Vegetarian Food Experiences(440)
Fukuoka Yatai-Hopping Tour w/ Four Food Stops (Hakata)
In this private yatai-hopping tour, enjoy dinner and drinks at up to four yatai food stalls in Nagahama and Neo-Nakasu, two distinctive yatai areas in Hakata, with a local expert foodie guide. Hotel pick-up and transportation by taxi are included!
Osaka Izakaya Foods Cooking Class & Sake Tasting w/ a Chef
In this cooking class in Osaka, seasoned chef Yuki draws from her experience working at a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded izakaya restaurant to teach you how to make staple izakaya dishes. After lunch, enjoy three kinds of sake paired with snacks.
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.
Kyoto Machiya Tour & Candlelit Kaiseki Dinner in Nishijin
Experience ancient Kyoto and indulge in its cuisine in Nishijin Lifestyle Museum Tondaya, a 140-year-old townhouse designated as a tangible cultural property of the city. Enjoy a guided tour followed by a traditional kaiseki meal by candlelight.
Backstreets of Shibamata Private Bike Tour w/ Lunch & Coffee
Step out of the Tokyo tourist circuit and explore the quaint neighborhood of Shibamata by bike. Cycle through nostalgic retro shops and enjoy delicious local specialties in this private tour that includes lunch and coffee.
Shizuoka Tea Tour: Blend Tea, Meet Farmers & Tour the Fields
Experience Shizuoka’s rich tea culture in this guided tour. Visit long-standing wholesalers, blend your own tea using locally sourced leaves, blend the tea, and stroll terraced tea fields where you can meet and interact with local farmers.
Shojin Ryori Lunch in 1200-Year-Old Ekoin Temple (Wakayama)
Enjoy a vegan Buddhist lunch in Ekoin, a temple with over 1,200 years of history in Koyasan, Wakayama. Learn about shojin ryori (traditional Buddhist cuisine) and feast on a variety of fresh dishes while overlooking the tranquil temple gardens.
Tokyo Bars and Mixology with Whisky, Sake, and Food Pairings
Experience the best of Tokyo nightlife with an expert-guided tour of the bars of Shinbashi and Ginza. Learn about whisky, sake, and food pairings, as well as Japanese drinking etiquette and customs.
Relaxing Stroll and Tasty Lunch with a Hakata Food Lover
Enjoy a stroll around Hakata, and enjoy a tasty lunch at a restaurant recommended by an experienced local foodie. The type of lunch can be chosen from any cuisine offered in Hakata. Hang out with a local, learn about the area, and enjoy great food!
Spice Blending & Curry-Making Class at Lake Kawaguchi
Learn to mix your own unique blend of spices at this Fujikawaguchiko family-friendly cooking class, taking your pick of 20 different varieties. Then, see how it tastes by making your very own curry with the house blend of broth.
Japanese Soba Noodles Making Class in Nippori (Tokyo)
Create, craft, and enjoy traditional Japanese soba noodles in this cooking class in Nippori, Tokyo. You’ll receive hands-on training from a soba master who will lead you down a culinary journey you’re unlikely to forget!
Miso Making Class & Tasting in a Kyoto Sushi Restaurant
Umami-rich miso is used extensively in Japanese cuisine, from ramen to salad seasonings. In this miso-making class and tasting in Kyoto, discover its rich flavors and create your own batch to take home guided by an expert in fermented foods.
Osaka Bento Bliss: Make a Traditional Japanese Box Meal
Assembling a traditional Japanese bento box is an art form. In this Osaka experience, a local host will teach you what a bento box is and how to craft one packed with delicious staples like tamagoyaki omelet, karaage (fried chicken) and miso soup.
1-Hour Sushi-Making Class w/ a Chef in an Asakusa Restaurant
A pro chef will guide you through the art of sushi-making in this class in a traditional sushi restaurant one minute from Asakusa Station. Make nigiri, taste real wasabi, enjoy a delicious lunch and take home memorable souvenirs.
