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284 places

• RestaurantBeyond Age Soup Curry (Minami 19-jo)Yamahana · Sapporo-style soup curry with 2 vegan options · ¥¥
• RestaurantL'EsperanceMaruyama · Vegan French, course-only · ¥¥¥¥
• RestaurantVeggy WayMaruyama · Fully vegan "oriental vegan" (no garlic/onion) Japanese-Western fusion · ¥¥
• RestaurantSallogaMaruyama · Fully vegan Japanese (organic, macrobiotic-leaning) · ¥¥
• RestaurantModernark pharm cafeKitanagasa · Macrobiotic/vegetarian cafe (Latin-American-influenced dishes) · ¥¥
• RestaurantMalabar KitchenNakayamate · South Indian (dosa, curry) with a dedicated vegan menu · ¥¥
• RestaurantVegan Cafe KiuNishi Ku · 100% vegan organic cafe (set lunches, desserts) · ¥¥
• RestaurantVegan Cafe ThalloMotomachi · Vegan, gluten-free plant-based cafe · ¥¥
• RestaurantTaiko Udon (Nakamachi)Nakamachi · Udon with a dedicated vegan menu (plant-based dashi, egg-free tempura) · ¥
• RestaurantRokuShintenchi · Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki with vegan option · ¥¥
• RestaurantNagatayaOtemachi · Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki with a dedicated vegan/vegetarian menu · ¥¥
• RestaurantJoGeSaYuOtemachi · 100% plant-based vegan Japanese-fusion tasting menu + vegan patisserie · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantBugoro All VeganHakata · Vegan Hakata-style ramen, dandan noodles, gyoza · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantRotaCafeHirao · All-vegan organic cafe (plate meals, bento, vegan sweets) · ¥¥
• RestaurantSonu SonuTenjin · Vegan cafe (burgers, tacos, smoothies, toast) · ¥¥
• RestaurantPlant-based Cafe NICETenjin · 100% plant-based cafe (vegan burgers, baked goods, ice cream) · ¥¥
• RestaurantBanwa RouYokohama Chinatown · Taiwanese (with vegetarian / vegan options) · ¥¥
• RestaurantHachi no Ki ShinkanKita-Kamakura, Kanagawa · Kaiseki with Kamakura vegetables (vegetarian shojin course on request) · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantVegetarian Restaurant KinateiNara (near JR Nara Stn) · Vegetarian / vegan organic-vegetable cuisine · ¥¥
• RestaurantShinsekai Paprika ShokudouShinsekai, Osaka · Vegan Osaka street food · ¥¥
• RestaurantTousuiro Kiyamachi, Kyoto — Tofu Kaiseki + Vegan CourseKiyamachi, Kyoto · Tofu kaiseki / yuba · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantGion Soy Milk Ramen Uno YukikoGion, Kyoto · Vegan & gluten-free soy-milk ramen · ¥¥
• RestaurantTowzen (Mamezen)Shimogamo, Kyoto · Vegan soy-milk ramen · ¥¥
• RestaurantShigetsu (Tenryu-ji)Arashiyama, Kyoto · Shojin ryori (Zen temple cuisine) · ¥¥
• RestaurantVegan Soba Tokyo AylerShimokitazawa · Vegan soba (standing) · ¥
• Restaurantgenuine gluten free Where is a dog?Kichijoji · Gluten-free bakery & cafe · ¥¥
• RestaurantGEN-TEN Gluten-free BakeryShibuya · Gluten-free brown-rice bakery · ¥
• RestaurantVegan Izakaya MasakaShibuya · Vegan izakaya · ¥¥
• RestaurantVegan Sushi TokyoShibuya · Plant-based sushi · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantTempura Asakusa SAKURAIriya (Taito) · Gluten-free & halal tempura · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantMarugoto Vegan Dining AsakusaIriya (Taito) · Plant-based Japanese / vegan · ¥¥
• RestaurantSakura-teiHarajuku · DIY okonomiyaki & monjayaki · ¥¥
• RestaurantShimokita ShimaiSangenjaya / Daizawa · Gluten-free patisserie & cafe · ¥¥
• RestaurantUniversal Bakes and CafeShimokitazawa · Vegan bakery & cafe · ¥¥
• RestaurantTokyo Vegan Ramen CenterHarajuku · Vegan ramen · ¥¥
• RestaurantSasaya CafeKinshicho / Sumida · Vegan cafe / plant-based Japanese · ¥¥
• RestaurantMominoki HouseJingumae · Organic macrobiotic / vegan-vegetarian Japanese · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantNataraj ShibuyaShibuya · Indian vegetarian / vegan curry · ¥¥
• RestaurantNataraj OgikuboOgikubo · Indian vegetarian / vegan curry · ¥¥
• RestaurantSoranoiro NIPPONTokyo Station · Ramen (with a gluten-free option) · ¥
• RestaurantGluten Free Cafe Little BirdYoyogi-Hachiman · Dedicated gluten-free Japanese cafe (gyoza, karaage, ramen) · ¥¥
• RestaurantRICE HACK Gluten-free BakeryHarajuku · Dedicated rice-flour gluten-free bakery · ¥
• RestaurantIse SueyoshiNishi-Azabu · Muslim-friendly kaiseki (Japanese course) · ¥¥¥¥
• RestaurantSekai Cafe AsakusaIriya (Taito) · Muslim-friendly & vegan cafe · ¥¥
• RestaurantVeganic Monkey MagicIriya (Taito) · Vegan course (reservation-only) · ¥¥
• RestaurantVegan Bistro JangaraHarajuku · Vegan Japanese / ramen bistro · ¥¥
• RestaurantRestaurant 8ablishJingumae · Vegan, Mediterranean-influenced · ¥¥
• RestaurantBrown Rice by Neal's Yard RemediesJingumae · Organic vegetarian/vegan Japanese (macrobiotic) · ¥¥
• RestaurantKannonyama Fruit Parlour GinzaGinza · Fruit parlour / parfait · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantUmezono AsakusaIriya (Taito) · Traditional Japanese sweets (anmitsu) · ¥
• RestaurantFruit Parlour GotoIriya (Taito) · Fruit parlour / parfait · ¥¥
• RestaurantNO OHAGIDaikanyama · Gluten-free & vegan ohagi / wagashi cafe · ¥¥
• Restaurantpremium SOWDaikanyama · Vegan & gluten-free patisserie / gelato · ¥¥
• RestaurantRainbow Bird RendezvousNakameguro · Organic vegan cafe · ¥¥
• RestaurantGopinathaNakano · Vegetarian/vegan set meals · ¥
• RestaurantTsuminaki Mapo Tofu (Mita)Mita · Plant-based Chinese (mapo tofu) · ¥¥
• RestaurantShojin Ryori DaigoAtago · Shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian kaiseki) · ¥¥¥¥
• RestaurantSembikiya Fruit ParlourNihonbashi · Fruit parlour (parfaits & fruit desserts) · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantHimitsudoYanaka · Kakigori (shaved ice) · ¥¥
• RestaurantMihashi UenoUeno · Kanmidokoro (anmitsu & sweets) · ¥
• RestaurantChabuzen ShimokitazawaShimokitazawa · Vegan medicinal ramen & soup curry · ¥¥
• RestaurantSarashina HoriiAzabu-Juban · Soba (sarashina) · ¥¥
