Japan Vegetarian Food Experiences(468)
Wasabi Farm Tour in Okutama, Tokyo
Join your guide, an Aussie journalist-turned-farmer, and discover Japan’s precious fresh wasabi, tasting the real deal for yourself. A rare treat, come and learn how one of the world’s most expensive crops is cultivated in Okutama.
Asakusa Sumo Wrestler Show & Lunch Experience (Tokyo)
Would you make a good sumo wrestler? Find out in this unique restaurant in Asakusa. Watch a Japanese dance performance and a sumo bout, eat a chanko nabe wrestler meal, and, if you’re brave, suit up and challenge a real sumo wrestler in the dohyo!
Mochi Making Class in Tokyo
Love chewy mochi? Join this cooking class in Tokyo and learn how to make 4 versions of the beloved Japanese sweet, including ice cream mochi, strawberry daifuku, dango and isobe mochi. Then, savor your sweets with a rejuvenating cup of matcha.
Make Nigiri, Sushi Rolls, and Japanese Side Dishes
Learn how to make perfect sushi and side dishes with the help of professional teachers who will teach you about different ingredients and seasonings used in sushi. They will also teach you how to make the best sushi rice and broth for miso soup!
Small Group, All-Inclusive Kyoto Night Food and Culture Tour
Experience the vibrant nightlife of Kyoto! This intimate tour takes you along the cobbled walkways of the geisha district of Gion, and along the historic streets of Pontocho, stopping for dinner and drinks at cool local restaurants and niche bars.
The Midnight Diners: Tokyo Experience
In the eclectic Harmonica Yokocho drinking alley, hop from bar to bar, chatting with your trilingual guide and locals, and trying creative food and drinks like horse meat shumai and tea-infused cocktails.
Engaging, Immersive Osaka Foodhood Tour (15 foods, 3 drinks)
Join this food tour in Osaka, the food capital of Japan, to dine like a local at the standing bars and gastropubs of Tenma and Kyobashi. With a small, intimate tour group, you’ll visit a local shopping street, shrine, and a retro drinking spot.
Harajuku Sweets & Street Food Tour With Shizuka Anderson
Join the host of Japan byFood’s Youtube channel, Shizuka Anderson, for an unforgettable tour of Harajuku! Enjoy both sweet and savory street food, purikura photos, shopping, and a meal together with drinks.
Sushi-Making Experience in Tokyo (Cooking Class in Asakusa)
Make authentic Japanese sushi from scratch at a cooking class in Asakusa, a historic district in Tokyo! Your expert hosts will guide you from rice to roll, teaching you about the history and culture surrounding sushi and the famed Asakusa district.
Private Japanese Miso Making Workshop Near Tokyo Tower
Learn to make miso near Tokyo Tower! Discover Japan's star ingredient for umami in this comprehensive workshop, where you'll taste several kinds of miso, explore Japan's fermentation culture, enjoy miso soup, and make miso paste to ferment at home.
Sushi Making Class & Sake Tasting in Asakusa, Tokyo
Make sushi in Tokyo’s Asakusa district! Learn how to make temari (bite-sized sushi balls) and maki (hand-rolled sushi) with professional English-speaking hosts while learning about Japanese cooking traditions and the history of Asakusa along the way.
Tokyo Ramen-Making Masterclass with Chef Yoshi Shishido
Become a ramen-making expert at this masterclass in Tokyo! Learn the history of ramen, how to make tonkotsu ramen, toppings, & gyoza from Yoshi Shishido–a seasoned ramen chef. This class takes place at a professional cooking studio.
Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour
Experience the hustle and bustle of Tokyo's famous Tsukiji Fish Market on a guided tour! Learn about the culture and history of this iconic market, sample seafood delicacies, and get an inside look into the daily lives of fishmongers.
Hakata Yatai Hopping: Fukuoka Street Food Tour
Take to Hakata’s streets and numerous yatai food stalls with a local expert and fellow food lover! Experience the various foods, from ramen and gyoza to international cuisine, and enjoy some special stalls popular with the locals.
Private Mochi Sweets Making Class in Setagaya (Tokyo)
Make strawberry daifuku and hanami dango mochi sweets with a wagashi expert in Setagaya district’s Sangenjaya, a bustling local area with retro shops and cafes near Shibuya. Enjoy your chewy treats in your host’s traditional tatami tea room!
Osaka Food Tour (13 Delicious Dishes at 5 Hidden Eateries)
With Andy, your Japanese-Australian cultural guide and interpreter, you’ll experience Osaka like a local. Hop between food stalls and eateries, drinking and eating your way through the city’s best hidden gems.
Mochi and Traditional Sweets Making with Tea Ceremony
A delicate craft, learn the art of wagashi and transform a mixture of sweet bean paste and mochi into delightfully artistic sweets! These sweet creations are complemented by the cup of matcha tea that you’ll also learn to whip up.
Ramen Bowl Painting & Ramen Cooking Class in Gion, Kyoto
Love ramen and crafts? Creativity and cooking combine in this hands-on ceramic bowl painting and ramen cooking class in Gion, Kyoto’s premier entertainment district where art and tradition flourish.
Tsukiji Fish Market Tour with Breakfast
Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of one of Tokyo’s most famous markets: Tsukiji Market. From a variety of seafood vendors and street food stands, your guide will take you to four can’t-miss spots for the freshest seafood!
Luxury Cruise in Tokyo Bay: View of Skytree, Rainbow Bridge
Experience a beloved pastime of a bygone era aboard a private yakatabune (roofed boat). Cruise the Tokyo city waterways (Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge, Skytree), enjoy an elegant kaiseki meal prepared by renowned chefs, & more.
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.
Eat and Drink Like a Local in Ueno
Just outside of the restless Tokyo city center, there are bars, restaurants, and shops that are seldom frequented by tourists. During this tour, your guide will give you the opportunity to have an authentic and local experience in Ueno.
Onigiri Making & Amazake Tasting Workshop Near Tokyo Tower
In this private cooking and tasting experience in central Tokyo, you’ll learn how to make onigiri (rice balls) and take part in an amazake (fermented rice drink) tasting alongside a team of dedicated professionals.
Fukuoka Geisha Experience & Hakata Tour w/ Lunch
Watch a geisha performance and interact with real geisha in Hakata, Fukuoka! Visit the Kushida shrine and stroll the Kawabata retro shopping street with a guide, enjoy a traditional dance performance and lunch with tea and sweets.
Kyoto Home Cooking Class at a Local Izakaya
Immerse yourself in Japanese izakaya culture by making three classic dishes at a local izakaya in Kyoto before sitting down to enjoy your meal with a complimentary drink as you kanpai (cheers) with your group!
Handmade Udon Cooking Class w/ Tempura & Tamagoyaki (Tokyo)
Thick, chewy, and satisfying, udon noodles are endlessly slurpable. During this cooking class in Tokyo, you’ll learn to make these noodles from scratch alongside tempura, everyone’s favorite Japanese side dish, with your friendly host.
Vegan / Vegetarian Ramen Tour in Tokyo
Taste 2 mini bowls of Hokkaido-style ramen and 2 mini bowls of fusion ramen during this vegan food tour in Tokyo!
Ramen Noodle Making Experience in Kyoto
If ramen noodles aren’t accessible in your home country, how about learning how to make it from scratch? At a ramen shop in Kyoto’s historic Gion district, you’ll mix, roll and cut your dough.
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.