Tokyo Old Town Food Tour in Yanaka Ginza
One of Tokyo’s most charming neighborhoods, Yanaka Ginza is off the usual tourist track. Come sample Japanese street foods, learn about the area’s history, and absorb the flavors and sights of this adorable cat-themed shopping street!
Wagashi: Make Nerikiri & Enjoy Matcha in Tokyo
Make colorful Japanese wagashi at a hands-on confectionary class in Tokyo (Kitaminemachi). Join Satoko, an instructor from the Wagashi Promotion Association of Japan, to make seasonal nerikiri to enjoy with freshly made matcha tea.
Traditional Bento Making Class in Kichijoji (Tokyo)
Make the iconic red-and-black shokado bento guided by a certified instructor with 10 years of overseas teaching experience in this bento-making class in Tokyo’s trendy Kichijoji neighborhood.
Tea Ceremony Class or Local Tea Tasting in Kagoshima City
Learn how to serve matcha in the traditional style of a Japanese tea ceremony or learn to serve and taste five different kinds of Kagoshima tea in this unique tea experience in Kagoshima City.
Retro Tokyo: Trams, Street foods & Cat Temples in Setagaya
Take a nostalgic tour of Tokyo’s charming Setagaya ward! With the guidance of your knowledgeable host (KT), you’ll hop on a retro tram, stop by local cafes, sample tasty street foods and sweet snacks, and visit Gotokuji Cat Temple.
Tokyo Mystery Tour: Bike Ride, Unusual Museums, and More
Explore oddities and curiosities in Tokyo’s Meguro ward! With a guide by your side, hop on a bike & visit a mysterious museum, curious vending machine, climb a mysterious mountain, & enjoy some treats at a cool cafe.
Kobe Home Cooking: Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class
Master two classic Japanese dishes — ramen and gyoza — in this home cooking class in Kobe. A local host will welcome you to her home kitchen, where you’ll make classic shoyu ramen paired with crispy gyoza filled with vegetables, pork and meat.
Asakusa Live Music Performance with Dinner
Experience Asakusa from an observation deck, and take to the streets for a more intimate look at must-see spots like Sensoji. Finish the experience with a dinner accompanied by lovely live performances with traditional Japanese instruments!
Japanese Home Cooking Dining Experience in Tokyo
This casual and laidback experience allows traveling foodies to experience a true Japanese home-cooked meal inside a Tokyo residence. Host Marimo welcomes you into her home for a rare dining experience featuring delicious seasonal cooking.
Food & Cultural Walking Tour Around Zenkoji Temple in Nagano
Chat with locals as you wander about the Zenkoji Temple area in Nagano, the heart of the prefectural capital. Snack on oyaki and other local delicacies along the way. Tea and sake included!
Yoshida Udon Making Class at Lake Kawaguchi (Yamanashi)
Learn to make a Yamanashi specialty: Yoshida udon! This is a thicker, firmer variety of udon noodles traditionally topped with horse meat and cabbage. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and other local delicacies as you look out at beautiful Mt Fuji.
Traditional Table-Style Tea Ceremony in Tokyo (Setagaya)
A professional tea master leads this experience in Setagaya, Tokyo, where you can experience a traditional Japanese ceremony and sip on a refreshing cup of sencha green tea comfortably using tables and chairs in a traditional tatami room.
Snack Bar Hopping in Harajuku: Eat, Drink and Play Games
This Harajuku night tour takes you to hidden bars for drinks, karaoke and socializing with friendly locals. Led by a snack bar expert, enjoy delicious food, fun activities, and a unique nighttime Tokyo adventure.
Downtown Naha Food Tour: Try Okinawan Foods & Drinks
Eat your way through Naha’s famous foods in this walking tour with several food stops guided by a local host. Learn about Okinawan culture while sampling some of its popular dishes like chanpuru, goya burgers, Okinawa-style soba noodles and more.
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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