Vegetarian Food Experiences(444)
Character Bento Cooking Class in Central Osaka
Turn your favorite anime characters into creative kawaii bento lunch boxes! This fun class with a bilingual Japanese-American host is less than 30 min by train from Osaka Castle & Osaka Station.
Vegan Maki Sushi Home Cooking Class in Setagaya, Tokyo
Make and enjoy a healthy lunch in Yuka's kitchen in Setagaya (Tokyo)! In this fun home cooking class, roll vegan and low-gluten maki sushi and prepare side dishes with seasonal vegetables.
Kyoto Gion & Higashiyama Tour w/ Lunch (Halal/Vegan Options)
Explore the quintessential sights of Kyoto with a guide! Stroll the quaint streets of Gion, stopping at temples and shrines, enjoy lunch suited to your dietary needs at Nishiki Market, and cross the iconic torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine.
Private Tour & Vinegar Experience in Uchiko, Ehime (Shikoku)
Spend a day learning about history, tasting vinegar, and preparing regional foods in Uchiko town, Ehime Prefecture. See the town’s historical sights, like the Uchikoza Theater, in this unique tour that mixes history with hands-on workshops.
Sapporo Private Tour w/ Lunch (Halal & Vegan Options)
Taste Sapporo specialties in this gourmet tour of the city with a local guide! Visit a seafood market, make your own Shiroi Koibito cookies, and see the city from above in a unique ski jumping observation platform. Halal ramen lunch included!
Japanese Pickled Foods Cooking Class in Uchiko, Ehime
Learn the different uses of vinegar in Japanese cuisine and make a five-dish Japanese-style meal using vinegar in different ways in this unique cooking class in Ehime Prefecture’s Uchiko town, a hidden gem in Japan’s pristine Shikoku area.
Kyoto Private Vegan Walking Tour w/ Lunch or Dinner
Explore Kyoto’s vegan scene! Stroll the city’s historical streets with a guide, sample vegan foods at four different shops, interact with shopkeepers, and learn about the area’s traditional crafts. Wrap up with a decadent meal at a vegan restaurant.
Vegan & Gluten-Free Japanese Cooking with a Chef in Tokyo
Make some of Japan’s most beloved home cooking staples with a gluten-free, vegan and organic take in this fun cooking class with a professional Japanese chef and restaurateur in Nishi-Nippori, a short train ride from Ueno and Akihabara.
Seasonal Wagashi Sweets Making Class w/ Matcha in Nagoya
Satisfy your sweet tooth by making traditional wagashi Japanese sweets in downtown Nagoya! Your hosts Yuka and Hitomi will teach you to make 3 types of seasonal wagashi, which you’ll enjoy with freshly brewed matcha green tea.
Udon Noodles and Tempura Cooking Class in Nagoya
Prepare and enjoy a classic Japanese combination: udon noodles and freshly fried tempura. Cooking specialists Yuka and Hitomi will teach you the secrets of Japanese cooking in this family-friendly class 15 minutes from Nagoya Station by train.
Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Nagoya
In this fun, family-friendly cooking class, you’ll learn to make delicious ramen and gyoza, two popular Japanese dishes which also pair deliciously well together. Learn from two experienced local cooking experts and make unforgettable memories!
Sushi Cooking Class in Central Nagoya (3 Options)
Make memories and put your cooking skills to the test in this family-friendly sushi cooking class only 15 minutes by train from Nagoya Station! Choose to make chirashi, maki, or nigiri sushi guided by local cooking specialists Yuka and Hitomi.
Private Traditional Cooking Class in Hida Furukawa (Gifu)
Hida Furukawa is known as Gifu’s little Kyoto due to its traditional townhouses and charming canals with colorful carp. Delve into the town’s local gastronomy in a fun, family-friendly cooking class and enjoy a delicious meal in a repurposed machiya!
Tokyo After Dark Private Custom Food Tour
Tour Tokyo’s side streets and experience the flavors and faces that define dinner for millions of locals. This custom private tour includes several Japanese foods, dessert, and drinks, picked according to your preferences and dietary needs.
