A lot of people think that being vegan is too hard or even too boring to adopt as a lifestyle, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are coming to Japan and is vegan or if you are already here and thinking of making a change in your life, this article is for you. EnableJapan.com put together some useful tips on how to shop here in Japan and a list of vegan-friendly stores and restaurants for your use. Because being vegan in Japan can be fun and fashionable–just like you!

Vegan in Japan – Important Shopping Tips

List of Ingredients

If you want to eat something other than rice and veggies in Japan, you must learn the essentials of the Japanese language. Anything with an ingredient list can be a challenge. Even though you may memorize all the kanji and kana of “dangerous” foods, it may be tricky because Japan labels sometimes come with incomplete information, especially if it is an imported good. Either way, it is always good to bring with you a list of ingredients to avoid and if after checking everything it still tastes funny, throw it away. Here is a list with ingredients to avoid, feel free to print it out and carry with you the whole time.

Name	Kanjis/ Kana/ Pronunciation
Meat	肉（にく） NI-KU
Pork	豚肉（ぶたにく)or ポーク BU-TA NI-KU or PO-KU
Chicken	鶏肉（とりにく)or チキン TO-RI NI-KU or CHI-KIN
Beef	牛肉（ぎゅうにく）or ビーフ GYU NI-KU or BY-FU
Lard	ラード RA-DO
Fish	魚（さかな） SA-KA-NA or FY-SHU
Fish Stock	鰹だし（かつおだし or カツオだし) KA-TSU-O DA-SHI
Dried Fish Flakes	鰹節（かつおぶし） KA-TSU-O BU-SHI
Shrimp	えび or エビ E-BI
Egg	卵（たまご） TA-MA-GO
Milk	牛乳（ぎゅうにゅう）GUY-NUY or MI-RU-KU
Butter	バター BA-TA
Yoghurt	ヨーグルト YO-GU-RU-TO
Whey	ウェイ or ホエイ VE-I or HO-E-I
Gelatine	ゼラチン ZE-RA-TIN
Honey	蜂蜜（はちみつ） HA-CHI-MI-TSU

Useful Phrases

Walking around Tokyo sometimes is difficult to find an exclusive vegan or vegetarian restaurant, so here is a list of useful phrases to make sure you enjoy your meal and your stay in Japan. Being vegan in Japan is getting easier with time with more and more stores, cafes and restaurants catering to the vegan public, but is always good to make sure everything is according to plan.

I am Vegan – Watashi wa bygan desu.

I do not eat (food name) – (food name) o taberaremasen.

Is it vegan? – Kore wa bygan desu ka?

Do you have ( foods name)? – (food name) ga arimasu ka?

Can you make it without ( food name)? – (food name) nuki de dekimasu ka?

Tricky Food

Japanese foods have lots of vegetables, rice, beans and broths, so when people see that beautiful bowl of rice and vegetables, they don’t think twice before eating it. DO NOT DO THAT! Traditional Japanese food uses in almost every dish katsuo dashi (fish stock). It is used as a hidden flavor or as the main part of a dish, anyway, it is there. So before eating in a restaurant that is not vegan in Japan, please ask specific questions just like the ones above to make sure your meal is free of any animal product. ** Some restaurants (not so common) may offer a substitute for the katsuo dashi. 

Thinking of all the people that posted comments in all the vegan blogs and restaurant reviews I have read during my research, here is a list of tricky foods that may look vegan but in reality they are not.

Dipping Sauces

Some sauces have fish or pork powder as an ingredient. Check the label or ask the restaurant before dipping your veggie in it.

Miso – Beware of Dashi

Photo by Peaksignal on pixabay.com

Sushi

Some restaurants add dashi to some types of sushi rice. Please check in the restaurant and try to choose always a sushi with white rice and no seasoning.

Photo by gate74 on pixabay.comPhoto by epicantus on pixabay.com

Tempura

Some restaurants add dashi and egg to the batter.

Udon – Beware of Dashi and Eggs

Vegetable Croquets

Some vegetable croquets have eggs and dashi.

Photo by Garret Ziegler on flickr.com

 Vegan in Japan – Restaurants in Tokyo

Ain Soph Journey

Website (Japanese) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station: 2 minutes walk from Shinjuku-Sanchome Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Falafel Brothers

Website (Japanese and English) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station: 3 minutes walk from Roppongi Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Future Food Cafe Restaurant Tubu Tubu

Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station: 2-minute walk from Ushigome-yanagicho Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Hemp Cafe

Website (English) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station:  2 minutes walk from Ebisu Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Organic Table by Lapaz

Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station:  6-minute walk from Gaienmae Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Rainbow Raw Food

Website (English) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station:  3 minutes walk from Ebisu Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Veganic to Go

Website (Japanese and English) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station:  4-minute walk from Nogizaka Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Vegetable Stores in Tokyo

Cosme Kitchen

Website (Japanese and English) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station:  5-minute walk from Shibuya Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Farmer’s Market @UNU

Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station:  3-minute walk from Omotesando Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Natural House

Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station:  3-minute walk from Omotesando Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Natural Lawson

It is a version of the traditional convenience store franchise that has organic products and specific vegan and vegetarian products. There are many stores spread around Tokyo.

Website (via Google Translate) ||| Tokyo Locations (via Google Translate)

Natural Mart

Website (via Google Translate) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram

Nearest Station:  6-minute walk from Hiroo Station (plan your route at the link and click on the Google Map below for walking directions)

Besides these options you can also look for farmer’s market near your house or hotel. You can also ask at the front desk of the place you are staying where is the nearest vegan friendly store/restaurant. People miss a lot of opportunities to try really good food because of the language barrier. Don’t be afraid to ask! You might enjoy your trip way more and even make new friends along the way. Make being vegan in Japan more fun and spread this awesome way of living!