• RestaurantWe Are The Farm MeguroMeguro · Farm-to-table organic vegetables (GF options) · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantHeavenly Island Lifestyle DaikanyamaDaikanyama · Hawaiian bistro (GF options) · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantMr. Farmer OmotesandoJingumae · Vegetable-forward cafe (vegan & GF options) · ¥¥
• Restaurant2foods Ginza LoftGinza · Vegan cafe / plant-based · ¥¥
• RestaurantTamawaraiJingumae · Handmade juwari soba (100% buckwheat) · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantPizzakaya RoppongiRoppongi · American pizza (gluten-free / vegan options) · ¥¥
• RestaurantSuzukien AsakusaIriya (Taito) · Matcha gelato & Japanese tea · ¥
• RestaurantGonpachi NishiazabuNishiazabu · Izakaya (soba, yakitori, tempura) · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantFuryu Okonomiyaki SometaroIriya (Taito) · Okonomiyaki · ¥¥
• RestaurantItoshoAzabu-Juban · Shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian) · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantSasanoyukiUguisudani · Tofu & yuba cuisine · ¥¥
• RestaurantAIN SOPH. Soar IkebukuroIkebukuro · Vegan cafe / pancakes · ¥¥
• RestaurantAIN SOPH. GINZAGinza · Vegan / plant-based · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantVegan Ramen UZU TokyoToyosu · Vegan ramen · ¥¥
• RestaurantTempura Asakusa SAKURAIriya (Taito) · Tempura (gluten-free, halal) · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantGluten Free T's KitchenRoppongi · Gluten-free comfort food · ¥¥
• RestaurantSougo Roppongi: Vegan-Friendly Shojin Kaiseki — Menu, Prices, HoursRoppongi · Modern shojin-ryori · ¥¥¥¥
• RestaurantKomaki ShokudoAkihabara · Shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian) · ¥
• RestaurantFucha Ryori BonIriya (Taito) · Fucha-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) · ¥¥¥
• RestaurantFalafel Brothers ShibuyaShibuya · Vegan Middle Eastern / falafel · ¥¥
• RestaurantSAIDOJiyugaoka · Vegan creative Japanese · ¥¥¥¥
• RestaurantT's TanTan (Tokyo Station)Tokyo Station · Vegan ramen / tantanmen · ¥
• RestaurantAIN SOPH. Journey ShinjukuShinjuku · Vegan cafe & sweets · ¥¥¥
• GuideWhat Can Vegans Order at Starbucks Japan? The Official Definition, and When Milk Swaps Are FreeStarbucks Japan is rare among Japanese chains in publishing a written definition of plant-based — one that counts honey as an animal ingredient. Milk substitution, though, splits: free on a Starbucks Latte, +¥55 for oat or almond on other drinks. Here is the official definition, the current lineup, and the whipped-cream trap.
• GuideCan Vegans Eat at CoCo Ichibanya? The ¥683 CoCoICHI Vegetarian Curry, and the Mild-Spice TrapAt CoCo Ichibanya, the only item officially described as using no animal-derived ingredients is the CoCoICHI vegetarian curry (¥621, ¥683 with tax). The standard curry sauce is not vegetarian, so you must order this one by name. It is not at every branch, and it cannot be made mild. Here is what the guarantee covers, what it does not, and the honest caveat on dairy.
• GuideIs There a Vegan Option at MOS Burger? The 2026 Answer After the Green Burger Was DiscontinuedAs of September 2026 exactly one MOS Burger item is described by the company as free of animal ingredients in its primary materials: the Avocado Basil Burger with rice-flour buns (¥620). The Green Burger (Teriyaki) was discontinued on 20 May 2026. Here is why swapping in a soy patty does not make a burger vegan, and what MOS means when it says these are not for strict vegetarians.
• GuideNew Vegan Restaurants in Japan: 2026 Openings (October Update)Updated October 2026: MERCY Vegan Ramen opened a second shop in Kyoto's Shijo-Kawaramachi on September 29, after its January Osaka debut. Plus MOS Burger's plant-based relaunch and the 2026 Vegan Gourmet Festival schedule change — with sources for every claim.
• GuideVegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Nara: 2026 GuideNara's plant-based scene is small but real: five fully vegan restaurants clustered near Nara Park and the two stations, plus an honest look at why there's no shojin ryori restaurant at Todai-ji itself.
• GuideIs Mirin Vegan? A Guide to Japan's Sweet Cooking SakeYes, standard mirin is vegan — here's what's actually in hon-mirin, shio-mirin, and mirin-fu chōmiryō, plus the one label warning worth checking and one you can ignore.
• GuideVegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Okinawa (Naha): 2026 GuideNaha's vegan scene is small but real: five owner-run restaurants within walking distance of Kokusai-dori serve fully plant-based Okinawan food, and Naha Airport has its own dedicated vegan menu. Here's what's confirmed, with hours, prices, and honest caveats as of July 2026.
• GuideVegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Yokohama: 2026 GuideYokohama has only a handful of fully vegan restaurants, but it also has something almost no other Japanese city offers: two century-old Chinatown institutions with real, separately prepared vegan menus. Here are eight verified places, from Motomachi to Yokohama Station to Chinatown.
• GuideVegan Cake in Tokyo: Christmas 2026 Pre-Orders + 100%-Vegan BakeriesFor Christmas 2026, order animal-free cakes from Tokyo Marriott Hotel (¥6,000, by Dec 15), The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho (¥15,000, by Dec 20) or BEYOND SWEETS (from ¥4,980, frozen delivery, by Dec 3) — plus Tokyo's year-round 100%-vegan bakeries and the hidden animal ingredients to watch for.
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Nagoya: Where to Eat Well in Japan's Manufacturing CapitalNagoya isn't the first city vegan travelers think of, but it has a small, solid cluster of fully plant-based kitchens and one shojin-ryori udon house with a genuine vegan menu — here's where to go and what to order.
• GuideVegan Curry in Japan: Where to Eat It (Checked October 2026)For vegan curry in Japan, eat at Marugoto Vegan Dining, a 100% vegan restaurant in Asakusa, or Bakumatsu Curry, a Shibuya soup-curry shop whose stock its operator says is animal-free — or order CoCo Ichibanya's CoCoICHI vegetarian curry (¥683 standard dine-in price) by name.