Nishio, Aichi: Taste & Make Miso at a 100-Year-Old Brewery
Only an hour from Nagoya is the coastal town of Nishio, famous for its artisanal miso-making. Here, you’ll explore a brewery with over 100 years of history as you learn all about miso, a key ingredient in Japanese cuisine.
All About Miso: Miso Making Workshop in Hiyoshi, Yokohama
Learn the traditional way to make Japanese miso, a fermented paste used in everything from ramen to desserts, in this workshop in Hiyoshi, Yokohama, where you’ll also taste different kinds of miso and enjoy a delicious homemade lunch.
Hiroshima Lacquer Studio Tour & Workshop With a Gift
Meet contemporary Japanese lacquerware master Naoya Takayama in his Hiroshima studio for an insider’s view of the craft. Discover his original techniques, paint lacquer under his personalized instruction, and take home a souvenir by the artist.
Private Tokyo Miso Ramen Cooking Class & Local Market Tour
Feel right at home in this home cooking lesson with a Tokyo local specializing in hospitality. Tour a local market, learn to make miso ramen from scratch, and prepare a homemade Japanese mochi sweet (fruit daifuku) for dessert.
Tokyo Sake Tour: Shrines, Temples & Izakaya Hopping
Enjoy Tokyo’s lively nightlife in this sake-themed outing that includes touring sake-related shrines and temples while learning about their history and customs, then clinking cups of sake with locals in two izakaya restaurants.
Omakase Dinner & Sake Pairing w/ a Sommelier in Shibuya
Indulge in a four-dish omakase dinner expertly paired with sake in this Shibuya dining experience. Enjoy four different dishes, each paired with a specific type of Japanese sake, while learning about Japanese cuisine and history from a sommelier.
Healthy Japanese Home Cooking Class in Tokyo (Setagaya)
Enjoy a healthy, sugar-free Japanese meal in this home cooking class in central Tokyo that can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal-friendly options. Make rolled omelet, onigiri rice balls, soup, mochi, and more!
Gluten-Free Japanese Desserts Making Near Waseda (Tokyo)
Discover the tantalizing world of Japanese sweets in this fun class. Join Yuko in her cozy home near Waseda and the Kanda River to make taiyaki fish-shaped sweets and a Japanese-style parfait with seasonal fruits, all gluten-free and vegan!
Explore Beppu’s Myoban Hot Springs & Steamed Foods
Join a friendly local guide as they show you around the magical Myoban Onsen. In this private tour, you’ll visit a world heritage site, bathe in an open-air hot spring, steam foods using hot spring water and try Beppu’s famous hell-steamed pudding.
All About Rice: Private One-Night Farm Stay in Tsu, Mie
Embark on a journey through the countryside and enjoy a private overnight stay in a farm in Tsu, Mie Prefecture. Meditate at a local temple, meet farmers, and learn about organic rice harvesting methods. Dinner, breakfast and lunch are included.
Private Japanese Rice Farm Tour w/ Lunch in Tsu, Mie
Explore Japanese rice culture in this private farm tour in the countryside of Tsu, Mie Prefecture. Interact with farmers, learn about rice production and cooking, and enjoy a delicious meal with Matsusaka beef and other local Mie specialties.
Private Mie Farm Tour: Temple Meditation & Rice Experience
Revitalize body and mind in this private experience in rural Tsu, Mie Prefecture. You’ll meditate at a historical local temple, stroll the village, interact with farmers, learn about rice production, and enjoy a delicious lunch.
Shibuya Walking Tour & Whisky Tasting with a Sommelier
In this whisky tasting led by a Japanese sommelier in Shibuya, experience the wide range of flavor notes and exquisite aromas of Japanese whisky, taste five distinct varieties, and explore the Shibuya Station area guided by a local.
Nara Historical Hiking Tour & Breakfast Picnic in Asuka
Discover Japan’s ancient capital of Asuka in central Nara, where you’ll explore the village’s ancient treasures and hike a historical park, where you’ll have breakfast atop a breathtaking viewpoint. Vegetarian and vegan friendly!
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.