Kawase (written: or ) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Akiko Kawase (actress) (born 1980), Japanese voice actor Hasui Kawase (1883–1957), Japanese painter Maki Kawase (born 1995), Japanese voice actress Masataka Kawase (1840–1919), Japanese shishi (political activist) and diplomat Naomi Kawase (born 1969), Japanese film director Shiro Kawase (1889–1946), Japanese admiral , Japanese gymnast Tomoko Kawase (born 1975), Japanese singer Yukari Kawase (born 1967), Japanese volleyball player