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Fukuoka: A Plant-Based Neighbourhood GuideFukuoka's pork-bone-ramen-and-cod-roe reputation hides a real surprise: as of July 2026 you can eat fully vegan across Tenjin, Yakuin and Daimyo — including a plant-based version of the very tonkotsu ramen the city is famous for. Here's a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood map, the six kitchens worth planning around, and the two traps (fish dashi and pork fat) to sidestep. Confirm hours before you go.
• GuideVegan Japan: The Complete Guide (2026)Yes — with a little know-how, Japan is a genuinely great place to eat vegan. This master guide maps the one trap to master (dashi), the phrases to order with, which dishes actually work, and exactly where to eat in every city.
• GuideVegan Festivals & Events in Japan 2026: Which Are Truly All-Vegan?Japan's most dependable all-vegan event is the Vegan Gourmet Festival (Vegefes), where every stall is vegan by policy. Earth Day Tokyo at Yoyogi Park and the weekly Farmers Market @ UNU in Aoyama aren't all-vegan, but both host large clusters of plant-based and organic vendors. Even all-vegan events aren't infallible — organizers have publicly apologized when a dairy-containing sample slipped through — so with a severe allergy, still label-check. Dates and venues shift yearly; confirm on each official site (as of July 2026).
• GuideHalal and Vegan in Japan: What Plant-Based Solves, and What It Doesn'tVegan clears pork, lard and gelatin, but it is not automatically halal in Japan — cooking alcohol like mirin and sake hides in everyday seasoning. Here is exactly where plant-based helps a Muslim traveler, where the alcohol question remains, and how to ask.
• GuideGluten-Free Vegan Japan: The Celiac Traveler's GuideGluten-free vegan Japan is doable, but wheat hides in soy sauce and most soba. Rice, tofu, and vegetables give you a safe base; here are the wheat traps, the naturally GF-vegan wins, and five dedicated Tokyo spots that take out the guesswork.
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Osaka: 7 Fully-Vegan Kitchens, Verified 23 September 2026Seven Osaka kitchens state on their own website that nothing on the menu is animal-derived — Paprika Shokudo Vegan, Shinsekai Paprika, Shojin Sushi Minamo, Green Earth, MERCY Vegan Factory, Naki vegan sweets and Aju. Addresses, hours and closed days read off each shop's own page on 23 September 2026, plus two more we could not confirm from any official page, and the dashi trap everywhere else.
• GuidePlant-Based Meat in Japan (2026): Vegan Brands & Where to BuyJapan's easiest vegan plant-based meats are Marukome Daizu Labo's plain soy meat (ingredients: soy, or soy with fruit vinegar and onion paste) and Next Meats. Ito Ham's Marude Oniku contains egg and milk, and Otsuka ZEROMEAT ended production in 2025 (checked 2026-10-13).
• GuideVegan Japanese Snacks & Souvenirs (Omiyage): What to Bring HomeJapan's allergen label lists nine mandatory items — and bonito and honey are on neither that list nor the twenty recommended ones. Here is what the label does and does not protect you from, with two everyday snacks that hide fish and two souvenirs we verified with the makers.
• GuideVegan Ice Cream in Japan: Kakigori, Soft Serve & Konbini (Summer 2026)Yes: plant-based cold treats exist all over summer Japan—if you know what to check. Kakigori (shaved-ice) syrups are usually vegan, but most soft serve is dairy, and a handful of verified Tokyo shops plus konbini ice lollies fill the gap. Here is what to order and what to ask.
• GuideIs Sake Vegan? Japan's Whole Drinks Shelf, DecodedSake is almost always vegan — rice, water, koji and yeast, nothing animal. The rare traps sit elsewhere: fish-bladder fining in a few beers, honey in some umeshu, and wine's usual animal clarifying. Here's the whole Japanese drinks shelf, decoded so you can order with confidence.
• GuideVegan Chain Restaurants in Japan: The Everyday Fast-Food Guide (2026)A few everyday Japanese chains genuinely work plant-based — T's Tantan (fully vegan), CoCo Ichibanya's Vegetarian Curry and MOS Burger's plant-based burger — but most "veggie" items still hide fish dashi, egg or dairy, so order on purpose. Here's exactly what to get, verified against official menus as of July 2026.
• GuideJapanese Phrases for Vegans: A Save-and-Carry Allergen CardLearn six phrases and carry one card — that covers almost every vegan meal in Japan, including the all-important dashi (fish stock) question.
• GuideVegan Hanami Picnic Food in Japan: A Shoppable Cherry Blossom SpreadYes, you can build a lovely vegan hanami (cherry blossom) picnic food spread almost entirely from a konbini and a supermarket: inari sushi, umeboshi or kombu onigiri, edamame, soy karaage nuggets, fruit, and some wagashi. The one thing to watch is hidden dashi (fish stock) in things that look plant-only. Check labels, and you're set for spring.
• GuideVegan Ryokan & Temple Stay (Shukubo) in Japan: A Plant-Based Traveller's GuideFor the most naturally plant-based nights of your trip, book a shukubo (temple lodging) — especially on Koyasan — where monks serve shojin ryori, Buddhist vegetarian kaiseki that traditionally excludes meat, fish and even onion and garlic. It is usually vegan, but confirm two things: fish dashi in the miso soup, and egg or dairy at breakfast. Ordinary ryokan can adapt on request.
• GuideVegan Japanese Breakfast: The Washoku Set, VeganizedA traditional Japanese breakfast is closer to vegan than almost any other in the world: steamed rice, nori, tofu, tsukemono, umeboshi and natto are already plant-based. The one thing that usually isn't is the dashi — bonito or sardine stock hiding in the miso soup and the natto tare. Swap in kombu dashi, skip the fish flakes, and you have a beautiful, protein-rich vegan start.
• GuideVegan Ekiben & Shinkansen Food: A Pre-Boarding PlanHere's the honest truth: most ekiben (station bento) contain fish, egg, or dashi, so a vegan riding the shinkansen should shop before boarding. Stock up at the konbini or station food hall on umeboshi and kombu onigiri, inari, edamame, fruit, roasted nuts, and soy milk. A dedicated veg ekiben exists but is rare. Plan your picnic, and the ride is easy.
• GuideVegan Food at Japanese Airports: Narita, Haneda & KansaiFinding vegan food at Japanese airports (Narita, Haneda, Kansai) is doable but uneven. Your safest bets: T's Tantan vegan ramen near Tokyo Station and Narita, a few veg-friendly cafes, and the reliable konbini grab-and-go — shio onigiri, edamame, fruit, nuts. Options thin out landside vs airside, so plan a buffer and read labels for hidden dashi.
• GuideReading Japanese Food Labels as a Vegan: The Kanji That Unlock Every KonbiniReading Japanese food labels as a vegan comes down to one skill: find the ingredient list (原材料名) and scan for a short set of kanji. The number-one hidden trap is dashi — bonito or sardine fish stock tucked into foods that look entirely plant-based. Kombu and shiitake dashi are the vegan exceptions. Learn ten characters and almost any konbini opens up.
