tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39862308435433023802024-02-18T18:20:37.367-08:00Japan Vegan GuideA guide to vegan food and restaurants in Japan. Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-91825165846547122352023-09-27T16:00:00.003-07:002023-09-27T20:01:42.659-07:00Tokyo's Best Vegan Restaurants in 2023<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Updated in September 2023</span><br />
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Japan is, more than anywhere else in Asia, somewhere that it's worth making the extra effort to visit wholly vegan restaurants, and even to plan a day sightseeing around meals. Staff at most 'ordinary' Japanese restaurants won't have any understanding of veganism, and most restaurant owners are reluctant to adapt dishes to suit vegans.</div>
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Furthermore, for many vegan restaurants in Japan, foreigners make up a significant proportion of customers, and given that few new vegan restaurants in Tokyo survive longer than two years, that extra time you spend may just make a difference to a restaurant staying in business or not. It's tragic how many former vegans start making "compromises" or become "flexible" in Japan, and between this blog and my travel guidebook I hope to make it that bit easier to stay vegan in the Land of the Rising Sun.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
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Tokyo Outings</h2>
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In this post I follow these four itineraries from my guidebook. The areas described are not official city districts but simply definitions which are intended to be useful to foreign tourists, because dividing up the city this way allows travellers to see Tokyo's main attractions in about four days. <br />
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Harajuku, Shibuya, Omotesando, Yebisu & Roppongi</h2>
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These itinerary covers Tokyo's youth fashion and shopping districts, the more upmarket Omotesando district (for older shoppers), the business and nightclub capital of Roppongi, Yoyogi Park (Tokyo's 'backyard'), and the Yebisu neighbourhood, which is famous for its namesake beer which used to be made there but is now popular as an interesting old neighbourhood which features some of the capital's best-value vegan restaurants. Eat well on this itinerary.</div>
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Omotesando (表参道)</h3>
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Omotesando is a shopping fashion centre for Tokyoites -- and tourists -- in their thirties and forties. If you're too old for Harajuku, and too young -- or just too poor -- for Ginza, then you may find yourself at home in Omotesando. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>
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Brown Rice Cafe ($$, Macrobiotic, Organic, 🌱)</h4>
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<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wed-Mon: 11:30-18:00 (last order: 17:00).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">One minute’s walk from <b>Omotesando
Station, Exit 1</b>. Take the first left into a small alleyway, and it will be
on your right.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">150-0001 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都渋谷区神宮前</span><span lang="EN-GB">5-1-8 1F<br />
5-1-8 jingumae, Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0001</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Brown+Rice+Neals+Yard+Remedies+Omotesando">Directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/yHDQgk2papEoymej6" target="_blank">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.nealsyard.co.jp/brownrice/welcome/" target="_blank">website</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/brown-rice-cafe-tokyo-6314" target="_blank">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">03-5778-5416</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Delicious,
healthy, beautifully presented macrobiotic meals. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Moderately expensive, but excellent
value given the food, interior and location. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Brown+Rice+Canteen">Update
this listing.</a></span></p></div></div>
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This trendy, healthy, macrobiotic café was one of the earliest vegan cafes in Tokyo, and it has stood the test of time to become famous among vegans and health-conscious Tokyoites. It’s now connected to Neals Yard, a large, UK-based supplier of healthy and organic foods, and goes by that name and also the Brown Rice Café.</div>
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Like most Japanese macrobiotic restaurants, it turns brown rice and seasonal vegetables into delicious, satisfying and (of course) beautifully presented meal sets, starting at around ¥2,000. This is a slight premium over similar restaurants around Tokyo and Japan, but perfectly reasonable for such quality food at a famous restaurant, in one of Japan’s most upmarket shopping districts. I wouldn’t make a special trip here as this type of food can be found all over Japan, but while in Omotesando or Shibuya it’s well worth a visit for what may be one of your best Japanese meals outside of Kyoto. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
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Compared with other good macrobiotic restaurants in Tokyo, Nezu No Ya (near Ueno) serves much simpler meals for about half the price, while Ain Soph Ginza (Tokyo’s most upmarket vegan restaurant) serves much more elaborate sets for around double the price. I consider all three to be of equal value, given their food, service, interior and location. </div>
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Compared with other good macrobiotic restaurants in Tokyo, Nezu No Ya (see below) serves much simpler meals for about half the price, while Ain Soph Ginza (Tokyo’s most upmarket vegan restaurant -- see below) serves much more elaborate sets for around double the price. I consider all three to be of equal value, given their food, service, interior and location.</div>
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Parlour 8ablish ($$, Fusion, 🌱)</h4>
<div dir="ltr" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wed-Mon: 10:00-18:00</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Two minutes’ walk from <b>Omotesando Station, Exit B1</b>.<br />
Twenty minutes’ walk from Harajuku Station and the entrances to Yoyogi Park and
Meiji Jingu Shrine. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">107-0062 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都港区南青山</span><span lang="EN-GB">5</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">10−17, 2F<br />
5 Chome-10-17 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/YcsqwxkATZ3qygbs8">Google Maps</a>, <a href="http://eightablish.com/">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Restaurant8ablish/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/restaurant-8ablish-tokyo-64910">HappyCow</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">03-6805-0597</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%20%E3%82%A8%E3%82%A4%E3%82%BF%E3%83%96%E3%83%AA%E3%83%83%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A5">Directions</a></span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">A pioneer
of vegan food in Tokyo. Pleasant vegan interior and great food. Open for
dinner. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">A little expensive for the portion
sizes. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
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this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
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On my first visit to Tokyo almost a decade ago, high on my restaurant list was the famous Café 8, which at that time was a class ahead of anything else in Japan, if not in much of the world. Its owners never gave up the tough battle to keep vegan restaurants alive in Tokyo, and this is their latest venture after the sad closure of Café Eight and its sister cafe, the even more famous Pure Café. They also own a couple of small vegan bakeries. I personally find their food a little overpriced compared with other options in Tokyo, but it offers the same quality fusion food that its owners have been serving up for many years, and its string of great reviews confirms that its loyal customers are happy with the food and the dining experience.</div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="oluolucafe"></a>
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Olu Olu Café ($$, Hawaiian, 🌱)</h4>
<div dir="ltr" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Closed
temporarily (hopefully!).</span><span lang="EN-GB"> Please check Google Maps or call before visiting (the friendly
owners speak fluent English). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">12 minutes’ walk from <b>Sangejaya
Station</b> on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, two stops southwest of Shibuya
Station. It’s also on the Tokyu Setagaya Line.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">154-0001 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都世田谷区池尻1丁目11</span><span lang="EN-GB">−1<br />
1 Chome-11-1 Ikejiri, Setagaya, Tokyo 154-0001</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%AA%E3%83%AB%E3%82%AA%E3%83%AB%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7">Directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/e88fsQmv87Q4Acev8">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oluolucafe">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/olu-olu-cafe-tokyo-34448">HappyCow</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">03-3795-6060 (staff speak English). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Great
Hawaiian food at surprisingly low prices, served in a relaxed and welcoming
store by vegan hosts. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">A little bit off the tourist route,
but well worth the trip on the subway. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Olu+Olu+Cafe">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
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This vegan restaurant has been one of my favourites for many years. The friendly couple who run it wanted to run a vegan restaurant for all the right reasons, and they felt that Hawaiian food and culture has a happy, welcoming vibe, which would make customers feel good about their food and about veganism. And their formula has clearly worked. If you would like a unique (for Asia), vegan meal without spending a fortune, then it’s well worth the short subway trip to get here. <br />
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Shibuya (渋谷) </h2>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="peacecafehawaii"></a><h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Nagi Shokudo ($$, Macrobiotic, 🌱)</h4>
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<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Mon-Sat: 12:00-15:00, 18:00-22:00; Sun: 12:00-15:00.<br />
Occasionally closes irregularly, but posts updates (in English) on their
Facebook page. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Five minutes’ walk uphill from <b>Shibuya
Station, South Exit</b>. It can be very difficult to find without Google Maps. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">150-0032</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都渋谷区鶯谷町</span><span lang="EN-GB">15-10 <br />
15-10 Uguisudanicho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0032</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nagishokudo/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rv26K43cMyfoxDbB7">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/nagi-shokudo-tokyo-13435">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%81%AA%E3%81%8E%E9%A3%9F%E5%A0%82">Directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Good,
big, Japanese meal for a reasonable price. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Crowded, run-down interior. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Nagi+Shokudo">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div></div>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLr6_XBKex_BA2aoh2JSlXlsUYE0N7PqwoGigYw2H0XEd4Sdp6fCDFUgtc0DobHExTXR0puTG1k2ov_fyuxfQnbx1b5j1yDS8_u1-rftUyGSZmiyEPN3i573YTpfIltOyefk4SX468U8/s1600/Nagi+Shokudo+Couples+Set.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLr6_XBKex_BA2aoh2JSlXlsUYE0N7PqwoGigYw2H0XEd4Sdp6fCDFUgtc0DobHExTXR0puTG1k2ov_fyuxfQnbx1b5j1yDS8_u1-rftUyGSZmiyEPN3i573YTpfIltOyefk4SX468U8/s640/Nagi+Shokudo+Couples+Set.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Nagi is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most famous vegan restaurants. Despite being operated out of a dingy and usually overcrowded basement, its loyal following of both local and expatriate Shibuyites eat here for its generously sized portions, and especially their set meals. Nagi serves typical macrobiotic fusion cuisine, but because most vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo serve burgers, falafel, Indian and Taiwanese food, Nagi is one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants between Kyoto and Sapporo. If you need a large, satisfying Japanese meal in Shibuya, especially if you’re out late, then this is the place to come.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
