Vegetarian Food Experiences(445)
Yoshida Udon Making Class at Lake Kawaguchi (Yamanashi)
Learn to make a Yamanashi specialty: Yoshida udon! This is a thicker, firmer variety of udon noodles traditionally topped with horse meat and cabbage. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and other local delicacies as you look out at beautiful Mt Fuji.
Traditional Table-Style Tea Ceremony in Tokyo (Setagaya)
A professional tea master leads this experience in Setagaya, Tokyo, where you can experience a traditional Japanese ceremony and sip on a refreshing cup of sencha green tea comfortably using tables and chairs in a traditional tatami room.
Miso Making Class & Tasting in a Kyoto Sushi Restaurant
Umami-rich miso is used extensively in Japanese cuisine, from ramen to salad seasonings. In this miso-making class and tasting in Kyoto, discover its rich flavors and create your own batch to take home guided by an expert in fermented foods.
Omurice Fried Rice Omelet Making Class in Ninomiya
Choosing from 2 different styles, learn the secrets of how to make a delicious Japanese style omelet with fried rice during this omurice making class in Ninomiya, Kanagawa Prefecture, a perfect stop on the way to Mt. Fuji, Izu, Odawara and Hakone.
Bike and Boat Tour of Asakusa, Tsukiji, and Fukagawa
Led by a bilingual guide, this adventurous tour takes you cycling through the backstreets of Asakusa, strolling through Tsukiji Fish Market, and cruising down the Sumida River on a boat, with a view of the stunning Tokyo skyline.
Cooking Japanese Tofu Vegetarian & Vegan Home Recipes
Learn how to cook and present various Japanese homestyle vegetarian & vegan dishes using seasonal vegetables with the help of a seasoned chef! The experience also includes how to make different sauces and dressings for the dishes.
Japanese Wellbeing: Tea, Miso, Regional Food, & Soba (Ginza)
Discover the secrets of Japanese health & wellbeing with a guided tour in Ginza! Join Kawada-san, your host, as you learn about & taste superfoods (matcha, miso, regional products, soba) at specialty locations. End the tour with a soba noodle lunch.
Kyoto Private Takoyaki Cooking Class with a Local Foodie
Only 10 min by train from Kyoto Station, Midori welcomes travelers of all ages for a private cooking class where you can make a traditional Japanese takoyaki meal suited to your dietary needs! Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options available.
Private Cooking Class in Kyoto: Make a Tonkatsu Cutlet Meal
Learn to make a crispy tonkatsu cutlet meal with a Kyoto foodie and culinary researcher in this cooking class only 10 minutes by train from Kyoto Station. Gluten-free, vegan, halal-friendly and vegetarian options available!
Retro Tokyo: Trams, Street foods & Cat Temples in Setagaya
Take a nostalgic tour of Tokyo’s charming Setagaya ward! With the guidance of your knowledgeable host (KT), you’ll hop on a retro tram, stop by local cafes, sample tasty street foods and sweet snacks, and visit Gotokuji Cat Temple.
Supreme Sake: Brewery Tour, Tasting, & Aged Sake in Gifu
Explore the world of sake, otherwise known as rice wine or nihonshu. Tour Gifu’s esteemed Daruma Masamune Sake Brewery, learn about the production process, experience a sake tasting, then visit a special cellar filled with rare vintage sake bottles.
Washoku: Seasonal Japanese Home Cooking Class in Nagoya
Experience Japanese home cooking with hosts Yuka and Hitomi in central Nagoya! Cook popular washoku dishes in a state-of-the-art cooking studio, taste dashi and seasonings made in Aichi Prefecture, and enjoy your homemade meal with green tea.
Kannawa Onsen Tour & Hot Spring Cooking in Beppu
In this private tour, a local guide will take you to explore Kannawa, a hot spring area in the hells of Beppu. Enjoy the hot springs (by either soaking or steaming) and prepare the local comfort food (jigokumushi) with hot spring steam.
Make Your Own Soy Sauce in Japan’s Old Capital (Asuka, Nara)
Explore historical sites in Japan’s ancient capital: Asuka, Nara! In this private experience, you’ll make your own soy sauce in a brewery with over 100 years of history and enjoy a traditional skewered dumpling treat (mitarashi dango) with tea.
Osaka Cherry Blossom Food Tour 2025
Experience the fleeting beauty of cherry blossom season in Osaka. Explore a nostalgic district with your guide, tasting seasonal snacks and street foods along the way. Enjoy lunch at a local joint, and finish the tour in a beautiful sakura spot!
Kaiseki Bento Traditional Cuisine & Tea Ceremony
Have a taste of traditional Japanese cuisine with cha-kaiseki! Enjoy five beautiful dishes representing Japan’s nature and history, at a teahouse steeped in Japanese art and culture. Take part in the following tea ceremony for a complete experience.
Sake Tasting, Local Bars, and Izakaya Hopping in Shinbashi
Embark on sake tasting, visit local bars, & go izakaya hopping in Shinbashi – one of Tokyo’s famous salaryman districts. Explore the area, visit 3 izakaya & bars (one of which is a sake-tasting bar), & enjoy food & drinks at each stop.
Japanese Home Cooking Dining Experience in Tokyo
This casual and laidback experience allows traveling foodies to experience a true Japanese home-cooked meal inside a Tokyo residence. Host Marimo welcomes you into her home for a rare dining experience featuring delicious seasonal cooking.