• GuideHidden Animal Ingredients in Japanese Food: The Vegan Master ListThe single biggest trap is dashi — the bonito or sardine fish stock hiding in miso soup, simmered vegetables, and most "veggie" dishes. Also watch for egg, dairy, honey, gelatin, lard, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and bonito flakes on top. Only kombu (kelp) or shiitake dashi is vegan. When in doubt, ask about dashi first.
• GuideVegan Supermarket Shopping in Japan: The Aisle-by-Aisle GuideYes — self-catering vegan in Japan is easy once you know the aisles. Japanese supermarkets are full of naturally plant-based staples: tofu, atsuage, natto, soy milk, frozen edamame, seaweed, pickles and fresh produce. The one habit that matters is reading for dashi (fish stock), which hides in sauces, miso and "vegetable" broths. Learn a few kanji and a week of home cooking is genuinely simple.
• GuideVegan Shabu-Shabu & Sukiyaki: A Hotpot Survival Guide for JapanHotpot is one of the easiest Japanese meals to make vegan—if you get the broth right. Ask for a kombu (kelp) dashi instead of the pork or chicken base, skip the shabu meat, and load the pot with tofu, yuba, mushrooms, greens, harusame and mochi. The one trap that undoes it all is hidden fish dashi, so always ask before you dip.
• GuideEating Vegan at Japanese Family Restaurants (Saizeriya, Gusto & Co.)Japanese family restaurants are a genuine budget-vegan lifeline once you know the moves. At Saizeriya, a plate of peperoncino, green salad, olives and focaccia lands under ¥1,000. The catch: dashi (fish stock), egg and dairy hide almost everywhere, so lean on the allergen chart and order plant-forward sides deliberately.
• GuideVegan Options at Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ): A Survival GuideYakiniku is meat's temple, but a vegan can absolutely share the table. Stick to grilled vegetables, corn, shiitake, garlic, tofu and namul, ask for a clean corner of the grill, and watch for fish-based dashi, kimchi's hidden fish sauce, and dipping sauces. If the group is flexible, a nearby vegan restaurant may serve you better — but you won't go hungry.
• GuideVegan at a Japanese Izakaya: What to Order (and the Dashi Trap)You can eat well vegan at a Japanese izakaya — better than you'd expect — if you sidestep one hidden trap: dashi, the bonito or sardine stock that sneaks into "vegetable" dishes. Lean on edamame, cold tofu, grilled shishito and asparagus, pickles and simmered potato, and ask about dashi, egg and fish before you order. You'll leave full and happy.
• GuideVegan at Kaiten-Zushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi): What to Grab, What to SkipYes, a vegan can eat well at kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi). Reach for kappa (cucumber), avocado, plain rice, oshinko, corn and natto — usually plant-based. Skip anything with fish, egg tamago or imitation crab, and check that the miso soup and any brushed-on glaze aren't hiding fish dashi. Inari and kanpyo are often simmered in dashi, so ask. Order fresh from the tablet to be sure.
• GuideShimokitazawa Vegan Food Guide 2026: Vegan Ramen, a Vegan Bakery and Plant-Based SobaShimokitazawa's fully vegan stops, checked 2026-10-13: Chabuzen for vegan ramen and South Indian curry (official eat-in hours 17:00–20:30, Tue–Sun), Universal Bakes and Cafe in Daita (8:30–18:00, closed Mon–Tue), and Vegan Soba Tokyo Ayler for standing soba in a shiitake-and-kombu broth.
• GuideIs Wagashi Vegan? A Clear Guide to Japan's Traditional SweetsOften, yes. Many traditional wagashi are naturally vegan: mochi, daifuku, dango, yokan, monaka and anko (sweet red bean) are plant-based, and most jellies set with agar (kanten), not gelatin. The traps to watch are egg (dorayaki, castella, some manju), honey, rare gelatin — and, in savoury-leaning sweets, hidden fish dashi.
• GuideIs Onigiri Vegan? Umeboshi & Kombu Usually, Tuna Mayo NoUsually yes, depending on the filling: umeboshi and kombu usually; tuna mayo, salmon, okaka no. The plain ume onigiri we checked at 7-Eleven (8-item panel), Lawson and FamilyMart (28-item panel) list no allergens, and tuna mayo lists egg at all three. Panels skip bonito (katsuobushi), and some ume onigiri mix in okaka, so dashi or bonito can go unlisted: check ingredients for 鰹, だし, 卵, はちみつ.
• GuideIs Tempura Vegan? Usually No. Egg Batter, Fish Dashi, Often Shared OilUsually no — the batter often contains egg, the tentsuyu dip is usually fish dashi, and the oil is often shared with seafood. Real vegan tempura is shojin (temple) tempura: egg-free batter, salt or kombu dip.
• GuideIs Japanese Curry Vegan? Usually Not — Golden & Vermont Roux CheckedUsually not. Vermont Curry roux lists beef-and-pork fat, milk powder and honey; S&B Golden Curry uses vegetable oil but contains gelatin. Vegan routes: S&B's animal-free Golden Curry roux, a plant-based kitchen, or a chain's named vegetarian curry. Labels checked 2026-10-13.
• GuideIs Okonomiyaki Vegetarian in Japan? Usually Not — Dashi, Bonito and Sauce ExplainedUsually not. Japanese batter is mixed with bonito dashi, bonito flakes go on top, and the standard sauce from Otafuku, the biggest okonomi-sauce maker, lists oyster and meat extract. A vegetarian okonomiyaki is possible — order no dashi, no katsuobushi, and check the sauce.
• GuideIs Natto Vegan? Yes — Except for One Little Sauce PacketIs natto vegan? Yes. Natto itself is nothing but soybeans fermented with a bacterium, Bacillus subtilis — a plant protein with no animal ingredients. The only trap is the tiny tare sauce packet tucked inside the pack, which usually contains bonito (fish) dashi. Skip the tare, keep the karashi mustard, and dress it with soy sauce and scallion instead.
• GuideVegan restaurants in Shinjuku: which ones are 100% plant-basedThree Shinjuku kitchens state on their own sites that everything they serve is plant-based — AIN SOPH. Journey, NEO Shinjuku Atsushi and HealthyTOKYO's cafe in Shinjuku Marui Honkan — while Isetan's Green Italian TORCIA and plant more in LUMINE 1 run large vegan menus beside meat and fish. Seven venues, each checked against the venue's own page on 2026-09-23, with the ones that are only vegetable-forward marked as such.
• GuidePlant-Based Protein in Japan: Tofu, Natto, Edamame and BeyondYes — Japan is one of the easiest places on earth to eat plant protein. Tofu, natto, edamame, yuba, koya-dofu, atsuage, soy milk and tempeh are woven into everyday cooking, and most cost very little. The one real catch is dashi, the fish stock hiding in food that looks plant-only. Learn to spot it and you'll eat richly.
