Best Apps In Japan For Finding Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants

Find Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Japan! Handy Apps and Services

Vegan and vegetarian food is not easy to find in many places in Japan just by walking down the street. If you have preferences or needs for vegetarian and vegan dining, checking ahead of time is the key to staying plant-based even while in a country with fewer options.
Below are a few recommended smartphone applications and reputable websites where you can find information on vegan and vegetarian options in Japan.

Happy Cow - Website and App

Happy Cow is a gourmet website and smartphone application that features restaurants, cafes, shops, and eateries of all types with vegetarian and vegan options. Facilities are divided into categories: places that have vegetarian or vegan options along with fish and meat dishes, all-vegetarian restaurants with vegan options, and all-vegan restaurants. Sweets shops and grocery stores selling vegan items are also listed.
Users of the website and application contribute to Happy Cow’s database through photos, reviews, ratings, and adding new listings. Happy Cow is international and the Japan listings are numerous (especially in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, and Osaka). To search for options in a specific city, simply type it into the search function (e.g. Tokyo, Japan).
Sometimes, however, due to language barriers, changes in menu options, or other reasons, a restaurant may not have actually vegan options and Happy Cow’s information will be outdated. For those without Japanese language skills, stick to visiting restaurants with several or more reviews. We also recommend contacting the business ahead of time or searching for it on another website or platform for further confirmation.
The app contains a convenient restaurant-finding map function and is available for purchase on iOS and Android platforms ($3.99 or 450 yen). Happy Cow’s app also has a function that allows you to save places offline, which helps when you are not directly connected to WiFi.
Official Website: http://www.happycow.net/asia/japan/tokyo/

Vegewel - Website

Another way to find vegan and vegetarian options in Japan is by using Vegewel, a website with a restaurant search function and over 1,000 listings throughout the country. The website is free to use and available in English, translated from Japanese––this makes it possible to discover places overlooked or not listed on Happy Cow.
Similar to HappyCow, Vegewel’s restaurant search allows users to search with categories––browse through eateries with vegan, vegetarian, organic, low-carbohydrate, gluten-free, and macrobiotic menus. It is also possible to search by prefecture or area.
Users can contribute reviews and images to listings, as well, but the reviews may not be available in English. Like Happy Cow, many listings have updated information, but sometimes old information needs to be updated.
Official Website: https://vegewel.com/en/restaurant/

VegeMap - Website and Pamphlets

VegeMap is a valuable tool for those looking for vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Tokyo, Kyoto, and other locations across Japan. There is a website (available in English and Japanese) where you can discover vegan-friendly spots throughout the country, and the paper maps, available in Tokyo and Kyoto, that are handy to take with you on-the-go.

The paper map of Tokyo (2019-2020 version)
The English and Japanese map is colorful and easy-to-understand, with nearly two hundred eateries in Tokyo listed with restaurants that are either all-vegan or have some options on the menu. It is an indispensable resource when traveling in the city. All of the spots on VegeMap are confirmed by a non-profit organization, making the information reliable.
The map is usually available for free at the restaurants listed on VegeMap (ask an employee), or at travel information centers in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Official Website: https://vegemap.org/en

Find Vegan and Vegetarian Options in Japan

As mentioned earlier, please note that the restaurant hours and menus are subject to change and that there are notably fewer options outside of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and major metropolitan areas in Japan. Be prepared with snacks and alternative meal plans if there aren’t any dining options to be found, even after searching.
Whether or not you are vegan or searching for a friend or family member trying to eat more plant-based, or just curious about trying something new, there are many options in Japan. The websites and services above, in addition to MATCHA, are reliable resources to use when looking for delicious, nutritious vegan and vegetarian food.