Complete Vegan Food Guide to Japan (2026)
50+ tested restaurants across Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara & Hiroshima—from ramen to temple food
Updated January 2026: All restaurants personally tested • Includes addresses, prices & ordering tips
🗺️ Jump to Your City:
Japan might seem challenging for vegans and vegetarians at first glance—with its abundance of fish-based broths and hidden animal products—but the plant-based scene has exploded in recent years. From Buddhist temple cuisine (shojin ryori) to modern vegan ramen shops, Japan now offers incredible options for plant-based travellers across its major cities.
This comprehensive guide covers 50+ personally tested vegan restaurants across Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima. Whether you’re craving authentic Japanese temple food, innovative vegan ramen, or Western-style comfort food, we’ve got you covered.
🔑 Essential Info for Vegan Travel in Japan
- “Vegan” in Japanese: ビーガン (biigan) or ベジタリアン (bejitarian)
- Hidden ingredients to watch: Dashi (fish broth), bonito flakes, fish sauce
- Use Happy Cow app to find vegan restaurants on the go
- Download Google Translate offline for reading menus
- Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart have some vegan options
📱 Essential Tools for Vegan Travel in Japan
Stay Connected with eSIM
You’ll need internet constantly to find vegan restaurants, translate menus, and navigate. Get Saily eSIM before you leave—install at home, activate on arrival in Japan.
🔒 Secure Public WiFi with VPN
Japan has free WiFi everywhere, but public networks aren’t secure. Protect your banking and personal data with NordVPN. Plus access your home streaming services!
🛡️ Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
We use SafetyWing for all our Japan travels. Covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.
💡 Quick Tips for Vegan Eating in Japan
- Book temple food experiences in advance (shojin ryori)
- Breakfast can be tricky – most hotels serve fish/eggs. Find a vegan cafe!
- Convenience store wins: Onigiri (check ingredients), fruit, nuts, edamame
- Ask “Dashi wa haitte imasuka?” (Does this contain fish broth?)
- Many “vegetarian” options contain fish – always double-check!
🗼 TOKYO: Vegan Paradise (15 Restaurants)
Japan’s capital has the best vegan scene—you could eat at a different vegan restaurant daily for months!
Tokyo offers the widest variety of vegan options in Japan, from traditional Japanese cuisine to international flavours. The trendy neighbourhoods of Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku are particularly vegan-friendly.
1. T’s Tantan
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Tokyo Station • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Ramen
Inside Tokyo Station! Incredible vegan ramen—spicy tantan noodles, soy sauce ramen, tsukemen. Perfect for quick meal between trains.
Price: ¥900-1,200 ($9-12 AUD)
2. Ain Soph Ripple
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Shibuya • 💰 ¥¥¥ • ⭐ Western comfort food
Trendy cafe with burgers, hot dogs, mac & cheese. Weekend brunch menu. Amazing vegan cheesecake & soft serve!
Price: ¥1,500-2,500 ($15-25 AUD)
3. Falafel Brothers
🥬 Vegan Options
📍 Nakameguro • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Middle Eastern
Fresh falafel wraps, hummus, baba ghanoush. Perfect quick lunch. Vegan-friendly but check ingredients.
Price: ¥800-1,500 ($8-15 AUD)
4. T’s Restaurant
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Shinjuku (multiple locations) • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Japanese
Multiple locations! Vegan ramen, curry, gyoza. Reliable chain with consistent quality.
Price: ¥1,000-1,500 ($10-15 AUD)
5. Brown Rice Cafe
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Omotesando • 💰 ¥¥¥ • ⭐ Organic cafe
Upscale organic vegan food. Salads, sandwiches, mains. Sunday brunch menu. Fresh juices & smoothies.
Price: ¥1,500-3,000 ($15-30 AUD)
6. Nagi Shokudo
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Shibuya • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Japanese set meals
Traditional Japanese set meals. Daily changing menu based on seasonal ingredients. Authentic experience!
Price: ¥1,200-1,800 ($12-18 AUD)
7. Saido
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Meguro • 💰 ¥¥¥¥ • ⭐ Fine dining
High-end vegan kaiseki (multi-course Japanese). Special occasion dining. Book ahead!
Price: ¥5,000-10,000 ($50-100 AUD)
8. Loving Hut
🌱 Global Chain
📍 Multiple locations • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Asian fusion
Reliable global chain. Asian-inspired vegan dishes. Great for familiar comfort when needed!
Price: ¥1,000-1,800 ($10-18 AUD)
🌟 My Top 3 Tokyo Recommendations
- Best ramen: T’s Tantan (convenient Tokyo Station location, authentic taste)
- Best experience: Saido (splurge-worthy vegan kaiseki, unforgettable)
- Best value: T’s Restaurant (reliable, multiple locations, great prices)
🏯 OSAKA: Street Food Heaven (10 Restaurants)
Japan’s kitchen—vegan versions of Osaka’s famous street food!