• GuideVegan Japan Travel Guide: A Plant-Based Itinerary for Tokyo, Kyoto & OsakaJapan is more vegan-friendly than its reputation suggests — if you plan before you fly. Tokyo has dedicated vegan kitchens, Kyoto has temple shojin cuisine, and konbini can save any day. The one rule that changes everything: assume dashi (fish stock) is hiding in "vegetable" dishes until proven otherwise. Here's a plant-based itinerary and the traps to sidestep.
• GuideIs Takoyaki Vegan? The Honest Answer (and Where to Find Vegan Versions)No — traditional takoyaki is not vegan. Those golden street-food balls hide octopus, a batter bound with dashi and egg, a shower of bonito flakes, and usually mayo. Every layer breaks plant-based rules. The good news: eggless, dashi-free vegan takoyaki (konnyaku or mushroom in place of octopus) does exist at plant-based festivals and a few specialist shops.
• GuideIs Mochi Vegan? The Honest Answer for Plant-Based Travellers in JapanYes — plain mochi is vegan. It is simply pounded glutinous rice and water, and the red-bean daifuku wrapped around it is usually vegan too. The traps are narrow but real: a few brands sweeten with honey, ice-cream mochi hides dairy, and some coatings use gelatin. Read the label, and mochi is one of Japan's most reliably plant-based sweets.
• GuideIs Matcha Vegan? The Honest Answer for JapanYes — pure matcha is vegan. It's simply young green tea leaves stone-ground into powder, nothing else. The traps come later: a matcha latte usually means dairy milk, and matcha ice cream, cakes and KitKats often hide milk, eggs or honey. Order it as tea, ask for soy or oat, and you're safe.
• GuideIs Tofu Vegan? Yes — But Watch the Dashi, Bonito and Pork Around ItYes — tofu itself is vegan. It's made from just soybeans and nigari, a mineral coagulant, with nothing animal in it. The trap is what surrounds it: agedashi tofu's bonito dashi, hiyayakko's dried-fish topping, and mapo tofu's pork. Order the block, question the sauce, and tofu becomes one of Japan's easiest, most reliable plant proteins.
• GuideIs Gyoza Vegan? What's Really in Japan's Dumplings (and Where to Find Plant-Based Ones)Standard gyoza is not vegan — the filling is almost always pork. The good news: the wrapper itself is usually vegan (wheat flour and water, no egg), so vegetable and vegan gyoza are easy wins at plant-based cafes and Chinese spots. The hidden trap is chicken stock, lard, or dashi tucked into the filling. Here's how to eat gyoza plant-based in Japan.
• GuideIs Yakitori Vegan? What Plant-Based Eaters Need to Know in JapanNo — classic yakitori is grilled chicken, and even the vegetable skewers usually share a tare glaze built on chicken stock, mirin and sometimes bonito. So standard yakitori is not vegan. The good news: plant-based "yakitori-style" skewers — shiitake, negi, tofu and konnyaku — do exist at Tokyo's vegan izakaya. Here's how to tell the difference and eat well.
• GuideIs Soba Vegan? The Noodle Is — the Broth Is the TrapIs soba vegan? The noodle itself usually is — buckwheat, sometimes cut with a little wheat — but the broth is the trap. Most restaurant soba is dipped in or served in tsuyu built on katsuobushi (bonito) or niboshi (sardine) dashi, so it isn't vegan as served. The fix: order zaru soba, ask for a kombu-based dip, or find a vegan soba specialist. Doable, with one question.
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Roppongi: 3 Picks & Hours (2026)The best vegan-friendly restaurants in Roppongi, checked 2026-10-13: Sougo for modern shojin kaiseki (closed Sundays and holidays), Gluten Free T's Kitchen (closed Tuesdays) and Pizzakaya (open every day) for casual meals. Nearby in Azabu: Sarashina Horii soba (mind the bonito dashi).
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Ginza: Where to Eat Plant-Based in Tokyo's Luxury DistrictYes, you can eat beautifully vegan in Ginza. The district's flagship is AIN SOPH. GINZA, a refined all-vegan restaurant with an English menu, while 2foods Ginza Loft handles plant-based cafe food and Kannonyama Fruit Parlour serves seasonal parfaits. Reserve ahead for AIN SOPH, and always confirm dashi on anything that looks plant-only.
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Kyoto: A Plant-Based Guide to Shojin, Tofu & Soy-Milk RamenFour Kyoto kitchens are plant-based by design — Shigetsu inside Tenryu-ji, Towzen in Shimogamo, UNO RAMEN's four branches, and Tousuiro's Rokuhara course. Prices, hours and booking rules read from each venue's own website on 2026-09-23, plus the one question to ask everywhere else.
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Harajuku: Where to Eat Plant-BasedFor vegan restaurants in Harajuku, drift off Takeshita Street toward the quieter Omotesando and Sendagaya edges. Restaurant 8ablish and Mr. Farmer cover full plant-based plates, Vegan Bistro Jangara and Tokyo Vegan Ramen Center handle noodles, and a rice-flour bakery covers sweets. It's one of Tokyo's densest walkable vegan pockets — just watch for dashi, egg and honey in anything that only looks plant-based.
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Shibuya: A Plant-Based Walking GuideShibuya is one of Tokyo's easiest neighbourhoods for plant-based eating: within a few minutes of the crossing you can hit fully-vegan falafel, plant-based sushi, a vegan izakaya, and Indian curry with English menus. The catch is the usual one — hidden dashi and egg in "vegetable" dishes — so stick to the fully-vegan kitchens below and ask before you order.
• GuideVegan & vegetarian konbini guide (2026): what to buy at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and LawsonShort answer: yes. Ume or kombu onigiri (skip okaka = bonito), edamame, tofu and unsweetened soy milk are safe staples at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson — but "plant-based" packs can still contain meat, so read the full ingredient list.
• GuideShōjin ryōri in Kyoto: Japan's original vegan cuisineShort answer: shōjin ryōri is Zen Buddhist temple cooking — fully plant-based by doctrine and one of the world's oldest vegan cuisines. Kyoto, Japan's temple capital, is the best place to eat it. Here's what it is, where to try it, and how to book.
• GuideIs Japan vegan-friendly? An honest guideShort answer: more than you fear, less than you hope — and very doable with a plan. Big cities are genuinely good and improving fast; the trap to learn is dashi (fish stock). Here's the honest picture and a simple plan.
• GuideIs sushi vegan? The plant-based pieces (and the hidden fish)Short answer: classic sushi is built around fish, so most isn't vegan — but several traditional pieces are 100% plant-based, the rice usually is, and good restaurants will make vegetable sushi to order. Here's the safe list.
• GuideAccidentally vegan in Japan: foods you can enjoy without overthinkingSo much of Japan's everyday food is plant-based by nature. A joyful list of things that are usually vegan — plus the one or two quick checks that keep it stress-free.