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While this may change before you read this, at the time of research the Singles Set is only available to people who enter the restaurant on their own; two people who visit together cannot order two single sets, nor can one of them order a Single Set and another order something different. The food is similar but probably slightly better, and certainly more international, at Meu Nota (see below). The atmosphere there is also more pleasant, but it requires reservations in advance for dinner. But both are restaurants which I would only advise dining at if you are in the area (or, for Meu Nota, if you know that you will be ahead of time), because there’s nothing unique enough about either to make them worth a special trip to.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h4 dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Izakaya Masaka ($$, Japanese, Pub, 🌱)</h4><div dir="ltr" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">12:00-22:00 </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Six minutes’ walk northwest from <b>Shibuya Station</b>, <b>Exit A3b</b><br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB">Shibuya Parco Building, B1 Floor food court. <br />
(It’s difficult to find even within the food court, so I suggest showing the
Japanese name to someone and asking for help.)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">150-0042 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都渋谷区宇田川町15</span><span lang="EN-GB">−1<br />
15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/aETrXirh3qnLWCX57">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vegan_izakaya_masaka/">Instagram</a> , <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/izakaya-masaka-tokyo-188703">HappyCow</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AC%E3%83%B3%E5%B1%85%E9%85%92%E5%B1%8B%E7%9C%9F%E3%81%95%E3%81%8B">Directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Inexpensive;
vegan version of an izakaya (traditional Japanese pub).<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Limited tables and often long waits
to enter. </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Izakaya+Masaka+Shibuya+Parco">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div><div><span style="color: black;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmt0aUDG6MTodeA2LImzYUyWiSF6Rmo8uy_jpLphF8t6S9WOtoUpsJ003kDW7gtnBVTJmGsPKZlMNM4Rwtyp6vaspcDyRDnImMoqZSHxhkq35Utl8uKRddgj_h9QQW9Oh5NqOuuuWNnyagEGbRVYGIigfiLsTbjqbrTXDiaEyao6Zb_GEUjBOFiUg6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmt0aUDG6MTodeA2LImzYUyWiSF6Rmo8uy_jpLphF8t6S9WOtoUpsJ003kDW7gtnBVTJmGsPKZlMNM4Rwtyp6vaspcDyRDnImMoqZSHxhkq35Utl8uKRddgj_h9QQW9Oh5NqOuuuWNnyagEGbRVYGIigfiLsTbjqbrTXDiaEyao6Zb_GEUjBOFiUg6=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">An izakaya is a traditional Japanese drinking establishment where people go to socialise with friends and colleagues, a bit like a British pub. And like at pubs, food at izakayas tends to be simple and greasy, and Masaka is no exception. It specialises in gyozas (dumplings, shown above) and karage (fried soy meat), both of which are popular among vegan restaurants in Japan. Masaka probably won’t be your favourite meal in Tokyo, but if you’d like to try the izakaya experience then this is certainly the place.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Masaka has only a few tables, is enormously popular, and doesn’t accept reservations, so I suggest queuing up well before the opening time, preferably not on a Friday or Saturday night. Tired of waiting your turn? There’s a branch of Falafel Brothers on the seventh floor, and it has a similar pub-like vibe, but you might have trouble getting a seat there as well. </div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h4 dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Falafel Brothers Shibuya Parco ($$, Falafel, 🌱, ファラフェルブラザーズ)</h4><div dir="ltr" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Mon-Thu: 11:30-21:00; Fri-Sun: 11:30-22:00. <br />
Last order: 30 minutes before closing.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都渋谷区宇田川町</span><span lang="EN-GB">15-1
7F</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
7F 15-1, Udagawa-cho,Shibuya,Tokyo</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Falafel+Brothers+Roppongi">Directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">03-6459-2844</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Great
falafel and other vegan options. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">The </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="file:///C:/Users/jesse/Desktop/Japan%20Guidebook%20current%20version/JAPAN%20VEGAN%20TRAVEL%20GUIDE%20last%20Updated%20August%202023.docx#_Falafel_Brothers_($$,">Roppongi
store</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;"> has a wider menu, although
the main (falafel) offerings are the same at both. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/W5cv6Q6hvbwH8ve49">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.falafelbrothers.jp/shops">website</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB">,</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/falafel-brothers-tokyo-186011">HappyCow</a>,
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Falafel-Brothers-Shibuya-parco/108707167242098">Facebook</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Falafel+Brothers+Roppongi">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" class="placeholder" height="480" id="47147590a50e5" src="https://www.blogger.com/img/transparent.gif" style="background-color: #d8d8d8; background-image: url('https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/i/materialiconsextended/insert_photo/v6/grey600-24dp/1x/baseline_insert_photo_grey600_24dp.png'); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; opacity: 0.6;" width="640" /></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This famous vegan chain serves top notch falafel with a range of styles and toppings, including burgers. If you’ll only try Tokyo’s top falafel once, however, I recommend the Roppongi branch because it has a wider menu and more seating available, and because there are more alternatives around Shibuya, including Izakaya Masaka in the same building (see immediately above). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Kuumba Du Falafel ($$, Middle Eastern, 🌱)</h4>
<div dir="ltr" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wed-Sat: 11:30-14:30, 17:00-20:30; Sun: 11:30-18:00; closed Mon,
Tue. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fifteen minutes’ walk west (uphill) from <b>Shibuya Station</b>, <b>Exit 3</b></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">150-0045 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都渋谷区神泉町23</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">−</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">1</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
ME Building.1F 23-1 Shinsen-chou, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0045</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/CU1UK3N1ZXa1AWGs6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Kuumba-du-falafel-297740783658134/">Facebook</a>
, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/kuumba-du-falafel-tokyo-29851">HappyCow</a>,
<a href="http://kuumbainternational.com/kuumbashop/KUUMBA/LOCATION.html">Website</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%80%92150-0045%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E6%B3%89%E7%94%BA%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%93%E2%88%92%EF%BC%91">Directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Large,
inexpensive meal sets with great falafel.
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Long walk uphill; little seating in
or near the café; unfriendly staff. </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Kuumba+Du+Falafel">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPxjUkKBrDJUoOevZ7oWuWoKxMt_QR9I49VMw-7HnsgDNtiHHFl9y02eRgfXSR_w4VhNAiHvJ1L2vEFUSfxC6ZcYnnRLYnvckoVmJLYzkM0YwqYd_EKrFLFQziMy7xiEazNUUqWidr0o/s1600/Kuumba+du+Falafel+plate+with+Phoenix+Cola.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPxjUkKBrDJUoOevZ7oWuWoKxMt_QR9I49VMw-7HnsgDNtiHHFl9y02eRgfXSR_w4VhNAiHvJ1L2vEFUSfxC6ZcYnnRLYnvckoVmJLYzkM0YwqYd_EKrFLFQziMy7xiEazNUUqWidr0o/s640/Kuumba+du+Falafel+plate+with+Phoenix+Cola.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This inexpensive Middle Eastern café has been serving up the same delicious falafel plates for several years. It’s always had a bit of a strange vibe, it’s a long uphill walk from Shibuya Station, and it has limited seating, so customers often need to wait, or purchase takeaway meals without anywhere to eat them nearby. And its staff are unfriendly at best and often quite rude. But its delicious meals, which start at around ¥1,000, make up for all of that.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
<h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ebisu (恵比寿)</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ebisu is best known for its namesake beer, which is why most people visit, especially for the beer museum which is housed in the former brewery. But its Ebisu Garden place is an interesting old district to explore even for people who don't drink like myself. The large pedestrian-only area often hosts festivals during weekends, and sometimes free film viewings on evenings during the warmer months. It's also home to some of Tokyo's healthiest and best-value mid-range vegan restaurants. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hemp Café Tokyo ($$$, Raw, Hemp, 🌱)</h4>
<div dir="ltr" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Tue-Sun: 11:30-15:00, 18:00-22:00; closed Mon.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HVit7paw2VqNk9dF6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://hempcafetokyo.com/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/hemp-cafe-tokyo-96803">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/150-0011%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E6%9D%B13-17-14">Directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Microsoft JhengHei", sans-serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">150-0011 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Microsoft JhengHei", sans-serif;">東京都渋谷区東</span><span lang="EN-GB">3-17-14-8F<br />
3-17-14-8F, Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Japan 150-0011</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Healthy
food, with the addition of Hemp. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Small, expensive portions (but
reasonable value for money). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Rainbow+Raw+Food+Hemp+Cafe">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XbAGRu8clj438MYI0B-pYqyxMGAqnpQdo7bAMLNczPb3l759gtIYBCFS_f7Cp7AXP6DUkKWd-6uv9eTivnfJOgKpLhiH5phMw8WhDCfzgYKx85z18S6P214jP3IUg4QRwaoqMRLsx3k/s1600/Hemp+Cafe+Tokyo+sushi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XbAGRu8clj438MYI0B-pYqyxMGAqnpQdo7bAMLNczPb3l759gtIYBCFS_f7Cp7AXP6DUkKWd-6uv9eTivnfJOgKpLhiH5phMw8WhDCfzgYKx85z18S6P214jP3IUg4QRwaoqMRLsx3k/s640/Hemp+Cafe+Tokyo+sushi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This very popular café serves Western style food with a range of hemp ingredients added, including hemp seeds, hemp protein and hemp oil. The interior has a unique Hawaiian surf theme. They also have an online store. </div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="ko-socafe"></a>
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<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ko-So Café ($$, Western, Fusion, 🌱)</h4>
<div dir="ltr" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Thu-Tue: 11:00-20:30; closed Wednesday. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Three minutes’ north of <b>Ebisu
Station</b>, <b>West Exit. </b>Follow the road around to the right and under
the overhead train tracks. Then take the second left, and Ko-So is on the
ground floor of the third building on the right and is well-signposted in green
(and in English).<b> <br />
</b>(Ko-So is actually on the east side
of the train tracks, but due to the layout of the roads it’s faster to get
there from the West Exit). <b> </b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Microsoft JhengHei", sans-serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">150-0011, </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Microsoft JhengHei", sans-serif;">東</span><span lang="EN-GB">3-25-3 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Microsoft JhengHei", sans-serif;">ライオンズプラザ恵比寿</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
3-25-3 Higashi | Lions Plaza Ebisu 1F, Shibuya 150-0011, Tokyo</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%80%92150-0011,%20%E6%9D%B13-25-3%20%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA%E3%83%97%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B6%E6%81%B5%E6%AF%94%E5%AF%BF">Directions</a></span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ZkZmi2zxDY7vDtNR6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KOSOCAFEBIORISE">Facebook</a> , <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/ko-so-cafe-tokyo-43914">HappyCow</a>, <a href="https://www.ko-so-cafe.jp/">Website</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Excellent
