Vegan Japan October 2025 Edition

We spent three weeks in Japan in October 2025, eating 100% vegan. In this post, I’m sharing the restaurants and cafés we went to.

Vegan eating in Japan has a bad rep and based on our 2019 experiences trying to eat vegetarian, we knew first hand that it could be a bit tricky.

I’m very happy to report that it has gotten a lot better in recent years and I’ve had some of the best food of my life on this trip.

We did go into this with extensive planning and finding a plan A and B for each lunch and dinner. This might take more time than you’d like to spend. We had an exceptional time and no dud food-wise, but with our experience now, we are happy to relay that even with just a little planning, you should get to experience vegan Japan just fine.

Our preparatory research mostly consisted of Google Maps search with additional research and reservations through Instagram and other specific reservation platforms that the restaurants will link to (or can be found on Google Maps). While in Japan, we augmented this with HappyCow to work around changed travel plans or temporary closures.

It’s obviously easier in larger cities, but with Buddhism well established, plant-based food is available even in smaller places if you know how to ask (your translation app and being polite will work wonders). Since not everyone is aware of the vegan label, it can also help to ask about food without meat, fish, dairy, eggs. Most small towns have the obligatory Indian restaurant that usually has got you covered.

The fact that this information is locked into US-megacorps is not very fun, so I took a couple of hours to add or edit all places to [OpenStreetMap][osm], if they didn’t exist already. You can use the excellent open source Veganguide to look at them all.

Restaurants in Japan are generally very very good compared to what you’re probably used to. That means that vegan restaurants compete for customers on a very high level and some of the food you’ll find you’ll get nowhere else.

Tokyo

T’s Tantan, Tokyo Station

An honourable mention up first. We did not actually go to this restaurant, but @pat swears by it and we did pick up its supermarket Ramen at Tokyo Station on our first night to eat at the hotel after coming in too late and tired for a restaurant and it was delicious!. Random supermarkets across Japan will carry this, but we have not found a stable pattern.

Links:

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Gluten Free T’s, Ueno-Hirokoji

A brightly lit and very friendly restaurant seating around 12 people. It focusses on gluten-free dining, but vegan options including starters, mains and deserts are available and very tasty. You can even buy some of their gf ingredients, like pasta to cook at home.

Notes:

You order via a website on your phone.
Last order 30 mins before closing time.
Make reservation for evenings and larger groups.

Links:

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Organic Bar Nourish

Cozy organic restaurant with vegetarian and vegan food options. The service is very friendly and the food is excellent. They offered free miso soup with their lunch deal. Near Rikugien Garden which is well worth a visit.

Notes:

Restaurant is on the second floor.

Links:

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Marugoto Vegan Dining Asakusa

An absolutely lovely riverside lunch and dinner spot that can open its full front to let nice weather in. The entire menu is vegan and all the food we sampled was sublime. A nice respite from the otherwise busy Asakusa area.

Notes:

You order via a website on your phone.

Links:

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Shiba Park Hotel

The Shiba Park Hotel restaurant does Hanasanshou Dinner (similar to Kaiseki) including modern Chinese and Western variants, all vegan. The service is exceptional and the food is fantastic. Our head waiter was delighted when we ordered three Japanese dinners as westerners and he greatly enjoyed showing us the ropes. Highly recommended if you are looking for a special evening.

Links:

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Kyushu Jangara Shiba Daimon Store

Random off-the-main-street Ramen place with excellent service and vegan Ramen options. You pay at the machine at the entrance, but staff can help you if need be. Near Shiba Park and Tokyo Tower.

Links:

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Brooks Greenlit Cafe

Modern and cozy café next to a small park (that doubles easily as outdoor seating if you are okay with flaunting Japanese etiquette and take your order out). Excellent sweets and matcha. We did not get to try the delicious looking sandwiches, but would go again. Pairs well with a visit to Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue.

Links:

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Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo (inside teamLab Planets)

Only available to visitors of the teamLab exhibition which is a must-see. The line and wait for the vegan Ramen can be off-putting but it is well worth it. Bridge the time with donuts from the cart at the back. Pro-tip: you can go back into the exhibition after eating, so if you need a break in-between, have a snack.

Links:

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Vegan Eat Tokyo

Tranquil fully vegan Japanese + world fusion restaurant with very friendly staff and great drinks selection in the otherwise busy Aksakusa area.

Notes:

Google maps says permanently closed but HappyCow still shows reviews as of this week.
HappyCow
Gmaps
Instagram

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Alchemy

A bit awkward to find in a mixed-used commercial building, but a nice and wide-open space with a wide selection of plant based food and fun coloured (and tasting) drinks. Probably best paired with exploring the rest of the stores there, e.g. the adjacent large bookstore. The amazing city view from their outdoor terrace is also a big plus

Notes:

You order via a website on your phone.

