Joan and Bill's year in Tokyo: Kappabashi Street

Kappabashi street (also called Kitchen Town) is a street in the Ueno area. It is where many restaurant operators would go to purchase non-food items for their restaurant. The street is lined with stores on both sides that sell every imaginable item you could think of. That includes uniforms, appliances, furniture, pots and pans, utensils, and fake food. The fake food is amazing! It is called Sampuru and it is a work of art. A lot of restaurants have a display case outside their restaurant showing examples of what they have to offer. It is so realistic, you almost want to pick it up and eat or drink it! (Note: these are expensive)

Here is one story we heard as to why it is called Kappabashi. There is a mythical Japanese water creature called Kappa. The Kappa creature lives on both land and water. They are short and have a beak-like snout and fins on their hands and feet. The favorite food of the Kappa is a cucumber. The area has adopted this character as their mascot.