Do you want to travel to Japan this year?
Have you ever been to Japan recently?
The Japanese yen is weak now, and traveling to Japan from Canada, the US, Europe and other countries has become very popular because it is relatively affordable.
But for vegan and vegetarian travelers, and for people like me who love vegetables, traveling in Japan can sometimes be difficult, if you want to strictly follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.
UThere is an image around the world that Japanese food is healthy. Traditionally, Japanese people ate mostly vegetables and beans, with a small amount of fish. In this sense, traditional Japanese food was quite close to a pescatarian or plant-based diet.Meat became part of Japanese food culture during the Meiji period. So, compared with the long history of Japanese food, eating meat is actually quite new.
However, when vegans and vegetarians travel in Japan, they can have a hard time finding food they can eat.
Why?
Because even dishes that look like vegetable dishes, such as oden and simmered vegetables, often contain fish in the dashi or sauce. Bonito flakes, for example, are very commonly used.
When I traveled around Japan for four weeks in May 2026, I also felt that there were fewer restaurants offering vegan and vegetarian options than before.
So, here is my simple Japan Food Survival & Enjoy Guide for Vegan and Vegetarian travelers.
1, Useful Keywords to Find Vegan & Vegetarian Food
When you search on Google, the first keywords you may try are:
1) Vegan / Vegetarian / Plant-
Try:
“Vegan restaurant”
“Vegan cafe”
“Vegetarian restaurant”
“Plant ”
You can also combine these words with the name of the city you are visiting.
2) Macrobiotic / Brown Rice
About 15–20 years ago, macrobiotic food was very popular in Japan.At that time, opening a small macrobiotic cafe was quite fashionable, especially among young women.The trend has mostly disappeared, and I feel that there are fewer restaurants calling themselves “Macrobiotic Cafes” today.
But macrobiotic food is still useful for vegan travelers because it is a strictly 100% vegan based on foods such as brown rice, miso soup and tofu, and is quite close to traditional Japanese plant-based food.
So “Macrobiotic” is another useful keyword when searching for restaurants/cafes.
3) Shojin / Shojin Ryori （精進料理）
When we talk about traditional Japanese vegan food, we cannot forget Shojin Ryori, or Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. Especially in Kyoto, you can find temples and temple lodgings where you can enjoy Shojin Ryori.
Even in Tokyo, some former Buddhist monks offer Shojin Ryori lunch boxes, sometimes from food trucks.
4) Natural Food / Organic / Bio (自然食、有機）
“Natural Food” and “Organic Food” can also be useful search keywords.
But be careful. Natural food does NOT mean 100% vegan or vegetarian. In Japan, “natural food” usually means food made with fewer chemicals or more natural ingredients. Some natural food restaurants may still serve beef, chicken or other animal products, including meat raised with organic feed.
When you search for “Natural Food” or “Organic Food,” you may also find organic grocery stores, not only restaurants and cafes. These stores can actually be useful. Many of them sell vegan or vegetarian deli food, side dishes and lunch boxes. Some also have a small eat-in area.
But if you are a strict vegan and do not want to eat at a place that also sells meat, this type of restaurant or store may not be suitable for you.
2、One More Important Tip；Send emails in translated in Japanese to pre-confirm
Even if you find a restaurant using words such as Vegan, Vegetarian, Macrobiotic or Shojin, please do not assume that everything is vegan. Some restaurants have stopped offering vegan options. Others may still use bonito flakes or fish-based dashi by mistake.
If you are a strict vegan or have specific ingredients you cannot eat, I strongly recommend contacting the restaurant before you go.
In small restaurants or restaurants outside big cities, English may not be understood well. In that case, I recommend writing your questions in English, translating them into Japanese, and sending them by email.
It is better to check everything, including: dashi, sauces and seasonings.
This is one of the most important survival tips for enjoying Japan as a vegan or vegetarian traveler.
3、Short list of Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants/cafe or Natural food stores in Japan
As of August 18, 2026, I will also share a short list of the vegan and vegetarian cafes, restaurants and/or grocery stores with long histories/popularities in Japan. They are high-end, but are interested in seeing Japanese vegan/vegetarian food/cultures.
Chaya Macrobiotics restautrant chain in Tokyo:
Natural House (Organic grocery store chain)
And in my next post, I would like to share something more with my personal ‘plant-based food’ photos. What I actually eat during my four-week trip around Japan as a vegan and vegetarian traveler.
I hope you will enjoy following my real food experience in Japan!
