Vegetarian Food Experiences(444)
Discover Matsumoto: Landmarks, Sake, Kaiseki, & Castle Tour
Unique architecture, sake tastings, and long-trodden streets lead to a once-in-a-lifetime kaiseki meal brimming with Matsumoto's finest local flavors. Experience the history of the world-heritage site Matsumoto Castle and its surrounding areas.
Sake Spectacular: Museum Tour & Tasting in Fushimi (Kyoto)
Join Hiroshi for a private sake tour in Fushimi! Explore Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, learn about history, culture, production, & savor samples. With a diverse background, Hiroshi shares Kyoto's charm, while Fushimi's legacy enhances the experience.
Cooking & Culture: Okonomiyaki & Calligraphy in Chiba
Join Chieko for a home cooking class in Chiba! Acquire valuable cooking skills and knowledge about Japanese ingredients, make okonomiyaki (savory pancake) & side dishes from scratch, then enjoy your handmade meal. Includes a calligraphy lesson.
Cooking & Culture with Chieko: Omurice & Calligraphy (Chiba)
Learn how to make a beloved Japanese fusion dish at Chieko’s home cooking class in Chiba! Make omurice (fried rice topped with a creamy omelet & sauce) & various side dishes, then enjoy a calligraphy lesson! Includes pick-up from Chiba Station.
Let’s Make Authentic Japanese Curry: Cooking Class in Tokyo
Ready to become a Japanese curry master? Learn how to conjure curry from scratch at this cooking class in Setagaya, Tokyo. Uncover the rich history of curry as you simmer up its deep flavors. Elevate your culinary skills with a dash of spice!
Chirashi Sushi Cooking Class in Tokyo (Setagaya)
Join Aoki-san for a Japanese cooking class in Setagaya (Tokyo). Make chirashi (scattered) sushi & various side dishes, from preparing the ingredients to assembling the final dish. End by enjoying your handmade meal.
Vegetarian Cooking Class: Temari Sushi & Kakiage (Tokyo)
Join a hands-on cooking class in Tokyo to make vegetarian temari sushi; colorful, bite-sized sushi bites! Your instructor, Aoki-san, will guide you through the process–from making & shaping the rice to decorating the finished product.
Cooking & Culture Class in Chiba: Takoyaki & Calligraphy
Join a cooking & culture class in Chiba; a charming coastal town just outside Tokyo. Make takoyaki (battered octopus balls) & side dishes, then enjoy your handmade meal. Includes a calligraphy lesson & pick up from Chiba Station.
Tokyo Cooking Class: Seasonal Washoku Cuisine
Learn how to make Japanese cuisine (Washoku) during this hands-on cooking class in Tokyo! Make an Ichiju Sansai meal (soup, rice, main, sides), & enjoy your meal. Take home lifelong cooking skills, cultural insights, & memories.
Japanese Sweets: Make Wagashi & Seasonal Nerikiri in Tokyo
Join Marimo, a professional Japanese cooking instructor, for a lesson on Japanese sweets! Learn how to make seasonal wagashi & nerikiri, learn about Japanese confectionary & culinary customs, then enjoy your treats with matcha tea.
Ueno Tour: Ameyoko Market, Izakaya Food & Bar-Hopping
Embark on a culinary journey through Ueno with this bar-hopping & izakaya adventure! Begin at Ueno Station, traverse Okachimachi, explore Ameyoko Market, stroll Ueno’s izakaya district, & indulge in food & drinks at three unique izakayas & bars.
Tokyo Food & Culture Tour: Yanaka Ginza, Yanesen, & Nezu
Embark on a walking tour through the charming districts of Yanaka Ginza, Yanesen, Nezu, & Sendagi. Visit cultural sites & try street foods like roasted sweet potato, yakitori, croquettes, & chestnut ice cream.
Tsukiji Outer Market Tour & Japanese Cooking Class (Tokyo)
Explore Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market, visit Namiyoke Shrine, & take a Japanese cooking class. You’ll learn essential Japanese cooking techniques, make a range of dishes (like soup, sashimi, Japanese omelet), & then enjoy your handmade meal.