value; gluten free options. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Ko+So+Cafe">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDSSrpD7rdm_hyphenhyphenHvxulvu_-HgHDWuBaoB6_F1gGNyeqmRpE0wAMFoeIWlmtUpCP_fJkapAE-k5k2VfoG_yO-hExt__ocywHPP6WL_6Mt3Bbzd0NDkd131fddescJ9NtICZCsTZDuweM8/s1600/Ko+So+salad.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDSSrpD7rdm_hyphenhyphenHvxulvu_-HgHDWuBaoB6_F1gGNyeqmRpE0wAMFoeIWlmtUpCP_fJkapAE-k5k2VfoG_yO-hExt__ocywHPP6WL_6Mt3Bbzd0NDkd131fddescJ9NtICZCsTZDuweM8/s640/Ko+So+salad.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ko-So probably serves Tokyo's best salads. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ko-So Cafe is, on balance of cost, nutritional value, location and dining experience, one of Tokyo’s best vegan cafes. It offers simple, healthy cuisine, mostly Western comfort foods, with basic sets like pasta (with a choice of delicious sauces) starting from around ¥1,000. Gluten free options are available, including the pasta. It also serves a good range of desserts, with daily options from around ¥500. While food at the nearby Rainbow Raw Food / Hemp Café is probably healthier, Ko-So Café serves the best salad I’ve found in Tokyo.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h4 dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></h4></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h3 dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Naka-Meguro (恵比寿)</h3></div>
<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ballon Tokyo ($$, Falafel, Ice Cream, 🌱)</h4>
<div dir="ltr" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Mon-Fri: 11:30-17:30 (LO: 17:00); Sat, Sun: 10:00-17:30. <br />
Please check their Instagram (see below) for updates and irregular closing
times. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">5 minutes’ walk from <b>Nakameguro
Station</b>, which is one stop southwest of Ebisu Station on the Hibiya Line
and two stops south of Shibuya Station on the Tōkyū Tōyoko Line which connects
Tokyo and Yokohama. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">153-0061 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都目黒区中目黒</span><span lang="EN-GB">3</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">2−19 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">ラミアール中目黒</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">153-0061 Tōkyō-to, Meguro City, Nakameguro,
3-chōme−2−19 Ramiaru, Nakameguro 153-0061</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ballontokyo/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/fKWBujW4AkTAW2t1A">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.ballontokyo.com/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/ballon-tokyo-97750">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Ballon+Falafel+Tokyo">Directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Falafel
and Ice Cream make an unusual but palatable combination, especially during
summer. <br />
It’s a convenient stop on the way to Yokohama, and close to the famous Meguro
River cherry blossom promenade. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Ballon">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5J7X1vV8Zi8gOUwWPNRQnUKo-CQNdawjv6vU4Zgsp3nKuoj-8p7f1mTg62ToZ2v27IlTLTdRbH8iSXG2BpnGTp9ZbHvBAbs2HfMrGpIf71WDSCDxdeejyi5mBr8fyrkIf09Uq1cBqxE/s1600/Ballon+Tokyo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5J7X1vV8Zi8gOUwWPNRQnUKo-CQNdawjv6vU4Zgsp3nKuoj-8p7f1mTg62ToZ2v27IlTLTdRbH8iSXG2BpnGTp9ZbHvBAbs2HfMrGpIf71WDSCDxdeejyi5mBr8fyrkIf09Uq1cBqxE/s400/Ballon+Tokyo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">This small vegan café specialises in falafel and soy soft serve ice cream, a formula so successful that its menu has barely changed since it was established five years ago. Most of its positive Happycow reviews were achieved by bribing people with free scoop of ice cream, and, while they appear to have discontinued this policy, the reviews they bought have earned them “Top rated restaurant in Tokyo” status, which I don’t think they deserve. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Their falafel is good, and most people enjoy their meal, but, compared with Falafel Brothers (see nearby Ebisu or Shibuya stores above, or their Roppongi store below) the menu is more limited, the portions are smaller, and the prices are higher. Their soy ice creams are also somewhat small for ¥550, but delicious nonetheless, especially on a hot summer’s day. It’s worth a visit if in the area (probably for the blossoms in spring) but I wouldn’t recommend making a special trip to Naka-Meguro just for Ballon. </div><div><br /></div></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="swellsbowls"></a><h3 style="text-align: left;">Roppongi (六本木)</h3>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Mention Roppongi to anyone in Tokyo, and they’ll think booze & nightclubs. If you’re ‘going out’ in Tokyo, chances are it will be here in Roppongi. But many tourists also visit for the gaudy and old but ever-popular Tokyo Tower, and the city-in-a-district Roppongi Hills tower. </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Falafel Brothers Roppongi (ファラフェルブラザーズ, $, Takeout Only, <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">🌱)</span></h4><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Mon-Thu: 08:30-21:30; Fri, Sat: 08:30-22:00; Sun: 9:30-20:30 (last
order: 30 minutes before closing).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">3 minutes’ walk southeast of <b>Roppongi
Station,</b> Exit 3. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">106-0032
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都港区六本木</span><span lang="EN-GB">5</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">1−11</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
1F, 5 Chome-1-11 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Falafel+Brothers+Roppongi">Directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">03-6459-2844</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Great
falafel and other vegan options. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/tBfaijMMBhdYrULM7">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.falafelbrothers.jp/shops">website</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB">,</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"> <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/falafel-brothers-tokyo-95517">HappyCow</a>,
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FALAFELBROTHERSTOKYO">Facebook</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Falafel+Brothers+Roppongi">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div></div></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" class="placeholder" height="480" id="998d0350f41c6" src="https://www.blogger.com/img/transparent.gif" style="background-color: #d8d8d8; background-image: url('https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/i/materialiconsextended/insert_photo/v6/grey600-24dp/1x/baseline_insert_photo_grey600_24dp.png'); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; opacity: 0.6;" width="640" /></div><br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal">This is the original branch of Falafel Brothers (see other stores above). For many years they served top notch vegan
falafel, mostly to foreigners out and about in Roppongi, from what was little
more than a hole in the wall. But in October 2022 the store moved into a space
next door and was re-named The Brothers Corner, although it’s currently still
better known as Falafel Brothers. In this new store they have further expanded
their menu to include vegan quiches, hot pressed sandwiches, and single slice
pizza.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div>
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Akihabara (秋葉原), Ueno (上野) & Asakusa (浅草) </h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This itinerary covers many of Tokyo's most popular tourist districts. In my guidebook I recommend visiting on a weekend, as Ueno and Akihabara are more interesting at these times. While it's likely to be slightly busier during weekends, Asakusa is always busy with tourists, so it doesn't really matter when you visit. </div>
<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Komaki Shokudou Kamakura Fushikian ($$, Japanese, こまきしょくどう 鎌倉不識庵, <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">🌱</span>)</h4>
<div dir="ltr" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Mon: 9:00-19:30; Tue-Fri: 11:00-14:30,
17:00-19:30; Sat, Sun: 11:00-19:30. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Inside the Chabara Building (grocery
store) underneath the Yamanote Line tracks just north of <b>Akihabara Station</b>.
</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Walk out the main exit of JR Akihabara
Station into a large courtyard. On your right you should see the Yamanote Line
tracks running north-south, and steps leading up to a raised walkway to the
left. Walk north, just to the right of the raised (Yamanote Line) railway
tracks, cross one road, and the Chabara store will be on your right underneath
the train tracks. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">101-0022 </span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都千代田区神田練塀町</span><span lang="EN-GB">8-2 CHABARA</span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">内</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
Chiyoda-ku, Neribeicho, 8-2 Kanda 101-0022</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%80%92101-0022%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E7%B7%B4%E5%A1%80%E7%94%BA8-2%20CHABARA">Directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/QMok6NjTuW61ttTv8">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/komaki-syokudo-tokyo-40326/306221">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB">, </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/komaki.syokudo">Facebook</a></span><span lang="EN-GB">, </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.kamakura-komaki.com/">website</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"> (Japanese only)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Shojin-ryori
(Buddhist temple cuisine) is healthy, and not easy to find in central Tokyo. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Not as good as most shojin ryori
served in temples; expensive; rules about minimum purchases. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Kamakura+Fushikian">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNNixa-qd6aSNVBbdNPmKoexB15bQQAcMqhQoqgdu_h4M0Qd1lt4riyPh0U1QRKhi3bArnelXmfdUDbj2AzNQz2a-umN5qPMaYP2Dumagm2j9kNm0ZZvLUtxsOd2haCNEBLLxZZlhokk/s1600/DSCF0486.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1000" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNNixa-qd6aSNVBbdNPmKoexB15bQQAcMqhQoqgdu_h4M0Qd1lt4riyPh0U1QRKhi3bArnelXmfdUDbj2AzNQz2a-umN5qPMaYP2Dumagm2j9kNm0ZZvLUtxsOd2haCNEBLLxZZlhokk/s640/DSCF0486.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Komaki Shokudou serves some delicious shojin cuisine, with basic plates starting from around ¥1,200 on weekdays during the lunch period (11:00-14:30), and increasing to about ¥2,000 on weekends. Many foreign customers expect shojin ryori to be high-end dining, as it usually is at Buddhist temples. But shojin ryori literally means ‘devotion cuisine’, the diet of Buddhists who must have been devoted to follow it before Emperor Meiji dissolved the requirement for Buddhist monks to be vegetarian in the 1860s. So shojin is defined by being free of animal products and the ‘five pungents’ (onion, garlic and other allium vegetables), not by its elegance or price tag. This is certainly at the cheaper end of the spectrum (especially compared with offerings in Kyoto, where most tourists experience shojin ryori) but it’s still the real deal – just a cheaper, mass-produced deal. ‘Fake shojin’ is served at restaurants which also serve animal products, but not here. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Komaki Shokudou also serves some healthy desserts for a little under ¥1,000, but (needless to say) they can only be ordered with a main meal, not as a meal. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Customers may, at times, be expected to order a drink. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Don’t make a special trip to Akihabara for this place – it’s not great food or great value, but if you’re already here, you’re hungry, and don’t balk at the price, then it’s a decent lunch option, especially on weekdays. Fans of Indian cuisine (especially South Indian) should head north to Vege Herb Saga or the Veg Kitchen instead (see below). </div><div><br /></div></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="taiwanshokudo"></a><h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Taiwan Shokudo ($, Taiwanese, 🥛)</h4>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: red;">Temporarily closed; Please
call first or check their Facebook page before visiting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Previous
hours: Mon-Sat: 11:00-22:30. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Three
minutes’ walk southwest (towards the river) of <b>Ryōgoku Station</b> on the JR
Chūō-Sōbu Line (from Akihabara Station). <br />
Eleven minutes’ walk northeast (and across the river) from Higashi-Nihombashi
Station on the Asakusa Line (from Asakusa Station). <br />
A pleasant half-hour walk south along (and across) the Sumida River.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span>130-0026 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都墨田区両国</span>1<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span>14−6<br />
1 Chome-14-6 Ryōgoku, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0026<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E5%8F%B0%E6%B9%BE%E9%A3%9F%E5%A0%82">directions</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TaiwanHealthyFood">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/taiwan-shokudo-tokyo-109850">Happycow</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: red;">Limited menu. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Taiwan+Shokudo">Update
