- 2024.01.16
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Vegan in Japan? Here’s a quick guide
If you’re traveling to Japan for the first time as a vegan, you may be concerned about how many options you will find since the country is known for dishes like sushi and Japanese wagyu beef. Your concern is absolutely valid, but I hope this guide offers some helpful insight and encouragement to you that it is definitely possible to enjoy a happy and mind-blowingly delicious vegan life in Japan!
Veganism in Japan–what is it like?
I have seen a lot of wonderful advances in terms of the availability of plant-based options even just in the past four years that I have been vegan in Japan. Starbucks offers a few sweet and savory vegan options now, as well as plant-based milks (oat, soy and almond) that’s part of their regular menu pretty much at every location. In addition to the delicious array of colorful veggies and fruits at supermarkets, you can often find soy meats and ready-made vegan soups, curries, etc., especially at organic stores. The vegan community in Japan is certainly growing but still very small, so below are some important points to keep in mind (please note that this is not an exhaustive list).
Research and planning
One of the best tips I can offer you is to plan in advance! This means contacting your accommodation prior to your visit to see if they can offer vegan meals, searching online to see which vegan restaurants or cafes are available in your area, etc. Generally, restaurants and cafes do not offer vegan options on their menu, and are unlikely able to accommodate your needs on the spot. So, it is best to research in advance and visit places where you know there are options.
City vs countryside
The experience of being vegan in Japan can differ significantly depending on where you are. While big cities like Tokyo and Osaka have hundreds of vegan eateries, you may struggle to find even one in the countryside. BUT when there’s a will, there’s a way!
Something you can always rely on are the amazing and incredible…convenience stores! There are a few vegan onigiri (rice balls) such as the salt, ume (pickled plum), and natto (fermented soy beans) flavors (although you may want to double check as specific ingredients can differ based on the store brand). The website “Is it Vegan?” has a page specifically dedicated to analyzing vegan convenience store food. Link at the end!
Helpful tools and resources
One of the best ways you can stay updated about vegan goodies in Japan and find answers to arguably any question you may have, would be to join some of the popular Facebook groups such as “Vegan Japan ヴィーガン日本” and “Vegan Travel Japan”. Otherwise, searching for restaurants on Google Maps and Happy Cow are great too! I encourage you to also leave reviews on these pages wherever you visit to keep the information updated and plenty for fellow travelers.
Any vegan food in Kochi?
Glad you asked!
There are a few of what I like to call “accidentally vegan” foods at Kochi City’s famous Sunday Market including imoten (fluffy sweet potato tempura), inaka-sushi (vegetable sushi), and imo-mochi (rice cake filled with red bean paste). Restaurant Volver and Shizukana Kissaten in Kochi City also serve delicious vegan options.
Here in the photos, we have the owner Ms. Matsumoto of guesthouse Noneya in eastern Kochi making a local dish called kokera-sushi. Traditional kokera-sushi includes thinly-sliced egg and pieces of locally-caught mackerel but with vegans in mind, she along with other locals have developed a version of the dish without animal ingredients. Thanks to Kochi’s abundance of delicious vegetables and people's open-mindedness, customizations like these are possible! Even if it is a non-vegan restaurant you’re visiting, I highly recommend calling in advance (at least a week) and asking if they could accommodate your needs. You never know!
Is it Vegan? (convenience stores)
https://isitveganjapan.com/food-on-the-go/507-2/?fbclid=IwAR2B4diqPbDhxntA48Fq2ENRBLQhNWm9LGXQ1kBrnofYVCEeNBWjSfCPE90
Vegan Japan ヴィーガン日本 (private group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/26787874309
Vegan Travel Japan (private group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/733667544819413
Sunday Market
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/sundaymarket
Restaurant Volver
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4VLfJkcheuVUrMYP9
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/taste-of-kochi/10279
Shizukana Kissaten
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KxyC8NHiRVL1RBwf7
Guesthouse Noneya
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CzgY7vSYGRa2axdn6
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/topics/1405
If you visit in the autumn, you can also help harvest yuzu from Noneya’s nearby citrus grove!