Links:

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Daiichi Takimotokan, Noboribetsu

This is a luxury Onsen / Hotel with an outstanding Grand Bath that’s worth its own visit. If you’re a guest, Kaiseki dinner is available for pre-order. Compared to other vegan Kaiseki we had it was middle of the road, which by Japanese standards still means very good, but there’s better to be had. This is mainly so you can safely book this hotel and spa and have food covered.

NEXT RESTAURANT (Suidobashi)

This is a delivery-only place. The rice bowls are great, skip the pizza.

Links:

Kailash Asian Dining ＆ Bar

A totally serviceable and friendly Indian restaurant around the corner from the Tokyo Skytree.

Links:

Gmaps

Sapporo

Organic Plus

Cozy wine bar with organic kitchen that serves vegan options. The food is very good and service is top notch; as is the music selection. The menu clearly labels everything as either vegan, lacto-vegetarian or lacto-ovo-vegetarian. Do not miss. Feels like being in an early Murakami novel (without the smoking).

Links:

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Veggie Way

We didn’t eat here in person, but got take-out instead, and the food was excellent.

Links:

Hakodate

Yasai Bar Miruya

Tiny open kitchen restaurant, woman-owned sole-proprietor and one of the sweetest places we have been. The food is excellent, the location is tucked away between residential and harbour districts, but just two tram stops from the central train station. This is a prime example of trusting recommendations and not just betting on flashy exterior. Approaching, especially in the dark you barely notice it is a restaurant at all. Staying open minded and just going for it rewards you in ways you could not have imagined.

Notes:

Reservations are not possible, best arrive early.

Links:

Kyoto

Vegan Restaurant F

One of our favourite experiences and some of the best food we’ve had on the trip. Small-ish mom & pop restaurant with a seven course fine dining experience that you will not forget. A tiny highlight is the home-made vegan cheese, the best vegan cheese we’ve ever had. They sell it to go and if feasible we’d have bought the whole stock. Service is lovely, prices are surprisingly low (~25€ per person, incl. drinks).

Notes:

We reserved in advance via Instagram.
Staff doesn’t speak english, but politeness and a translation app ensures a pleasant stay.

Links:

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Vegginy

Another top favourite experience and the best burger I’ve had in my life. Truly a Scooby-Doo contraption that tastes like nothing else. Service is great and the atmosphere is chill. Do get some of the art exhibited, sales go towards a good cause.

Notes:

Entrance is in an easy-to-miss basement.

Links:

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Veg Out

This was our only re-visit from 2019 as we loved it so much and it did not disappoint. With enormous windows for a brilliant river and mountain view, this tranquil café serves vegan buddhist-inspired cuisine that will make you visit again, too. Shares an entrance with a yoga studio, if you need even more tranquility. Easy to reach from or to Fushimi Inari-taisha.

Links:

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Vegetable Dishes ”OKI” SHIJO

Entrance-level canteen of a hostel-like hotel with fantastic vegan breakfast options, both Japanese and Western-inspired. We didn’t go for dinner, but vegan available there, too.

Links:

Osaka

Asakara Good Store

Excellent breakfast, mostly western diner-style, vegetarian and vegan options aplenty in a cozy and relaxing atmosphere and great service. So good, we went twice. Great location for visiting Osaka Castle before or after.

Notes:

You order via a website on your phone.

Links:

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Mercy Vegan Factory

A bright and friendly restaurant and bakery. All food is vegan, and a selection of ingredients can be purchased for home use. They do traditional lunch/dinner as well as sandwiches and cakes, which make great to-go items.

Links:

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Shukhansana Pozzuoli

Pizza & Pasta, not usually the cuisine you go to Japan for, but this is an excellent one-man operation. The tiny restaurant seats maybe 10 people and you get a full view of the even tinier open kitchen. It is a pleasure to see the maestro at work while you wait. The pizza is excellent and the service is very friendly.

Notes:

Reservations are recommended
Take-out is not guaranteed if the current pizza queue is too long

Links:

Koyasan

Maruman

This was a spontaneous discovery for us as the restaurant we had planned to visit was closed on the day. This is a casual Japanese lunch place with limited western-style seating, so expect to take of your shoes and sit on tatami. At the time of visit there were two vegan dishes on the menu and the staff is happy to help you find them.

Links:

Himeji

Il Riccio

Spacious yet cozy lunch spot and organic food store in central Himeji perfectly situated half-way between train station and castle. Food, ambience and kitchen staff look like they came out of a Ghibli movie and the food is excellent.