this restaurant.</a><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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This casual Taiwanese restaurant offers the most inexpensive meal in this day’s itinerary, with large meals at under ¥1,000. It serves typical Taiwanese favourites, and (as always) I recommend Ma po tofu, or any other dish which doesn’t use fake meat (see my article on fake meat in Taiwan). </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Taiwan Shokudo recently moved into this new store about 1.5 kilometres east of Akihabara and a little further south of Asakusa, so I’ve moved the listing to Akihabara, partly because it’s slightly closer to there and partly because it’s a good alternative to Kamakura Fushikian (see above), while there are more options around Asakusa. It’s not so easy to reach from Ueno, which requires a subway transfer or a short walk to Okachimachi Station. Taiwan Shokudo was previously located in a windowless second story room, and it doesn’t sound like the new branch is much different. But the staff are welcoming, the meals are hearty and generously sized, and it can’t be beaten on price. </div>
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<h2 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ueno (上野) </h2>
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Ueno is one of Tokyo's oldest, poorest and most characteristic suburbs. It's famous for its cheap clothing stores which sell discounted old or seconds stock under the railway tracks. It's also home to a large Jain (Indian vegetarian) community, many of whom work in the diamond trade. Ueno Park is one of the best spots in Tokyo for cherry blossoms, and the adjacent Tokyo National Museum is one of the country's best art museums. </div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="nezunoya"></a>
<br />
<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Nezu no Ya ($$, Japanese, Macrobiotic, 🌱, 根津の谷)</h4>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">11:30-16:30 (last order: 15:30)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Please check the calendar at the bottom of the <a href="http://nezunoya.com/">website</a>. Days that the restaurant is open are
shown with a red square containing the Kanji </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">根</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">(currently Tuesdays,
Fridays and Saturdays). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Ten minutes’ walk north of Ueno Park (Bentendo Temple); fifteen
minutes from Starbucks in the centre of the park. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Beside <b>Nezu Station</b> on the Chiyoda (subway) Line (from Tokyo
Station). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">113-0031 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">文京区根津</span><span lang="EN-GB">1</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">1-14<br />
1-1-14 Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E6%A0%B9%E6%B4%A5%E3%81%AE%E8%B0%B7">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/oZonWJmDUcPk2Bqr9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/nezu-no-ya-tokyo-2964">HappyCow</a>, <a href="http://nezunoya.com/">website</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Tokyo’s best
value macrobiotic restaurant. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Irregular (but reliably posted)
opening hours.<br />
The attached organic shop sells animal products. <span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Nezu+No+Ya">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
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This vegan gem serves up delicious, healthy macrobiotic meals for a little under ¥1500, including a Japanese curry and a daily set (which I recommend). On the balance of price, location, décor (simple, but very pleasant) and food quality, this is one of the best value restaurants in Tokyo. The menu in the café is all vegan, but, unfortunately, the attached organic store sells animal products. </div>
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<h4 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Vege Herb Saga ($$, Indian, ヴェジハーブサーガ, 🥛) </h4>
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<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">11:15-14:30, 17:15-22:30</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Hours can be irregular; it sometimes closes for long periods of
time when the staff return to India. If closed, I recommend the nearby Veg
Kitchen (see below).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Two minutes’ walk southeast of Okachimachi Station, South Exit 2
(for the JR Yamanote and Keihen/Tohoku lines) and one minute’s walk west of Naka-Okachimachi
Station, Exit 2 (for the Hibiya subway line).
</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">110-0005 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都台東区上野</span><span lang="EN-GB">5</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">22-1 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">地下</span><span lang="EN-GB">1</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">階</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東鈴ビル</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
5-22-1, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A7%E3%82%B8%E3%83%8F%E3%83%BC%E3%83%96%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AC">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ifTtwg2fSJaC7Kns5">Google Maps</a>, <a href="http://vegeherbsaga.com/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vegeherbsagaVHS/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/vege-herb-saga-tokyo-35170">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">03-5818-4154</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Delicious,
authentic Indian food, including South Indian cuisine. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Vege+Herb+Saga">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0OjPy_KPhUFEqrrM83A-egj3JKb1xHYOr4cn9yn31gwZxeUMz2mLBnqAEdSZ0SCn0SYSEvO4Wi6_ILNVqqL0hRXLg7jXBT7hvthxS4yKz9SL_Q2HWzobQqJ6_iBelk6x7WAUJD8nboE/s1600/Vege+Herb+Saga.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0OjPy_KPhUFEqrrM83A-egj3JKb1xHYOr4cn9yn31gwZxeUMz2mLBnqAEdSZ0SCn0SYSEvO4Wi6_ILNVqqL0hRXLg7jXBT7hvthxS4yKz9SL_Q2HWzobQqJ6_iBelk6x7WAUJD8nboE/s640/Vege+Herb+Saga.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best dosa in Tokyo. A dosa is a thin crispy pancake made from fermented grains. I recommend the Masala dosa, which is filled with a spicy potato filling. But be sure to tell the waiter “No butter or ghee,” as Indian chefs often smear it over the dosa before adding the filling out of habit, although I’ve never had it happen at this restaurant, where staff are careful to ensure that the dietary requirements of vegans and Jains are met. </td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">One of my favourite restaurants in Tokyo, this is a little piece of India. The owner, a devout Jain (the world’s oldest religion of non-violence, which arose around the same time in India as Buddhism, and out of the same Hindu roots) is a diamond trader, and he started this restaurant as a tiny, cramped, underground kitchen for himself, his family, and his visiting friends and business associates, who as Jains have a stricter set of dietary rules than vegans. (They eat dairy products, but not root vegetables, because their harvesting causes harm to insect life underground and the plants themselves.) </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">The restaurant has since moved from its first premises into a larger underground basement, but it’s still far from elegant. But Saga’s loyal following (including myself) come for the delicious, authentic Indian food, including South Indian specialties such as Masala Dosas (shown in the photo above) and Idlis, which are difficult to find elsewhere in Tokyo or Japan. The owner regularly imports spices from India and roasts them in the store; this is (in my opinion) why his food tastes so much better than at any other Indian restaurants in Japan. Several years ago, it ranked in the top few Indian restaurants in Tokyo on a Japanese TV show, despite being vegetarian, and it has been famous among Japanese fans of Indian food ever since. </div><div><br /></div></div>
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One possible issue for some Western diners here is that many of the staff come straight from India and are thus not accustomed to Western, or especially Japanese, levels of personal distance. It’s also not uncommon for them to rearrange food on the customer’s plate in front of them to make it look perfect – a common practice in India but not in the West and certainly not in Japan, where diners usually don’t even touch their own food. But, cultural differences aside, the long-term chef at Saga is among the most kind and warm-hearted people I have ever met, and it’s disappointing to see cultural differences put people off such good food. </div>
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If you would like a more conventional Western or Japanese dining experience, a Japanese-Indian fusion meal can be had at Gopinatha in Nakano. </div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="vegkitchen"></a>
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Veg Kitchen ($$, Indian, ベジキッチン, 🥛) </h4>
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<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">11:00-14:30, 17:00-22:00</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">A few minutes’ walk east of <b>Naka-Okachimachi Station</b> (for
the Hibiya subway line) and Okachimachi Station (for the JR Yamanote and
Keihen/Tohoku lines).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">110-0016 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都台東区台東</span><span lang="EN-GB">3</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">44−8<br />
3 Chome-44-8 Taito, Taitō, Tokyo 110-0016</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">03-5817-8165</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Veg+Kitchen+Ueno">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vegkitchentokyo">Facebook</a> (menu
updated daily), <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HfDNcGeSSZ2ti8JP6">Google Maps</a>,
<a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/veg-kitchen-tokyo-48092">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">The décor
and dining experience are ‘better’ (or at least more predictable) than at
Veggie Herb Saga. <br />
Open every day. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Food is not as authentic (or, in my opinion,
as good) as at Veggie Herb Saga. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB">Unlike
Veggie Herb Saga, the Veg Kitchen serves alcohol. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Veg+Kitchen" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Update
this restaurant.</a><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUJkA0MKZ4tQ-7QQIvp7HqrKW0G4KiZut37FkcYF7rOO1TkL77GMXm27QRM0dKTODnSHSb0roXEmCWJ6Ws0bq50vfPMcCB3_5c1GJzLSHbYImUsBopkrqfKeO4rpdrwdtYzeNsvH5T50/s1600/Veg+Kitchen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUJkA0MKZ4tQ-7QQIvp7HqrKW0G4KiZut37FkcYF7rOO1TkL77GMXm27QRM0dKTODnSHSb0roXEmCWJ6Ws0bq50vfPMcCB3_5c1GJzLSHbYImUsBopkrqfKeO4rpdrwdtYzeNsvH5T50/s640/Veg+Kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Momo are a Tibetan specialty, but here they come with an Indian twist.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on">
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Up the road from Veggie Herb Saga is the Veg Kitchen, a rival vegetarian restaurant run by its former chef. It’s disappointing that he chose to open his restaurant in the same district and serve much the same food, when he could have found his own niche elsewhere in such a large city; however, both restaurants seem to be doing just fine. Compared with Veggie Herb Saga, the Veg Kitchen serves similar food for similar prices, although it also serves Indian Chinese food, which I can’t recommend to anyone who likes Indian or Chinese food.</div>
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Both restaurants have their own followers of Indians, Japanese and Westerners, but to me the Veg Kitchen feels less ‘special’ than the Jain-motivated Saga, being run with a profit motive (not that there is anything wrong with that) rather than to promote vegetarianism and support vegetarians in the area. It also serves alcohol and allows customers to smoke at their tables, which may be a drawcard for some travellers, but certainly isn’t for me. The Veg Kitchen’s food is certainly good, and probably among the best in Japan. But, in my experience, it just doesn’t quite have the edge that Veggie Herb Saga does. </div>
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Asakusa (浅草) </h3>
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Asakusa offers a glimpse of what Tokyo (or at least its wealthier districts) looked like during the Edo Period (1603-1868), when Japan was ruled by the very strict Tokugawa Shogunate. Asakusa developed as an entertainment district which mostly served the wealthy owners of rice storehouses in neighbouring Kuramae district. While Asakusa certainly an enjoyable experience (at least to anyone not adverse to large crowds of tourists) and I recommend visiting for the new Vegan Store (see immediately below), in my Vegan Travel Guide to Japan I recommend visiting the nearby old town of Kawagoe for Edo history instead, because it has many authentic Edo-era buidings, whereas most of Asakusa was reconstructed after it was destroyed by bombing during World War II. Kawagoe also makes a great day trip when combined with the nearby (all vegetarian) <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/08/outing-dinner-groceries-alishan-cafe.html" target="_blank">Alishan Organic Cafe</a>.<br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Vegan Cafe PQ's ($, Fusion, 🌱)</h4>
