Dietary guides

Eating in Japan by diet

Eat freely, whatever your diet. What “vegan”, “halal” and “gluten-free” really mean in Japan — the hidden traps (dashi, mirin, wheat in the soy), the phrases that put you at ease, and the tables we’ve personally confirmed will look after you.

Vegan

No animal products at all — and in Japan that means watching the broth.

Read the guide56

Vegetarian

No meat or fish — but in Japan "vegetarian" food often still contains fish stock.

Read the guide66

Halal

Permissible under Islamic law — watch for pork, alcohol, mirin and sake in seasoning.

Read the guide32

Gluten-free

No wheat, barley or rye — and yes, normal soy sauce contains wheat.

Read the guide30

Pescatarian

Fish and seafood yes, meat no — arguably the easiest diet in Japan.

Read the guide22

Kosher

Permissible under Jewish law — strictly kosher dining is rare; plan ahead.

Read the guide1

Dairy-free

No milk, butter or cheese — traditional Japanese food is largely dairy-free already.

Read the guide28

Nut-free

Avoiding peanuts/tree nuts — relatively easy, but check sauces and desserts.

Read the guide2