Kappabashi Street, Tokyo

Kappabashi-dori, commonly referred to as Kappabashi or Kitchen Town, is a street located in Tokyo, situated between the districts of Ueno and Asakusa. It is primarily known for its extensive array of stores catering to the restaurant industry. These establishments offer a wide variety of products, including knives, kitchen utensils, mass-produced tableware, restaurant furnishings, ovens, decorations, and even peculiar items like the lifelike plastic food displays often seen outside Japanese eateries. In addition to serving as a hub for restaurant supplies, Kappabashi-dori has also gained popularity as an unconventional tourist attraction.

The origins of this bustling commercial district date back to around 1912 when merchants initially congregated in the Kappabashi area. Initially, they traded old tools and a diverse range of implements and hardware. Spanning approximately 800 meters, equivalent to nearly half a mile, and boasting over 170 stores, Kappabashi-dori proudly holds the title of Japan's largest shopping street specializing in kitchen-related products.

The name of the street has two proposed etymological roots. One theory suggests it may have derived from the raincoats, known as "kappa," which local residents used to hang out to dry on the nearby bridge. Another possibility is that it originated from a merchant named Kihachi Kappaya, who financially supported the construction of the Shinhorikawa River for water management purposes. However, due to its homophonic resemblance to the popular mythical creature known as the "kappa," the shops along this street have officially embraced the kappa as their mascot.