About Us
Message
We aspire to share and deliver Japan’s craftsmanship, beauty, and culture to the world.
To fulfill this vision, we strive to serve as a bridge connecting Japanese artisans with people across the globe.
The works created by Japanese artisans embody skills refined over generations, a delicate sense of aesthetics, and the heartfelt intention behind each piece.
We believe these creations are not merely products, but stories.
Our mission is to share not only the objects themselves, but also the narratives that give them meaning.
Today, Japan is experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom, with the number of international visitors exceeding 40 million.
Near Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most well-known destinations, lies Kappabashi Kitchen Town—a unique district home to over 170 specialty shops dedicated to kitchen tools and tableware.
Highly popular among international visitors, it is said that approximately 70% of the area’s sales come from customers from overseas.
Currently, we offer a carefully curated selection of products through our online store.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand this platform by inviting merchants from Kappabashi Kitchen Town to join us, creating a “Mini Kappabashi” experience online—
a place where people anywhere in the world can discover the charm of Japanese tools and tableware.
However, we believe that simply presenting products on an e-commerce site is not enough.
True value lies in understanding how each piece is created and whose hands have shaped it.
Only by sharing the stories and spirit behind these works can their full meaning be truly appreciated.
That is why we are committed to creating content that goes beyond products—
sharing Japanese culture, everyday life, and the people behind the craft.
By visiting workshops, engaging directly with artisans, and documenting their work and passion, we bring these stories to life through film and storytelling.
We will also introduce travel videos that showcase the beauty and cultural richness of Japan.
Through our platform, we hope you will discover the depth and beauty of Japanese craftsmanship,
and that each encounter brings a small sense of richness into your life.
We will continue to share the many stories of Japan with the world.
We hope you will join us on this journey.
If our work can travel across the seas and bring even a small sense of joy and enrichment to someone’s life,
we would be truly grateful.
And we sincerely hope that through these connections, new bonds—new “yukari”—will continue to grow.
Yukari Konno(𫝆野ゆかり)
Representative Director
I have always loved Kappabashi Kitchen Town.
Seeing visitors from around the world joyfully choosing Japanese tableware has always been a deeply inspiring sight for me.
It was through these moments that a thought began to grow:
What if people could experience and purchase truly exceptional Japanese tableware, no matter where they are in the world?
Japanese craftsmanship carries with it generations of refined skill and a uniquely Japanese sense of beauty.
I feel a strong desire to share this value with the world, and to serve as a bridge connecting artisans in Japan with people across the globe.
My name, “Yukari,” was given with the meaning of connecting people and creating meaningful bonds.
True to its meaning, I hope to connect the work of Japanese artisans with someone, somewhere in the world—
creating a bond that transcends borders.
If my work can travel across the ocean and bring even a small moment of joy to someone’s life, I would be truly grateful.
And beyond the objects themselves, I hope to gently convey the stories, passion, and spirit of the artisans behind each piece.
Yasuro Jin(神 泰郎)
Executive Director
My personal passion lies in the culture of the Japanese tea ceremony. I believe that to truly understand tea, one must appreciate the vast spectrum of Japanese traditions—from architecture and garden design to ceramics, calligraphy, and Zen. In this sense, the tea ceremony is a comprehensive embodiment of Japanese culture; learning the rituals of preparation is only the beginning of its depth.
My interest is rooted in my heritage. On my mother’s side, my family is connected to Watanabe Noritsuna, a chief retainer of the Owari Domain and a renowned tea master known as Yuhjitu-an. He was also the elder brother of Gengensai, the 11th head of the Urasenke family. This lineage sparked my lifelong fascination with the craft.
I am particularly drawn to ceramics, having studied the history of pottery since childhood. Recently, encouraged by our company president, Yukari, I co-founded an online business to share and sell Japanese tableware globally. I am thrilled to bring my expertise in tea culture and ceramics to this new venture.
Nodoka Kai(甲斐 のどか)
Art Director
Since I was young, I’ve aspired to be a bridge connecting Japan and the world.
Through traveling to different countries and living locally, I’ve come to realize that beyond language and cultural differences, people share the same emotions and warmth.
Today, I express and share these experiences through photography, video, and words from my own perspective.
At Okappabashi Shopping, I create content for international audiences, introducing Japan’s tourist destinations, food culture, and the charm of its artisans.
Through the moments that move me during my travels, I hope to help people feel closer to Japan and inspire new discoveries.