Links:

Hiroshima

Jirokichi

Tiny Hiroshima Okonomiyaki place straight out of Cowboy Bebop. This is noodle-base Okonomiyaki that is distinct from the Osaka variant. The atmosphere is great and the food is delicious. Main dishes are prepared Teppanyaki-style and served on your own per-table hot plate. The menu has a distinct section for vegan options. Do not miss. Close to the Peace Park.

Notes:

The restaurant is on the second floor (2F).
Reservations are recommended and only available via phone.
- The host speaks a little english, if you keep your language simple you will manage as we did.

Links:

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Kissa Saeki

Friendly organic daytime café serving various main dishes as well as coffee, tea and cake. Second generation family-owned vegetarian and vegan operation with many gluten-free options. Service is very friendly and the food is excellent. Close to the Peace Park and Fukuromachi shopping area.

Notes:

Cash only

Links:

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JoGeSaYu

Modern and bright Japanese vegan restaurant with a focus on flashy dishes. The food quality is mid-range for Japan, so pretty good overall. The menu is on the larger size, which makes this a good spot for larger groups and the larger-than-usual dining hall size helps as well. The service was friendly.

Miyajima

Sonoma

Tiny curry-serving cafe with a chill atmosphere. Vegan options on Miyajima are a little limited and we are very happy to have found this. It’s on the way to/from the ropeway station.

Links:

Nagoya

Miho’s Kitchen Grains

My favourite of the trip. Miho runs this place solo with occasional serving help. Our first night there was so good, we just went again the next day. Nagoya being a little less touristy translates to vegan food being less abundant.

Miho spent two years developing and crowdfunding “Okacon”, a delicious pork-rind like vegan meat substitute that she now exclusively sells. It is very versatile and nutritious on top of being extremely tasty. I’m most impressed by the fact that part of the ingredients is an otherwise discarded byproduct from tofu production that goes to waste at 700,000 tonnes per year.

The dishes Miho creates from this are out of this world and you can’t get them anywhere else.

On top of all that, the fermented tomato base Ramen is the best soup I’ve eaten in my life (sorry gran).

Seating is traditional (no shoes, you sit on tatami floors) and extremely limited, you basically get to hang out with two more parties in Miho’s living room while she cooks.

If you’re visiting Ghibli Park or Sekigahara (or both), make this your staple dinner place. It’s conveniently close to the train station.

Notes:

Reservations via Instagram

Links:

Ghibli Park

Ghibli Park Café Tairiku Oudan Hiko

The cafe outside the great warehouse features a single vegan avocado sandwich that will get you through the day. Pro-tip: share three among two people and bring some snacks for variety.

Links:

Sekigahara

Ibuki-ann

The cafeteria in the annex of the Sekigahara battlefield museum and memorial features a single vegan udon soup. You order via the machine next to the kitchen. Do ask staff to point you to the right option, they are extremely helpful and friendly.

Links:

Even More

Here’s a list of places we had to skip for various reasons, but would have gone to if we didn’t randomly go to one of the other places in the spur of the moment. Gmaps links only, apologies.

Tokyo:

Kyoto:

Osaka:

Koyasan:

Sukhasana

Hiroshima:

Nagataya Note: we did an inquiry here during the day while shopping nearby and staff was surprisingly rude, so we didn’t pursue it further, maybe you have better luck.

Sekigahara:

Andante

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AI Veganism

I have finally worked out why the “AI-vegan” narrative is a logical fallacy.

AI-boosters, and yes, that includes all you with the “nuanced takes”, use it to absolve themselves.

The “choice to forego meat on ethical grounds” analogy would work if programming was always done with genAI and now folks are abstaining because the numerous externalities are no longer bearable.

But in fact we have not been programming with genAI this whole time and now we have discovered meat, a way to produce protein in one of the most atrocious ways imaginable.

However, we are not using that protein to feed the starving. Instead the people who already have more than enough food to last a lifetime, get their fill of protein a little bit faster. And producing that protein takes away nutrition from the people who don’t have enough of it in the first place.

That’s the actual analogy.

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How to disable Google Gemini in your Google Workspace

Google has started to aggressively out-roll their Gemini AI service and is opting everyone into not only the feature but also a 17% price hike come March.

For Google Workspace users, there is no obvious way to out-out of Gemini in Gmail or Google Docs.

Within a day of this arriving, I received multiple employee complaints about the invasiveness of the service in the respective UIs. That sufficiently motivated me to find a way to turn it all off.