Osaka Sumo Show: All-You-Can-Eat Lunch & Kimono Experience
In this family-friendly experience, watch a sumo bout while enjoying a hearty “sumo stew” in an all-you-can-eat restaurant in Osaka produced by former ozeki wrestler Konishiki Yasokichi where you can interact with real sumo wrestlers.
Creative Hanazushi Making Class on Historic Nakasendo Trail
Make artistic sushi rolls with nature-inspired designs in Mitake, Gifu. Mitake was one of the post towns along the famous Nakasendo trail that connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Learn about this historic town while crafting colorful sushi.
Miyazaki Beachside Sushi-Making Class with Michelin Chef
Learn the basics of sushi-making with a Michelin-starred instructor, previously head chef of Los Angeles sushi restaurant Sushi Zo. Afterwards, tuck into an omakase sushi course meal made with fresh-caught local Miyazaki seafood.
Tea and Drinks: Tokyo Tea-Based Izakaya Bars Tour
Venture into unique Tokyo bars that serve tea-based cocktails (chawari) in this alternative exploration of Tokyo’s unique nightlife in this guided tour in Gakugeidaigaku in Meguro. Three tea-based foods and three drinks are included.
Premium Tea-Based Dining Experience in Tokyo with Drinks
In this unique guided dining experience, enjoy tea-based beverages and fine dining in two trendy Tokyo restaurants with a knowledgeable guide. You’ll enjoy a course meal, take part in a tea-making workshop and enjoy tea-based drinks.
Tea Tour in Sayama (Saitama): Tour a +100-Year-Old Tea Farm
Only an hour away from Tokyo by train, unwind in the peaceful tea fields of Sayama in Saitama Prefecture. Interact with farmers, tour the fields, and enjoy freshly brewed tea while delving into the area’s fascinating tea culture.
Sushi-Making Class in Dotonbori (Osaka)
Dress like a sushi chef and learn to make sushi (both nigiri and gunkan rolls) in this sushi-making class right by Osaka’s glittering Dotonbori River, only a few minutes from Namba Station. Halal, vegan and gluten-free options available!
Okinawa Cultural Tour: Awamori Distillery & Cave Expedition
You’ll want to bring your adventurous spirit for this tour! A specialty Okinawan alcohol, see how awamori is produced at Matsufuji Distillery and join a tasting experience. Then, explore the caverns of the only awamori cave in the world!
Nijo Market Visit & Dinner With Fresh Produce in Sapporo
A true way of exploring a city’s best produce is to check out the markets. Purchase Hokkaido produce and seafood you’d like to try and have them prepared by a professional chef for a fully personalized dining experience.
Local Inaka Sushi (Countryside Sushi) Cooking Class in Kochi
Try your hand at making the local dish of Kochi prefecture, inaka sushi (literally “countryside sushi”). With the highest percentage of forested land in Japan, Kochi has a diverse range of plants and veggies, making for colorful sushi toppings!
Recent Reviews from GuestsDiscover the Best Vegetarian Food Experiences
Are you a vegetarian searching for delicious and unique food experiences? Look no further! Japan, a country famed for its culinary brilliance, offers a plethora of vegetarian food options that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. From traditional dishes to innovative creations, there's something here for every vegetarian food lover. Join us as we explore some of the best vegetarian food experiences that Japan has to offer.
Traditional Vegetarian Delights
Japan’s rich culinary culture offers an array of vegetarian delights, many of which are steeped in tradition. A cornerstone of Japanese vegetarian cuisine is Shojin Ryori, a type of Buddhist cuisine developed by monks. This dining experience is not only meat-free but also free of strong flavors such as garlic and chives to maintain a pure taste. Shojin Ryori is centered around natural ingredients, seasonal vegetables, tofu, and rice, making it a wholesome and spiritual dining experience.
Another staple in Japanese vegetarian options is Tempura, which has a variety of vegetables like sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers dipped in a light batter and fried till golden and crispy. Served with a delicate dipping sauce, vegetarian tempura provides a perfect blend of textures and flavors.
Sushi lovers can indulge in vegetarian varieties of this classic Japanese dish. Options range from simple cucumber rolls and avocado rolls to more elaborate creations featuring pickled vegetables, and even faux seafood made from plant-based ingredients.
Modern Vegetarian Innovations
Contemporary chefs in Japan are pushing the boundaries of vegetarian cuisine with innovative dishes that appeal to both locals and tourists alike. There is a burgeoning trend of using plant-based substitutes to create vegetarian-friendly versions of traditionally meat-based dishes. Popular options include vegetarian ramen, where the broth is made from vegetables or seaweed, topped with an array of fungi and vegetables.
Bento boxes have also evolved with vegetarian-friendly choices. These beautifully arranged meals offer a balanced combination of grains, proteins, and vegetables, typically including items such as grilled tofu, seasonal salads, and vegetable tempura.
Cooking Classes and Culinary Tours
For those who want to dive deeper into Japanese vegetarian cuisine, participating in a cooking class or culinary tour can be an enriching experience. Experienced chefs offer classes where you can learn to make traditional vegetarian dishes such as fresh sushi rolls, tasty tempura, or a complete Shojin Ryori meal. Culinary tours also offer a unique perspective, often guiding you through local markets where you can sample fresh produce and try out vegetarian street food.
With these varied and delicious options, Japan proves to be a perfect destination for vegetarian food enthusiasts. Whether you are indulging in traditional Japanese meals or exploring modern vegetarian innovations, your taste buds will be delighted with the incredible flavors and textures inherent in Japanese vegetarian cuisine.
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