In 2008, when I was visiting Tokyo as a vegan for the first time, I could hardly find anything vegan except for avocado maki. Or soups and bread that I thought were vegan but probably weren’t. Not even vegetarian I guess.
But now, when I come to Tokyo, things have changed a lot: HappyCow lists a whole bunch of vegan and vegan-friendly options: sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, street food, burgers, pizza, buffets, Indian, ice cream, gluten-free vegan options, there are bars and Izakayas (a type of Japanese pub), vegan food tours and even super interesting and fun vegan cooking classes. I can’t even decide where to go first!
In this blog post, I’ll show you my favorite places so far. There are quite a lot, because I’ve actually not been to a vegan restaurant in Tokyo that I wouldn’t immediately go back to!
By the way, you can see more pictures and videos on my instagram.
Why is it challenging to be vegan in Tokyo?
Traditional Japanese cuisine heavily relies on fish and seafood, and many dishes also contain meat, eggs, and dairy products, often in small amounts that are not even listed. For example, many Japanese dishes, especially soups and sauces, are prepared with dashi, a broth made from fish and seaweed.
As a vegan in Tokyo, you cannot simply walk into any random restaurant and expect to find something vegan on the menu. Many restaurants only have Japanese menus, and not all waiters speak English very well. Also, the concept of veganism is still relatively new in Japan and unfamiliar to many. And it’s also not common to “edit” your order by leaving this and adding that.
Why is Tokyo still a great destination for vegans?
The topic of veganism or adopting a plant-based diet is gaining more and more supporters in Japan, and in recent years, vegan restaurants and cafes or those with clearly marked plant-based options have been popping up like mushrooms. And I am always impressed by the excellent quality of the food, the thoughtful concepts, the creativity, the perfect branding, the charm, and the beautiful food styling and attention to detail, whether it’s vegan Japanese food or inspired by another cuisine. As I said, I’ve never been to a vegan restaurant in Tokyo that I wouldn’t immediately go back to!
How to find vegan restaurants in Japan
It’s best to download the HappyCow app on your phone if you haven’t already. There you can search for options nearby and filter by different criteria, also read reviews. Then you just click on directions and follow the map. You might also want to double check the opening hours on google or the place’s website. I also recommend checking their instagram, you don’t want to find out on arriving that they are redecoration and reopening next week, or if the place hasn’t posted in three years, they might be closed permanently.
You also might want to join the Modern Vegan Night Foodie Tour in Tokyo by MagicalTrip* and taste Tokyo’s modern vegan foods for dinner with a local while exploring Shibuya. I have been on many food tours in different countries and have always been amazed at what I learned about the country and its cuisine. MagicalTrip also offers other tours, such as bike tours or evening photo sessions in Tokyo or a tour of Harajuku, and they also offer various tours in other Japanese cities. You’ll see in the description whether food with vegan options is included.
I went on the vegan tour and we had such a fun time with our lovely guide walking around Shibuya with delicious vegan sushi, plum wine, a teriyaki burger with fries, nuggets and superfood mayos, as well as fantastic cheesecake. We got to choose from a lot of delicious things. Then we also went to a big food hall with a lot of vegan options where I chose a nice falafel for my flight home the next morning.
Internet in Tokyo
I highly recommend getting a prepaid eSIM with roaming when you travel to another continent. It can be very frustrating to always search for WiFi just to scan a QR code to read a menu or find the way. That’s why my colleagues and I love Airalo and Flexiroam! They work like a charm and there are different plans available, for individual continents or worldwide.
Where I ate as a vegan in Tokyo – my favourite chains
HealthyTOKYO
In this plant-based cafe chain, you can have your drinks infused with CBD oil. As you know from my CBD oil recipes, I’m a big fan! Along with your coffee, matcha latte or refreshing soda, you can enjoy delicious gluten-free lasagna, or quiche, paninis and fantastic cakes at this beautiful place. Many sweet treats are also gluten-free.
You can buy their high quality CBD oil products, including body care, sweets and even treats for your pet – everything is vegan except for the CBD gummies.
If you take the train to Shinjuku-Sanchome and use exit A4, you’re almost standing in the Healthy TOKYO CBD Shop & Cafe below the Shinjuku Apple store. There are other branches in Harajuku, Daikanyama, Edogawa and even one at Haneda Airport, where you can also get salads. And as I keep telling you as a flight attendant, always bring snacks when you go on a flight!
Watch my Instagram Reel from HealthyTOKYO
T’s Tantan
The best vegan ramen in Tokyo, not just according to me. This all vegan Japanese restaurant chain has several outlets, and this one is located at Keiyo Street inside Tokyo Station. You can get amazing ramen, also curry, gyozas and really tasty vegan karaage (Japanese fried chicken). Service is nice and very fast.
