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 guide30

Vegetarian

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

Read the guide43

Halal

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

Read the guide20

Gluten-free

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

Read the guide19

Pescatarian

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

Read the guide14

Kosher

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

Read the guide

Dairy-free

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

Read the guide12

Nut-free

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

Read the guide1