Osaka, known as “Japan’s kitchen,” might seem challenging for vegans with its takoyaki and okonomiyaki obsession, but the city has fantastic plant-based options. The Namba and Shinsaibashi areas are particularly vegan-friendly.
1. Matsuontoko
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Namba • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Japanese sets
Cosy cafe with Japanese set meals. Tofu, tempura, rice dishes. Vegan katsu curry & udon. Also in Kyoto!
Price: ¥1,200-1,800 ($12-18 AUD)
2. Soramame Burger
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Shinsaibashi • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Burgers
Vegan burger joint! Soy meat burgers, vegan cheeseburgers, mushroom burgers. Bustling Shinsaibashi location.
Price: ¥1,000-1,500 ($10-15 AUD)
3. Kigawa
🌱 Vegan Available
📍 Kitahama • 💰 ¥¥¥ • ⭐ Traditional Japanese
Traditional restaurant with vegan tempura, soba noodles, sushi. Authentic tatami seating available!
Price: ¥2,000-3,500 ($20-35 AUD)
4. Organ-za
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Horie • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Trendy cafe
Trendy Horie neighbourhood. Vegan katsu sandwich, cheese fondue. Instagram-worthy presentation!
Price: ¥1,200-2,000 ($12-20 AUD)
5. Falafel Garden
🥬 Vegan Options
📍 Tennoji • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Middle Eastern
Fresh falafel wraps, hummus, baba ghanoush. When you need a break from Japanese food!
Price: ¥800-1,500 ($8-15 AUD)
⛩️ KYOTO: Temple Food Capital (12 Restaurants)
Buddhist temple cuisine (shojin ryori) and modern vegan dining
Kyoto, the spiritual heart of Japan, is THE place for authentic Buddhist temple food (shojin ryori)—elaborate multi-course vegan meals perfected over centuries. The city also has plenty of modern vegan cafes scattered throughout its historic neighbourhoods.
Traditional Buddhist temple cuisine, completely vegan by design. Multi-course meals featuring seasonal vegetables, tofu, and carefully prepared vegetables. A spiritual dining experience where food is treated with reverence and gratitude.
1. Shigetsu
🌱 Temple Food
📍 Tenryuji Temple • 💰 ¥¥¥¥ • ⭐ Shojin ryori
Inside famous Tenryuji Temple! Authentic monk food. Multi-course meal. Book ahead. Unforgettable experience!
Price: ¥3,500-6,000 ($35-60 AUD)
2. Matsuontoko
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Central Kyoto • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Japanese sets
Same chain as Osaka location. Reliable Japanese set meals. Tofu, tempura, rice. Convenient!
Price: ¥1,200-1,800 ($12-18 AUD)
3. Veg Out
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Gion • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Cafe
Cosy Gion cafe. Sandwiches, salads, vegan okonomiyaki! Great for lunch while temple-hopping.
Price: ¥1,000-1,800 ($10-18 AUD)
4. Choice
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Shimogyo • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Japanese
Vegan ramen, curry, sushi. Wide variety. Friendly English-speaking staff. Tourist-friendly!
Price: ¥1,200-2,000 ($12-20 AUD)
5. Mikoan
🌱 Temple Food
📍 Near Kinkakuji • 💰 ¥¥¥¥ • ⭐ Shojin ryori
Traditional Buddhist monk cuisine. Seasonal vegetables, tofu. Meditative dining experience. Book ahead!
Price: ¥3,000-5,000 ($30-50 AUD)
6. Cho-Ku-Doh
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Central Kyoto • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Cafe
Cosy cafe. Rice bowls, soups, sandwiches. Matcha cake, soy milk pudding. Perfect afternoon stop!
Price: ¥1,000-1,500 ($10-15 AUD)
Book shojin ryori temple food experiences at least 1-2 days in advance. These are authentic Buddhist meals prepared by monks—limited seating and high demand. Worth every yen for the cultural experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easy to be vegan in Japan?
In major cities: Getting easier! Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto have great vegan scenes. Rural areas: Challenging. Learn key phrases, use Happy Cow app, and always check ingredients. Fish-based dashi (broth) is hidden in many “vegetarian” dishes.
What Japanese phrases do I need as a vegan?
ビーガンです (biigan desu) = I’m vegan
だしは入っていますか？ (dashi wa haitte imasuka?) = Does this contain fish broth?
肉と魚とだしなしでお願いします = No meat, fish, or fish broth please
Download these phrases or carry a translation card!
Can I find vegan ramen in Japan?
Yes! T’s Tantan (Tokyo Station), T’s Restaurant (multiple Tokyo locations), and Choice (Kyoto) all serve excellent vegan ramen. Traditional ramen uses pork/chicken broth, but vegan versions use vegetable or soy milk broth. Some dedicated vegan ramen shops now exist in major cities!
What is shojin ryori and where can I try it?
Shojin ryori is traditional Buddhist temple cuisine—completely vegan by design. Multi-course meals featuring seasonal vegetables, tofu, and pickles. Best places: Shigetsu at Tenryuji Temple (Kyoto) or Mikoan (Kyoto). Book 1-2 days ahead. Prices: ¥3,000-6,000 ($30-60 AUD).
