This is the fifth part in a complete guide series on LOFT Shibuya, focusing on the best gifts and souvenirs you can buy from here
Tucked away in the bustling heart of Shibuya, LOFT stands out as Japan’s premier lifestyle and household department store, offering everything from stationery to home and travel goods. Shibuya’s LOFT is the largest store in Tokyo and all of Japan, spanning a total of 7 floors! The 3F is especially dedicated for Japanese kitchen ware and cooking utensils, which are known for their practicality, functional designs, and attention to detail. You will find everything from traditional tea ceremony tools to innovative modern kitchen gadgets that solve problems you didn’t know you had!
If you’re passionate about cooking or looking to bring a souvenir or gift home with a piece of Japanese culture, then shopping here will be great value for your money and time.
Key Information
- Name｜ LOFT Shibuya
- Address｜21-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042 ｜Google Map Link
- Tranportation｜4 minute walk from Shibuya Station (closest exit: A3c/b)
- Opening Hours｜11:00 – 21:00
- Official Website｜ https://www.loft.co.jp/en/
- Social Media｜ https://www.instagram.com/LOFT_SHIBUYA/
- Paying Methods｜Credit cards (i.e American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club International, Saison Card International, JCB, UC, UFJ Card, DC, & Nicos), cash (only accept JPY), and digital payments
1. Bento Boxes
Price Range: ¥800-¥2,500
No exploration of Japanese kitchenware would be complete without the iconic bento box. On the 3F of LOFT, you will find an impressive array of bento boxes in every style imaginable, from traditional lacquered wooden boxes to modern slim-profile designs perfect for office workers. Many feature clever compartment systems that keep different foods separated, along with tight-sealing lids that prevent leaks.
What sets Japanese bento boxes apart is their thoughtful design. Look for boxes with removable dividers, microwave-safe materials, and compact shapes that fit easily into bags. The selection at LOFT includes character-themed boxes for children, elegant minimalist designs for adults, and even thermal bento boxes that keep food warm for longer periods of time!
2. Specialized Apple Cutters
Price Range: ¥800-¥1,500
The Japanese approach to food preparation values efficiency and precision, and nowhere is this more evident than in their specialized cutting tools. The apple cutters available at LOFT are engineering marvels that core and slice an apple into perfect wedges in a single motion! With sharp stainless steel blades arranged in a circular pattern, these tools make quick work of apples, pears, and other similar fruits.
What makes these cutters particularly appealing is how they transform a simple task into something almost effortless. They’re perfect for parents preparing snacks, anyone who enjoys fruit but dislikes the prep work. The Japanese versions often feature ergonomic handles and sharper blades, making them more durable and effective.
3. Kawaii Animal Character Oven Mitts
Price Range: ¥1,200-¥2,000
Japanese design has a remarkable ability to make even the most mundane household items delightful, and the animal character oven mitts are perfect gifts for families! These aren’t just functional heat-resistant gloves, they’re adorable expressions of personality that bring joy to everyday cooking 🙂 You’ll find mitts with cats or shiba inu (hachiko dog) designs, making them irresistibly charming.
Beyond their kawaii designs, these oven mitts are genuinely practical. They’re made with quality heat-resistant materials, provide good grip, and are often machine washable. They make excellent gifts for anyone who appreciates kawaii culture or wants to add a touch of whimsy to their kitchen. Children especially love them, making cooking a more engaging family activity.
4. Japanese Kitchen Knives
Price Range: ¥2,000-¥8,000
Japanese knives demonstrate superior craftsmanship, renown for being sharper than most Western knives due to their harder steel composition and acute blade angles. The steel is typically forged at higher temperatures and tempered to a harder state, allowing for edges that can be honed to extreme sharpness.
At LOFT, you’ll find more reasonably priced Japanese knives that still deliver exceptional performance. Look for santoku knives (the Japanese all-purpose knife), petty knives for detailed work, and nakiri knives for vegetables. The difference becomes apparent the first time you slice through a tomato without crushing it or julienne vegetables with ease. While these knives require proper care and the occasional sharpening (very rare), their superior edge retention and cutting performance make them worthwhile investments for any home cook.
Aside from steel knives, the 3F of LOFT also has ceramic knives, which are incredibly sharp, rust-proof, and lightweight. They’re ideal for cutting fruits and vegetables but require careful handling as they can chip if dropped.
Types of Japanese knives available (from cheapest to most expensive):
- Ceramic knives: ¥1,500-¥3,000
- Santoku (all-purpose): ¥2,500-¥5,000
- Petty knife (detail work): ¥2,000-¥3,500
- Nakiri (vegetables): ¥3,000-¥6,000
- Premium knives with designs/patterns: ¥5,000-¥8,000
5. Chopsticks
Price Range: ¥500-¥2,500
Chopsticks at LOFT range from everyday utilitarian pairs to exquisite artisan-crafted sets. You’ll find chopsticks in lacquered wood, bamboo, plastic with textured tips for better grip, and elegant sets packaged in beautiful boxes perfect for gifting. Many feature traditional Japanese designs like cherry blossoms, geometric patterns, or seasonal motifs.
