Vegetarian Food Experiences(448)
Tsukiji & Asakusa: Tokyo Culinary & Cultural Walking Tour
Explore two of Tokyo’s vibrant food scenes on our delectable culinary tour in Tsukiji and Asakusa! Sample the freshest sushi at Tsukiji Outer Market, then savor the traditional flavors and street foods of Asakusa, Tokyo’s most historic neighborhood.
Maki Sushi Class at Japan’s Oldest Cooking School
Create maki (rolled) sushi from scratch at Japan’s oldest cooking school in central Tokyo! Learn how to make maki sushi alongside professional chefs, form friendships, and make memories at a historic culinary academy dating back to 1882.
Paint & Sip: Japanese-Themed Painting & Wine (Tokyo)
Unleash your creativity with a drink in hand at a paint & sip session on Cat Street in Harajuku (Tokyo)! You’ll paint a Japanese-themed artwork, enjoy wine, socialize, & make memories to last a lifetime.
Tea Ceremony, Matcha-Making, & Kimono Experience in Okinawa
Join a unique hands-on learning experience guided by a tea ceremony expert in Okinawa. Change into a simple kimono, watch a Japanese tea ceremony, learn etiquette & customs, enjoy Okinawan sweets, make matcha, & participate in a photoshoot.
Tokyo Bay Private Dinner in a Traditional Boat
Sightsee and dine with utmost comfort! See Tokyo Tower and Odaiba’s Rainbow Bridge light up at night while enjoying a multi-course dinner with temaki and tempura on a private yakatabune boat along Tokyo Bay.
Tokyo Vegan & Gluten-Free Cooking: Onigiri, Pickles & More
Join a pro Japanese chef and restaurateur in Nishi-Nippori, central Tokyo, for this vegan and gluten-free cooking class. Make six kinds of Japanese onigiri rice balls and complete your meal with soup, a side and a pickled dish.
Hakata Food Tour: 7 Dishes & 4 Drinks at 4 Yatai Stalls
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 w/ a Chef
In this cooking class in Osaka, chef Yuki draws from her experience working at a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded izakaya restaurant to teach you how to make staple izakaya dishes. An option to enjoy three kinds of sake with your meal is available.
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.
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.
Tokyo National Museum Historic Teahouse Tour & Dining (Ueno)
Indulge in a premium dining course, learn to whisk matcha to enjoy with traditional sweets and bask in the sights of a historical treasure trove in this experience in a 280-year-old teahouse inside the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Kobe Cooking Class: Make Tempura & Udon Noodles
While in Kobe, learn how to make two classic Japanese dishes, udon noodles and tempura fritters, and enjoy both in a delicious tempura udon lunch with a friendly local in their home kitchen.
Tokyo Vegan & Vegetarian Tofu Home Cooking Class (3 Dishes)
Discover the versatility of tofu in this home cooking class where you’ll make tofu hamburger steak, agedashi-tofu (deep fried tofu) and shiraae (salad with tofu dressing) with a seasoned host at her home in Tokyo’s Setagaya area.
Nagoya Vegan Sushi Class
During this colorful, plant-based sushi class in Nagoya, you’ll learn how to make several styles of sushi and vegan miso soup. Learn tips and tricks about eating vegan in Japan!
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.
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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