There also is one at Ueno Station, one at Ikebukuro station, one at Narita Airport and one in Jiyugaoka. The other outlets might have a slightly different menu, check them out on Happy cow, or if you can read Japanese, go to T’s website.
Meanwhile you can also get an instant ramen version of their famous soup, which is also available at convenience store Natural Lawson (see further below).
I got so crazy about this soup, I put a lot of effort into reconstructing it at home. And it turned out pretty well! Here’s my homemade vegan tantan soup recipe.
Ain Soph
This is the third vegan chain I highly recommend checking out when you’re a vegan in Tokyo. Ain Soph has restaurants in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Ginza. The food is fantastic, the restaurants are beautiful. We had delicious vegan burgers and pancakes. Perfect place to spend a nice evening. Find out more about Ain Soph on their website.
Mr. Farmer
I went to their beautiful café in a quiet side street of busy Harajuku. There is a free flavoured water bar and all the food is most beautifully presented and delicious. We had Dandan, a super green salad and some wonderful cheesecake. Mr. Farmer has several more outlets in Tokyo and all over Japan, not all of them are fully vegan.
Nataraj
This Indian vegetarian restaurant chain also has several outlets in Tokyo and I went to the one in Shibuya, just a three minute walk from the Hachiko monument. Seriously, this is the best vegan Indian food I have had outside of India. I had a delicious meal with two curries, a huge naan, bhajis and salad. The next evening, I took friends there, and there seems to be a different and quite extensive evening menu where we discovered a naan burger! Of course that was delicious as well.
Coco Ichibanya
I usually try to avoid places that also serve meat, but I included this curry house chain for several reasons: there is one literally everywhere and it’s perfect for a quick inexpensive Japanese curry.
They have a few vegan options which are clearly labeled on the menu. You order your own food on an iPad, and you can even choose the amount of rice it comes with. Service is fast, my veggie curry was quite good. And they sell instant curries too. I forgot to take a picture because I was so busy with filming for my instagram story, but luckily they have a plastic version of their food outside too:
Their outlet at shinjuku station is open 24 hours, so even as a jet lagged European you can get vegan food at any time! I also liked the retro colour scheme of the place.
Coco Curry House Ichibanya website
Afuri
You’ll find this little ramen chain for example at lumine 1 mall in Shinjuku, in the basement where the other food stalls are. They have only one vegan ramen soup called rainbow ramen, but that is a good quick meal when you’re vegan in Tokyo and you’re on the go. I ordered mine with extra yuzu, which was delicious.
This ramen shop is not a place to hang out and chat with friends. You order and pay for your soup on a display, are given a seat at the bar, eat your soup and leave. Afuri is popular, there often is a line.
Where I ate as a vegan in Tokyo – Shibuya
Vegan Sushi Tokyo
Not far from Shibuya Crossing, there’s this cozy vegan sushi place. I was there for a private party rather than as a regular guest, but everything I ate was absolutely delicious and I’m sure it’s just as great during normal service. There was also a lovely vanilla ice cream with hojicha for dessert. And such a friendly team! This place will be my first stop next time I’m in Tokyo.
Vegan Sushi Tokyo on Instagram
Izakaya Masaka
You’ll find this little gem in the basement of the Parco department store in Shibuya. I heard that there often is a (fast-moving) queue, but we were lucky: we got the last table right away. The food is absolutely delicious, very well seasoned. I kept getting flashbacks of the flavours the next day! If you’re not sure what umami is, come here. We had karaage, gyoza, mapo tofu, bean tempuras and spicy potatoes.
Where I ate as a vegan in Tokyo – Shinjuku
Plant More
The vegan-friendly café formerly known as Wired Bonbon has closed and reopened under the name Plant More. It’s located on the 6th floor inside Lumine 1 mall at Shinjuku station and also has lots of options for those who are vegan in Tokyo! All their amazing desserts are vegan, and also a few savory dishes.
The vegan options are clearly marked. We had the delicious falafel plate and yummy tiramisu and chocolate cake.
More than bakery
Only on Sundays, everything this bakery inside hotel the Knot sells is vegan. There are croissants, bagels, focaccia, burgers and sandwiches and also some sweet stuff of course. Perfect for breakfast or brunch!
Where I ate as a vegan in Tokyo – Asakusa
If you’re drawn to the famous Asakusa Shrine and Senso-ji, the oldest and most important temple in Japan, and you’re a foodie like me, a visit to Kappabashi Kitchentown is also well worth it, where shop after shop sells beautiful porcelain, knives, and other kitchen utensils. Of course, I discovered some delicious food there too:
Shochiku-en
Just around the corner in a side street, you can unwind at the small vegan and gluten-free café Shochiku-en, over a matcha latte and a slice of cake or a pizza.
