Ultimate Vegetarian & Vegan Survival Guide to Japan

As a passionate vegetarian foodie, I love the experience of exploring new countries through their cuisine. In my opinion, food is the best way to immerse oneself in local culture and its deeply rooted traditions. When planning my trip to Japan, I had some concerns about finding good vegetarian food and experiencing the full spectrum of Japanese cuisine. These worries, however, were unfounded. Our culinary experiences in Japan were nothing short of phenomenal. With my top tips and the insights provided in this guide (plus my restaurant recommendations), you will have everything you need to navigate Japan on a plant-based diet. 

First time in Japan? Be sure to check out my top tips for planning a trip to Japan.

Understanding Japanese Cuisine for Vegetarians

In order to ensure you are able to find the right options for your dietary restrictions, you first need to understand what makes up Japanese cuisine and the Japanese diet. Just because you’re a vegetarian or a vegan doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the local food. We had so many great traditional Japanese meals on our trip (I’ll get into my restaurant recommendations later on in this post).

The Vegetarian Side of Japanese Cuisine

In addition to what is listed below, there are also vegetarian dishes based on rice, noodles, soy, mushrooms, rice balls etc. You can also find vegan sushi in some establishments. 

Yuba and Tofu

Although Japanese cuisine traditionally leans heavily on meat and fish, it also offers an array of vegetarian and vegan dishes. I fell in love with tofu skin (yuba) which can be prepared in so many different ways and has a really great flavor and texture. There are also plenty of options that include tofu though you just need to be mindful that the dish is actually vegetarian (more on how to do that in a bit).

Vegetable Tempura

Seasonal vegetable tempura, often made without meat or fish, is also a great option. I mean who doesn’t love anything that’s battered and fried?

Vegetarian Sushi

We saw a few restaurants that offered vegetarian sushi options. Though we didn’t personally visit any of these restaurants, they do exist if you’re looking to try some vegetarian sushi while in Japan.

Vegan Ramen

Plant-based ramen is becoming more and more common in Japan. You can find fully vegan ramen shops or a traditional ramen spot that at least offers one vegan ramen. 

Traditional Vegetarian Options: Shojin Ryori

Shojin Ryori is the traditional dining style of Buddhist monks in Japan, inherently vegan. The cuisine is centered around soybean-based foods like tofu and fresh, seasonal vegetables. I’ve heard that some modern day twists of Shojin Ryori can have dairy products so, if you’re a vegan, it never hurts to just double check. We had multiple Shojin Ryori meals and they were all fully vegan. 

Where to Find Shojin Ryori

While traditionally served in Buddhist temples, many restaurants now offer Shojin Ryori as well. Kyoto, with its rich history of Buddhism, has some great options. Just make sure you make reservations in advance as a lot of them do not take walk-ins!

Watch Out for Hidden Non Plant-Based Ingredients

It’s really important to know that many dishes—even those that appear vegetarian at first glance—can contain animal products such as fish stock (dashi), fish flakes, or other seasonings that are not vegan/vegetarian.

The key is to understand that what might seem vegetarian or vegan on the menu isn’t always the case. For example, a seemingly vegetarian miso soup might have been prepared with fish-based dashi. It’s crucial to ask or check the ingredients, especially in traditional restaurants.

Discovering Vegan Restaurants in Japan

The Rise of Vegan Restaurants in Japan

The good news is Japan has seen a significant increase in vegan-friendly restaurants in recent years, especially in major cities. There are quite a few options across the country. In fact, a majority of the restaurants we ate at during our trip were fully vegan and were delicious! 

Finding the Best Vegan Restaurants

We mostly used a combination of blog posts and Google Maps to find the best vegan food around us. You can also use a tool like Happy Cow though I personally am not the biggest fan of it because I feel like it just presents every possible meat-free option in the area instead of curating a list of really good food. I’d rather have a shorter list but know for sure that it’s a list of restaurants worth going to. Know what I mean?

For a list of my restaurant recommendations, especially where you can find excellent vegan Japanese food, keep reading or jump to that section of the post. 

Non Japanese options

Though we ate at mostly Japanese restaurants during our trip, we did see that there were many international options as well. We even went to a pizza place in Tokyo called Pizza Marumo that had vegan pizza! Of course, since we’re vegetarians, we went for a veggie option but we were still pretty impressed to see vegan options on the menu. 

Navigating Non-Vegan Restaurants as a Vegan/Vegetarian

Communicating Your Dietary Preferences

It’s not unlikely for you to encounter a bit of a language barrier in Japan in general. The biggest thing to make sure when you are dining in non-vegan restaurants is that you are able to fully convey your dietary restriction. Use phrases like “Watashi wa vegan desu” (I am vegan) or “Niku to sakana wa tabemasen” (I don’t eat meat or fish) to help. 

Then just clarify that the dish doesn’t have any fish base or bonito flakes on top. You’ll be able to tell pretty quickly if the staff is used to having plant-based eaters around or not. Again, please be respectful and patient when asking! 

Identifying Potential Vegan and Vegetarian Options on the Menu

You’ll often find that there isn’t an English menu. Be sure you have some type of phone service because the Google Translate app is going to be your best friend. Within that app, there is a camera button so you can take a picture of the menu and it’ll translate it for you. 