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<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wed-Fri: 11:00-18:00; Sat, Sun: 10:00-18:00; closed Mon, Tue. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">10-15 minutes’ walk north of <b>Asakusa Station</b> (depending on
which line) or Senso-ji Temple. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/PQ's">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">4 Chome-38-7 Asakusa, Taitō, Tokyo 111-0032</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/CFidr9hUD5vTW91x5">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vegancurry/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/pqs-tokyo-127151">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">07-3154-8285 (staff speak English)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Great
cause supporting marginalised people. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=PQs">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmjiaTsEyor0fYBaD8n89UOT6IdtUx1jeQLjYpS_5HFL05YTO1x1HpGubFiG-_ZDha6eQyNHkbwZ2LNgRuBau99QkRbMvKQMe08AdLdKk2ED80QwH2GQYrgNS-zXl6NYKbp_pKEHoQaw/s1600/PQs+sandwich.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmjiaTsEyor0fYBaD8n89UOT6IdtUx1jeQLjYpS_5HFL05YTO1x1HpGubFiG-_ZDha6eQyNHkbwZ2LNgRuBau99QkRbMvKQMe08AdLdKk2ED80QwH2GQYrgNS-zXl6NYKbp_pKEHoQaw/s640/PQs+sandwich.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This friendly vegan café was set up with the purpose of supporting all marginalised groups in Japan, especially the LGBTQ+ community, which faces more discrimination here than in other comparably developed countries. The staff’s eyes lit up when I said that I lived in Taiwan, which they quickly identified as one of the most progressive countries in Asia (that was before the recent passing of Asia’s first marriage equality bill in May 2019). Unlike most ‘gay bars’, which mostly serve as a social space, PQ’s has much more of an activist foundation, and anyone with a background in anarchism or other forms of grassroots activism will appreciate this place very much.<br />
<br />
But you don’t need to have any political background to appreciate their honest good food. PQ’s offers a set menu of pasta, curry and bagels, with meals starting from ¥1,000. They also serve good drinks, making this a great place to hang out after visiting Asakusa. <br /><br /><h4>Marugoto Vegan Dining Asakusa ($$, Western, Fusion, 🌱, ササヤカフェ)</h4><div><div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 106%;"><span lang="EN-GB">Tue-Thu: 11:30-15:00;
Fri-Sun: 11:30-17:00; closed Mon. <br />
Please check their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marugotovegandining">Facebook
page</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"> for irregular opening
times. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 106%;"><span lang="EN-GB">Four
minutes’ walk north-east (along the river) from <b>Asakusa Station, Exit 5.</b></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 106%;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">111-0033 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都台東区花川戸</span><span lang="EN-GB">1</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">3−3<br />
1 Chome-3-3 Hanakawado, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0033, Japan</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 106%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/marugotovegandining">Facebook</a></span><span lang="EN-GB">, </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/EDHfcUmt7LXcs7JB9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://dining.marugotovegan.com/">website</a></span><span lang="EN-GB">, </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/marugoto-vegan-dining-asakusa-tokyo-126034">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 106%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8B%E3%81%94%E3%81%A8Vegan%E3%83%80%E3%82%A4%E3%83%8B%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 106%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Comfort food beside
Asakusa Station. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Small portions of expensive food.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 106%;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 106%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Marugoto+Vegan+Dining+Asakusa">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirbgRxfeThuRguUEhR12-vZDTH-bDLjWkJdBtfJ4g5KLQlU7Adwpjcdkaek7Ofip1Qk9XYPRvetS7dI6TW7SNR2rrEuw5LbIKK8UNm99fqG0OicLHLGw_9n2ldHeDy6DZWX1WkmmjNAIXbppnn5ClKCcoBAAsgmmWjWc4ONIddT6H0tbe0rY87pt04" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirbgRxfeThuRguUEhR12-vZDTH-bDLjWkJdBtfJ4g5KLQlU7Adwpjcdkaek7Ofip1Qk9XYPRvetS7dI6TW7SNR2rrEuw5LbIKK8UNm99fqG0OicLHLGw_9n2ldHeDy6DZWX1WkmmjNAIXbppnn5ClKCcoBAAsgmmWjWc4ONIddT6H0tbe0rY87pt04" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal">Falafel Burger (<o:p></o:p>¥1,320)</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div>This café, which was previously known as The Farm Café, appears to have successfully latched onto the lucrative foreign vegan tourist market. In other words, expect small, overpriced Western comfort foods which some travellers will love more than others. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Sasaya Café ($$, Japanese, Indian, Fusion, ササヤカフェ, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">8:30-18:00 </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fifteen minutes’ walk from the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Skytree Station,
Kinshicho Station, Honjo-Azumabashi Station and Oshiage Station.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">130-0003, 1</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">-1-10 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">横川</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">墨田区</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
1-1-10 Yokokawa, Sumida, Tokyo</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%B5%E3%82%B5%E3%83%A4%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/HWN9gnDGWrFYV1Y28">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/sasaya-cafe-tokyo-40643">HappyCow</a>, <a href="https://sasayacafe.com/">website</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Great
Japanese/Indian/Western fusion food.<br />
Close to Skytree and Asakusa. <span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Sasaya+Cafe">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
</div>
<div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCvk_mn3DpPBEx-jRwgR_OTVSXnd7e897VogYNvp7fUkjHi0iUq647D4oxq5D2eXg7HieeUNH9r5dgXN9RjCNnRqByFb4_wIdXSrmzZyWA-vWiSq-W0rXidlpDF66rVmL68fmIwHzNrY/s1600/Sasaya+Cafe+Tempeh+Set.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1000" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCvk_mn3DpPBEx-jRwgR_OTVSXnd7e897VogYNvp7fUkjHi0iUq647D4oxq5D2eXg7HieeUNH9r5dgXN9RjCNnRqByFb4_wIdXSrmzZyWA-vWiSq-W0rXidlpDF66rVmL68fmIwHzNrY/s640/Sasaya+Cafe+Tempeh+Set.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tempeh curry set. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sasaya is one of Tokyo’s best cafes: It serves delicious, large meals, with hearty sets going for around ¥1,000-¥1,500. Like Gopinatha, it serves Indian-inspired dishes with a Japanese twist. I recommend Sasaya’s Tempeh cutlets and South Indian sambar (shown in the photo above); the two complement each other surprisingly well. Its interior is warm and spacious, and it overlooks a small park which follows a stream almost all the way to the Tokyo Skytree. If you don’t take my advice to go up Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building instead of the Skytree, then I recommend coming here while you wait for your turn to queue up, or (if you get the Fast Ticket) any time before or after your visit there.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
But it’s worth considering coming here even if you don’t go to the Skytree, especially if you have PC work (or reading) to get done, as it’s only one stop on the Asakusa Line (¥180) and a pleasant ten-minute walk from Asakusa Station. Despite being so close to the Skytree, most of Sasaya’s clientele are local Japanese, many of whom come to bring their children to the park outside. The menu is vegan, but the attached shop sells honey. <br /><br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Ginza & Chiyoda</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ginza is Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping district,and is home to the original Ain Soph restaurant (which has since become a small empire, including several branches in Tokyo and one in Kyoto). Chiyoda includes Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and the famous but controversial Yasakuni Shrine, which is dedicated to Japan's war dead. This itinerary culminates nicely in a trip to the Japan's only Loving Hut (see below). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Ginza (銀座)</h3>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">Komeda Is ($$, Western, Coffee Shop, 🌱)</h4><div><div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><div><div style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">7:00-22:00</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Three minutes’ walk southeast of Higashi-ginza Station on the Toei
Asakusa and Hibiya (subway) Lines. <br />
Seven minutes’ walk southeast of Ginza Station on the Ginza and Marunouchi
(subway) Lines. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">104-0045 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都中央区築地</span><span lang="EN-GB">1</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">13-1<br />
4 Chome-12-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/NdCCmd8thsf56rej9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/komeda_is/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/komeda-is-tokyo-214618">HappyCow</a>, <a href="https://www.komeda-is.com/">website</a> (Japanese only)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Komeda+Is+Ginza">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Fully
vegan coffee shop. <br />
Large, inexpensive meals in Ginza.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Unhealthy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Komeda+Is+Ginza">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></div></div><b></b></div></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5Deu9n4pG9OpTtHEpEOzjC8PScGr_02-HAnRGYrxiTo7g3pArj1-jW-SiV00dKfhsresN6x9bYJs1jgBgWhEcQ_lz0ix8XJmCNHNET4w61W_Up0sDaQN5maPsYPZYpYAD-4xLYWxYddOu5M9-u2keUXH0of4mwyAIw_wX0_pdhQ_yn2wdF8VGJjCK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5Deu9n4pG9OpTtHEpEOzjC8PScGr_02-HAnRGYrxiTo7g3pArj1-jW-SiV00dKfhsresN6x9bYJs1jgBgWhEcQ_lz0ix8XJmCNHNET4w61W_Up0sDaQN5maPsYPZYpYAD-4xLYWxYddOu5M9-u2keUXH0of4mwyAIw_wX0_pdhQ_yn2wdF8VGJjCK=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal">There’s nothing
special about a sandwich, salad and fries, but there is something special about
a fully vegan coffee shop in Ginza that sells it for ¥1,300. <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></h4><div><div>Komeda Is is the first (and so far only) vegan branch of Komeda Coffee, an upmarket chain famous for its generously sized portions. Meals here aren’t particularly healthy (it’s mostly burgers, sandwiches, and fries, as shown above) but they are great value, especially for Ginza. </div><div><br /></div><div>Enter the restaurant (the staff may find you a seat), and then order using the multi-lingual tablets at each table. Take the receipt they bring you with the food to the counter to pay on your way out. </div><div><br /></div><div>As a coffee shop, it’s perfectly acceptable to read or work on computers for a while (power outlets are provided at most tables), but (as noted in its listing under places to get work done), signs ask customers not to stay too long when it’s busy. I suggest not staying longer than an hour after ordering a meal and a drink if most or all tables are taken. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">
Ain Soph Ginza ($$, Japanese, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Mon, Tue, Sun: 11:30-16:00; Wed-Sat: 11:30-20:00.<br />
</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB">Reservations are strongly
recommended. </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Beside <b>Higashi-Ginza Station</b>, Exit A7 on the Hibiya (subway)
Line and the Toei Asakusa (subway) Line. <br />
Seven minutes’ walk from Ginza Station and the Ginza shopping district. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">104-0061 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都中央区銀座</span><span lang="EN-GB">4</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">12-1<br />
4 Chome-12-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/2n1UzjfYmyMdP8iU9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="http://ain-soph.jp/ginza/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ainsoph.ginza">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/ain-soph-ginza-tokyo-23681">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Ain+Soph+Ginza">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">One of
Tokyo’s best Japanese meals. <br />
Great price given the location.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Despite that, it’s still expensive.
