DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
2026.01.20
A specialty cookware store boasting an overwhelming—and exceptionally niche—selection
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Among the many cookware shops lining Kappabashi Dougu Street, a district in Tokyo renowned for its concentration of culinary tools, iidaya stands out for its constant bustle and lively atmosphere. Inside the compact 100-square-meter store, approximately 8,500 types of cooking tools are packed tightly onto the shelves. With its overwhelming and exceptionally niche selection, the store has been featured extensively in the media and is widely recognized as one of Kappabashi’s landmark shops. Today, it attracts cooking enthusiasts not only from across Japan but from overseas as well.
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Founded in 1912—the first year of the Taisho era—iidaya is a specialty cookware store frequented by a wide range of customers, from home cooks seeking everyday tools to chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants. Sixth-generation owner Yuta Iida explains, “Only because we carry such an extensive inventory can we confidently recommend the right product to every customer.” Another defining feature of the store is that all staff members are given buyer authority. The items on the shelves are personally sourced by staff who visit trade shows, tour other cookware shops, or contact manufacturers directly. Only products they have tested themselves and found satisfactory are selected. This sincere and hands-on approach has earned the trust of many customers.
The store also features highly niche sections dedicated to single ingredients—such as eggs, garlic, and butter—where specialized tools from around the world are gathered. In the egg section, for example, customers will find a wide variety of tools organized by purpose, including mixing sticks, egg slicers, and yolk separators. The uniqueness of the selection—rarely seen elsewhere—often causes visitors to lose track of time as they browse.
The interior is quite literally filled to the brim with cooking tools. The intentionally chaotic layout—so extensive that it cannot be fully taken in during a single visit—is a distinctive feature of iidaya, designed to spark curiosity and encourage customers to enjoy the process of choosing tools.
The egg section showcases an array of distinctive items, some of which can be picked up and tested in-store.
Beyond garlic presses, the selection includes garlic peelers and other items rarely encountered in everyday shopping.
Even within a single category such as butter cases, customers will find a wide range of sizes and usability options. Recommendations tailored to commercially available products such as Yukijirushi Butter and Calpis Butter are displayed with informative pop signage, making selection easy even for first-time buyers.
The store features a dedicated corner exclusively for ladles. With capacities ranging from 0.1 cc to 2,000 cc, the selection totals approximately 1,000 different types. This corner was created in response to customer requests. “There was a time when a customer asked if we had something just 1 cc smaller,” recalls Iida. “In cooking, even a slight difference can dramatically affect flavor. By continuing to respond to such requests, the selection gradually grew to this scale.” Customers who are unsure which ladle to choose can rely on the staff: by explaining their intended use and preferences, they will be guided to the ideal option.
Sixth-generation owner Yuta Iida. The smallest ladle, at 0.1 cc, and the largest, at 2,000 cc, differ strikingly in size.
The ladles available in 1 cc increments are original products developed by iidaya.
In addition to its curated selection, Iidaya offers 13 original products developed by Iida in collaboration with skilled craftsmen. These items are created under the concept of “cookware that changes your life” and are identifiable by the initials “JK” at the beginning of their product numbers. Among them, a peeler that received the Good Design Award 2020, as well as a metal grater completed after five years of development, are particularly popular. Some fans reportedly travel from overseas specifically to purchase these items. Another major strength of iidaya lies in its close ties to manufacturing regions across Japan, including Seki City in Gifu Prefecture, one of Japan’s three major cutlery production centers, and Tsubame-Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture, a renowned hub of metalworking craftsmanship. These deep connections enable the store to create high-quality products that combine outstanding functionality with ease of use.
The peeler is available in both right-handed and left-handed versions. Its replaceable blade design allows for long-term use. Ever Peeler (Right-handed / Left-handed): 3,300 yen each Ever Peeler Replacement Blade: 990 yen
During development, the peeler underwent repeated prototyping, with the blade angle adjusted one degree at a time. The result is a design that allows ingredients to be peeled thinly with minimal effort.
The grater has been meticulously engineered to preserve the fibers of ingredients, producing a light, fluffy texture. It also comes with a collection tray for improved usability. Ever Oroshi Grater: 4,180 yen
In the research room located on the third floor of the store, an enormous number of samples and prototypes are on display. For graters alone, more than 300 types from around the world have reportedly been tested and studied.
This article was updated on January 20, 2026 (at the time of publication)
