A Shopper’s Guide to Tableware in Tokyo: 8 Recommended Stores in Shibuya, Daikanyama, and Kappabashi
This is a shopping guide for tableware enthusiasts planning a trip to Tokyo. Based on my own experience of creating a “Dish Road” on Google Maps tailored to my wife’s tastes, I’ve compiled practical information on eight select and specialty shops, each with its own unique charm. This guide covers their locations, features, and key brands. If you’re searching for special dishes in Tokyo, I hope this information proves helpful.
1. TENOHA
TENOHA was once a landmark complex in Daikanyama, a vibrant cultural space where people gathered under the cool shade of trees. It was known for the soft-serve ice cream at its in-house cafe, making it a great spot for a break while shopping. However, this facility is now permanently closed and has been replaced by something else.
Location Info:
- Name: Forestgate Daikanyama TENOHA Building
- Type: Lifestyle Shopping Mall
- Known for: its modern architecture, variety of shops and restaurants, and serving as a community hub with events and green spaces.
- Address: 20-12 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0034, Japan
2. Found MUJI Aoyama
This store offers a concept distinct from standard MUJI locations. It moves away from the feel of mass-produced goods, instead showcasing lifestyle items with a strong artisanal quality, discovered from various parts of the world. The rice bowls and noodle bowls, in particular, possess a simple and refined design that offers a different appeal from typical MUJI products.
Location Info:
- Name: Found MUJI Aoyama
- Type: Lifestyle & Home Goods Store
- Known for: Curated, artisanal household goods from around the world, a specialized concept by MUJI.
- Address: Nakajima Bldg, 1-2F, 5-50-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
3. Kappabashi Kitchenware Town
This is a specialized shopping street that handles not just dishes, but every kind of kitchenware imaginable. If you plan on tableware shopping in Tokyo, I strongly recommend making this your first stop. The individual stores are large, and they carry an extensive range of brands. I even found the same Studio M’ products I saw in the Ebisu shop here; while the color selection was more limited, the prices were nearly identical. Its greatest advantage is the ability to compare and purchase products from famous brands like Noda Horo’s enamelware and de Buyer’s cookware, which are well-known to culinary professionals.
Location Info:
- Name: Kappabashi Kitchenware Town (Kappabashi Dogugai)
- Type: Shopping District
- Known for: A vast collection of stores selling everything related to kitchenware, from pottery to professional equipment.
- Address: 3-18-2 Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan
4. Cassina IXC.
Located in Kita-Aoyama, this high-end furniture and accessories shop feels more like a gallery that “exhibits” its items rather than simply selling them. The spacious and pleasant environment allows for a leisurely Browse experience. The “1616/arita japan” tableware they carry is far more beautiful in person than in photographs, with colors and forms that compelled me to buy more than I had planned. Their appeal can only be described as luminous.
Location Info:
- Name: Cassina IXC. (Aoyama Store)
- Type: High-end Furniture and Lifestyle Store
- Known for: Designer furniture, curated home accessories, stocking 1616/arita japan porcelain.
- Address: 2-12-32 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
5. CIBONE
Situated on the same street as Cassina IXC., CIBONE is a lifestyle select shop that carries a wide range of products including dinnerware, apparel, stationery, and furniture. There are many unique and experimental design items that feel like works of art, making it a space where the joy of looking around is as great as the joy of buying.
Location Info:
- Name: CIBONE (Omotesando)
- Type: Lifestyle Select Shop
- Known for: A diverse collection of design-focused products, from homeware to fashion.
- Address: Gyre B1F, 5-10-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
6. Yumiko Iihoshi Porcelain
The journey to this showroom is unique, as it’s located inside an office building rather than a typical retail space. Visitors must knock on the door from the hallway and be admitted by a staff member. The interior is exceptionally quiet and calm, with a minimalist design that maximizes the inherent charm of the matte-textured porcelain. It offers an experience where you can focus entirely on the dishes in a breathtakingly serene atmosphere. Its location right near the bustling Harajuku Station makes it convenient to visit in conjunction with other plans.
Location Info:
- Name: Yumiko Iihoshi Porcelain
- Type: Brand Showroom
- Known for: Minimalist, matte-finish porcelain by designer Yumiko Iihoshi.
- Address: Japan, 〒150-0034 Tokyo, Shibuya, Daikanyamacho, 6−6 SPTビル 1-A
7. Fog Linen Work
Though made famous by its feature in Kinfolk magazine, this shop is located in a quiet residential area some distance from the city center, requiring a bit of a walk even after using public transport. It primarily sells clothing, kitchen cloths, and accessories made from Lithuanian linen. The product designs are beautiful and reasonably priced. However, the kitchen cloths can be a bit stiff, which might make them difficult to style naturally for table settings. I was more impressed by the quality and design of the clothing, which seemed very popular with local middle-aged female customers.
Location Info:
- Name: Fog Linen Work
- Type: Lifestyle & Apparel Shop
- Known for: Lithuanian linen products, including clothing, kitchen cloths, and home goods.
- Address: 5-35-1 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Conclusion and Shopping Tips
Tokyo offers a diverse range of places for tableware shopping, from large select shops to specialty brand stores and unique small boutiques. For efficient shopping, I recommend starting at Kappabashi Kitchenware Town to get a general sense of products and price ranges. From there, you can visit the select shops in Daikanyama, Aoyama, and Ebisu according to your itinerary. Also, keep in mind that if you purchase a large quantity, you may exceed airline baggage weight limits, so it’s essential to consider this when planning your trip.