Veganism in Japan–what is it like?
I have seen a lot of wonderful advances in terms of the availability of plant-based options even just in the past four years that I have been vegan in Japan. Starbucks offers a few sweet and savory vegan options now, as well as plant-based milks (oat, soy and almond) that’s part of their regular menu pretty much at every location. In addition to the delicious array of colorful veggies and fruits at supermarkets, you can often find soy meats and ready-made vegan soups, curries, etc., especially at organic stores. The vegan community in Japan is certainly growing but still very small, so below are some important points to keep in mind (please note that this is not an exhaustive list).
Research and planning
One of the best tips I can offer you is to plan in advance! This means contacting your accommodation prior to your visit to see if they can offer vegan meals, searching online to see which vegan restaurants or cafes are available in your area, etc. Generally, restaurants and cafes do not offer vegan options on their menu, and are unlikely able to accommodate your needs on the spot. So, it is best to research in advance and visit places where you know there are options.
City vs countryside
The experience of being vegan in Japan can differ significantly depending on where you are. While big cities like Tokyo and Osaka have hundreds of vegan eateries, you may struggle to find even one in the countryside. BUT when there’s a will, there’s a way!
Something you can always rely on are the amazing and incredible…convenience stores! There are a few vegan onigiri (rice balls) such as the salt, ume (pickled plum), and natto (fermented soy beans) flavors (although you may want to double check as specific ingredients can differ based on the store brand). The website “Is it Vegan?” has a page specifically dedicated to analyzing vegan convenience store food. Link at the end!
Helpful tools and resources
One of the best ways you can stay updated about vegan goodies in Japan and find answers to arguably any question you may have, would be to join some of the popular Facebook groups such as “Vegan Japan ヴィーガン日本” and “Vegan Travel Japan”. Otherwise, searching for restaurants on Google Maps and Happy Cow are great too! I encourage you to also leave reviews on these pages wherever you visit to keep the information updated and plenty for fellow travelers.
Any vegan food in Kochi?
Glad you asked!
There are a few of what I like to call “accidentally vegan” foods at Kochi City’s famous Sunday Market including imoten (fluffy sweet potato tempura), inaka-sushi (vegetable sushi), and imo-mochi (rice cake filled with red bean paste). Restaurant Volver and Shizukana Kissaten in Kochi City also serve delicious vegan options.
Here in the photos, we have the owner Ms. Matsumoto of guesthouse Noneya in eastern Kochi making a local dish called kokera-sushi. Traditional kokera-sushi includes thinly-sliced egg and pieces of locally-caught mackerel but with vegans in mind, she along with other locals have developed a version of the dish without animal ingredients. Thanks to Kochi’s abundance of delicious vegetables and people's open-mindedness, customizations like these are possible! Even if it is a non-vegan restaurant you’re visiting, I highly recommend calling in advance (at least a week) and asking if they could accommodate your needs. You never know!
Is it Vegan? (convenience stores)
https://isitveganjapan.com/food-on-the-go/507-2/?fbclid=IwAR2B4diqPbDhxntA48Fq2ENRBLQhNWm9LGXQ1kBrnofYVCEeNBWjSfCPE90
Vegan Japan ヴィーガン日本 (private group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/26787874309
Vegan Travel Japan (private group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/733667544819413
Sunday Market
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/sundaymarket
Restaurant Volver
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4VLfJkcheuVUrMYP9
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/taste-of-kochi/10279
Shizukana Kissaten
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KxyC8NHiRVL1RBwf7
Guesthouse Noneya
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CzgY7vSYGRa2axdn6
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/topics/1405
If you visit in the autumn, you can also help harvest yuzu from Noneya’s nearby citrus grove!
