Think that being vegan in Japan is too difficult? Think again! These days there are lots of vegan restaurants and cafes opening up all across the country, catering to both foreign travelers and locals who are interested in a plant-based diet either for health, environmental or ethical reasons.
In this video, we join Shizuka Anderson as she explores Vegan Store Asakusa, the first entirely vegan convenience store in Japan – which also has a vegan restaurant upstairs – and samples some of the delicious plant-based food they have on offer!
If you're looking for more vegan options in Japan, check out our Ultimate Japan Vegan Guide which includes vegan area guides for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, and more!
Vegan Store Asakusa: Japan’s First All-Vegan Convenience Store
The vegan convenience store Shizuka visits is located in Asakusa, a popular tourist spot in Tokyo most famous for the stunning Sensoji Temple and its striking red lanterns. With light wooden decor and bird songs playing in the background, as soon as you step into Vegan Store you feel at ease, and the friendly staff are happy for you to take as much time as you like browsing.
Japanese convenience store food is generally of a high standard, and Vegan Store is no exception!
The range of products on offer is genuinely impressive, and Shizuka finds everything from instant noodles, ramen, pancake mix, chocolate, and even a vegan version of dashi stock on the shelves. There’s also a refrigerated section where you can pick up things like yogurt and mayonnaise, plus a freezer with ice cream and ready meals.
If you live in Japan or are staying somewhere with a kitchen, you can try some of their range of tinned goods, sauces, and other cooking ingredients to create your own delicious plant-based meals at home. Most of the items are also additive and preservative-free, with plenty of gluten-free products available too.
After browsing the store, Shizuka moves upstairs to check out the restaurant. She tries a range of their dishes including a fluffy omelet, succulent soy meat vegan karaage (fried chicken), and a juicy plant-based OmniPork burger (made from pea protein, soy protein, mushrooms, and rice) boasting salsa, vegan cheese, and a double patty – possibly the best vegan burger in Tokyo!
For something more traditionally Japanese, Shizuka opts for a shougayaki donburi rice bowl, which is made with crispy konnyaku "pork" and comes with a surprisingly realistic vegan egg yolk.
Be sure to watch the video to get a look at these amazing meals and find out just how great they all taste – and next time you’re in the city, definitely stop by this fantastic vegan restaurant in Tokyo.
Join a Vegan Tour of Shibuya!
Want to enjoy some of the tastiest plant-based food in Tokyo, plus get some top insider tips for being vegan in Japan along the way? Join the Vegan Food Tour in Shibuya!
On this three-hour exploration, your expert guide will show you around Tokyo’s lively Shibuya district, stopping off at a few of the best local restaurants to sample an all-vegan menu.
This includes a delicious vegan karaage teishoku lunch set, some traditional Japanese snacks that just so happen to be made entirely from plant-based ingredients, and a decadent vegan donut for dessert. Yum!
