Vegetarian Food Experiences(446)
Vegan Shojin Ryori Buddhist Cuisine Cooking Class in Tokyo
Have you heard of shojin ryori, vegan Buddhist Japanese food? Take this casual cooking class hosted by Yuka in Setagaya, Tokyo, where you’ll transform seasonal, vegan & gluten-free ingredients into a fresh and delicious meal.
Nagoya Sushi Making Class at a 100-Year Old Storehouse
Learn how to make four different types of sushi with guidance from an experienced cooking instructor in a century-old renovated Japanese storehouse in Nagoya.
Handmade Buckwheat Soba Noodle & Kakiage Tempura Class
Take part in a traditional Japanese food-making class with an expert chef, where you'll cut buckwheat noodles and fry vegetable tempura to make a delicious soup, and prepare your own tasty fried dish in an Asakusa classroom.
Comfortable Japanese Tea Ceremony at a Table with Sweets
Enjoy an accessible tea ceremony without having to sit on the floor. This tea ceremony is performed sitting at a table, perfect for those who have difficulty or pain siting on the floor. Experience includes matcha and Japanese sweets.
Handmade Udon Cooking Class w/ Tempura & Tamagoyaki (Tokyo)
Thick, chewy, and satisfying, udon noodles are endlessly slurpable. During this cooking class in Tokyo, you’ll learn to make these noodles from scratch alongside tempura, everyone’s favorite Japanese side dish, with your friendly host.
Japanese Tea Ceremony & Traditional Music Near Tokyo Disney
A local welcomes you into her home in this private experience near Tokyo Disney. Participate in a tea ceremony with traditional sweets and learn to play the koto, a Japanese string instrument, in this unique introduction to Japanese arts.
Okonomiyaki Cooking Class & Nature Walk (Tokyo)
Join a nature walk through serene local gardens in Tokyo, then embark on an okonomiyaki cooking adventure guided by a certified Japanese cooking instructor! Lunch includes your handmade okonomiyaki along with side dishes, dessert, & drinks.
Fukuoka at Night: Izakaya Foods & Local Ramen in Hakata
Enjoy a fun night in one of Japan’s ramen capitals — Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture! Make new friends over food and drinks at a local izakaya, then head to a hidden ramen spot that is loved by locals for a late night bowl.
Table-Style Tea Ceremony Experience in Central Fukuoka
Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in central Fukuoka. Meet your host in Ohori Park, experience a tea ceremony led by a master, enjoy tea with sweets, and prepare matcha.
Private Asakusa Sushi-Making Class w/ Pro Chef (90 mins)
Step into the world of sushi with a cooking class in a 100-year-old sushi restaurant in Asakusa. In this premium class, a professional chef will teach you everything from molding rice to cutting seafood to making 4 types of sushi.
Local Food Tour in Fun & Friendly Sugamo
An old-school shopping street that’s a bit of a local secret, Sugamo is popular among the older demographic, but offers delights for all ages. From charming sweets shops to eclectic handicrafts, explore the “Harajuku for Old Ladies” on a guided tour!
Sushi & Miso Soup Cooking Class w/ Pro Chef in Osaka
Chef Yuki draws from her experience at a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded izakaya to teach this cooking class where you’ll make 3 kinds of sushi (nigiri, hosomaki, and futomaki), and prepare a classic Japanese miso soup under her expert guidance.
Japanese Mochi Pounding & Tasting Experience in Shinjuku
Take part in an ancient Japanese New Year Tradition right by Shinjuku Station! Turn glutinous rice into warm, chewy mochi through traditional “mochi-tsuki” or mochi pounding – a fun activity for the entire family to enjoy.
Make Okonomiyaki & Yakisoba Near the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
Make the street foods that have earned Osaka culinary fame in this okonomiyaki and yakisoba making class near Osaka Tenmangu Shrine. Enjoy a shopping tour with a chef and get hands-on experience learning how to cook these delicious dishes.