What many visitors don’t realize is that chopstick design varies significantly based on use. Japanese chopsticks tend to be shorter and more tapered than Chinese chopsticks, optimized for picking up pieces of fish and handling delicate foods. Look for sets with textured or pointed tips, which make it easier to grasp slippery items. LOFT also sells children’s training chopsticks and specialty chopsticks for cooking.
6. Traditional Matcha Tea Sets
Price Range: ¥800-¥3,500
Another great gift or souvenir idea are traditional Japanese matcha tea ceremony items. These include a bamboo whisk (chasen), a bamboo scoop (chashaku), a tea bowl (chawan), and high-quality matcha powder. The bamboo whisks are particularly special, handcrafted from a single piece of bamboo split into dozens of fine tines that create the perfect frothy consistency when whisking matcha.
These sets range from beginner-friendly starter kits to more elaborate sets with ceramic bowls featuring traditional glazes. Making matcha at home is both a meditative practice and a healthy habit, as matcha is low in caffeine, provides a healthy boost of energy without the jitters of coffee and other numerous health benefits (especially, for aging and youthfulness), The sets at LOFT are authentically made and reasonably priced, offering genuine quality.
Matcha tea set items:
- Bamboo chasen (whisk): ¥800-¥1,200
- Matcha bowl: ¥1,200-¥1,800
- Matcha powder: ¥600-¥1,500
- Complete matcha tea set: ¥3,500
Note: You’ll find both usucha (thin tea) and koicha (thick tea) grade matcha at LOFT. Usucha is lighter and more commonly used for everyday drinking, while koicha is richer, more concentrated, and traditionally reserved for formal tea ceremonies. There is also premium Uji matcha (宇治茶), which is tea from the Uji region near Kyoto, renowned as Japan’s finest matcha producing area with over 800 years of tea cultivation history. Uji matcha is more vibrant and is richer with more of an umami taste, compared to other matcha tea powders.
7. Sake (Japanese rice wine) Cup Sets
Price Range: ¥1,200-¥4,000
Sake (Japanese rice wine), aside from beer, is an essential part of Japanese drinking culture. The collection on the 3F of Shibuya’s LOFT includes ochoko (small cylindrical cups), guinomi (larger informal cups), and masu (traditional wooden boxes). Many sets come beautifully packaged in gift boxes, featuring everything from minimalist modern designs to traditional patterns like blue and white porcelain.
The variety is diverse, from ceramic cups that retain warmth, transparent glass cups, and special temperature-sensitive cups that change color. Some sets also include a sake tokkuri (carafe) for serving. Whether you’re a sake or alcohol enthusiast, these sets represent Japanese traditions/customs and their craftsmanship at its finest. They make for great traditional and authentic Japanese gifts for yourself or friends.
8. Japanese Teapots, Cups, Bowls, and Plates
Price Range: ¥1,500-¥5,000
Last but not least, the 3F of LOFT has a diverse collection of tea pots and other tableware. They have kyusu tea pot designs specifically crafted for brewing green tea, with built-in ceramic filters and side handles for comfortable, precise pouring. You’ll also find minimalist modern teapots in matte finishes, elegant lacquered designs with glossy black or red surfaces, and traditional pottery showcasing regional pottery styles, like rustic Tokoname ware and delicate Arita porcelain. Many come as matching sets with yunomi tea cups.
Beyond teapots, the tableware also includes rustic earthenware with natural glazes to delicate porcelain with hand-painted motifs, each piece demonstrating the Japanese craftsmanship of perfectly balanced spouts, lids that sit securely without rattling, and thoughtful design details.
Additional Kitchen Items Worth Considering
These are not included in the list as these are more specialised items for cooking enthusiasts, who want to explore more of Japanese or Asian cooking:
- Rice Paddles (¥400-¥800): These are non-stick designs prevent rice from clinging. They are essential for anyone cooking Japanese rice, lightweight and cheap omiyage.
- Tamagoyaki Pans (¥1,200-¥2,500): These are rectangular skillets designed specifically for Japanese rolled omelets. These make for unique gifts for cooking enthusiasts who love Japanese food!
- Specialized Graters (¥800-¥1,800): Japanese graters for daikon, ginger, and wasabi can produce different textures than Western versions. These are perfect gifts for those like to cook Japanese food on the regular.
Explore The Guide Series
Which Japanese cooking utensil or kitchenware are you going to buy from Shibuya’s LOFT?
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I’m a travel and content writer, occasionally publishing pieces and short stories on Medium. I love to travel within and outside Japan as well as eat good food, dance, and read!
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