Japan Vegetarian Food Experiences(484)
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.
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.
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.
Yokohama Ramen Noodle Factory Tour & Home Cooking Class
Take a day trip from Tokyo to Yokohama! Make ramen guided by a third-generation ramen-maker at a local, family-run ramen noodle factory. Then, prepare ramen and other Japanese dishes at a family home.
Dine at 5 Local Osaka Eateries Loved by Locals: 13 Dishes
Skip the tourist traps and eat like a local in Osaka. Taste 13 delicious dishes across 5 hidden eateries, from market stalls to izakaya pubs. Plus, enjoy two drinks and insider stories from your expert local guide.
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.
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.
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.
Private Kyoto Tea Ceremony and Sweets Experience
A Japanese cultural practice that originated in Kyoto, take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony with a licensed tea ceremony instructor. Enjoy high-quality Kyoto matcha and intricate Japanese sweets, as you learn about tea ceremony etiquette.
Vegan Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class
Vegan food is delicious, satisfying, and fun in this vegan ramen and gyoza cooking class!
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!
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.
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.
Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour in Fushimi Sake District
For over 400 years, Kyoto’s Fushimi Sake District has been producing some of Japan’s most premium sake. During this sake brewery tour, visit a sake museum, tour a historic brewery, and taste a variety of sakes with a guide.
Private Fluffy Pancake Making Class in Setagaya, Tokyo
Sweet lovers, rejoice! Learn to make soft, fluffy pancakes and decorate them with seasonal fruit and whipped cream in this Tokyo home cooking class with a friendly local host in Setagaya.
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!
Osaka Izakaya Foods Cooking Class w/ a Chef
In this cooking class in Osaka, chef Yuki draws from her experience working at a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded izakaya restaurant to teach you how to make staple izakaya dishes. An option to enjoy three kinds of sake with your meal is available.
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.
Fake Food (Food Sample) Making Workshop in Tokyo
Curious about the colorful world of Japanese fake food samples? Find out how these realistic-looking food samples are made and join a hands-on workshop in Tokyo to create your very own bowl of ramen, tart charm, cupcake charm, or parfait.
Sumo Wrestler Challenge and Lunch in Tokyo
Uncover the world of sumo less than 30 minutes from central Tokyo! At Yokozuna Tonkatsu Dosukoi Tanaka, you can feast on Chanko Nabe and Tonkatsu alongside a sumo match. After your meal, it’s your turn to square off with a former sumo wrestler.
The Ultimate Osaka Night Tour
Dive into the nightlife of Osaka with a local guide, hitting the best local gastropubs and hidden bars in Japan’s vibrant food capital! Explore the backstreets of Namba, the neon-lit waterside of Dotonbori, and the party hub of Shinsaibashi.
Amezaiku Candy Sculpting Workshop in Tokyo
Try your hand at amezaiku, the traditional Japanese art of sugar sculpting, during this special workshop at a studio near Sensoji Temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district. Led by an instructor, learn to make an adorable edible rabbit the traditional way.
Discover 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.