Japan is a foodie paradise, however how simple is it to travel there as a vegan? We put it to the test!
Sushi, ramen, Wagyu beef … Japan is widely thought about a foodie paradise. But what if you don’t consume meat, even fish? Can you still really enjoy a cooking journey through the Land of the Rising Sun?
Well, stress no more due to the fact that two of our Enchanting Travels specialists– Travel Expert Nibha Vivek Krishnan and Senior Flight Operations Executive Gokul Chakrapani– recently visited Japan and discovered these interesting options to help you consume and explore your vegan heart out!
1 Vegan eats at your hotel
The restaurants of upscale hotels often provide vegan choices, typically two or three dishes, and at breakfast the selection is generally even better. Breakfast buffets at many 4- to 5-star hotels include fruit, vegetables, salads, bread, cereals, and plant-based milk. With alternatives like these, vegan tourists to Japan will be able to start their days off right.
“We were particularly impressed by the quality and selection of the breakfast buffet at the recently opened Patina Osaka. We had a choice of Japanese and Western cuisine, including hot and cold dishes. For vegans, there were pickled fruits, seaweed, prepared vegetables, and tofu. And, obviously, fresh fruit, cereals, and plant-based beverages.”
— Nibha Vivek Krishnan, Travel Expert
2 Vegan Culinary Adventures
Lots of activities in Japan are centered around food or have a strong food element. Luckily for vegans, there are plenty of alternatives for checking out the country and delighting in authentic experiences without going starving. Some of our favorites consist of:
- A ramen trip through Tokyo, complete with vegan-safe broth
- A sumo program followed by a vegan version of the conventional “sumo stew”
- A nighttime street consumes journey through Osaka
“Every [Osaka] dining establishment offered a minimum of one vegan option, consisting primarily of fried veggies. A specific emphasize, nevertheless, was our check out to a popular tempura dining establishment, which offered a minimum of 4 vegan tempura meals, including onions, yams, and blended vegetables.”
— Gokul Chakrapani, Senior Flight Operations Executive
3 Ryokans and conventional Kaiseki Ryori food
Hakone (near Tokyo )is well-known for its hot springs, known as onsen. And for a truly authentic experience, you can stay over night in a standard Japanese inn, referred to as a ryokan. There, a common breakfast consists of miso soup, rice, grilled fish, and little side meals, while their gourmet suppers– called kaiseki ryori— include several artfully provided, seasonal dishes. Nevertheless, for vegans, a little planning will make sure that eating here is as hassle-free as your onsen see.
“We had mentioned my dietary choices when making our appointment, and the ryokan in fact prepared vegan dishes for me. There was tempura, boiled veggies, and black bean soup with noodles. Together with rice with some vegan dips, and, of course, salads.”
— Gokul Chakrapani, Senior Flight Operations Executive
4 Japan’s Buddhist cuisine
Shojin Ryori is the Japanese version of traditional Buddhist food. What does that mean? Merely that the meals are prepared without meat or fish. Rather, they utilize seasonal vegetables in addition to dried and fermented soy items. You can enjoy them during a check out to a temple or at special Shojin Ryori restaurants.
“In Tokyo, we advise Sougo for its contemporary analysis of standard Buddhist food. If you follow a rigorous vegan diet plan, we’ll notify the restaurant ahead of time.”
— Nibha Vivek Krishnan, Travel Consultant
5 Mochi & more
For vegans with a craving for sweets, Japan has you covered. When it comes to desserts, you’ll
discover conventional snacks like mochi, dango, and yokan … all made from plant-based components like sticky rice, rice flour, or ground red beans. And– fantastic news– the popular taiyaki waffles are likewise available in vegan variations.
“On our trip through Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka, I tried some delicious vegan desserts. My favorite was mochi, paired with a cup of matcha tea.”
— Gokul Chakrapani, Senior Flight Operations Executive
6 HappyCow: Your Culinary Buddy
And finally, a practical tip to make every meal of your journey a trouble-free pleasure. With the HappyCow app (Android|iOS), you can find dining establishments, cafes, and more in your area that focus on meat-free meals. Just utilize the “Vegan” or “Vegan Options” filter function and enjoy!
Vegan Travel in Japan: Delightfully Easy
If there’s one thing that Nibha and Gokul discovered, it’s that Japan provides genuine taste experiences for vegans. And with correct planning, you’ll have the ability to completely delight in the nation’s rich heritage. Interested in experiencing it for yourself? Our travel professionals will enjoy to put together a tailored culinary journey just for you.