Atomiyosowaka
This large, beautiful café also serves vegan and gluten-free pastries and delicious brunch plates. These are usually no longer available in the afternoon, by then it’s sweets only, but I must have looked so hungry and disappointed when I was about to leave and find lunch somewhere else, that the waitress came after me and offered to put together a bagel plate for me. Once again I was impressed by Japanese service and very happy, and after the filling savory bagel plate there was still room for this delicious earl grey blueberry muffin. It wasn’t super sweet, as vegan pastries unfortunately often are, but just right for my taste.
Where I ate as a vegan in Tokyo – Toyosu (TeamLab Tokyo)
Uzu Vegan Ramen
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that in front of the TeamLab Planets light installation museum in Toyosu, there was a vegan ramen and dessert place. We got the miso ramen (spicy!) and a nice donut. Amazing surprise when you’re vegan in Tokyo.
Where I ate as a vegan in Tokyo – Meguro
Plant Planet
A very lovely vegan café in the diplomatic quarter, serving Japanese-Indian fusion cuisine with a concise menu that appears to be in Japanese only, but you really can’t go wrong. The two curries, 21 Spices and Butter Chicken, are both delicious and little works of art. Add to that a very tasty Moon Chai, an absolute must-try.
Rainbow Bird Rendezvous
Another charming vegan café in the same area, everything organic, with various Japanese dishes made up of different components, smoothies and desserts. What really won me over here was the karaage: so wonderfully seasoned! Many people recommend the matcha milkshake, but the food was very generous and I unfortunately had no room left 🙂
Rainbow Bird Rendezvous on HappyCow
Where I ate as a vegan in Kamakura
Not a part of Tokyo, but the charming coastal town of Kamakura is a very popular day trip destination, about 50 km away and very easy to reach by train. There are numerous temples and shrines, a giant Buddha, a retro tram, a beach from which you can sometimes even see Mount Fuji, and lovely little shops. When I visited for the first time in 2014, I spent the whole day eating nothing but edamame from the convenience store.
Today, of course, things look very different, and a long list of vegan restaurants comes up on HappyCow. Matcha and hojicha with oat milk are available everywhere, no problem at all anymore.
Cotonoha
You’ve probably come across Kamakura on Instagram reels, and perhaps even the Cotonoha with its beautiful interior and colorful Buddha bowls and curries? I absolutely had to go after seeing the videos and was completely charmed. I was also delighted that you take off your shoes at the entrance, because after spending days walking around Tokyo all day in the same shoes, my feet had started to protest. So I lingered a little longer with my Kindle and my oolong tea.
What is Shojin Ryori?
Shojin Ryori is a traditional purely plant-based cuisine that originated in Zen Buddhist monasteries in Japan. This cuisine is characterized by its simplicity, purity, and emphasis on natural flavors and textures.
Typically, Shojin Ryori includes dishes made from seasonal vegetables, grains, legumes, and tofu. The ingredients are carefully selected and prepared using techniques such as steaming, boiling, and simmering to bring out their natural flavors and maximize their nutritional value. Shojin Ryori is also known for its visual presentation. There are many tofu dishes, soups with shiitake broth, and even vegan tempura.
Shojin Ryori Cooking Class
Shojin Ryori is served in some traditional Japanese restaurants, but you can also learn how to prepare it yourself, for example in the authentic Shojin Ryori cooking class I took in Tokyo. Everything is vegan, also organic and gluten-free, there’s no onion or garlic and no added sugar. Other dietary needs can also be accommodated. Yuka is a medicinal cooking therapist, speaks excellent English and I learned so much. We cooked together and enjoyed our amazing meal. The recipes are handed out to take home too. An unforgettable experience, and so beautiful, delicious and healthy.
Book the Shojin Ryori cooking class in Tokyo on AirKitchen*
More Vegan Cooking Classes in Tokyo
Yuka also offers more vegan cooking classes: New Year’s Food*, Onigiri*, Sushi*, Okonomiyaki*, Tofu*.
If you’re looking for something different, here you can find all vegan cooking classes in Tokyo* offered by AirKitchen.
Further down in this blogpost, you can find more about vegan cooking classes in the Osaka area.
Supermarkets and convenience stores
As a vegan in Japan, shopping for snacks can be tricky, as a lot of things look vegan at first sight but are not. Meat or fish are often just considered seasonings. So something called vegetable rice can still contain pork, which using the google translate app will show, when scanning the finely printed ingredients.
my guide to useful apps for vegan travelers
At convenience stores, also known as Kombini, onigiri that just consist of salted rice are usually safe, and so are edamame. As for the Tofu skins and Adzuki Rice, I used my google translate app and couldn’t see any non-vegan ingredients, but I’m not 100% sure. But that is where I personally draw the line – if I can’t find evidence of animal ingredients I’ll usually eat it.
I also found this YouTube-Video by Currently Hannah about vegan snacks in Kombinis very helpful.