• GuideBefore you fly: the vegan traveller's Japan prep guideFive calm steps that turn 'will I be able to eat?' into excitement — phrases, apps, the one trap to learn, and how to plan a trip you'll love.
• GuideVegetarian, vegan or pescatarian? The difference — and why all are goodA clear, kind explainer of what each word means, how they differ in Japan, and why the whole spectrum is something to feel good about.
• GuideIs ramen vegan in Japan? The honest answer (and where it is)Short answer: most ramen isn't vegan — but Japan now has wonderful vegan ramen, and knowing one phrase changes everything.
• GuideThriving plant-based — staying healthy and confident, with Japan's soy advantageA well-planned vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian diet is healthful at every life stage — say the dietitians. The few nutrients worth planning (yes, B12), and why Japan is one of the easiest places to thrive.
• GuidePlant-based without conflict — kindness at the dinner table, and how we growFamily dinners, sceptical friends, the well-meant 'where do you get your protein?'. Calm, evidence-based ways to lower friction, keep relationships warm, and grow like-minded people worldwide — by attraction, not argument.
• GuideThe heart behind plant-based eating — who we really areThe 'preachy vegan' stereotype hides a gentler truth. What research says about the values, empathy and quiet kindness behind plant-based eating — and why you never have to prove yourself.
• GuideWhy people go vegan, vegetarian & pescatarian — the real reasons, kindlyMost people choose plant-based eating for several reasons at once — animals, health, the planet, faith, taste. Here's what the research actually shows, why the spectrum is a strength, and why you belong.
• GuideIs udon vegan? Usually not — vegan noodles, fish-dashi brothUdon noodles are vegan (wheat flour, water and salt), but a normal bowl usually is not: the broth, tsuyu, is made with fish dashi, typically bonito. For a vegan bowl you need kombu-shiitake dashi and no tempura, egg or fish cake.
• GuideIs miso soup vegan or vegetarian in Japan?Usually not. Miso paste is plant-based, but most miso soup in Japan uses bonito or sardine dashi, so it is neither vegan nor vegetarian. Kombu- or shiitake-dashi versions are fully vegan.
• GuideIs dashi vegan? Japan's foundational stock, explainedMost dashi is not vegan. The everyday Japanese stock is built on katsuobushi (dried bonito) and niboshi (dried sardines), so it carries fish even when a dish looks plant-based. The vegan exceptions are kombu (kelp) and dried-shiitake dashi — the base of Buddhist shojin cooking and of modern vegan ramen.
• GuideGluten-free restaurants in Asakusa: tempura, vegan dining and what to confirmEating gluten-free in old Tokyo is more possible than you would expect — Asakusa has a fully gluten-free tempura counter (fried in rice flour) and an all-vegan, all-gluten-free kitchen, plus naturally safer choices. Here is where to eat, and the cross-contact question to ask.
• GuideVegan restaurants in Asakusa: the fully vegan kitchens we verified, a vegan ramen, and what closed (Sept 2026)The fully vegan restaurants in Asakusa we could confirm from their own websites on 23 September 2026 are Marugoto Vegan Dining, Etsunou (injoy) and Shochikuen Cafe; Yoroiya, a minute from Senso-ji, adds one vegan ramen. Hours come from each venue's own site, plus what has closed and what we could not confirm.
• GuideVegan ramen in Shibuya: bowls with no fish dashi at allVegan ramen in Shibuya is real, not an afterthought — fully plant-based bowls where the broth is built from kombu, shiitake and sesame, with no katsuobushi or pork. Here is where to slurp, and the one question that catches travellers out.
• GuideTokyo's vegan ramen boom in 2026: real bowls, not afterthoughtsPlant-based dining in Tokyo has roughly doubled since 2019, and vegan ramen is the clearest sign — dedicated shops building deep umami from mushrooms, kombu and miso rather than meat. Here's what's driving it, and the bowls worth crossing town for.
• GuideCan vegetarians and vegans eat well in Nara?Yes — Nara is quietly one of Japan's easier cities for plant-based eating, but its famous specialty is fish, and bonito dashi still hides everywhere. Here is how to eat well, and the one shop to trust.
• GuideThe best vegan ramen in Tokyo: bowls with no fish dashi at allMost ramen is built on pork and bonito — these Tokyo shops are 100% plant-based, with kombu, shiitake and sesame doing the heavy lifting. No fish dashi, no compromise.
• GuideFirst time eating in Kyoto: a calm, plant-friendly cityKyoto is Japan's most naturally vegetarian-friendly city — temple cuisine, tofu kaiseki, soy-milk ramen and certified halal, all in a slower, gentler place than Tokyo.
• GuidePescatarian Tokyo: the easiest city in the world to eat fish-firstIf you eat seafood but not meat, Tokyo is paradise. Sushi, sashimi, grilled fish and seafood bowls are everywhere — here's how to order with confidence, plus the hidden meat to watch for.
• GuideVegan sweets & cafes in TokyoFluffy egg-free pancakes, plant-based puddings and the world's richest matcha gelato — dessert without compromise.
• GuideShojin ryori: Japan's original vegetarian cuisineBuddhist temple food was vegan centuries before the word existed. Meet shojin ryori — and the Tokyo tables that keep it alive.
• GuideVegan & vegetarian Tokyo: the complete guideTokyo is far easier than its reputation — if you know about dashi. Where to eat, what to watch for, and the phrases that help.
• GuideHow VEGAN JAPAN verifies information — Editorial PolicyEvery fact on VEGAN JAPAN is checked against at least two independent sources before publication, dated ("as of"), and corrected in public when wrong — this page explains exactly how.
• GuideIs Soy Sauce Vegan? Yes, Plain Shoyu Is (Kikkoman & Tamari)Yes, plain soy sauce (shoyu) is vegan: it's brewed from water, soybeans, wheat and salt. Kikkoman's European bottle is V-Label certified and its North American soy sauces are AVA vegan-certified (checked 2026-10-13). The catch in Japan is the blends: tsuyu, mentsuyu and ponzu usually add bonito dashi. Here's how to tell them apart, plus the tamari option.
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Hiroshima: From Peace Park to Plant-Based OkonomiyakiUntil May 2025, Hiroshima had no fully vegan restaurant at all -- you could only get vegan-friendly okonomiyaki with the pork and egg left out. That changed with JoGeSaYu, a five-minute walk from Peace Memorial Park. As of July 2026, here's the honest picture: one fully vegan kitchen from two acclaimed chefs, one dedicated vegan-okonomiyaki specialist, and the one souvenir (momiji manju) that actually has a verified vegan version.
