Japan: Best Apps for Finding Plant-Based Restaurants in 2025 and beyond
🍜 Introduction: Japan’s Growing Plant-Based Culture
Japan is famous for its sushi, tonkatsu, and ramen—but beneath the meat-and-fish-heavy surface lies a thriving and rapidly growing vegan and vegetarian scene. From traditional Buddhist cuisine to trendy vegan cafés in Tokyo, Japan is now more accessible than ever for plant-based travelers.
That said, eating vegan in Japan does require some planning—ingredient transparency isn’t always a given, and fish-based broths sneak into many dishes. Thankfully, a number of apps make it incredibly easy to find vegan or vegetarian meals, whether you’re in the heart of Shibuya or the peaceful countryside of Nara.
Let’s dive into the best apps to navigate Japan’s vegan landscape—and how to eat deliciously and consciously throughout your trip.
📱 Best Apps for Finding Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Japan
Here’s your essential toolkit: five top-rated apps (and one bonus platform) to help you discover vegan-friendly restaurants, shops, and products in Japan.
🥇 1. HappyCow
🌐 Website: https://www.happycow.net
What it does:
HappyCow is the most well-known global directory for vegan, vegetarian, and veg-friendly restaurants. It covers nearly all major cities in Japan with detailed listings, reviews, and photos.
Features:
- Map-based search
- Ratings and reviews from fellow plant-based travelers
- Filters for cuisine, meal type, and pricing
- Photos of menus and dishes
- Available in multiple languages
Why use it in Japan:
HappyCow is the easiest way to find vegan ramen in Tokyo, macrobiotic cafés in Kyoto, or gluten-free bento shops in Osaka.
📲 Download:
🥈 2. VegeProject Japan
🌐 Website: https://vegeproject.org
What it does:
VegeProject is a nonprofit organization promoting plant-based lifestyles in Japan. It offers vegan certification to restaurants and products, ensuring trustworthy options.
Features:
- City-specific vegan maps (Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, etc.)
- Directory of certified vegan restaurants and retailers
- Listings for vegan cosmetics and household items
Why use it:
Perfect for travelers who want to be sure their food is officially certified vegan and free from animal derivatives.
🥉 3. Is It Vegan? Japan
🌐 Website: https://isitveganjapan.com
What it does:
A smart tool for identifying whether packaged products in Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores are vegan.
Features:
- Barcode scanning
- Ingredient breakdown in English
- Offline functionality
- Includes everyday items like soy milk, snacks, and ramen
Why use it:
Essential when shopping at FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, Lawson, or Don Quijote.
🎌 4. Google Translate (for Real-Time Menu Help)
🌐 Website: https://translate.google.com
What it does:
Not vegan-specific, but invaluable for translating Japanese menus, ingredients, and signage.
Features:
- Camera scan for instant translations
- Real-time text overlays
- Offline language pack downloads
Why use it:
Use it to check if your miso soup has bonito flakes or if that veggie curry is actually cooked in beef stock.
💡 5. Happy Bento Japan (iOS only)
🌐 Website: https://happylunch.org
What it does:
A newer app focused on listing daily plant-based lunch and bento options in Japan—especially helpful for students or budget travelers.
Features:
- Daily vegan meal options
- Focused on eco-friendly and ethical food providers
- Bilingual support
Why use it:
Great for locals and long-term travelers needing cheap, fresh, plant-based meals.
🌐 BONUS: Jasumo.com — Your Japan Travel Companion
While Jasumo.com is not a vegan-specific app, it is an incredibly helpful tourism platform where you can find:
- Culturally rich, foreigner-friendly restaurants (many of which include vegan options)
- Hidden neighborhood gems with multilingual staff
- English YouTube previews of venues to help you decide before visiting
- Listings translated into 12+ languages
💡 Pro Tip: Use Jasumo to find wellness spas, vegan temple food spots, and guided cooking experiences throughout Japan!
🍙 Must-Try Vegan Dishes in Japan
Here are some naturally vegan or easily-modified favorites to keep an eye out for:
- Shojin Ryori – Traditional Zen Buddhist cuisine, found in Kyoto temples
- Vegetable Tempura – Lightly battered veggies, usually cooked in vegetable oil
- Agedashi Tofu – Fried tofu in savory broth (check for fish stock)
- Yaki Onigiri – Grilled soy-glazed rice balls
- Kabocha Nimono – Sweet simmered pumpkin
- Vegan Ramen – Available in Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, and even Hiroshima
- Kinpira Gobo – Braised burdock root and carrots
- Inari Sushi – Sweet fried tofu pockets filled with rice
🌆 Best Cities in Japan for Vegan Travelers
🗼 Tokyo
Home to 300+ vegan-friendly spots. Try places like T’s Tantan (Tokyo Station), AIN SOPH series, and Komaki Shokudo.
🍵 Kyoto
Amazing for Shojin Ryori and traditional vegan bento. Explore around Arashiyama, Gion, and Nishiki Market.
🍜 Osaka
Check out Paprika Shokudo, Green Earth, and vegan takoyaki shops near Namba.
🏞 Fukuoka & Sapporo
Still emerging, but with hidden gems. Fukuoka has vegan curry and Sapporo is great for miso-based vegan ramen.
💬 Useful Japanese Phrases for Vegans
Memorizing or printing these out can go a long way:
- 私はビーガンです。 (Watashi wa bīgan desu) – I am vegan.
- 肉、魚、卵、乳製品を食べません。 (Niku, sakana, tamago, nyūseihin wa tabemasen) – I don’t eat meat, fish, eggs, or dairy.
- 出汁に魚が入っていますか？ (Dashi ni sakana ga haitteimasu ka?) – Does the broth contain fish?
🧳 Travel Tips for Vegan Visitors
- Plan ahead in rural areas: Use VegeProject maps or HappyCow offline mode.
- Don’t be shy about asking for changes: Staff in tourist zones are often willing to accommodate.
- Bring snacks for long journeys: Vegan bars, nuts, and dried fruit can be lifesavers.
- Follow vegan Japan Instagram and YouTube creators: Many post current restaurant info.
- Use Jasumo.com to discover local hidden gems and culturally enriching experiences tailored for conscious travelers.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Japan’s food culture is deeply rooted in tradition, but its vegan and vegetarian scene is modernizing fast. With a few essential apps, a bit of planning, and a willingness to explore, eating plant-based in Japan can be joyful, diverse, and delicious.
From Tokyo’s vegan ramen bars to Kyoto’s meditative temple meals, Japan is ready to welcome vegan travelers with open arms—and a warm bowl of something wonderful.
So download those apps, brush up on key phrases, visit Jasumo.com for your next experience—and get ready to taste Japan, your way.