Welcome to Ginza. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Ain+Soph+Ginza">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div></div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP073Erflw9e1gacgtQRnQH-8TLWZaUeCHx94P6K0iC17aIQJ93SrYMvC1wl8hNAbP-3HDvp01EaRiAaWr1H8jiut_-CnYyPvc-OmP-W2t6G9Mo_t7n31n2jxXBqgFEMKh4PGpSh0RPgk/s1600/Ain+Soph+Ginza.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP073Erflw9e1gacgtQRnQH-8TLWZaUeCHx94P6K0iC17aIQJ93SrYMvC1wl8hNAbP-3HDvp01EaRiAaWr1H8jiut_-CnYyPvc-OmP-W2t6G9Mo_t7n31n2jxXBqgFEMKh4PGpSh0RPgk/s640/Ain+Soph+Ginza.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal">At ¥3,400, Ain Soph
isn’t the cheapest meal around, but it’s excellent value for such quality food
in Tokyo’s most famous shopping district.<o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /><br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">This branch of the large Ain Soph chain is a fittingly posh restaurant for Ginza, and the perfect place to finish off your shopping spree, with sets (which customers are obligated to order at mealtimes) starting from around ¥2,000. Their pancakes are especially popular. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Sushi is only available by advanced reservation, but walk-in customers can order other items (including the set shown above). But at busy times it’s difficult to get a table a all without a reservation, so I recommend booking ahead if you know when you’ll be in Ginza. Between 2:30 and 17:00 the menu is limited to desserts and drinks, and it’s easier to get a table without a reservation. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Food here is certainly good, but the value is better (and meals simpler) at Ain Soph’s ‘Journey’ branches, including the Shinjuku branch and Kyoto branch.</div><div><br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Chiyoda (千代田) </h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Food Inside Tokyo Station</h3>
<div>
This article is covered in my <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/p/vegan-food-in-tokyo-station.html" target="_blank">Vegan Food inside Tokyo Station</a> page. It has more photos but the same practical details. </div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="tstantan"></a>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
T’s Tantan ($, Japanese Noodles, T's たんたん 東京駅京葉ストリート店, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">10:00-21:30</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Located along Keiyo Food (underground) “Street”, <b>inside the Japan
Rail ticket gates</b> of <b>Tokyo Station</b>, but not inside the shinkansen
ticket gates. If arriving by subway, it’s necessary to leave the subway system
and enter the JR (Japan Railway) system by any one of its ticket gates (which
is free with a Japan Rail Pass). If you arrive by shinkansen (the high-speed
train) then leave the shinkansen gates but not the final JR gates. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">From within the JR ticket gates, follow signs to the Keio Line, and
then to the Keio (underground) “Street”. Walk down Keio Street almost to the
end. Starbucks will be on your left. T’s Tantan is well signposted (in green)
on your right, shortly after Starbucks, just before the end of the ‘street’.
There is usually a long queue, but it moves fast. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">If you don’t have a rail pass or a JR ticket, you’ll need to either
buy a platform ticket (¥140, valid for two hours and available from the
counter) or use your Pasmo/Suica card at the automated ticket gates.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/fUqCRV5zcraQipMF6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tstantan320">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/ts-tantan-tokyo-29533">HappyCow</a>, <a href="http://ts-restaurant.jp/tantan/">website</a> (some English)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%81%9F%E3%82%93%E3%81%9F%E3%82%93%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%A7%85%E4%BA%AC%E8%91%89%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E5%BA%97">directions</a>
(probably won’t work inside Tokyo Station without GPS)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Great
Japanese food, inexpensive, with fast and efficient service. <br />
Tokyo’s most famous vegan restaurant, popular even among non-vegetarians. <br />
Inexpensive take-outs available. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">This is <b>fast</b> food, so it’s
important to eat and move on reasonably quickly. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Ts+Tantan+Tokyo+Station">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCskSFU_zRcqzsnf3ZN3zKM113srX79BcaziNyjKiWAn1CYmfGc7x9bZWyO9dyHD-sjr11scpYBdG871k1YSrWnprkB1RLDDousgphzQlCfQUR0T6llmb-AGemQzwaZU03asIGj_-75Dg/s1600/Ts+Tantan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCskSFU_zRcqzsnf3ZN3zKM113srX79BcaziNyjKiWAn1CYmfGc7x9bZWyO9dyHD-sjr11scpYBdG871k1YSrWnprkB1RLDDousgphzQlCfQUR0T6llmb-AGemQzwaZU03asIGj_-75Dg/s640/Ts+Tantan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">T’s Tantan is undoubtedly Japan’s most popular and most famous vegan business, and it’s the only eatery at which virtually all vegan (and vegetarian) visitors to Japan dine at least once and usually several times. After the owner’s oldest child left home, she decided to open a restaurant (T’s Restaurant, which I recommend visiting on the way to Yokohama) to serve the kind of healthy food that she liked to eat herself and cook for her family. It was so successful (despite being in an underground basement well off the tourist trail) that when a special health-focussed food “alley” (the underground Keio Street) opened inside Tokyo Station she was invited to open a store. She came up with the idea of a fast, healthy, inexpensive but still very Japanese menu, and it was such a success that what started out as a retirement project has now become the career she never planned to have, having spent most of her adult life raising a family. She has since opened several other branches of T’s, although unfortunately the only two still operating is in Ueno Station a few kilometres to the north (recommended in that itinerary) and Ikebukuro Station (which isn’t popular with tourists or covered in this guidebook). She also designed the menu for Vegan Bistro Jangara in Harajuku, which is located on the floor above a branch of Kyushu Jangara, a ramen chain owned by her husband. T's also sells packaged ramen (available in the stores) and bento (take-out lunchboxes) at Haneda International Airport.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">While the focus is its namesake <i>tantan</i> (a type of thin noodle, commonly confused by foreigners with ramen) the menu has expanded to include other Japanese dishes and also sandwiches, which are great for take-outs. There is a limited breakfast menu until 11:00. If you are passing through the station and don’t know where you’ll eat in your itinerary (which hopefully won’t happen with this guide) then eat well here and take out a sandwich or two. It’s especially important for this itinerary, because it involves a lot of walking, and there is nowhere good to eat around the Imperial Gardens. </div><div><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h4>2Foods ($, Japanese, Western, Donuts, 🌱)</h4><div><div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">11:00-21:00</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Yaesu Underground Shopping Street/Mall (also called Yaechika
Shopping Mall/Street), B1</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Follow signs to the Yaesu North Entrance (of Tokyo Station). 2foods
is on the right just before the ticket gates (or the left if coming out from
the ticket gates). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/nZ6WTdo2N12yg6HJ8">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/2foods-tokyo-250670">HappyCow</a>, <a href="https://2foods.jp/">website</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/2foods%20%E3%83%A4%E3%82%A8%E3%83%81%E3%82%AB%E5%BA%97">directions</a>
(probably won’t work inside Tokyo Station without GPS)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Surprisingly
realistic versions of traditional Japanese and Western animal-based foods. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">They might be too realistic. <br />
It can be difficult to find. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=2foods+Yaesu+Underground+Mall">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjegcLk7clA03bQ0yYerRuZBvQuAYzHw6jH0VX9AA8BEjsL5vJ5alJHQVGlrCTcJ7_yQN3FTze2Piey4UWJOwceAo8PsRAIRMdO2VHswFnSE7ZdCMUBndJvOcDLpoBWl0-Gv5BPARsBkd5tADuNkePhLZh_1VXy7HAlE40PfBVoebdqyP7ANNO51AzW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjegcLk7clA03bQ0yYerRuZBvQuAYzHw6jH0VX9AA8BEjsL5vJ5alJHQVGlrCTcJ7_yQN3FTze2Piey4UWJOwceAo8PsRAIRMdO2VHswFnSE7ZdCMUBndJvOcDLpoBWl0-Gv5BPARsBkd5tADuNkePhLZh_1VXy7HAlE40PfBVoebdqyP7ANNO51AzW" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>2foods is a new vegan café chain which aims to revolutionise the plant-based food industry by using the latest technology to create “healthy junk food”, and if their egg and cheese alternatives are anything to go by, I think it’s safe to say they’re succeeding. As well as this store inside Tokyo Station (officially called 2foods Yaesu Underground Shopping Mall), it also has branches in Ginza, Roppongi and Shibuya (none of which I recommend in this guidebook due to better value nearby alternatives) and an online shop. </div><div><br /></div><div>2foods specialises in donuts but also serves burgers, curries and other fast food, as well as desserts. Portions are fairly small and quite expensive, but they’re reasonable value given the location and the research and development that has gone into them. I recommend trying the omu-rice (fried rice with omelette and ketchup, shown above), a surprisingly realistic vegan version of this traditional Japanese dish. They also do take-outs which are good for day trips. </div><div><br /></div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Shinjuku, Nakano & Koenji</h2>
Shinjuku is the home of the sarariiman (salaryman, or male office workers), although the Japanese business world is now slowly becoming more open to women. Nakano is home to Japan's largest mall selling manga (comic book) and other related paraphernalia, and also the city's best Japanese-Indian food and its only vegan pub. Koenji is the home of the underground music and cultural scene, and features a lot of used clothing stores. All have some good vegan restaurants.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Shinjuku (新宿)</h3>
<h4>Ain Soph Journey ($$, Western, Fusion, 🌱)</h4><h4><div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); font-weight: 400;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Mon-Fri: 11:30-15:00, 18:00-20:00; Sat, Sun & holidays: 11:30-16:00;
18:00-20:00.<br />
Last order is always one hour before closing. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Beside</span><b><span lang="EN-GB"> Shinjuku-sanchome
Station</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">,
<b>Exit C5</b>, one stop from Shinjuku Station on the JR Shinjuku Line or the
Marunouchi (subway) Line. <br />
If coming from elsewhere it’s also on the Fukutoshin (subway) Line. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">160-0022 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都新宿区新宿3丁目8</span><span lang="EN-GB">−</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">9</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">新宿Qビル</span><span lang="EN-GB">1F<br />
Shinjuku Sanchome, 8-9 Shinjuku Q Building, 1F</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Ain+Soph+Journey+Shinjuku">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/iLFF7Rcqa1cryKPz9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/ain-soph-journey-tokyo-36193">HappyCow</a>,
<a href="https://www.ain-soph.jp/journey-shinjuku">website</a>, (mostly
Japanese), <a href="https://twitter.com/ainsoph_jp">Twitter</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Excellent
healthy food.<br />
