Sakurasaku - A Vegan Friendly Haven For Traveling Foodies In Himeji

If you are a vegetarian or a vegan traveling in Japan, you know how challenging it can be finding a restaurant where you can dine with a clean conscience. Japan is a land of wonderful, tasty food! Unfortunately, for people who do not eat meat or other animal products, finding a place to enjoy a meal can become a task.

Nonetheless, do not despair, there are other options than cooking yourself. If you travel to Himeji, a quaint and picturesque little city in the Hyogo Prefecture famous for its grand castle, stop by Sakurasaku, a haven for vegan foodies.

Sakurasaku - A Charming Vegan Friendly Dining Sopt in Himeji

Sakurasaku is a vegan-friendly restaurant and café in the heart of Himeji. It's a very convenient, short stroll away from the Himeji Castle.

The restaurant itself has a traditional Japanese style and a beautiful old fashioned, cozy look and feel about it. There is a raised tatami room as well as tables and chairs for those who prefer them.

Sachiko, the owner, greets visitors with good English and asks them about their favorite vegetable. She will cook a set lunch using it as the main ingredient.

She inquired details of my diet, such as vegetarian or a vegan, do I eat eggs or dairy, and so forth. She made sure of my dietary needs, which made me feel like I was in very good hands. I did not have to worry about my meal at all, unlike in most restaurants as a vegetarian.

Sakurasaku has a very local, comfortable atmosphere. This is the perfect place to stuff yourself before or after walking around sightseeing.

The restaurant has traditional Japanese art work and ornaments everywhere. From the scent of tatami mats to hanging kimono curtains, everything in this pretty restaurant oozes peaceful energy and you can not but relax.

Sachiko is happy to chat with her customers about her restaurant and the local area.

As a visitor I felt very much welcomed and relaxed in the peaceful environment of Sachiko’s restaurant café, sipping tea and waiting for my lunch to emerge.

The Menu at Sakurasaku - Delights for Vegans and Meat Eaters Alike

Sakurasaku has something for everyone. They serve vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as fish and meat such as beef. The dishes are made in the restaurant, to your personal liking, from scratch.

The meals, whether lunch or dinner, are set meals. You specify what you would prefer to eat and what you do not wish to eat. A healthy and tasty meal shall produce itself shortly after.

The lunch set I got consisted of miso soup, a plate of rice, pickled vegetables, boiled pumpkin, tamagoyaki (a Japanese omelet) and fried vegetables served with green tea.

I was surprised how big the portion was and even more surprised when, after I had wolfed down the delicious main, the dessert arrived.

A Japanese chiffon cake, famous for its fluffy texture and extravagantly delicious taste is served with your choice of coffee or tea.

The lunch set cost me 1200 yen and I was very happy with both the quality and the quantity of the meal.

I was only sad about one thing - not being able to return to dine there again during my stay in Himeji!

Why Visit Sakurasaku?

Sakurasaku is not only a restaurant and café. They also sell local organic products such as jam, pickled as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, muesli, etc. This truly is a little haven for health-conscious eaters.

Finding such a gem of a vegan friendly restaurant in a small city such as Himeji was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. What a better way to enjoy a city than by eating organic in a setting which takes you back in time with its old-fashioned charm.

Vegetable Cafe Sakurasaku

68 Honmachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 670-0012