10 vegetarian spots across Japan, editor-picked. All Japan guides.
Shigetsu Tenryu-ji ★ 4.5 · Kyoto
arashiyama · Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8385, Japan
Bib Gourmand shojin-ryori inside Tenryu-ji's precinct in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Three-course set lunches eaten facing the temple's Sogen-no-niwa garden.
Izusen Daiji-in ★ 4.4 · Kyoto
kita-daitokuji · Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8231, Japan
Daitoku-ji shojin-ryori in Kyoto, served in nested vermillion lacquer bowls modelled on a Buddhist begging bowl. Garden-view tatami inside a Zen sub-temple.
Chagohan Tokyo Shojin Cuisine ★ 4.3 · Tokyo
Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0035, Japan
Chagohan in Tokyo's Nishi-Asakusa teaches and serves shojin Buddhist vegetarian cuisine in classes and small-group dinners. English instruction, sake match.
Tip: Booking required; shojin sessions usually run two to three times per week. Confirm dietary needs at booking.
Falafel Garden Kyoto ★ 4.2 · Kyoto
demachiyanagi · Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8204, Japan
A vegetarian falafel counter near Demachiyanagi Station in Kyoto. Pita and plate sets with house-fermented hummus, harissa and tahini, halal and vegetarian.
Hokusai ★ 4.1 · Fukuoka
tenjin · Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0001, Japan
Hokusai is a Fukuoka vegetarian and vegan room with a big English menu, tofu plates and mushroom mains. A rare dedicated meat-free option in the city.
Tip: Walk-in friendly. English menu; vegan options clearly marked.
Will You Curry Me? ★ 4.0 · Fukuoka
tenjin · Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0005, Japan
Will You Curry Me? is a vegetarian-friendly curry counter near Watanabedori Station, seven minutes from Tenjin, with curry, falafel, fresh spring rolls.
Tip: Walk-in only. Counter and four tables, about eight seats. Closed Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.
Cafe Proverbs 15:17 ★ 4.0 · Kyoto
karasuma-kawaramachi · Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8005, Japan
An ovo-lacto-vegetarian lunch cafe in a Nakagyo basement in Kyoto. Wide vegetable curries, salads and Japanese set lunches all without meat or fish.
Nana's Green Tea Sapporo Parco ★ 3.9 · Sapporo
odori · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0061, Japan
The Parco branch of Nana's Green Tea, a Japanese-tea cafe chain with a vegetarian-friendly menu of matcha lattes, matcha parfaits and seasonal Hokkaido.
Tip: Walk-up only; last order 19:30. The vegan matcha latte is the cleaner of the two milk options.
Paprika Shokudo Vegan ★ 3.7 · Osaka
Shinsaibashi and Amerikamura · 1-9-9 Shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Osaka 550-0013
Fully plant-based and therefore fully vegetarian; the dashi uses kombu only. The changing obanzai set is a reliable vegetarian lunch in central Osaka.
Tip: The menu has no meat, fish, or dairy and is good for vegans; the obanzai set is fully plant-based and changes each weekday.
Green Earth Vegan Kitchen ★ 3.7 · Osaka
Nakanoshima and Kitahama · 4-2-2 Kitakyuhojimachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0057
All dishes at Green Earth are vegetarian and vegan; the brown-rice teishoku and tempeh burger are the most filling vegetarian options in central Osaka.
Tip: The house miso soup is made from hatcho miso and kombu; no bonito or fish products.