Reliable hours. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Ain+Soph+Journey+Shinjuku">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHNKS8HMcHEO61Z-qublYWzjiuD98MhdLI0tx_Hh8cU2fKZw1JWfO4hkQ7_sR0q5G7nbfYDOFxKxCEPVW5BLye5Eaa3eJbI5ofu3v3aq0vWpn7KprNvm5AIdBrWbqo-Cz0qBmtrZKjuyGLFv4Tck97Zn564bahmnRJs1CHSwjpIeQF5WB_N7HAQTTO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHNKS8HMcHEO61Z-qublYWzjiuD98MhdLI0tx_Hh8cU2fKZw1JWfO4hkQ7_sR0q5G7nbfYDOFxKxCEPVW5BLye5Eaa3eJbI5ofu3v3aq0vWpn7KprNvm5AIdBrWbqo-Cz0qBmtrZKjuyGLFv4Tck97Zn564bahmnRJs1CHSwjpIeQF5WB_N7HAQTTO" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></h4><div><div>Ain Soph Journey serves typical healthy, Japanese-style macrobiotic foods – some of the best in Japan, and that’s saying something. That, of course, includes good burgers, salads, and wraps, but Journey is most famous for its pancakes, perhaps because they are so good (which they are) but probably more because they look so good in photographs. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you just need a meal in Shinjuku, you can’t go wrong here, and if you don’t plan to visit any other branches (such as its first, best and most expensive branch in Ginza, or its newer branch very similar to this in Kyoto) then it’s worth coming for a taste of Ain Soph hype. But I personally prefer the mission and purpose (of creating a peaceful world with easy, equal communication by everyone) behind SOJO (immediately below). </div></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">
SOJO Esperanto-Vegana Kafejo ($, Fusion, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wed-Fri 17:00-21:00; Sat-Sun: 15:00-21:00; closed Mon-Tue.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Five minutes’ walk north of <b>Waseda
Station, Exit 1</b> on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line. <br />
From Shinjuku, take the JR Yamanote (loop) Line or JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line or
Saikyo Line north to Takadanobaba Station, and then change to the Tozai
(subway) Line east towards NishFunabashi. Waseda Station is the first stop. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">111 Wasedatsurumakicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-0041<br />
</span><span class="widget-pane-link"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Microsoft JhengHei", sans-serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">162-0041 </span></span><span class="widget-pane-link"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "Microsoft JhengHei", sans-serif;">東京都新宿区早稲田鶴巻町</span><span lang="EN-GB">111</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">03-6302-1639 (owner speaks English and Japanese if you can’t speak
the preferred Esperanto)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/VprjhFjCL727Q5oS9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kafejosojo/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/sojo-esperanto-vegana-kafejo-tokyo-89820">HappyCow</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://japantoday.com/category/features/food/sojo-in-waseda-tokyo%E2%80%99s-only-vegan-esperanto-speaking-restaurant">Japan
Today newspaper article.</a> </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%80%92162-0041%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF%E5%8C%BA%E6%97%A9%E7%A8%B2%E7%94%B0%E9%B6%B4%E5%B7%BB%E7%94%BA111">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Hearty,
inexpensive meal sets.<br />
A chance to learn about Esperanto from a friendly, multi-lingual owner. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">A short trip on the subway from
Shinjuku’s attractions, but well worth the trip. </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=SOJO">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vJGQR74TFa0Y_vhQ4DUqcq7Yus3Fze6wD1O6HbGCf6hq6OFXiZlBXyQv8a-VCxesfnYaH3rh7UUCpdoyIkyKPPskE2JPSi9GzF58nm8IhJKN5IalvUt7dTGLHOBb8oQO7YB1NRRfUSU/s1600/SOJO+meal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vJGQR74TFa0Y_vhQ4DUqcq7Yus3Fze6wD1O6HbGCf6hq6OFXiZlBXyQv8a-VCxesfnYaH3rh7UUCpdoyIkyKPPskE2JPSi9GzF58nm8IhJKN5IalvUt7dTGLHOBb8oQO7YB1NRRfUSU/s640/SOJO+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /><br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">SOJO is one of Tokyo’s most unique and best-value dining opportunities, so I highly recommend a visit to anyone who can make it to Waseda, which is twenty-five minutes by subway from Shinjuku Station, and home to Waseda University, one of Japan’s most prestigious academic institutions.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">SOJO means Soy in Esperanto, the world’s most widely spoken constructed language. Esperanto was developed by a Polish Jew in the late nineteenth century, while he was still in high school. He was motivated by a dream of a world in which everyone could communicate with each other, and the peace and understanding which he believed this would foster. As a constructed language, Esperanto has none of the difficulties inherent in languages which evolved over time, such as irregular verbs and tenses, so to reach the same standard in German, English and Esperanto takes 2,000, 1,500 and 150 hours respectively. Most nouns come from Germanic languages (and many are recognisable from English), and the grammar is mostly from Slavic languages – chosen to be as simple to learn and use as possible. Studies have shown that teaching Esperanto to young children makes learning other languages easier for them in the future.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">While many people believe that English has become the world’s universal language, and Google Translate now makes instant communication possible among almost everyone, the talented owner and chef of SOJO, who is quite a linguist himself, passionately believes that there is still a place for an international language which puts everyone on an equal footing, and while discussions about Esperanto are not compulsory, the restaurant’s décor and trilingual menu (Esperanto, Japanese and English) can’t help but inspire one to at least ponder the merits of everyone in the world speaking one universal language (as well as their own mother tongue). </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">The menu includes a changing daily dish (for regular visitors from the university), and a few other hearty meals, including a chick-pea curry. The set meals are especially good value; a meal, drink and delicious banana-based ice cream come to around ¥1,200. </div><div><br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Nakano (中野)</h3>
This small ward, officially called Nakano City in English, is famous for its manga centre (below) but is also worth visiting for a cluster of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, especially since it’s so easily accessible from Shinjuku.<br /><br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Gopinatha ($, Vegetarian, Indian/Japanese Fusion, 🥛 , やさい食堂 ゴピナータ)</h4>
<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wed-Fri: 12:10-14:30, 18:00-20:00; closed Sat-Tue.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Five minutes’ walk east of <b>Nakano
Station</b>, a few small blocks north of the railway line. Take the <b>North Exit</b>, and then use Google Maps (directions
link below) as it’s located in a small alleyway and somewhat difficult to find
otherwise. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">164-0001 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都中野区中野</span><span lang="EN-GB">5</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">丁目</span><span lang="EN-GB">17−10<br />
Nakano 5-Chome, 17-10</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/dix4JQig4AzGX2tc9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/%E3%82%84%E3%81%95%E3%81%84%E9%A3%9F%E5%A0%82-%E3%82%B4%E3%83%94%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF-298232843639872/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/gopinatha-tokyo-37400">HappyCow</a>, <a href="https://gopinathatokyo.wixsite.com/english">website</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%84%E3%81%95%E3%81%84%E9%A3%9F%E5%A0%82%20%E3%82%B4%E3%83%94%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Excellent
value meal sets, including both Indian and Japanese fusion food.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Difficult to find without Google
Maps.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Gopinathas+Tokyo">Update
this restaurant.</a> <span style="color: red;"> </span></span></p></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0NGK0GQ3ofGpn7V5Od3RCBrVhNsDOL6V1Wng1hq0B9Nu1GZFzjcIoWdy69l67xA7GrNLVvCSUzMUkr4lYHr6nc5-L6D209oElnY8PhPOBUQxBLMIiyrrwkIoI1cEPMYbpngTjzGJDEg/s1600/gopinathas+meal.jpg" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="1326" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0NGK0GQ3ofGpn7V5Od3RCBrVhNsDOL6V1Wng1hq0B9Nu1GZFzjcIoWdy69l67xA7GrNLVvCSUzMUkr4lYHr6nc5-L6D209oElnY8PhPOBUQxBLMIiyrrwkIoI1cEPMYbpngTjzGJDEg/s640/gopinathas+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Gopinatha serves Japan’s best Japanese Indian fusion food. This is no easy feat, because Indian cuisine is based on aromatic spices, while the elegance of Japanese cooking lies in its simplicity, and how its delicate preparation brings out natural flavours. While fans of authentic Indian food may be more satisfied at Veggie Herb Saga (or the neighbouring Veg Kitchen) in Ueno, fans of Japanese and Indian food are likely to enjoy Gopinathas more, as the talented chef here somehow captures the essence of both cuisines. I especially like their Pakoras and the aromatic tomato sauce which comes with them. It’s also great value, with satisfying set meals starting at around ¥1,000.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />Sasaya Café (in Asakusa, near the Tokyo Skytree) also serves great Indian Japanese fusion food. Overall Gopinatha’s menu is more Indian and Sasaya’s is more Japanese, but both are very good.<br />
<br />Gopinatha only allows take-out meals and ‘single diners’, so customers are not allowed to sit or talk with anyone else. While some cafes and restaurants are set up to encourage solo diners (including the famous Soup Stock Tokyo chain), this is the only eatery I know of with this rule in Japan. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><h4>Korinbo ($, Taiwanese, 🥚, やさい食堂 ゴピナータ)</h4><div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Mon-Fri: 11:30-14:30, 17:00-20:00; Sat: 11:30-14:00, 17:00-20:00;
closed Sun.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Inside Nakano Broadway shopping mall (see above), five minutes’
walk from <b>Nakano Station</b> on the JR
Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station or Tokyo Station. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Take the North Exit of Nakano Station and follow these directions
to Nakano Broadway (above): Walk north through the courtyard (along a covered
walkway) to the narrow, busy Nakano Sun Mall. Walk north through Nakano Sun
Mall for 230 metres and you will reach the entrance to the Nakano Broadway
mall. Then walk through the mall until the far (north) end, and take the <b>stairs</b> to the second floor (not the
escalator, which goes straight to the third floor). Korinbo is there in the
north-west corner, with a large sign above in Japanese and a small sign by the
door which reads ‘Korinbo’ in English. It can be a little difficult to find; on
the second floor show the Japanese name (above) to any staff and they will
point you in the right direction. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">164-0001 Tōkyō-to, Nakano City,
Nakano, 5-chōme−52−</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">15</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">中野ブロードウェイ</span><span lang="EN-GB"> 2F<br />
Nakano Broadway, 2F, 5-52-15</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E9%A6%99%E6%9E%97%E5%9D%8A">directions</a>
(but GPS probably won’t work inside the mall) </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/EkjLFZGmR9saxZED9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/korinbo-tokyo-99">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Excellent
value, authentic, friendly owner. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Oriental vegetarian (no onion or
garlic). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">The food is simple (but good).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Korinbo+Tokyo" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Update
