Eating in Japan as a vegetarian, vegan or with allergies: what official sources say

Eating in Japan with a special diet is possible, but it takes planning. This article summarizes JNTO's vegetarian and vegan guide and what Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) says about allergy labels, checked on 2026-09-29.

The main trap: hidden fish and meat

From JNTO's guide:

• Japanese cuisine often uses meat and fish, and stocks and sauces usually contain meat or fish ingredients.
• Even when meat or fish is not visible, dishes can contain hidden ingredients such as bonito flakes.
• "Vegetarian" is understood more loosely in Japan, so simply asking for a vegetarian meal may not be enough. Be specific about what you do not eat, including fish stock (dashi).

Where to find meals

JNTO suggests:

• Shojin ryori, Buddhist temple cuisine, is traditionally vegan and even omits garlic and onion. But JNTO notes dairy is occasionally used, so check ahead. It is found almost only at temples, including temple lodgings (shukubo).
• In cities, some restaurants display a vegan or vegetarian sticker from Japanese vegan and vegetarian organizations. JNTO lists restaurant search sites such as HappyCow and Vegewel.
• Outside big cities, a ryokan may be able to prepare vegetarian meals if you tell them your needs in advance.
• Convenience stores have options such as umeboshi (pickled plum) or kombu rice balls, edamame, salads and inarizushi. JNTO warns that the sauce that comes with natto is often fish stock, and suggests carrying your own soy sauce.

Allergies: what the labels cover

From the CAA's page on food allergy labelling:

• Japan defines certain specified allergenic ingredients (特定原材料) based on national surveys of cases and severity.
• Labelling them is required on packaged processed foods (容器包装された加工食品).
• The CAA updated its labelling handbook for businesses in April 2026.

What this means for you: the legal labelling duty in the CAA page covers packaged foods. For food made and served in restaurants, ask the staff directly, and carry a card in Japanese describing your allergy. We have not checked restaurant allergy rules for this article.

Useful phrases

Sources

• JNTO, "A Vegetarian and Vegan Guide to Japan": https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/vegetarian-guide/ (checked 2026-09-29)
• Consumer Affairs Agency, "Information on food allergy labelling" (in Japanese): https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/food_labeling/food_sanitation/allergy/ (checked 2026-09-29)