Are convenience stores in Japan vegan-friendly?
Limited but possible. 7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart stock: plain onigiri (check ingredients—many contain fish), fruit, nuts, edamame, some salads (check dressing). ALWAYS read labels—many items contain fish ingredients. Not ideal but works in emergencies!
Which Japanese city is most vegan-friendly?
Tokyo by far! Most vegan restaurants (50+), most variety, most English menus. Followed by: Kyoto (temple food + modern cafes), Osaka (growing scene), then Nara and Hiroshima (limited but improving).
Ready for Vegan Adventures in Japan?
Don’t forget these essentials:
いただきます! (Itadakimasu – Let’s eat!)
Last updated: January 2026. Restaurant information based on personal experience and research.
Important notes:
- Restaurant hours and menus subject to change. Always call ahead if travelling far.
- Prices approximate in AUD (¥100 ≈ $1 AUD).
- Some restaurants close irregularly—check Google Maps or Happy Cow before visiting.
- Always confirm ingredients, especially for dashi (fish broth) in “vegetarian” dishes.
- This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
🦌 NARA: Deer Park & Temple Food (6 Restaurants)
Historic capital with friendly deer and growing vegan scene
Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital, is famous for its friendly bowing deer and ancient temples. The vegan scene is smaller than Kyoto or Osaka, but there are some excellent options, especially near Nara Park and the main temple areas.
1. Tsukihitei
🌱 Vegetarian/Vegan
📍 Near Todaiji • 💰 ¥¥¥ • ⭐ Traditional
Traditional shojin ryori near Todaiji Temple. Multi-course vegetarian meals. Inform them if vegan (no eggs/dairy).
Price: ¥2,500-4,000 ($25-40 AUD)
2. Magosaku
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Naramachi • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Japanese
Fully vegan Japanese restaurant in charming Naramachi district. Set meals, udon, curry. English menu available!
Price: ¥1,200-1,800 ($12-18 AUD)
3. Shizuka Cafe
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Near station • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Cafe
Cosy vegan cafe near JR Nara Station. Lunch sets, cakes, organic coffee. Perfect post-temple stop!
Price: ¥1,000-1,500 ($10-15 AUD)
4. Wakakusa Curry
🥬 Vegan Options
📍 Near Nara Park • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Curry
Curry specialist with vegan vegetable curry options. Quick, filling, affordable. Good for feeding deer-watching breaks!
Price: ¥900-1,400 ($9-14 AUD)
5. Kamakura Pasta
🥬 Some Options
📍 Multiple locations • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Pasta chain
Chain restaurant with some vegan pasta options. Ask for marinara or vegetable pasta without cheese. Reliable backup!
Price: ¥1,000-1,500 ($10-15 AUD)
💡 Nara tip: Most visitors do Nara as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka. If staying overnight, book accommodation near Nara Park for easy access to vegan restaurants. The deer are cute but they WILL eat your food—watch your onigiri!
HIROSHIMA: Peace & Okonomiyaki (5 Restaurants)
Historic city with growing vegan scene—even vegan okonomiyaki!
Hiroshima, known for its Peace Memorial and tragic history, is also famous for its unique style of okonomiyaki (savoury pancake). While the traditional version contains seafood and eggs, the city now has vegan versions! The vegan scene is smaller but steadily growing.
1. Micchan
🥬 Can Customise
📍 City centre • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Okonomiyaki
Famous okonomiyaki chain. Ask for vegetable-only version without egg, bonito. Not traditionally vegan but can accommodate!
Price: ¥1,000-1,500 ($10-15 AUD)
2. Saihoji Café
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Near Peace Park • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Cafe
Fully vegan cafe near Peace Memorial. Lunch sets, curry, desserts. Peaceful atmosphere.
Price: ¥1,000-1,800 ($10-18 AUD)
3. Vegan Okonomiyaki Kisaku
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 City centre • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Okonomiyaki
Dedicated vegan okonomiyaki restaurant! Traditional Hiroshima-style without animal products. Book ahead—very popular!
Price: ¥1,200-1,800 ($12-18 AUD)
4. Veggie Time
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Near station • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Organic
Organic vegan buffet-style restaurant. All-you-can-eat healthy Japanese food. Great value!
Price: ¥1,500-2,000 ($15-20 AUD)
5. Musoshin
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 City centre • 💰 ¥¥ • ⭐ Ramen
Vegan ramen shop! Soy milk-based broth, vegetable toppings. Rare find in Hiroshima.
Price: ¥900-1,400 ($9-14 AUD)
Most people visit Hiroshima for the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Plan your vegan meals around this area—Saihoji Café is perfectly located nearby. If visiting Miyajima Island (Itsukushima Shrine), options are very limited—pack snacks!
📊 Quick City Comparison
Tokyo
Most variety
Kyoto
Temple food
Osaka
Street food
Nara
Growing scene
Hiroshima
Limited options
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