After you have the menu translated, look for dishes that look vegetarian or could be easily modified. Of course, you’ll then need to double check with the staff but at least that’ll help get you part of the way there.

Requesting Vegetarian Adaptations

Don’t hesitate to request vegetarian adaptations of traditional Japanese dishes. Asking for no fish stock in soups or no fish flakes on top of dishes is becoming more and more common throughout Japan. Many restaurants are accommodating and can modify dishes for you. 

You can also ask for special requests or substitutions. Many chefs are willing to accommodate, especially in higher-end restaurants. This was the case for us in a few different restaurants!

Respecting Cultural Nuances

It’s important to always be respectful of Japanese culture as you navigate being a vegetarian in Japan. When expressing your dietary preferences, it’s important to do so politely and with appreciation for the local culinary practices. Simple gestures, like thanking the chef for accommodating your dietary needs or showing interest in the preparation methods, can go a long way. 

My Top Picks: Best Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Japan

Tokyo

I have a whole detailed blog post on the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo that you can check out that has detailed reviews of the below restaurants.

Bon

A great place to try Shojin Ryori and a spot that is 100% worth visiting. This was a phenomenal meal with around 12 courses. You definitely need reservations to eat here.

Vegan Gyoza Yu

The absolute best gyozas I’ve ever had in my life. There are 11 different flavors and you can order them separately or, get a set menu, and try all of them.

Kyushu Jangara 

Well located in Shibuya, this is my favorite vegetarian ramen in all of Tokyo.

Polyphony

Plant-based options available as a tasting menu with a wine or sake pairing. The chef here is doing some really creative work with vegetables. This is a perfect spot for a special occasion or a date night.

T’s Tan Tan Ramen

Popular entirely vegan ramen restaurant located inside the Tokyo station. Perfect for grabbing a meal before heading onwards in your Japan itinerary. They even have a soy meat bento box!

Pizza Marumo

Delicious meal with really great options for both vegans and vegetarians. The standout here is their pizza but they also have other dishes on their menu. 

Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo

Located right inside the TeamLab Planet complex, this vegan ramen spot is perfect to pair with your visit to TeamLab. There is only one option on the menu and it’s delicious. 

Vegan Place Shuwashuwa Peace

If you happen to be in the area and need some quick, yummy food, this is another good option with different vegan gyozas, though nowhere near as delicious as Vegan Gyoza Yu.

Kyoto

Gyoza ChaoChao

This is not a fully vegetarian or vegan restaurant however, they have delicious options available and they are easily marked as vegan or vegetarian. Their gyozas are delicious and they even have dessert gyozas available!

Little Heaven

This is a fine-dining tasting menu where you definitely need to have reservations ahead of time. The food was really unique and well done. One of the courses so closely mimicked traditional sushi that we had to double check that it really was all vegan. 

Jam+Sake

This sake bar is a great spot to stop and get drinks and appetizers. The husband and wife team is really knowledgeable about sake and they have some delicious snacks that are inherently vegan! A perfect spot to just enjoy some sake and light bites at any point during your day.

Que Pasa

A really yummy fast-casual Mexican spot that offers vegetarian and vegan options. 

Gion Soy Milk Ramen

A fully vegan restaurant with various options on the menu in addition to vegan ramen. Though it wasn’t my favorite vegan ramen I had in all of Japan, it was still a really solid soy milk option.

Osaka

Kuminsol

A fantastic curry restaurant that has a really delicious vegetarian curry option. Just be sure to clarify that you do not want any bonito flakes on top. The server was really friendly and ensured that everything we ate was vegan. The portions are huge and the flavors are spot on. 

OKO – Fun Okonomiyaki Bar

This fun, quirky restaurant is run by one woman. Yup, you heard that right. One woman cooks and manages the whole restaurant. The space is massive and quirky and you can try okonomiyaki which is a Japanese savory pancake. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options you can choose from!

Green Earth

A fully vegan restaurant that’s a great place for lunch. You can select from various pastas, sandwiches, wraps etc.

9X Osaka

This beautiful, modern restaurant was located right next to our hotel so we decided to check it out one evening and I’m so thankful that we did. The chef made us a special vegetarian meal and everything he served was fantastic. The main dish was a burrito and it was one of the best I’ve ever had with a fusion of Mexican and Japanese flavors. He also makes his own hot sauces!

Bottom Line

Japan, a country known for its rich culinary heritage, is also a haven for vegetarians and vegans. As a vegetarian foodie, I had fantastic culinary adventures and I truly can’t wait to go back.  My experience was a testament to Japan’s evolving culinary landscape, where traditional flavors harmoniously blend with plant-based alternatives.

Of course, navigating Japan as a vegetarian or a vegan is not without its challenges, particularly with language barriers and hidden non-plant-based ingredients in seemingly vegetarian dishes. However, armed with a bit of knowledge and the right tools, like translation apps, I am confident that you will have a fantastic time eating your way through this incredible country. 

Have additional tips or recommendations for fellow vegan / vegetarian travelers? Comment below!

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