay Area; would you recommend any place, store or online where I can shop for bentos and ramen bowls? Thank you ahead for any tips. I enjoy your recipes. I followed your recipe to make Japanese curry chicken yesterday. It tastes so good without the MSG. Thanks again for all the hard work 🙂
Hi Kaka! Many varieties of tamagoyaki pans and bento boxes are sold in TokyuHands and unfortunately not in Big Camera. If you can take a picture of the instruction and email me I’ll be happy to translate it for you!
Yes, I live in the Peninsula. I have difficulties in finding good ramen bowls so I got them in Japan. If you’re not picky (like me) about the design and how it’s made, etc, you can check Daiso (Japanese $1 store) or Ichibankan for many kinds of ceramics (and inexpensive). Also Sanko (https://www.yelp.com/biz/sanko-kitchen-essentials-san-francisco-4?osq=bento+box+supplies). In general, I do struggle to find good stuff from Japan here… so I shop while I spend the summer in Japan.
I’m glad to hear you enjoy the Chicken Curry too! Thank you for your kind feedback. xoxo
Thanks a lot for the tips. I emailed the images of the care instructions of the pan I bought to you. Thanks again!
Hi Kaka! Wait, I did not receive it (maybe typo?). Could you reply to this comment with the image? Thank you!
Here is the link of the picture.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NnhGQX3nhPBwtgVKA
If you can’t see the photo use the website link
Thank you so much 🙂
Nami, I did see you reply to my email regarding caring for the pan. Thank you! I figured that despite that the pan has a coating I need to care it like any iron . On a side note, I found some noodle bowls I like at a Japanese grocery market. The Japanese stores here always put up a sign or stickers of Prop 65 on the ceramics warning consumers they may expose to lead . I think they are safe to use; is this usually not a concern when we buy Japanese ceramics made in Japan?
Hi Kaka! I haven’t seen the prop 65 on ceramics before but maybe because I’m not looking for ceramics here… I think it’s law they have to put the label no matter how low the exposure it is? It scares most people…
Ohhh yes, now I remember! Sorry I respond many questions everyday and I’m very bad at remembering! 😀
where’s a good place to get more boutique (i.e. not tokyu hands or kappabashi) miso/rice bowls? like very unique hand-made in small batches sort of thing?
Hi Alex! Here is a good list of some shops in Tokyo: https://utsuwaya-nico.net/2018/12/09/tokyo-utsuwaya/
Dear Nami
Love your blog with its simplicity yet effective presentation of your recipes. I love the travel guides as well. Hoping to visit Japan next year with my family and I am already looking forward to buying cooking wares Tamagoyaki pan and bento boxes are top of my list – and not to forget some great anime films.
All the best Nami!
Jovita
Hi Jovita! Thank you so much for your kind word and I’m glad to hear you enjoy my blog. Make sure to bring big suitcases for your trip! xoxo
I have a bowl that came with a lid (now broken) that had a cutout for a small ladle. Roasted black sesame seeds were ground in a seribachi (?) then added to tonkatsu sauce in that bowl. There is a bamboo ladle that is used to pour the tonkatsu sauce on your cutlet. Is there a special name for that covered ceramic bowl? I want to find a replacement for the bowl and lid, or for a lid.
Hi Sandra! It is called 薬味入れ (Yakumi-ire; spice container) or 調味料入れ (Chomiryo-ire; condiment container). Hope you can find the replacement. 🙂