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Three ways into Japan

Not a general Japan blog. Three subjects we can speak about from the inside, because we live and make things here.

ToolsKnives, pans, and the fire that runs them. What we manufacture ourselves, what we’d send you to buy instead, and why.Read the guides PantrySoy sauce, dashi, kombu, and the rest of a Japanese pantry — what to buy first, what to skip.Read the guides Buying in JapanKappabashi shops, the tax-free rules that changed this year, and the customs limits nobody explains before you land.Read the guides

Latest guides

Fresh from the workshop

How Much Should a Chef’s Knife Weigh? What Blade Thickness Actually Buys YouAugust 11, 2026
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, SOONEAR may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How we assessed this: SOONEAR does not manufacture kitchen knives. Every Read more
Japanese Pantry Starter Kit: 12 Things, Ranked by How Often You’ll Use ThemJuly 30, 2026
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. SOONEAR may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and sellers we believe are useful Read more
Dashi Packets vs From Scratch: A Cost and Time ComparisonJuly 30, 2026
Affiliate Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, SOONEAR may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we have researched directly. How We Assessed Read more
Kombu by Region: Ma-kombu, Rishiri, Hidaka — What Each Is ForJuly 30, 2026
Affiliate Disclosure This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, SOONEAR may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. SOONEAR does not make or sell kombu. We have no financial Read more

Browse all guides

Our own tools

What we make ourselves

Three tools. Each exists because we could not find a good version sold in English.

Wok
SOONEAR KOTE2 Carbon Steel Wok 14″ (36 cm) — Lightweight, Round Bottom, No Rivets, Made in Japan

$68.88
Drop Lid
SOONEAR [Made in Japan] Stainless Steel Expandable Otoshibuta Japanese Drop Lid Inner Lid Adjustable 5-9 inches Disassemble for Washing

$20.00
Sale!
Mandoline/Slicer
SOONEAR [Made in Japan] Mandoline Vegetable Slicer 76 Pro Grade Japanese Stainless Steel Blade Bowl Fit

~~$36.00~~ Original price was: $36.00.$35.00Current price is: $35.00.

Products

Wok

SOONEAR KOTE2 Carbon Steel Wok 14″ (36 cm) — Lightweight, Round Bottom, No Rivets, Made in Japan

Drop Lid

SOONEAR [Made in Japan] Stainless Steel Expandable Otoshibuta Japanese Drop Lid Inner Lid Adjustable 5-9 inches Disassemble for Washing

Mandoline/Slicer

SOONEAR [Made in Japan] Mandoline Vegetable Slicer 76 Pro Grade Japanese Stainless Steel Blade Bowl Fit

Blog

Tools

How Much Should a Chef’s Knife Weigh? What Blade Thickness Actually Buys You

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, SOONEAR may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How we assessed this: SOONEAR does not manufacture kitchen knives. Every Read more

Pantry

Japanese Pantry Starter Kit: 12 Things, Ranked by How Often You’ll Use Them

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. SOONEAR may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and sellers we believe are useful Read more

Pantry

Dashi Packets vs From Scratch: A Cost and Time Comparison

Affiliate Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, SOONEAR may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we have researched directly. How We Assessed Read more

Japan, explained by the people who make things here.

Three ways into Japan

Fresh from the workshop

What we make ourselves

SOONEAR KOTE2 Carbon Steel Wok 14″ (36 cm) — Lightweight, Round Bottom, No Rivets, Made in Japan

$68.88

SOONEAR [Made in Japan] Stainless Steel Expandable Otoshibuta Japanese Drop Lid Inner Lid Adjustable 5-9 inches Disassemble for Washing

$20.00

SOONEAR [Made in Japan] Mandoline Vegetable Slicer 76 Pro Grade Japanese Stainless Steel Blade Bowl Fit

$36.00 Original price was: $36.00.$35.00Current price is: $35.00.

Products

SOONEAR KOTE2 Carbon Steel Wok 14″ (36 cm) — Lightweight, Round Bottom, No Rivets, Made in Japan

$68.88

SOONEAR [Made in Japan] Stainless Steel Expandable Otoshibuta Japanese Drop Lid Inner Lid Adjustable 5-9 inches Disassemble for Washing

$20.00

SOONEAR [Made in Japan] Mandoline Vegetable Slicer 76 Pro Grade Japanese Stainless Steel Blade Bowl Fit

$36.00 Original price was: $36.00.$35.00Current price is: $35.00.

Blog

How Much Should a Chef’s Knife Weigh? What Blade Thickness Actually Buys You

Japanese Pantry Starter Kit: 12 Things, Ranked by How Often You’ll Use Them

Dashi Packets vs From Scratch: A Cost and Time Comparison

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