Kama-Asa — Local services in Tokyo

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...

Looking for a Japanese cooking knife in Tokyo? This shop will definitely have something for you! Kama-asa carries every type of Japanese cooking knife across multiple types of steel and handles that will satisfy any price point that you're seeking.

I discovered this store from a reputable chef's knife forum and was able to procure a new honesuki (poultry butcher knife) at a reasonable price. A similar knife in the US would easily cost 2x as much at popular US stores like Korin or Bernal Cutlery. I have purchased a Japanese chef's knife (Gyutou) directly from the city of Sakai and the Kama-asa knives are of equal quality.

If you're in the market for a Japanese knife, do yourself a favor and narrow down the specific type of knife that you want. Once you have an idea, go in store and get a feel for the knives to find the right fit for you ... just like buying a wand at...

I had a super positive experience with one of the staff members who spoke excellent English and patiently and kindly talked about the pros and cons of several options for santoku knives that fit my description. She also did the same when I was looking for a kitchen cleaver. This was the experience I had on December 7th at around 5pm.

Unfortunately, when I came back in the day time, the employee I spoke with simply showed me their selection of kitchen cleavers and didn't share any information about the options presented. When I explained I was looking to buy a knife like the one I bought yesterday and gave them the price point and material and knife type, they told me they don't have it.

As such, I recommend coming in the evening as your experience may be vastly different depending on when you...