Do you have the impression that there are almost no vegetarians in Japan and that there are no restaurants for them?
There are many vegetarians in the world due to various food cultures and religious backgrounds, and I think their main concern when they travel to Japan is restaurants. In fact, the percentage of vegetarians in Japan is still low compared to other countries, at 5.9%. If the percentage of vegetarians is so small, wouldn’t the number of restaurants be small as well? If the percentage of vegetarians in Japan is so small, then there may not be many restaurants in the country. You may think, “If the percentage of vegetarians in Japan is so small, then there are not many restaurants in Japan.
In recent years, vegetarianism and veganism have been gaining attention in Japan due to growing health consciousness and environmental issues.
In fact, are there any restaurants in Japan that are open to vegetarians?
Why is the percentage of vegetarians in Japan so small?
Japan is said to have one of the smallest percentages of vegetarians in the world. Why is there still so little understanding and knowledge of vegetarianism and veganism? In the U.S. and Germany, where meat consumption is high, the number of people who give up animal products for health reasons and try to lead a healthy lifestyle centered on vegetarian food is increasing every year. Many restaurants, even those that do not specialize in vegetarian food, offer vegetarian menus, creating an environment where both non-vegans and vegans can enjoy their meals together.
So why are there so few vegetarians and vegans in Japan compared to other countries?
Recently, veganism has been increasingly discussed in Japan, and awareness of veganism has increased compared to the past. However, there are still few people who understand it correctly and in detail, and only a few people have a firm understanding of its relationship to environmental issues. In Japan, many people still recognize it only as a health-conscious diet.
Another possible reason for Japanese people’s low interest in vegetarianism and veganism is a sense of security that Japanese food is healthy and leads to longevity. Worldwide, Japanese food is known as healthy and a source of longevity. A diet based on fish, soybeans, and vegetables provides many Japanese with a sense of security that they can have a healthy body without having to go to the trouble of adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet. For this reason, it is believed that interest in vegetarianism and veganism is still low and penetration is slow.
Health-conscious Japanese
Although vegetarianism and veganism are still rare in Japan, they are gradually gaining recognition, with athletes and executives adopting them to improve their health and performance. Even if they are not completely vegetarian, an increasing number of people are adopting a lighter diet, for example, by not eating animal products once or twice a week for their health. With this in mind, more and more restaurants in Japan are catering to vegetarians and vegans. Many women go to these restaurants for diet and beauty reasons, such as restaurants that serve dishes made with soy meat instead of meat. The number of such restaurants may increase in the future, as more and more people, including those who are loosely vegetarian or vegan, are gradually adopting the concept.
Surprisingly many vegan restaurants
The number of vegetarian and vegan restaurants has been increasing in recent years, and you can find a surprisingly large number of them when you search for them. Because they are new restaurants, many of them are promoting themselves on social networking sites.
Here are some of the restaurants that have been getting a lot of attention recently.
Tokyo
Nataraj
This restaurant opened in 1989 as the first vegetarian Indian restaurant in Japan.
The restaurant’s cuisine, which is based on a passionate desire to make the taste and importance of vegetable cuisine more accessible to the public, has gained a good reputation, and the number of restaurants has gradually increased.
The dishes using vegetables grown on the company’s own farm, which are completely pesticide-free and organically fertilized, allow diners to enjoy the bounty of nature and its delicious taste.
The restaurant does not use chemical seasonings, colorings, synthetic preservatives, genetically modified foods, or white sugar, which are commonly used in curry, to bring out the unique flavor of vegetables in its dishes.
Even though the cuisine does not use any animal protein such as meat or fish, there are more than 20 varieties of curry.
You can enjoy dishes made with safe ingredients and no additives at this restaurant.
Nataraj: https://nataraj.co.jp/
Alaska zwei
This vegan café is located within walking distance of the fashionable districts of Nakameguro and Ikejiri-Ohashi.
They decided to make it a vegan café because they wanted to make it a café where people of all religious and cultural backgrounds can enjoy delicious food together.
The food is very popular for its volume and satisfying enough to satisfy even men who eat a lot or those who usually eat junk food. The fact that all the food is vegetable even though it is such a large portion is also a great point for women who are conscious of their health and beauty.
All of the dishes are delicious, but the brown rice is the most popular.
Enjoy delicious vegetable dishes in a relaxed atmosphere that will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
Alaska zwei: https://www.instagram.com/alaska_zwei/
Komaki Shokudo
This café in Akihabara serves vegetarian cuisine. All dishes are free of animal products, five garlic and five other ingredients (leek, rakkyo, onion, garlic, chives), dairy products, and eggs, making them safe for everyone to eat.
The owner’s father is the head chef of the temple, Noriza Wako, and his mother is a cook and has inherited the taste of authentic vegetarian cuisine. Many foreign tourists visit the restaurant, and English-language information is available in the restaurant for your peace of mind.
Komaki Restaurant: https://www.kamakura-komaki.com/
Osaka
Vegetarian Wago Chakura
Chagura is a restaurant with a great atmosphere, built in a renovated mansion from the early Showa period.
The dishes are beautifully colored and are a pleasure to look at and eat.
In addition to the Japanese-style dishes, such as curry and pizza made with natural yeast, there is a wide range of dishes.
If you are looking for a relaxing and luxurious experience, I highly recommend this restaurant.
If you are coming to Japan, please enjoy Japanese food here.
Vegetarian Wago Chagura: https://sakai-chakura.com/
Organic & vegetarian cafe Atl
This cafe is recommended when you are tired from sightseeing and want to stop by. It is only a 3-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station, and the atmosphere is casual enough that it is easy to enter even if you are alone.
The cafe menu includes not only meals, but also a wide variety of sweets and other café items. There are many cakes with unusual flavors, such as green tea banana cake, that you will want to try even if you are not a vegan.
organic & vegetarian cafe Atl: https://www.instagram.com/atl_shinsaibashi/
Vege Ramen Yuniwa
This is the first vegan ramen specialty restaurant in Japan. Open until 9:00 p.m., the restaurant is always crowded with people, even those on their way home from work. Our guilt-free ramen is very popular among women as well.
Not only ramen but also gyoza (Chinese dumplings) are available, and the ramen ranges from basic flavors to different varieties, so you will never get tired of going back again and again.
You will be amazed at how delicious ramen can be made with just vegetables.
Veji Ramen Yuniwa: https://vegewa.com/
Even vegetarians can enjoy a trip to Japan!
This list is too long, so we have only introduced three restaurants in Tokyo and Osaka, but there are many other vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Japan. There are also many other vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Japan, and many of them advertise their restaurants on social networking sites, making it easier to find them.
The concept of each restaurant varies. There are many restaurants where vegetarians and vegans can enjoy their meals, so please feel free to come to Japan.