Private Vegan Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class in Kyoto
Make ramen, gyoza and onigiri rice balls in this private Kyoto cooking class led by an experienced and friendly host, Midori. You’ll learn original recipes and cooking methods and enjoy a wholesome meal that is 100% free of animal products.
Vegan and Shojin Style Cooking Workshop
Learn about the basics of traditional Buddhist Shojin cuisine and cook various vegetarian dishes! Experience includes a specialist-guided Shojin cuisine cooking session, mini-lectures and a goma dofu demonstration - all in English!
Japanese Wagashi (Nerikiri) & Matcha-Making Class in Tokyo
Become a master confectioner with a wagashi-making workshop in Tokyo! Learn how to make nerikiri (a traditional Japanese confectionery), master the art of matcha tea-making, then enjoy your handmade treats with your classmates and instructor.
Farm to Table in Okinawa: Brown Sugar and Banana Dessert
Join a local organic farmer in the sugarcane fields of Okinawa, try freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, tour the banana farm, and make a delicious dessert of caramelized bananas. Fun and interactive, this tour is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Sweet Vegan Asakusa Dessert Tour
Looking for a vegan food tour in Tokyo? This dessert tour in Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic district, features four different Japanese treats that are 100% plant-based. Learn all about traditional wagashi (Japanese sweets), from an English-speaking guide.
Make Tempura With a World Famous Chef in Tokyo
Make tempura with a world renowned chef in Tokyo! Join Chef Koichiro Shimura at his high-end tempura restaurant to learn valuable culinary skills, hear industry stories, make fresh tempura, then a tempura omakase lunch course.
Private Japanese Tea Ceremony & Matcha with A Master (Tokyo)
Enter the world of Japanese tea in Tokyo! Witness a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, enjoy a fresh bowl of premium matcha, & then learn how to prepare tea as a master would. You’ll also learn about Japanese culture, zen principles, & more.
Miso Masterclass, Tasting & Soup Making in Osaka
Love miso and want to learn how it’s made? In this cooking class only a short train ride from Osaka Station, you’ll learn all about miso, taste different kinds, and make soup packs customized to your taste!
Osaka Night Life: Eating and Drinking Tour
Experience Osaka nightlife like a local with guidance from an English-speaking guide. You’ll stroll through Tenjinbashi, an entertainment district that’s mainly frequented by locals, for quintessential Japanese street foods and drinks.
Tea Ceremony & Sweets at Tokyo’s Koboji Temple
Take a break from modern life and enjoy the calming atmosphere of a traditional tea ceremony! Learn the history and etiquette in a Buddhist temple in Tokyo and munch on traditional sweets. A flower arrangement option is also available.
Rolled Sushi Bento-Making Class at Yoko’s Kamakura Home
A popular coastal town and sightseeing location, Kamakura is just a short train ride from Tokyo. Join Yoko in her Kamakura home and learn how to make makizushi (rolled sushi) and 3-4 side dishes. As a bonus, you’ll also join a calligraphy lesson!
Hakata Market Tour & Lunch: Seafood, Udon & More (Fukuoka)
Fukuoka locals lead this in-depth exploration of Hakata’s rich food culture. In this lunchtime tour, visit two Fukuoka markets (Yanagibashi Rengo and Sankaku) to enjoy fresh seafood and noodles before sipping coffee at a cozy kissaten.
Hakata Market Food Tour (Dinner): Udon, Seafood & Izakaya
Let Hakata locals lead you in this exploration of Fukuoka’s food culture. Visit the Yanagibashi Rengo Market for fresh seafood, slurp udon noodles and mingle with locals at a long-established restaurant and wrap up with a drink at an izakaya.
Retro Shibuya Food Tour
The bustling entertainment and nightlife hub of Shibuya can be daunting to explore alone. With an in-the-know local guide, you’ll hit four local food stops on this retro Shibuya food tour, including an iconic ramen shop and a standing bar.
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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