9 Japanese Kitchen Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed - Bon Traveler (2024)

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I remember our first trip to Japan almost five years ago. Walking through design and home stores, I was completely taken by how many kitchen and cooking accessories were available.

Uniquely to Japan, these cooking accessories were ones that I had never even heard of prior to that trip.

On our second trip to Japan, I arrived with one empty suitcase knowing I was not coming home empty-handed.

Over the years, our love and passion for all things Japanese have formed a lot of our spaces at home.

We spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so these utensils, gadgets, and cooking accessories are what come to mind first.

I know we may not be able to travel to Japan, so I thought it would be a fun story to share. A little introduction to some incredibly designed Japanese kitchen accessories.

I’ve even added in some recipe books to inspire as we move into the fall and winter months — some of the best cold-weather recipes are Japanese.

Here’s a look at 12 Japanese kitchen accessories you didn’t know you needed.

9 Japanese Kitchen Accessories You Didn’t Know You Needed

1. Japanese Trivet

We grew up with trivets (though I called these potholders) for a long time. When I first saw these in Japan, it was one of my first purchases for the kitchen.

These trivets are woven out of straw typically, and they don’t burn underneath a hot pot. They come in a range of sizes, so I keep a small and a large one in the kitchen.

If I’m being honest, what I love is that they are both very functional and aesthetically pleasing. I keep mine out and hung on the brass bar in our kitchen.

Where to source

• Jinen Store — comes in small, medium, and large (*I prefer this one)
• Amazon

2. Japanese Mortar & Pestle

These are so different from the mortars we have in America.

The reason why is that the mortar has these special ridges in it allowing for a better grind. Often the pestles are longer and allow for an easier way to grind up ingredients.

I use it often to mash up garlic, create sauces, and blend up spices. They’re also called a “suribachi set”

Where to source

• Amazon — this one is well-priced, this white one is beautiful, and a beautiful Tikusan black option.
• Jinen Store — Motoshige black mortar

3. A General-Use Japanese Chef Knife (Gyutu Knife)

I can’t say it often enough — a sharp Japanese knife is a must in the kitchen.

We source ours in Kyoto from a historic store called Aritsugu where they’ve been making their own knives for 400+ years. The last two trips, we’ve come home with a knife (it is a splurge purchase) but they’re honestly worth every penny.

They’ll last a lifetime as well if properly taken care of.

So the style of knife that you’re going to want and get the most out of is a “gyutu” knife or a chef’s knife.

The gyutu knife has a blade that is often thinner than most Western knives, thus holding a sharper edge. I prefer a knife that has a wood handle and stainless steel blade.

I HUNTED the internet to find our EXACT knife and I found it. A seller on Etsy who has incredible reviews is sourcing the knives for you and actually getting them engraved for you (something you would have done in the shop).

Anywhere from 7-8 inches for the blade is really comfortable for me personally.

Where to source

• Our exact 7.08″ Japanese Chef’s Knife from Aritsugu
• One more listing option on Etsy
• Landing page to all Japanese knives from Etsy Shop
• Amazon — there is one similar from Aritsugu listed from this company.

4. Traditional Japanese Copper Utensils From Kyoto

On our last trip to Japan, I spent a lot of time researching local artisans who were crafting home and kitchen goods. I was introduced to Kanaami-Tsuji in the heart of historic Kyoto. Kanaami is “wire-netting” where strings of copper are beautifully woven together to create everyday kitchen items in Japan like tea-strainers and tofu strainers.

Their shop in Kyoto is seriously beautiful (check out my Kyoto guide for local shops).

The two items I walked away with and use quite frequently are the tea strainer and hand woven ceramic grill (or what I use to toast my bread).

Where to source

• Tea strainer here
• Etsy — a similar one to the tea strainer.
• Amazon — this is the most similar one I can find to the ceramic grill

5. Japanese-Style Steel Wok

Similar to a wok found in other Asian cultures, the Japanese wok is just an all-around useful item in the kitchen. Toss everything in and you can have a quick stir-fry for dinner.

Where to source

• Amazon — I love this traditional Yamada wok. Also, there is a pre-seasoned version here or one that requires it. This is the wok we’re currently using.

6. Japanese Kitchen Shears

Lifehack: why chop things when you can just cut them? I keep a pair of “kitchen” or cooking-only shears for everyday cooking tasks.

A favorite way to use them is for freshly cut herbs over dishes. They are incredibly handy to use while cooking, you may be surprised.

Where to source

• Amazon — Stainless Steel from Yoshihiro and Tojiro-Pro Shears

7. A Hinoki Cutting Board – Antibacterial

I personally prefer to cut on wood cutting boards, but oftentimes you can run into issues with bacteria growth.

The brand Yoshihiro (known for its knives) has a line of cutting boards made from the Japanese Hinoki Cypress tree. The wood has a softer impact on your knife blade as well as providing an anti-bacterial element to it.

Where to source

• Amazon

8. The Donabe — One Pot Cooking Elevated

I don’t know where to start with the donabe other than to say that this kitchenware has changed the way I’ve cooked.

It’s a clay pot that can be used to steam, smoke, cook rice, and create one-pot dishes. Cooking with a donabe is magical — the flavors that come from the toasted rice at the bottom when you steam a dish together is incredible.

There are so many kinds of donabes available and at first glance, it can be really overwhelming. I’d recommend getting a general-use one that has a steamer attachment inside and one that will serve 4-6 people.

The main brand for traditional donabes is Naatani-en and I really do adore mine. When I can, I like to support traditional artists, though it does come at a steeper price.

Where to source

• Jinen Store — I’d recommend the medium Mushi Nabe.
• Amazon — a non-steamer version, we have this one as well.

9. Hasami Porcelain (Various Items)

The design of Hasami Porcelain is one that is widely recognizable in the US today.

This pottery comes from the town of Hasami in the Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan, where porcelain ware has been created for 400 years.

The HASAMI Porcelain we see today from the name brand HASAMI PORCELAIN is actually designed by an artist out of Venice, California using traditional Japanese manufacturing techniques.

The clean lines and multi-use of each of the HASAMI makes it a great kitchen staple. I love all of the serveware sets and bowls for everyday use.

Where to source

• Jinen Store

Other Great Japanese Kitchen Essentials

These are more specialized, but you may find yourself using them:

• Chef’s chopsticks — you’d be amazed at how great these are to cook with.
• Cast Iron Kettle
• Traditional Cedar Japanese Bento Box
• Japanese Tawashi Brushes for Cleaning
• The Denshiro Tea Canister
• Kinto Travel Coffee Tumbler (these are beautiful)
• Soto Coffee Helix for Drip Coffee
• Hario Matte Black Coffee Kettle

My Favorite Japanese Cookbooks

• Donabe: Classic and Modern Japanese Clay Pot Cooking
• Momof*cku: A Cookbook
• Japanese Home Cooking: Simple Meals, Authentic Flavors

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