Vegetarian Food Experiences(446)
Nishiki Market and Culture Walking Tour in Kyoto
This tour combines the cultural hotspots of Kyoto with its famous Nishiki Market, home to hundreds of shops selling everything from premium sake, to crunchy pickles, to savory rice crackers. Sightsee and snack your way through the area with a guide!
Vegan / Vegetarian Ramen Tour in Tokyo
Taste 2 mini bowls of Hokkaido-style ramen and 2 mini bowls of fusion ramen during this vegan food tour in Tokyo!
Private Tea Ceremony Next to a UNESCO World Heritage Site
At a teahouse located next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ryoan-ji, experience a private tea ceremony overlooking a Japanese garden. This immersive and restorative ritual will leave you feeling relaxed and zen.
The All Star Tokyo Food Tour
Traverse the maze of retro, 1970s-style eateries of Yurakucho’s Gado Shita, a favorite watering hole of Japanese businessmen that’s built under the train tracks. Then hit glitzy Ginza, and the workingman’s off-hours playground of Shinbashi.
Homemade Udon and Traditional Calligraphy Class in Tokyo
During this Japanese culture class in Tokyo, learn how to make the satisfyingly thick and chewy udon noodles from scratch, and use traditional Japanese calligraphy tools to write a kanji character of your choosing.
Luxury Cruise in Tokyo Bay: View of Skytree, Rainbow Bridge
Experience a beloved pastime of a bygone era aboard a private yakatabune (roofed boat). Cruise the Tokyo city waterways (Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge, Skytree), enjoy an elegant kaiseki meal prepared by renowned chefs, & more.
Osaka Kuromon Market and Kitchen Town Tour
Visit Osaka’s bustling Kuromon Market for top-quality produce, meats, and street foods; then check out Sennichimae Doguyasuji, a.k.a. Osaka’s “Kitchen Town,” and admire the craftsmanship of kitchen items like knives, pottery, and lacquerware!
Private Mochi Sweets Making Class in Setagaya (Tokyo)
Make strawberry daifuku and hanami dango mochi sweets with a wagashi expert in Setagaya district’s Sangenjaya, a bustling local area with retro shops and cafes near Shibuya. Enjoy your chewy treats in your host’s traditional tatami tea room!
Sushi Making Class & Sake Tasting in Asakusa, Tokyo
Make sushi in Tokyo’s Asakusa district! Learn how to make temari (bite-sized sushi balls) and maki (hand-rolled sushi) with professional English-speaking hosts while learning about Japanese cooking traditions and the history of Asakusa along the way.
Sake Pairing and Omakase Sushi in Tokyo with Personal Chef
A private dining experience in the heart of Tokyo, enjoy an omakase course with Chef Imai featuring 15 pieces of sushi and a sake pairing. Seasonal appetizers, soup, and dessert are also included in this intimate sushi counter experience.
Kyoto Nishiki Market Tour
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Nishiki Market, Kyoto’s 400-year-old culinary hub, stopping at several shops offering fresh seafood, local products and intricate sweets. Get deep insights into Kyoto’s cuisine from a local guide.
Vegan Cooking Class: Saeko’s Creamy Ramen & Crispy Gyoza
A vegan ramen and gyoza cooking class in Osaka? Look no further! Join Saeko–a pro chef, food stylist, and recipe developer–for a vegan cooking class. Develop cooking skills, make ingredients from scratch, then enjoy your handmade meal.
Make Nigiri, Sushi Rolls, and Japanese Side Dishes
Learn how to make perfect sushi and side dishes with the help of professional teachers who will teach you about different ingredients and seasonings used in sushi. They will also teach you how to make the best sushi rice and broth for miso soup!
Handmade Soba Noodles Cooking Class
These healthy buckwheat noodles are as fun to make as they are to slurp! During this soba making class with a warm and friendly host, you’ll mix, roll, cut, and prepare the soba from scratch, starting from buckwheat flour.
Nature Walk & Japanese Cooking Class in Tokyo: Ramen & Gyoza
Join a nature walk through serene gardens in Tokyo, then embark on a ramen & gyoza cooking adventure guided by a certified Japanese cooking instructor! Lunch includes your handmade ramen & gyoza along with side dishes, dessert, & drinks.
Experience a Tea Ceremony in a 130-Year-Old Tearoom in Kyoto
Experience a Japanese tea ceremony in a 130-year-old townhouse in Kyoto! Learn about the history, culture, and etiquette of this ancient ritual, enjoy matcha with traditional Japanese sweets, and learn how to make matcha the traditional way.
Cherry Blossom Festival: Evening in Nakameguro 2025
Celebrate sakura season in style during this food tour in chic Nakameguro. When evening falls, the cherry blossom trees lining the river are aglow in a wash of pink—a stunning sight that’s made all the more special with tasty treats.
Osaka Local Market Tour & Cooking Class
Tour a local market and learn to cook your favorite Japanese food with a friendly bilingual host! This family-friendly class is less than 30 min by train from Osaka Castle & Osaka Station. Vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, and other options available!
Unlimited Sake Tastings at a Private Sake Salon in Tsukiji
Enjoy unlimited sake tastings at a private sake salon in Tsukiji. A sake sommelier will help you discover your perfect type of sake.
Dessert-Making in Kyoto: Mochi Ice, Dango, Matcha, & More
Make traditional Japanese desserts at a wagashi-making class near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto! Spend time in a traditional home, make then enjoy 3 wagashi sweets & matcha tea.
Washoku: Authentic Japanese Cooking Class (Fushimi, Kyoto)
Learn how to make traditional Japanese food at a washoku cooking class near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto! Spend time in a traditional home, learn how to make a range of washoku dishes, enjoy your handmade meal, & explore a Japanese supermarket.
Ramen and Gyoza Class + Local Supermarket Visit in Tokyo
Savor the flavors of Japan with this hands-on cooking experience in Tokyo. As two of Japan’s most recognizable dishes, ramen and gyoza are a must-try for anyone visiting Japan. Why not try making them?
Osaka Dessert Workshop: Matcha Parfait & Japanese Sweets
Become a dessert-making pro at Saeko’s sweets workshop in Osaka! Learn how to make matcha ice cream and a range of Japanese desserts like warabi mochi, shiratama dango, & kuromitsu. End the experience by indulging in your handmade sweets & tea.
Nostalgic Shinsekai Osaka Street Food Tour
Osaka’s retro Shinsekai district is designed to evoke a cross between Coney Island and Paris–and it’s truly a wonderland of street food. Get your munchies satisfied on this tour of the cheerful, bustling neighborhood.
Miso Making Workshop in Osaka
Fermentation specialist Yoko will teach you how to make miso—the beloved staple ingredient of Japanese cuisine. Learn about the history and regional differences of this fermented bean paste from a certified guide/interpreter, and try it for yourself!
Adachi Fish Market Tour
Tour Tokyo’s second largest fish market, enjoy a kaisendon (seafood bowl) for breakfast, and discover the strange and unique seafood that inhabit local waters, while getting inside tips on Japanese culture from a knowledgeable tour guide.
Bar Crawl and Nightlife in Downtown Osaka
Kansai locals will guide you through the streets of Osaka, showing you all that the city has to offer. Walking, talking, and drinking alongside the locals, you will discover another side of Japan that most tourists can only dream of experiencing.
Blades of Steel: Japanese Knives, Museums, & Mochi in Sakai
Explore the world of Japanese knives on a Sakai City walking tour, featuring a historic cinnamon mochi shop, the Sakai Knife and Craft Museum, & an exclusive visit to the Yamawaki Knife Company for a tour, sharpening lesson, & custom knife order.
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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