Matsumoto Castle, Sake & Street Food Walking Tour in Nagano
See the best of Nagano on this guided walking tour! Matsumoto Castle, sake tasting and food – It doesn’t get better, folks. Join this whirlwind walking tour of Nagano that combines Japanese culture, history, food, drinks, & more.
Make Sushi With a Professional Chef in Hyogo
Make sushi with a professional chef in Hyogo! Join Keitaro Yamaguchi as he teaches you the fundamentals of making nigiri sushi using high-quality ingredients (seafood, meats, cooked foods, vegetables). After the class, enjoy your handmade sushi.
Nerikiri Wagashi-Making Class in Mitaka, Tokyo
Join a hands-on workshop in a local kitchen and make nerikiri wagashi. Cap off the experience by savoring the wagashi you've created with matcha green tea. Take home knowledge about wagashi and a cultural gift from your friendly host.
Learn How To Make Miso & Onigiri in a Cozy Japanese Kitchen
Learn to make miso, one of Japan’s classic fermented ingredients, and onigiri (Japanese rice balls) from a fermentation expert in a cozy Kyoto kitchen.
Buddhist Prayer, Sake & Beer Tasting on Shodoshima (Shikoku)
Discover Shikoku’s spiritual depths with a wood-burning prayer in a cave with local monks on Shodoshima island. Taste sake brewed on the island, enjoy a local specialty lunch, and finish the day with a few beers overlooking the sea!
Make Cute Character Wagashi Sweets in Central Tokyo
Make adorable wagashi confectionery sweets shaped like your favorite characters, and enjoy them with a fresh cup of matcha green tea and other soft drinks at a friendly cooking instructor’s home in central Tokyo.
Make Hanami Dango, Daifuku and Nerikiri Wagashi in Mitaka
Learn how to make two different types of mochi sweets: fruit daifuku and three-color dango skewers, and mold delicate nerikiri wagashi confectioneries. Then, enjoy your sweet creations in this class with a professional instructor in Mitaka, Tokyo!
Geisha Performance and Private Dinner in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Enjoy a private dinner in Sapporo with exquisite Hokkaido dishes, enhanced by the mystifying performance of geisha dancing and playing shamisen. After the meal, enjoy light conversation, games, and take pictures with the performers.
Private Dinner and Shishimai Lion Dance in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Great for groups! Dine at a Hokkaido cuisine restaurant and enjoy a performance by traditional Shishimai dancers. Play instruments, take pictures, and chat with the performers through an interpreter.
Kagurazaka Lunch & Private Walking Tour with a Foodie Guide
Enjoy a walking tour of Kagurazaka, a former geisha district dubbed Tokyo’s little Paris. For lunch, enjoy ramen or a Japanese traditional meal at a restaurant picked especially for you! Wrap up the day with coffee or tea at a nostalgic cafe.
Kagurazaka Dinner & Walking Tour with a Foodie Guide
Discover the charm of Kagurazaka at night in this custom walking tour and dining experience! Dubbed Tokyo’s little Paris, Kagurazaka is a former geisha district in Shinjuku. Explore the area with a guide, and wine and dine at a local restaurant!
Tokyo Bay Private Lunch in a Traditional Boat
See Tokyo Tower and Odaiba’s Rainbow Bridge while enjoying a seasonal bento lunch with traditional wagashi sweets on a private yakatabune boat cruise ride along the bay of Tokyo.
Sushi-Making Class in Kichijoji (Tokyo)
Learn the basics of sushi-making from a certified instructor with 10 years of overseas teaching experience in Kichijoji! Then, enjoy a delicious sushi lunch of your own making.
Fermented Teriyaki Chicken Set Meal Cooking Class in Osaka
Want to take your cooking to the next level? Learn about classic Japanese fermented foods in this cooking class in central Osaka. Prepare teriyaki chicken with side dishes under the guidance of your host while learning Japan’s healthy eating habits!
Traditional Home Cooking Class in Osaka
Want to learn how to make nikujaga, a classic Japanese comfort food? Take this home cooking class in central Osaka and make chef Marie’s signature recipe! Get inspired with her healthy cooking tips and practices in this hands-on class.
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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.
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