 Being vegan in Japan isn't easy, but it's not impossible! From supermarkets to restaurants to convenience stores, this guide will ensure you don't just live off plain rice or spend insane amounts of money! After living in Japan for a year, here are over 50 recommendations <3

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo: Vegan Survival Guide

DISCLAIMER - always check the ingredients list as companies can change ingredients without notice!! Also, due to labelling laws in Japan, certain ingredients like Bonito flakes (fish powder) can be omitted from the ingredients list if it is in a small enough amount. Therefore, sometimes it is difficult to tell if something is truly "vegan", but I will note any uncertainty on any items. 

Sometimes you're walking around all day and suddenly you're hit with the feeling of "If I don't eat something now, I am going to pass out. It's happening, it's happening. I am scaring the locals". But fear not! Luckily there are many quick fixes for this problem in Tokyo, thanks to many chains that you can find all around the city. 

I see these recommended a lot, but besides the allure of the convenience of Kobini's, there's not much hype besides 24/7 opening hours and the sheer amount that exists. But I will list some anyway in case they are your only option. There are also weekly releases of products on the Konbini websites, so be sure to check them! Considering this I will keep my list to consistent items I see and I will avoid listing obvious things like fruit. 

- SoyJoys (White chocolate & lemon, banana) 

A lot of places in Tokyo are English-speaker-friendly, but I have included some language tips for complete beginners! I have tried to make the language as simple as possible and prepare you for what you might hear. 

Supermarkets/ Convenience stores(Konbini) : 

 - Welcome -  Irasshaimase! (いらっしゃいませ！) 

You will hear this as you walk into any shop and maybe if the store clerk passes you in the store. There is no real response to this it is more of a formality. But if you're like me and feel weird not acknowledging it at all you can smile and nod. 

- Would you like a bag? - Fukuro ni oiresimasu ka?（ふくろにおれしますか） 

This is normally the first question to be asked once you reach the till and normally it is said so quickly that even as a language learner I don't hear what they are saying, but I have just learnt subconsciously that they almost always ask this first. So how do you respond? Here are some ways!

ー　Yes please - Hai, onegaishimasu! (はい、おねがいします）  　(If you're really nervous about speaking Japanese, I'm sure a smile and a nod will not seem rude)

ー　It's okay - daijyoubu desu（大丈夫です）- You should also shake your head

ー　I don't need it - iranaidesu（いらないです）

- At the end of the transaction, you can simply say arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます）

(Same as before, I'm sure that this will suffice for saying you don't want a bag)

- Thank you for the meal - Gochisousamadeshita (ごちそうさま でした)   - You can say this as you leave the restaurant

Here are some websites that helped me when I first came to Japan:

- How many people (for the table)? - Nan mei sama desu ka? (なんめいさまですか？) 

⭐️ One person - hitoridesu (ひとりです）

⭐️ Two people - futaridesu (ふたりです)

⭐️ Three people  - san nin desu (さんにんです)

(You can also hold up your hand and show the amount of people on your fingers)

⭐️ Four people  -  yon nin desu　(よんにんです)

https://isitveganjapan.com/ 

エリア別のベジタリアン・ヴィーガン・グルテンフリー対応レストラン一覧：Vegewel Restaurant Guide

(Some of these places have multiple stores so there may be a branch closer to where you are) 

KOMEDA is □ Higashi Ginza

%ARABICA Tokyo Azabudai Hills 4F

THE NUTS EXCHANGE

Premarché Gelateria & Alternative Junk

Tokyo Juice

Alchemy

Nana Kitchen

Hemp Cafe Tokyo

fruits and season(フルーツアンドシーズン)

2 foods Shibuya Loft

IKEA Shinjuku Shop

Universal Bakes Nicome

Shochikuen Cafe

te cor gentil

Tokyo: Vegan Survival Guide

Buy to unlock full guide