Vegetarian Food Experiences(449)
Guided Sushi Making Class in the Center of Tokyo
Awaken your inner sushi chef by taking this dietary needs-inclusive English sushi-making class. You will learn how to make three different types of sushi and learn more about Japanese food culture.
Nerikiri-Making and Matcha: the Flowers and Flavors of Japan
Use traditional wagashi molds to form delicate sweets in the form of Japan’s seasonal flowers while you sip hand-made matcha tea.
Sustainable Vegetable Temari Sushi Cooking Class in Asakusa
Try your hand at making vegan sushi in Tokyo! Using all-local ingredients, you’ll be supporting nearby farmers and environmental sustainability initiatives as you tuck into these fresh, colorful dishes while overlooking Tokyo Skytree.
Osaka Tea Ceremony, Tasting, & Culture Tour
Experience an Osaka-style Japanese tea ceremony alongside an expert! You’ll participate in a tea ceremony, discover the surrounding customs and etiquette, then learn how to make matcha tea and enjoy sweet treats.
Kyoto Cooking Class: Vegan Sushi With a Professional Chef
Learn how to make vegan sushi with a professional English-speaking sushi chef in Kyoto! Make eight types of sushi using two types of rice (germinated & white), cultivate lifelong cooking skills, & then enjoy your handmade sushi lunch.
Japanese Fake Food Samples: Plastic Cake Workshop in Fukuoka
During this workshop in Fukuoka, make an incredibly realistic plastic food sample that’s far too pretty to eat (and good thing, too!). Decorate your own cookie cake with “cream” and “fruits,” and take it home as a memorable souvenir from your trip.
Uncovering Uji: Premium Tea, Shrines & Spirituality in Kyoto
Uncover the intricacies of Japanese tea via a road less traveled in Uji–Kyoto's most famous tea-producing region. You'll learn the nuances of regional teas, soak up Uji's history, and journey to cultural landmarks alongside a knowledgeable host.
Kanazawa Geisha Districts Tour With Dinner
Learn about the world of geisha in Kanazawa! This guided night tour will take you to Higashi Chaya & Kazue Machi geisha districts, where you’ll learn about geisha culture. End the night at a local restaurant with a full-course Japanese meal.
Tokyo Vegan & Gluten-Free Cooking Class: Make Udon Noodles
Join Chef Chiaki in Nippori, central Tokyo, for a fun, hands-on cooking class for all skill levels! Make vegan gluten-free udon noodles from scratch, gain insight into Japanese food culture, and enjoy your noodle dish with crispy vegetable tempura.
Family-Friendly Cooking Class in Osaka: Make a Tempura Meal
In this Osaka cooking class, everyone is welcome to have fun making delicious, crispy tempura, a classic Japanese dish. Enjoy making and eating a tempura meal with Max, your bilingual host and local restaurant owner.
Nagoya Sweets Making Class with Tea Ceremony
During this wagashi making class in your instructor’s traditional Japanese home, you’ll stroll through a veggie patch and charming Japanese garden, make Nagoya-style sweets, and enjoy a traditional tea ceremony.
Sake Brewery Tour & Tasting With Sake Sommelier in Okutama
A certified sake sommelier presents a personalized menu crafted by his mentors at the 300-year-old sake brewery, Ozawa, in the calming nature of Western Tokyo. What better way to discover the world of Japanese sake?
Make Ramen and 2 Types of Gyoza in Osaka
Ramen or gyoza? Why not both? In this fun class in Osaka, you'll learn to make these two cherished Japanese dishes from scratch and cook them to perfection! Once you have a taste, you'll understand why locals enjoy eating these two dishes together!
Back to Edo: Sensoji and Asakusa Food Tour
Centered on historic Asakusa, this tour covers Sensoji Temple (Tokyo’s oldest temple) and the neighboring Nakamise Shopping Street. Hear stories about the area from local guides and get insight into Japanese dining etiquette and food culture.