After touring admin.google.com for a good while I concluded there is no off switch. But I can now tell you how to get one (or four, to be precise), check this out:

screenshot of the google workspace admin panel with four areas where google gemini can be turned off

How do you get this? Simple-ish! Talk to support. The upper right corner of your Workspace admin dashboard has question mark icon that lets you contact support. I opted for a chat and after three escalations to higher levels and (nicely) persisting I wanted Gemini to be disabled (rather than replying to their somewhat useless banter) my fourth support contact was able to enable the disable UI for me.

You will find it under Generative AI -> Gemini for Workspace after it has been enabled for you.

This won’t opt you out of the announced price increase, but at least the invasive UI clutter and questionable results are disabled.

Good luck!

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (vegan & gluten-free)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made cookies, folks were interest in the recipe, I scrounged this from multiple others on the web to make this exact kind.

Ingredients

280 grams gluten-free flour, cake mix
1 tea spoon backing powder
1 tea spoon Psyllium seed husks
1/2 tea spoon salt
2 table spoons sweetener, I use half and half maple sirup and agave syrup
3 dashes of cinnamon
1 pinch of fresh vanilla
170 grams vegan butter, let soften in 2x2cm cubes for 10–15 minutes
60 grams vegan cream cheese
1 linseed “egg” (1.5 table spoons linseed flour, 3 table spoons boiling water, mix and let sit for 3 minutes)
vegan chocolate chips to taste, a crushed chocolate bar will do, dark ones to taste
crushed peanuts, pistachios and walnut seeds to taste
- Optional, replace one nut variety with 3 generous tea spoons raw cocoa powder OR add cocoa to the whole batch, in which case, use 6 generous tea spoons

Preparation

pre heat oven to 180ºC, over/under heat
first bowl: mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly
second bowl:
- separately mix all the wet ingredients except for the linseed “egg” and mix thoroughly for 2 minutes
- add the linseed egg and mix thoroughly for a further 5 minutes, hand mixer or kitchen aid recommended
  - the result should be creamy & fluffy and of a unified colour
combine bowls and mix briefly, a minute tops
separate 1/4 of the dough into your other bowl
add 1/4 of the chocolate chips and one of the crushed nuts variety, mix briefly
use two table spoons to make ca. 1–1.3cm thick and 4–6cm wide circle splotches onto baking paper leave 2cm space at least
repeat with 1/4th of the dough until you are out of nuts and/or cocoa

Baking

put backing paper on a grill sheet, or pre-heat while the oven warms baking sheet in a pinch
bake until the sides and top of the cookies have started to get brown for a good five minutes, approximately 15 minutes
when unloading, the cookies are still very soft and fragile, use spatular gently to move to a wooden cutting board for cooling off
let cool for 20–30 minutes
serve with favourite hot and cold beverages depending on season

Yum.

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Ebike Recommendations

I’m in the market for an ebike¹ and I asked around to figure out what is important when making a purchase decision. I am not asking for specific bike recommendations, but rather what criteria are important for making a decision. The responses were useful and I’m summarising them here, roughly grouped by topic.

Bike Tech

If you (like me) know a lot about “acoustic”² bikes, all that still applies.
Avoid bikes with custom parts to ensure you have an easier time repairing this long-term.
- This includes all-inclusive brands like VanMoof, Sushi or Cowboy.
Having lots of gears is less important on ebikes. Some folks prefer even no gears, even on hilly terrain.

Weight

weight is a mobility concern if you ever have to manoeuvre the bike up or down stairs.
25kg is not a bad weight for a (men’s) model.

Maintenance

Have a local shop that you trust to stick around for repairs.

Electrics

Motors are usually custom and there is new tech every ~two years. Go with big established brands like Shimano, Bosch or Yamaha.
Aim for easy battery removal so you can store and charge it safely.
Avoid rear-wheel motors, pedal-hub it is.
- Update: modern rear-wheel motors are getting better and are used in overall more lightweight bikes, keep avoiding older ones.
Update: Throttles (ask the bike to go on its own) are not classified as bikes in Germany but might be a neat feature if they are available in your jurisdiction.

Driving Experience

Always test drive in situations you are going to use the bike.
- Use bike rental shops or bike sharing programmes to get access to a trial bike.
Motor responsiveness varies, try out what suits you better, immediate power or more delayed action.
“Ebikes changed my life, I even sold my car”.

Purchase

Avoid secondhand bikes because motors can be shot and they can’t really be replaced.
If you want to save some money, go with previous year’s models, but no older than two years.
Add 1500€ to your “acoustic” bike budget for an ebike.
Cheap bikes are crap.

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1. I’m going with Don Knuth on dropping the hyphen here as soon as possible.

2. 😂😘

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