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Kobe: Finding Plant-Based Food in Japan's Wagyu CapitalKobe is famous worldwide for a beef so prized it doesn't need a last name -- which makes it an unlikely place to look for vegan food. As of July 2026, three real addresses make it possible: a fully vegan, entirely gluten-free café in Motomachi, a long-running macrobiotic café in Sannomiya with clearly marked vegan dishes, and an Egyptian-run falafel counter between the two. Here's where to go, what to order, and why 'no meat' isn't the same as 'no dashi.'
• GuideVegan Restaurants in Sapporo: Where Hokkaido's Dairy Capital Goes Plant-BasedSapporo built its food reputation on dairy, miso ramen and grilled lamb -- three things a vegan traveler has to actively route around. As of July 2026, three genuinely reliable addresses make it possible: a fully vegan Japanese kitchen in Maruyama, a halal-and-vegan tomato ramen counter in Susukino, and a citywide soup-curry chain with two clearly labeled vegan bases. Here's where to go, what to order, and the Hokkaido-specific traps (butter, cream, lamb fat) to watch for.
• GuideIs Kewpie Mayo Vegan? No -- It's Egg Yolk, Unless You Buy the Vegan LineNo -- standard Kewpie Mayonnaise is built on egg yolk (about 3.6 yolks per 450g bottle, by Kewpie's own figures). The same company also makes an official all-plant Kewpie Vegan Mayonnaise, so the fix is checking the specific bottle, not avoiding the brand. For vegetarians who eat egg, though, the standard bottle is fine -- the label lists no meat or fish ingredients.
• GuideIs Pocky Vegan? The Milk in Every Flavor, ExplainedNo — no Pocky flavor is vegan. Glico's own labels list whole milk powder or lactose in every standard flavor we checked — Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Almond Crush and Matcha alike.
• GuideIs Yakisoba Vegan in Japan? Usually No -- the Sauce Hides Meat ExtractUsually not. The noodles themselves are just wheat and water, but Otafuku's standard yakisoba sauce -- Japan's dominant brand -- lists oyster extract, meat extract and fish extract. A dedicated vegan version of the same sauce exists for the US market, but it isn't the one used at a Japanese festival stall. The sauce rules out vegetarians too, not just vegans -- only the plain noodles are safe.
• GuideIs Ponzu Vegan? Usually Not -- Most Bottles Hide Bonito ExtractUsually not. Most bottled ponzu -- including Kikkoman's standard citrus ponzu sauce -- lists bonito (fish) extract as an ingredient. A few dashi-free versions exist, and it's simple to make bonito-free ponzu at home with kombu. The same bonito rules it out for vegetarians too, not just vegans.
• GuideIs Furikake Vegan or Vegetarian? Flavor by Flavor, ExplainedIt depends on the flavor. Japan's two best-selling furikake are out: noritama is built on egg and katsuo/okaka on bonito fish — so the katsuo kind isn't even vegetarian. Yukari (shiso) and plain seaweed-sesame blends with no fish "extract" on the label are the reliable plant-based picks.
• Dish🍣 SushiVinegared rice and the sea, in two perfect bites.
• Dish🍜 RamenA bowl of broth, noodles and obsession.
• Dish🍤 TempuraSeafood and vegetables in a lace-light crisp.
• Dish🌰 SobaBuckwheat noodles, nutty and quietly elegant.
• Dish🍲 UdonThick, chewy wheat noodles — pure comfort.
• Dish🍢 YakitoriCharcoal-grilled chicken skewers, nose to tail.
• Dish🥩 Wagyu beefJapan's marbled beef — yakiniku, teppan or sukiyaki.
• Dish🍱 Unagi (grilled eel)Charcoal-grilled freshwater eel, glazed and tender.
• Dish🍱 KaisekiJapan's seasonal tasting menu, course by course.
• Dish🪷 Shojin ryoriBuddhist temple cuisine — vegan before it was a word.
• Dish🍶 Tofu & yubaSoybean craft — silky, savoury, endlessly versatile.
• Dish🏮 IzakayaJapan's pub — small plates, sake and good company.
• Dish🍵 Matcha & wagashiWhisked green tea and jewel-like seasonal sweets.
• Dish🐟 SashimiPristine raw fish — the purest taste of the sea.
• Dish🐖 TonkatsuGolden panko-crusted pork cutlet — Japan's crunch.
• Dish🥞 OkonomiyakiThe savory pancake you grill at your own table.
• Dish🍳 MonjayakiTokyo's gooey griddle classic — scrape and savor.
• Dish🐙 TakoyakiMolten octopus dumplings, straight off the griddle.
• Dish🍲 SukiyakiWagyu simmered in sweet soy, dipped in raw egg.
• Dish🥟 GyozaPan-fried dumplings, crisp-bottomed and juicy.
• Dish🍛 Japanese curryThick, mild, comforting curry over rice.
• Dish🍶 Sake (nihonshu)Japan's rice wine — the drink that frames the meal.
• Dish🍚 ChirashizushiA bowl of sushi rice scattered with the day's best fish.
• Dish🍚 Gyudon (beef bowl)Sweet-savory simmered beef over rice — fast and beloved (the classic bowl isn't vegan).
• Dish🍳 KatsudonPork cutlet and egg over rice — a winner's bowl.
• Dish🥘 Shabu-shabuSwish paper-thin beef through hot broth, dip and eat.
• Dish🍢 OdenWinter's comfort pot of daikon, egg and fish cake.
• Dish🍙 Onigiri (rice ball)The humble, perfect rice ball — Japan in your hand.
• Dish🥣 Miso soup & washokuThe soulful bowl at the heart of every Japanese meal.
• Dish🍃 Yuba (tofu skin)The silky skin of soy milk — a delicacy of Kyoto and the temple.
• Dish🫘 Natto (fermented soybeans)Sticky fermented soybeans — Japan's bold breakfast superfood.
• Dish🍡 Wagashi (Japanese sweets)Bean-paste confections that taste of the season.
• Dish🍱 Bento (boxed meal)A whole meal, composed beautifully in a box.
• Dish🥩 YakinikuGrill your own wagyu, plate by glorious plate.
• Dish🍗 KaraageJapan's juiciest fried chicken — crisp, light, addictive.
• Dish🍢 KushikatsuSkewered, breaded, fried — and never double-dip the sauce.
• Dish🍳 OmuriceKetchup fried rice under a blanket of soft omelette.
• Dish🥔 NikujagaMeat and potatoes, simmered sweet — Japan's home cooking.
• Dish🍧 KakigoriFeather-fine shaved ice — Japan's summer in a bowl.
• Dietary🌱 VeganNo animal products at all — and in Japan that means watching the broth.
• Dietary🥬 VegetarianNo meat or fish — but in Japan "vegetarian" food often still contains fish stock.
• Dietary🕌 HalalPermissible under Islamic law — watch for pork, alcohol, mirin and sake in seasoning.
• Dietary🌾 Gluten-freeNo wheat, barley or rye — and yes, normal soy sauce contains wheat.
• Dietary🐟 PescatarianFish and seafood yes, meat no — arguably the easiest diet in Japan.
