Knives in Tokyo
 

I'm looking to pick up a nice knife for a professional chef friend. Any suggestions for a good knife shop? I'm staying at the Park Hyatt.

Walk over to Tokyu Hands (which is in the Takashima Times Square development right by Shinjuku Station) and take a look at the kitchen floor there. They carry a wide range of knives - from cheapo up to professional grade.

If you don't find what you're looking for there, then you might want to make a trip to a knife-specialist like this one in Tsukiji:
http://www.nenohi.co.jp/tukiji/index.html

Tsukiji is a pretty good bet for any kind of culinary equipment because of all the restaurateurs who go there daily for their supplies.

I dont know a knife specialist in the area of the Park Hyatt, but I expect there is one in Shinjuku... maybe the concierge can hunt one down for you.

BTW - Is your friend accustomed to working with a Japanese knife? The blade is constructed quite differently from those of Western cooking knives.

BTW2 - I've come across this tradition in England and in Japan... when giving a knife, you make sure that the recipient gives you a penny in return. I think this must be because of some idea that a knife could "cut" the friendship, so it's better to make a transaction rather than a gift of a knife... Has anyone else come across this?

No I hadn't - bu I di know that you should never give a knife (or anything else sharp) as a wedding gift.
Thanks for the tip about the shop in Tsukiji - I have a bit of a knife fetish too.

Can I also suggest Kappa Bashi (between Ueno and Asakusa) they have HUNDREDS of kitchen shops dedicated to the thousands of restaurants - I saw an awful lot of knives here. But Tokyu Hands has a very good selection and will probably cover your needs.

(And I mentioned in another post about Japanese Hand Saws which are wonderful tools)

OK, I'm curious: how are Japanese knife blades different from Western ones?

(And I promise no snide remarks about the Ginsu.)

Their intestines are longer, because Japanese snow is different.

Sorrie I don't get it???

Inscrutible Occidental.

Did you know there is no word for "no" in Japanese?

Ok. You've got me confused, too. The knife thing and the "no" thing. I can think of at least 4 words/phrases and I'm not even fluent so I must have missed the point. The intestine/snow thing went right over my head, too.

Maybe I'm just not as bright as I used to think.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

JR

All of these things normally disappear with a shared bottlekeep and a few hostess bar visits. :)

Gomen nasai, wakarimasen.

Incidentally, you know those ineffectual policeman who you encounter when entering Narita airport? If they figure out you have some decently sized knives with you, there is a good chance they won't let you onto the airport premisses. However, they rarely open any bags, so just make sure they are neatly packed inside checked baggage and not in a separate box or anything like that. Or mail/fedex them home.

You mean the cops that check your ID before entering the airport premises? I know it is a remnant of the 70's when the farmers would get on the airport premises and regularly blow them up, but what's the purpose now?

This is exactly why, and the concept is applicable in Korea as well. I also never heard again from the Indian childhood friend I gave a Swiss knife to in 1978...

Back on topic, I can think of 2 places.

There's a place in an alley in Asaukusa that's pretty cool. The main temple has a walkway filled with souvenir shops and food stands. There is an alley to the left and to the right that run parallel to it. Go to the alley on the left (just to the left of the big red gate/lamp) and walk halfway down. It's on your left.

There's another place that sells Chinese cookware and Japanese knives midway down Chuka-gai-dori in Chinatown in Yokohama. Here's a map of Chinatown. http://gojapan.about.com/gi/dynamic/...Fspot1020.html

Good luck!