These are things I got with the help of my google translate app and my Japanese colleague Miki at supermarket Maruetsu: pickled plum onigiri, edamame, roasted sweet potato, red beans rice ball, salted rice ball and mochi.
And then there are the soups by T’s Tantan at convenience store Natural Lawson, which are of course always vegan. I recommend the Instagram account Itadakihealthy and also the Facebook groups “Vegan Japan” and “Is it vegan (Japan)” when spending time as a vegan in Tokyo. That group is extremely helpful, I found a lot of interesting information there.
Cosmetics and Souvenirs for a vegan in Japan
If you should run out of cosmetics, you will find several outlets of the Body Shop and Lush all over Japan which have clearly marked vegan options. A very special highlight is the Harajuku Lush Store, where you can find bath bombs that are Japan-themed and exclusively sold there, just like the maneki neko (lucky cat) that you can see in the title picture.
A perfect souvenir for a vegan in Tokyo that will also make your hand luggage smell amazing. You can find out online whether these specials are vegan. In January 2023, there was this little piece of art to celebrate the beginning of the year of the rabbit.
Furoshiki, the art of wrapping gifts with a knot wrap, also is at home at lush. You can buy a cloth wrap and have your purchases wrapped for you.
How to get from A to B in Japan
Japan also has a well-developed and user-friendly public transportation system that makes it easy to navigate the cities and find vegan restaurants in different neighborhoods. For this, I recommend the Suica Card, which you can just add to your apple wallet and use as a payment method on public transportation all over Japan, as well as at convenience stores and vending machines.
By the way, on Happy Cow or Google, you can often find photos of the outside of the restaurants, which can be very helpful. With a little research and planning, you can have a fantastic culinary experience as a vegan in Tokyo.
Can you easily find vegan food in the Osaka area?
In Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Himeji, it was no problem at all for us to find vegan food. Especially near the tourist attractions, HappyCow had a lot of options. Many places even had big “VEGAN” signs displayed outside. Sometimes there are only one or two choices, but if you’re not a very picky eater, it works out well. Coffee shops also usually have at least soy milk. Outside of Osaka, I recommend always carrying cash, not only for temple visits but also because small restaurants are often cash only.
Vegan in Osaka
Paprika Shokudo
This lovely place is not far from shopping street Shinsaibashi, and I always order the delicious Karaage Set (fried soy meat). The cheesecake is also great!
Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends
Playpen Friends have several really tasty soups to choose from, and they also have a place in Nara.
Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends on HappyCow
Koisus
This vegan place in Osaka (and also in Kyoto) has delicious and beautifully presented curry and tempura.
Koisus Vegan Curry & Tempura on HappyCow
Vege Kitchen KelaKela
This lovely place feels like being invited to someone’s home! You are very well taken care of while sitting at the counter and have a delicious meal cooked for you. The TV is on in the background, so cozy. I had the BBQ bowl and a coffee.
Vege Kitchen KelaKela on HappyCow
Vegan in Kyoto-Arashiyama
Musubi Sweets Factory
Bright and spacious cafe. You can get sweet or savoury brunch, several cakes to choose from and delicous drinks.
Musubi Sweets Factory on HappyCow
Nakagawa Hatsumeido
This place is not completely vegan, I saved me on a really hot day, when I stumbled into the nicely cool cafe all sweaty and exhausted and downed two iced hojicha lattes in a row. A few days later I went back to try their vegan atsuage burger. Very delicious! Cash only.
Nakagawa Hatsumeido in Arashiyama on Happycow
Vegan Cooking Classes in the Osaka Area
By the way, AirKitchen also offers vegetarian cooking classes in Osaka* and Kyoto*, most of which are vegan or vegan-friendly.
Ich chose the cooking class Japanese Comfort Food in Kyoto* and I had a very fun time with teacher Yuko in a closed izakaya, and of course the food we cooked was amazing.
Go to my Instagram story highlight about the cooking class
If you’re also going to visit Himeji Castle, there is a small place called Café Kotonaki, very close to the castle, which also has a fantastic Karaage Set.
Café Kotonaki in Himeji on HappyCow
Right across the street is a lovely coffee shop where you can get plant milk coffee and matcha latte, Kuuhaku Coffee.
Kuuhaku Coffee in Himeji on HappyCow
Are you planning a trip? Check out my blogposts:
Travel like a pro – a flight attendant’s 12 tips for your next trip
Traveling as a vegan – do you know these apps?
Flying as a vegan: how to make sure you get food
Have you been a vegan in Tokyo and have further tips? Did you find amazing food I should try next time? Let me know in the comments.
For further inspiration for being vegan in Tokyo, you can have a look at my instagram highlights.
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Good post
thank you 🙂
Nice information
thank you
Amazing article
Thank you 🙂