• Dietary✡️ KosherPermissible under Jewish law — strictly kosher dining is rare; plan ahead.
• Dietary🥛 Dairy-freeNo milk, butter or cheese — traditional Japanese food is largely dairy-free already.
• Dietary🥜 Nut-freeAvoiding peanuts/tree nuts — relatively easy, but check sauces and desserts.
• TermOmakase (おまかせ)“I'll leave it to you” — a chef's-choice course, common at sushi and kaiseki counters.
• TermTeishoku (定食)A set meal: a main dish with rice, miso soup and small sides. The everyday lunch.
• TermOkonomi (お好み)“As you like it” — ordering à la carte, piece by piece (vs. a set course).
• TermOtoshi / Tsukidashi (お通し／突き出し)A small starter served automatically at izakaya, carrying a modest seat/cover charge.
• TermTabehoudai (食べ放題)All-you-can-eat for a fixed price and time limit.
• TermNomihoudai (飲み放題)All-you-can-drink for a fixed price and time limit, common with course menus.
• TermOkawari (おかわり)A refill or second helping (often free for rice, cabbage or soup).
• TermOkaikei / Oaiso (お会計／お愛想)“The bill, please.” Many counters total up at the end; some shops pay up front.
• TermRyouri (料理)Cooking / cuisine. You'll see it in names like washoku-ryori (Japanese cuisine).
• TermIzakaya (居酒屋)A casual pub serving small shared plates with drinks — Japan's after-work hub.
• TermShokudo (食堂)A simple, affordable diner serving home-style set meals.
• TermKappo / Ryotei (割烹／料亭)Refined Japanese restaurants; kappo is counter-style, ryotei is a formal private-room establishment.
• TermKissaten (喫茶店)A traditional coffee house — hand-drip coffee, toast and a retro calm.
• TermTachigui (立ち食い)Stand-and-eat shops (soba, sushi) — quick, cheap, no seats.
• TermYatai (屋台)A street food stall, common at festivals and night-time food alleys.
• TermDepachika (デパ地下)A department-store basement food hall — a dazzling world of prepared foods and sweets.
• TermKonbini (コンビニ)A convenience store — surprisingly good onigiri, bento, oden and snacks, 24/7.
• TermYaki (焼き)Grilled or pan-fried (yakitori, yakiniku, teriyaki, okonomiyaki).
• TermAge (揚げ)Deep-fried (tempura, karaage, agedashi, tonkatsu).
• TermNi (煮)Simmered in seasoned broth (nimono, nikomi).
• TermMushi (蒸し)Steamed (chawanmushi, the savory egg custard).
• TermNabe (鍋)A communal hot pot cooked at the table (sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, motsunabe).
• TermTeppan (鉄板)An iron griddle; teppanyaki is food grilled on it before you.
• TermSumibi / Robata (炭火／炉端)Charcoal grilling; robatayaki is a country-style charcoal hearth.
• TermKaraage (唐揚げ)Japanese-style fried chicken, marinated and lightly coated.
• TermHashi (箸)Chopsticks. Never stand them upright in rice or pass food chopstick-to-chopstick.
• TermOshibori (おしぼり)The hot/cold hand towel given before a meal — for your hands only.
• TermYakumi (薬味)Aromatic condiments (grated ginger, scallion, wasabi, shichimi) to add as you like.
• TermOtsumami (おつまみ)Small snacks to go with drinks.
• TermItadakimasu (いただきます)Said before eating — “I gratefully receive.”
• TermGochisousama (ごちそうさま)Said after eating — “thank you for the meal.”
• TermGohan (ご飯)Cooked rice — also the general word for “a meal.”
• TermDonburi (-don) (丼)A rice bowl topped with something: gyudon (beef), katsudon (cutlet), unadon (eel), kaisendon (seafood).
• TermTeuchi (手打ち)Hand-made (noodles) — a mark of quality at soba and udon shops.
• TermKake / Mori / Zaru (かけ／もり／ざる)Noodle styles: kake = hot in broth; mori/zaru = cold with a dipping sauce.
• TermKaedama (替え玉)An extra portion of noodles for your remaining ramen broth (order before it runs low).
• TermJuwari (十割)100% buckwheat soba (no wheat) — sought by gluten-avoiding diners (confirm cross-contamination).
• TermNeta / Shari (ネタ／シャリ)Neta is the topping (fish); shari is the vinegared rice.
• TermNigiri (握り)Hand-pressed sushi: a slice of fish over a small mound of rice.
• TermGunkan (軍艦)“Battleship” sushi: rice wrapped in nori to hold loose toppings like roe.
• TermMaki / Temaki (巻き／手巻き)Rolled sushi; temaki is a hand-rolled cone.
• TermToro (とろ)Fatty tuna belly; otoro is the richest, chutoro medium.
• TermHikarimono (光物)“Shiny” silver-skinned fish like mackerel and gizzard shad.
• TermNikiri / Gari (煮切り／ガリ)Nikiri is the brushed-on seasoned soy; gari is pickled ginger eaten between pieces.
• TermDashi (出汁)The foundational stock (often bonito + kelp) behind most savory dishes — the key thing vegetarians/vegans must ask about.
• TermUmami (うま味)The “fifth taste” — savory depth from kombu, bonito, miso, mushrooms and tomatoes.
• TermShoyu (醤油)Soy sauce — usually brewed with wheat (a gluten note); tamari is a wheat-free type.
• TermMiso (味噌)Fermented soybean paste, the base of miso soup; some types contain barley.
• TermMirin / Ryorishu (みりん／料理酒)Sweet rice wine and cooking sake — they add gloss and depth, but contain alcohol (a halal note).
• TermTare (タレ)A sweet-savory glaze/sauce (for yakitori, eel, gyudon) — often soy + mirin + sugar.
• TermPonzu (ポン酢)A bright citrus-soy dipping sauce, classic with hot pots and grilled fish.
• TermShio vs. Tare (塩／タレ)At yakitori, choose shio (just salt) or tare (sweet glaze). Shio is often the gluten/alcohol-safer pick.
• TermNihonshu / Sake (日本酒)Rice wine. Grades: junmai, ginjo, daiginjo. Served chilled, warm or room temp.
• TermShochu (焼酎)A distilled spirit (from barley, sweet potato or rice), drunk straight, on the rocks or with water.
• TermChuhai / Highball (酎ハイ／ハイボール)Chuhai is shochu + soda + flavor; highball is whisky + soda — light, popular izakaya drinks.
• TermNama biiru (生ビール)Draft beer — the classic first order, “toriaezu nama.”
• TermOcha / Matcha (お茶／抹茶)Green tea; matcha is the whisked, stone-ground powder of the tea ceremony. Often free with a meal.
• TermMugicha / Hojicha (麦茶／ほうじ茶)Caffeine-light roasted teas: mugicha (barley, chilled in summer), hojicha (roasted green tea).