Travel guide
Vegetarian and vegan in Japan: what to eat and how to order
Japan is not the easiest country for vegetarians and vegans, but it is far from impossible, and it can be delicious. The challenge is hidden fish: dashi stock made with bonito flakes goes into soups, sauces and noodles that look meat-free. The rewards are tofu in endless forms, temple cuisine developed by Buddhist monks over centuries, and a growing number of vegan restaurants in the cities. This guide explains what to watch for, what to eat, where to find it and exactly how to order.
In short
- Dashi (fish stock) is in most soups, sauces and noodle broths; ask for dishes without it.
- Be specific: say no meat, fish, chicken, pork or stock, not just "vegetarian".
- Look for stickers from the Japan Vegan Society, VegeProject Japan or the Japan Vegetarian Association.
- Try shojin ryori, Buddhist temple cuisine, traditionally vegan.
- Ryokan can often cook vegetarian if you ask well ahead.
In this guide
The challenge: hidden fish
Japanese cooking uses a lot of meat and fish, and even stocks and sauces usually contain some (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). The main culprit is dashi, a stock often made with bonito (fish) flakes, which goes into miso soup, noodle broths, dipping sauces and simmered vegetables. Vegetarianism is also less common than in the West, and the borrowed word "vegetarian" is understood more loosely, so simply asking for a vegetarian meal may not be enough (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
The good news: rice and noodles form the base of most meals, tofu comes in a staggering variety, miso and natto are everyday foods, and fresh and pickled seasonal vegetables are easy to find (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
How to order
- Be specific. Say what you cannot eat: no meat, no seafood, no animal products, including dashi and stock (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
- Spell it out. If staff seem unsure, explain that "no meat" includes chicken, pork and fish (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
- Carry a card in Japanese with your dietary needs (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
- Use photo menus, but still check the stock and base ingredients (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
- Book ahead and mention your diet, especially for set menus (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). A translation app helps on the spot.
What to eat
| Dish | What it is | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable tempura | Battered, fried vegetables | Dipping sauce often has dashi; try salt instead |
| Tsukemono | Pickled vegetables | Usually fine |
| Nasu dengaku | Grilled aubergine with sweet miso | Ask about the miso sauce |
| Zaru soba | Chilled buckwheat noodles | The dipping sauce is usually dashi-based |
| Kappa maki and takuan maki | Cucumber or pickled radish sushi rolls | Usually fine |
| Inarizushi | Rice in a sweet fried-tofu pocket | Usually fine |
| Okonomiyaki | Savoury pancake | Vegetarian versions exist; contains egg |
Dishes from JNTO's vegetarian guide (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). Tofu and tofu skin (yuba) are specialities in Kyoto.
Temple food: shojin ryori
Japan's vegetarian tradition is closely tied to Zen Buddhism. Shojin ryori, the cuisine of Buddhist monks, is built on tofu and seasonal vegetables, wastes nothing and is believed to balance mind and body. It is traditionally vegan and even leaves out garlic and onion, but some temples now use dairy, so check ahead (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). You find it almost only at temples, and the best way to try it is a stay in a shukubo, a temple lodging (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). Browse our shrines and temples collection for ideas.
A shukubo stay usually includes dinner and breakfast in the room price, and some temples only accept cash, so confirm payment when you book (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). JNTO lists temples that take bookings in English, including Koyasan in Wakayama and Shoureki-ji and Chishakuin in Kyoto (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). Whether you book a temple meal or a small restaurant, arrive on time or cancel well ahead, because many buy fresh ingredients for each reservation (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
With a little planning, it's possible to navigate Japan and even sample vegetarian or vegan Japanese food, without compromising your diet.
Finding vegetarian and vegan restaurants
- Stickers: many restaurants show an official vegan or vegetarian sticker from the Japan Vegan Society, VegeProject Japan or the Japan Vegetarian Association (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
- Search sites: JNTO suggests HappyCow, Vegewel and Japan VegeMap to find veggie restaurants in your city (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
- City cooking: Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto have modern vegan restaurants with tofu cheeses, vegan ramen and plant-based meat (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
- Ryokan: outside the cities, many inns can prepare a vegetarian feast if you give them details in advance (JNTO (opens in a new tab)); see our onsen guide.
Convenience-store survival kit
Konbini are a surprising goldmine of veggie snacks (JNTO (opens in a new tab)):
- Onigiri with umeboshi (pickled plum) or kombu (kelp); many others contain fish.
- Inarizushi, edamame, packaged beans and simple salads.
- Natto for protein, but the sauce that comes with it is often dashi.
- For vegetarians, cheese, eggs and pastries widen the choice.
- Some vegans carry their own small bottle of soy sauce for fish-free flavour (JNTO (opens in a new tab)).
Other diets
For halal food, see our halal food guide; many of the same tips about stocks and sauces apply. Kosher food is harder to find, with almost no specialist restaurants (JNTO (opens in a new tab)). For the rest of your trip, read our etiquette guide and what to pack.
Questions travellers ask
Is it hard to be vegetarian in Japan?
It takes planning, because fish stock (dashi) is in many dishes, but with specific requests, search sites and some temple food, it is very doable.
Is miso soup vegetarian?
Usually not. Miso itself is soybean-based, but the soup is normally made with dashi, a fish stock.
What is shojin ryori?
Buddhist temple cuisine based on tofu and vegetables, traditionally vegan and without garlic or onion. Some temples use dairy, so check ahead.
How do I find vegan restaurants in Japan?
Look for stickers from the Japan Vegan Society, VegeProject Japan or the Japan Vegetarian Association, and use HappyCow, Vegewel or Japan VegeMap.
What can vegans eat at Japanese convenience stores?
Umeboshi or kombu onigiri, inarizushi, edamame, packaged beans and simple salads. Check labels and skip the sauce that comes with natto.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)日本政府観光局A vegetarian and vegan guide to Japan (opens in a new tab)
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)日本政府観光局Japanese customs and etiquette (opens in a new tab)
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)日本政府観光局Temple stays (shukubo) in Japan (opens in a new tab)
Explore related pages
Read next
Halal food in Japan: a practical guide for Muslim travellers
Japan is more Muslim-friendly every year, with more halal-certified restaurants, prayer rooms at major airports and hotels that know where the nearest mosque is. But Japanese cooking hides a few traps: alcohol in seasonings such as mirin and some miso, pork-based broths and gelatin in sweets. There is also no single national halal authority. This guide explains what to check, which certificates to trust, what you can eat safely and how to plan prayer times around a busy day of sightseeing.23 Oct 2026
Japanese etiquette for first-timers: the rules that actually matter
Nobody expects a visitor to know every Japanese custom, and people are forgiving of honest mistakes. But a handful of habits make a real difference: how you behave on trains, when to take your shoes off, how to visit a shrine, and why you will not find a bin on the street. Most of it comes down to one idea, not inconveniencing others. This guide explains the rules that matter, the reasons behind them and the few mistakes worth avoiding.23 Oct 2026
First trip to Japan: a 7-day Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka itinerary
If this is your first time in Japan, this is the route most people fall in love with: Tokyo's neighbourhoods, the shinkansen to Kyoto's temples, a morning with the deer in Nara and a last night eating in Osaka. This plan gives you seven realistic days, with travel times from official sources, where to stay, which ticket to buy, and the small tricks that save time, such as flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka.23 Oct 2026
