Vegetarian Food Experiences(444)
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!
3-Day Fermentation Stay Program in Nara
An immersive 3-day homestay in Nara, learn about the fermented foods that characterize the regional cuisine: koji (rice malt), miso, and tsukemono pickles. Additionally, you’ll visit one of Japan’s most ancient roads, the Yamanobe Trail.
Hinagashi Traditional Japanese Sweet Making in Tsuruoka
Tsuruoka, recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, has a rich and diverse food culture. Come and learn how to make hinagashi, a Tsuruoka specialty that’s made of sweet bean paste and shaped to look like the area’s local specialties.
Kamakura Walking Tour: Great Buddha Temple, Lunch & Tea
Take a day off from Tokyo to explore Kamakura’s attractions in this private tour! Hike Genjiyama Park, see the Great Buddha and have lunch at a local restaurant! Ride on the Enoshima Dentetsu Line, and enjoy tea and sweets at a traditional tea house.
Vegan Shojin Ryori Buddhist Meal Home Cooking Class in Tokyo
Immerse yourself in the fascinating culinary art of shojin ryori, Japanese buddhist cuisine, in this home cooking class in Tokyo. Prepare a vegan meal following the ichiju sansai structure, and learn about Japanese cooking and etiquette.
Beppu Lunch Food Tour: Onsen Coffee & Regional Food
Come for the hot springs, stay for the food! In this Beppu food tour, you’ll try rice rolls and fried chicken at a local market, bite into freshly baked treats at a Japanese bakery and sip coffee made from hot spring water from the local onsen.
Historical Sake Brewery Tour & Tasting in Western Tokyo
Take a break from the bustle of the city in a historical sake brewery in western Tokyo where you can learn about the production, history, and culture of Japan’s national drink while sipping on fresh brews with producers and a sake expert.
Tokyo Halal Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class & Supermarket Tour
Enjoy a halal Japanese cooking in Tokyo! Learn to read labels and find ingredients in a Japanese supermarket, and enjoy a cooking class where you’ll make delicious ramen and gyoza with halal-certified ingredients to enjoy with green tea pudding.
Wakayama: Fire Prayer & Lunch in a 1,200-Year-Old Temple
Delve into Buddhist history and cuisine in this private experience in the ancient Ekoin Temple in Koyasan, Wakayama. Taste authentic vegetarian Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori) and experience a goma fire prayer ritual performed by monks.
Wakayama: Meditation & Lunch in a 1,200-Year-Old Temple
Restore body and mind in this spiritual experience in Ekoin, a temple with over 1,200 years of history in the lush forests of Koyasan, Wakayama, where you can savor a vegan Buddhist lunch and participate in a traditional meditation guided by monks.
Bamboo Noodle Lunch in Beppu: Catch Nagashi Somen Noodles
Experience a thrilling Japanese summer tradition — nagashi somen! Catch noodles flowing down a bamboo slide, dip them in sauce and enjoy them with condiments in this fun family-friendly experience in a 100-year-old renovated house in Beppu.
Osaka Home Cooking: Make Crispy Katsu (Pork Cutlet) Curry
Few dishes are more comforting than a warm and crispy home-cooked katsu curry! In this cooking class near the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, you’ll learn how to make this classic Japanese dish with friendly local hosts.
Takoyaki Making Class & Local Shop Tour in Osaka
Ever wanted to try Osaka’s famous takoyaki (octopus dumplings)? Led by an experienced chef, tour local shops and learn about ingredients before getting hands-on in making takoyaki dumplings and discovering the magic behind this iconic street food.
Vegan or Vegetarian Home Cooking Class w/ Miso in Nagoya
In this vegan & vegetarian cooking class, learn to prepare four staple miso-based dishes — including tofu “katsu” sandwich and onigiri filled with mushroom tempura — with an experienced and friendly host only 30 minutes by train from Nagoya Station.
Tokyo Hipster Bike Tour: Hidden Backstreets & Feel-Good Food
Avoid the crowds and tour the backstreets of Tokyo by bike! Ride around Musashi-Koyama and Meguro, stop at cool cafes, local eateries, visit a peaceful temple, and ride along the Meguro River. This tour includes your bike, helmet, food, and snacks!
Hokkaido Cooking Masterclass with a Hunter Chef (Sapporo)
Let Chef Aoyama, a seasoned hunter from Hokkaido, guide you through some of the region’s iconic dishes in this Sapporo cooking class. Watch as he expertly prepares Yezo sika deer and rolled omelet, and make onigiri rice balls with local ingredients.
Make 2 Kinds of Mochi Sweets in Tokyo: Dango & Daifuku
Make colorful Japanese wagashi at a hands-on confectionery class in Tokyo (Kitaminemachi). Join Satoko, an instructor from the Wagashi Promotion Association of Japan, to make seasonal fruit daifuku and sanshoku dango.
Wagashi: Japanese Sweets Making Class in Tokyo (5 Options)
Try your hand at making traditional Japanese sweets in Setagaya, Tokyo! Choose from 5 classes and make your wagashi of choice: fruit daifuku, nerikiri, hanami dango skewers, and more, with certified wagashi instructor Kaoru.
Mochi Making Class in Yokohama: Make Japanese Sweets
You might have tried mochi, but do you know how to make it? Stop by this mochi-making class for a demonstration on how to make delicious traditional mochi sweets, and discover the connection between mochi and Japanese history and culture.
Tokyo National Museum Historic Teahouse Tour & Dining (Ueno)
Indulge in a premium dining course, learn to whisk matcha to enjoy with traditional sweets and bask in the sights of a historical treasure trove in this experience in a 280-year-old teahouse inside the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno.
Shonai Cultural Activities & Lunch at a Farmer’s Restaurant
Experience the cultural activities and cuisine of beautiful Shonai! During this tour, you’ll visit Kamo Aquarium, enjoy a tasty lunch at a local farmer’s restaurant, and learn how to make e-rosoku candles, a traditional handicraft of the area.
Matsuri Food Cooking Class in Ninomiya (Near Mt. Fuji)
Learn to make and eat delicious Japanese matsuri food! Enjoy takoyaki and okonomiyaki in this matsuri foods cooking class in Ninomiya, which is perfect for travelers looking for an authentic experience near Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Odawara and Izu.
Nagoya Home Cooking Class with Miso
Join this Japanese cooking class in Nagoya, a city that’s famous for red miso, for a hands-on class that shows the versatility of the ingredient. Make red miso beef stew, Nagoya-style fried chicken, and other local specialties!
Dance Your Way to Delicious Noodles: ONLINE Ramen Class
A fun, active, and tasty experience where you can learn how to make Japanese ramen online! Let's dance on the dough instead of kneading it by hand!
Dance for Your Noodles: ONLINE Curry Udon Class
Learn how to make chewy Japanese udon noodles with curry soup during this active online cooking class that’ll have you getting your groove on!
Japanese Fake Food Sample Making Workshop in Yokohama
Make your favorite Japanese food to take home as a souvenir in this creative sample food making workshop near Yokohama Station! Choose to make sushi, a cute toast clock, or a fresh seafood rice bowl, and be creative with a fake food artist.
Tsukiji Guided Sake Tasting with 10 Sake Varieties
Discover the captivating world of Japanese rice wine while tasting 10 different kinds of sake paired with light bites. Learn all about sake brewing methods and differences in this masterclass led by a sake-loving restaurant manager.
Private Character Bento Cooking Class Near Shinjuku Gyoen
A lunch that tastes as good as it looks! In this family-friendly cooking class near Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, you’ll make kyaraben — a cute packed lunch inspired by your favorite characters — with a certified cooking instructor.
Discover 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.