Customizable Vegetarian Washoku Home Cooking Class (Tokyo)
Learn the secrets of washoku home cooking in this customizable class in Setagaya, Tokyo! Stroll through lush gardens with your host, and prepare a healthy and delicious meal designed taking into consideration your dietary needs and preferences.
Tokyo Ninja Food Experience
A fun time for the whole family, you’ll dress, train, and eat like a ninja during this immersive experience in Asakusa! Test out your shuriken, blowgun, and sword skills, then refuel with a ninja-themed menu followed by a casual tea ceremony.
Make Japanese Sweets (Nerikiri) & Matcha with Nariko (Kyoto)
Unleash your inner confectionary artist with a nerikiri-making class in Kyoto! Join Nariko to learn how to make 5 different nerikiri (Japanese wagashi sweets) then enjoy a matcha-making & tasting experience.
Family-Friendly Sushi Making Class in Central Osaka
Make assorted sushi rolls in this family-friendly sushi making class less than 30 minutes by train from Osaka Castle & Osaka Station. Your host is a bilingual Japanese-American who will teach you to roll sushi like a samurai!
Fun Nerikiri Wagashi Japanese Sweets Making Class in Tokyo
Have 30 minutes to spare? If so, why not learn to make traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi)? In this fun short class with a friendly instructor near Aoto Station, you’ll use healthy, plant-based ingredients to make 2 types of nerikiri sweets.
Healthy Japanese Dishes Cooking Class in Nagoya
During this cooking class in Nagoya, learn how to make teriyaki chicken, savory egg custard, tempura, and karaage (Japanese fried chicken). Join your kind host in her traditional tatami-floored home, a 100-year-old renovated storehouse!
Hiroshima Peace Bicycle Tour & Okonomiyaki Dinner
Hiroshima suffered the worst of the war, yet it became a powerful symbol of peace. On this bike tour, you’ll explore the city’s landmarks while hearing insights and stories from a local guide, and enjoy a classic Hiroshima-yaki dinner.
Refreshing Morning Walk and Brunch Around Meiji Shrine
Experience Japan’s sacred atmosphere and kawaii culture with a morning walk through Meiji Shrine and Harajuku! Get lost in the surrounding nature, and make wishes at the shrine. End your morning with brunch in Harajuku, Tokyo’s fashion hub.
Sendai Back Alleys Izakaya Bar Hopping Tour
Weave through two of Sendai’s nostalgic drinking alleys, Bunka Yokocho and Iroha Yokocho, during this bar hopping tour. This intimate night out features three izakaya gastropubs where you’ll be seated elbow-to-elbow with your neighbor.
Customizable Ramen Class with Noodles Made From Scratch
Make your own customized bowl of ramen in Kyoto, with halal, vegan, and gluten-free options!
Tea Ceremony, Matcha & Wagashi Making in a Kyoto Home
Join a tea ceremony experience in Kyoto! Learn about the history of Japanese tea, watch a ceremonial matcha demonstration, and make and enjoy matcha and traditional wagashi sweets. You’ll leave with newfound knowledge and unforgettable memories!
Family-Friendly Soba Noodles Making Class at Lake Kawaguchi
Up to 80 people can join this soba-making class near Lake Kawaguchi. From kneading to rolling to cutting, experienced chefs will guide participants through every step of making the ultra-pure Oshino-Hakkai soba, a Yamanashi specialty!
Online Cooking Class: Cute Character Bento Making Class
Think outside the (bento) box during this fun online cooking class! Using easy-to-find ingredients, you’ll make an adorable themed bento featuring cartoon characters. These packed lunch boxes are as cute as they are delicious.
Private Nerikiri Sweets Making Class in Setagaya (Tokyo)
Only two stops from Shibuya is Sangenjaya, a retro area bustling with shops and cafes in Tokyo’s Setagaya district. Learn to make nerikiri sweets with Sakura, a certified wagashi instructor, and enjoy your treats with matcha tea in her tatami room!
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.