this restaurant</a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (or tell me if it was hard to find or suggest clearer
directions).</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><o:p></o:p></p></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWkWLow-kZlO06ncjEt8zekcbQtiVzC2qfnQGy_qXaijV1AMYRpRobwRI-nW7KJY4bxxC9ya3m8B4Nakqfxl_VhXhkrO_7nF9k48xrRV7-fvmHFvCS9cF0cqqGtcfxkix7m-3CEyaEyMdAZP5zlSzulK5xgsiNn9sCLughenla7tjoKrzOEV3HDaaz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWkWLow-kZlO06ncjEt8zekcbQtiVzC2qfnQGy_qXaijV1AMYRpRobwRI-nW7KJY4bxxC9ya3m8B4Nakqfxl_VhXhkrO_7nF9k48xrRV7-fvmHFvCS9cF0cqqGtcfxkix7m-3CEyaEyMdAZP5zlSzulK5xgsiNn9sCLughenla7tjoKrzOEV3HDaaz" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>This Taiwanese restaurant has been run here by the same Taiwanese chef for over thirty years, making it possibly the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Tokyo. While the newer Taiwanese restaurants in Tokyo have long eclipsed Korinbo in creativity and flair, for honest-to-goodness (well, apart from the egg) traditional, inexpensive Taiwanese food, this place can’t be beaten. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like at all Taiwanese restaurants except Loving Huts, I recommend avoiding fake meat, as it is sometimes made with dairy and egg products, and even chefs at restaurants often don’t know this. But small granules of soy protein or wheat gluten (as shown above) are usually fine.</div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">
Koenji (高円寺)</h3>
Koenji is the centre of Japan’s alternative (underground) culture and is home to many live houses (pubs which host live bands) and used clothing and record stores, mostly on the south side of Koenji Station. Despite being so close to the hub of Shinjuku, Koenji escaped most of building boom during the 1980s bubble, so it preserves an older Tokyo vibe, with smaller houses and restaurants, in stark contrast to the usual skyscrapers which dominate Shinjuku (and almost everywhere else in Tokyo). This led to cheaper rents, which encouraged artists and musicians, who over the decades have given Koenji its unique character.<br /><br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Meu Nota ($, Macrobiotic, Fusion, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242);"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wed-Sun: 12:00-17:00; closed Mon-Tue.<br />
Please check <a href="http://www.meunota.com/top.html">this calendar on their
website</a> for monthly opening hours. They also sometimes post irregular
closing times to their Facebook page. <br />
Last order: half an hour before closing time. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Five minutes’ walk southwest of <b>Kōenji Station</b>, South Exit. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">166-0003 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東京都杉並区高円寺南3丁目45</span><span lang="EN-GB">−11<br />
Koenji South 3-Chome, 45-11</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/m7yomsA1Fc96wD2bA">Google Maps</a>, <a href="http://www.meunota.com/top.html">website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/meunota">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/meunota-tokyo-21068">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">03-5929-9422</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Meu+Nota">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Variety
of delicious vegan fusion cuisine in a cosy atmosphere. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Reservations required for dinner. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Meu+Nota">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteYvHXG4hjULbPGJaPT77VDLTzF1gRzp3nGIz5sE__C4fMdc-7poYe-VMRF06lBJAqsqLYMoQwOIcT5wEP1zyjyK9YRH6uDr1sA5q5CfKNN4RcXTMKSc1YyMBk0XOptq78f2DUG2K6k4/s1600/Meunota+meal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1054" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteYvHXG4hjULbPGJaPT77VDLTzF1gRzp3nGIz5sE__C4fMdc-7poYe-VMRF06lBJAqsqLYMoQwOIcT5wEP1zyjyK9YRH6uDr1sA5q5CfKNN4RcXTMKSc1YyMBk0XOptq78f2DUG2K6k4/s640/Meunota+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Meu Nota has stood the test of time and become one of Tokyo’s more popular vegan restaurants. Its focus is on healthy grains, but it serves a much wider range of cuisines than most macrobiotic restaurants, including Middle Eastern and Indian options. Lunch sets are excellent value at around ¥1,000, and this is when I recommend visiting. Dinner courses must be reserved in advance (by phone or Facebook) and are either ¥2,500 or ¥3,000, but customers are also expected to order a drink (around ¥500). These prices are reasonable, and the food is good (but not exceptional), so it’s worth considering if you know you’ll be in the area and will be hungry at the time, but I wouldn’t go to Koenji just for dinner (or lunch) at Meu Nota.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">The menu at Meu Nota is not unlike Nagi Shokudo in Shibuya (where most visitors to Koenji are also likely to spend some time) but its prices are lower and its interior is more pleasant, perhaps because rents are cheaper there. </div><div><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><h2>Key</h2><h3></h3><h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; orphans: 2;"></h3><h3>Price</h3><div style="margin: 0px;">Prices include a drink and dessert if it would be normal to have one at such a meal.</div><h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; orphans: 2;">$ = inexpensive (< ¥1,000)</h3><h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; orphans: 2;">$$ = midrange (¥1,000-¥2,000)</h3><h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; orphans: 2;">$$$ = expensive (>¥5,000)</h3><br /><h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; orphans: 2;"></h3><h3>Veg Status</h3>For practical reasons I categorise restaurants by the ‘worst’ ingredients used.<br /><span style="background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><b>🌱</b> = fully vegan restaurant. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span face="" style="display: inline; float: none; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">🥛 = uses dairy, but not egg or meat. </span></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">🥚 = uses egg, and may use dairy, but does not use meat. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
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</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
General Advice for Being Vegan in Tokyo</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Use HappyCow</h3>
HappyCow (Android App) is great for finding nearby restaurants. I recommend keeping it set to vegan, as these restaurants are generally the best (even for vegetarians or inspiring vegetarians). As a nation Japanese are probably the most honest in the world, and it's rare to find vegan restaurants serving animal products, but of course it's always a good idea to keep an idea out for animal ingredients, especially fish products, because occasionally foreign travellers misunderstand that a restaurant is vegan (especially tofu and/or vegetable-based restaurants) and then add them to HappyCow.<br />
<br />
However, I suggest two cautions with HappyCow. Firstly, take reviews with a grain of salt. In Japan standards of food (and everything) are very high, and portions are very small. So almost every restaurant has had a few foreign diners turn up hungry having just arrived in Japan -- or having been travelling rural Japan where there are no vegan restaurants) and be so delighted with their meal that they consider it the best of their life, go back to their room and write it a glowing review. Likewise, many restaurants have had a foreign tourist horrified by the 'Japanese' (small) size of the meal and go and write a bitter review on how they spent ¥2,000 on what was like a snack. <br />
<br /><b>
HappyCow is much more useful in Tokyo than in Kyoto.</b> Here's why: in Tokyo most restaurants serve either macrobiotic food, falafel, or Indian food, and while I have a few favourites (like Vege Herb Saga and the Loving Hut) there are few-standouts, while Tokyo's tourist attractions are very widely spread out, so I suggest planning your day around attractions and eating at whatever restaurants you can find nearby on HappyCow.<br />
<br />
Kyoto, by comparison, has a huge range of vegan restaurants, from 'cheap & cheerful' tourist traps to high-end <i>shojin ryori</i> (vegan Buddhist) cuisine. Also, the city is much smaller, so with careful planning (which I do for my readers in my guidebook) it's possible to go visit your chosen tourist attractions (which are mostly on a few well-trodden temple hopping paths) and restaurants, wherever you decide to eat. It's therefore very important to choose your Kyoto restaurants carefully. While HappyCow is certainly invaluable, the downside is that most reviews are written by people who are not familiar with Japanese cuisine and only dine at a small number of restaurants, so comparing restaurants by their HappyCow reviews can be misleading.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/07/vegan-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#top">Top of Page</a></span></div>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-2703055205667823352023-09-25T17:00:00.001-07:002023-09-26T00:42:48.827-07:00Kyoto's Best Vegan Restaurants in 2023<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Updated September 2023</span> </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Welcome to Kyoto</h2><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Kyoto is the vegan capital of Asia. It has over a dozen purely vegan restaurants, and, unlike Tokyo, most of these are within walking distance of the common visitor attractions. And while <i>shojin ryori</i> (Buddhist temple cuisine) is a must-eat at least once in Japan -- and Kyoto the best place to do it -- many other vegan restaurants are surprisingly inexpensive. A simple, healthy set meal often costs as little as a thousand Yen -- less than a comparable meal would be in most of the world's historic cities.<br />
<br />
This summary of vegan restaurants in Kyoto, which I originally wrote several years ago, is now regularly updated with information from my <a href="https://vegtravelguides.com/japan-guidebook" target="_blank">Vegan Travel Guide to Japan</a>.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Kyoto's Best Meals at a Glance </h2>
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Links stay in this page. </div>
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<table border="1">
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<td>Best meal out in Kyoto </td> <td><a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.tw/2015/02/vegan-restaurants-in-kyoto.html#littleheaven">Little Heaven</a></td>
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<tr>
<td>Best Western/Fusion Food </td>
<td><a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.tw/2015/02/vegan-restaurants-in-kyoto.html#vegout">Veg Out</a></td>
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<td>Best Macrobiotic</td><td><a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.tw/2015/02/vegan-restaurants-in-kyoto.html#padma">Padma</a></td>
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<td>Best-value Simple, Healthy Meals </td>
<td><a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.tw/2015/02/vegan-restaurants-in-kyoto.html#kittencompany" target="_blank">Kitten Company</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Work/Study/Hangout Space </td> <td><a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.tw/2015/02/vegan-restaurants-in-kyoto.html#choice">Cafe Choice</a> </td> </tr>
</tbody> </table>
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Key</h2>
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</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Price</h3>
Prices include a drink and dessert if it would be normal to have one at such a meal.
$ = inexpensive (<¥1,500) <br />
$$ = mid-range (¥1,500-$2,000)
$$$ = expensive (>¥5,000)<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Veg Status</h3>
For practical reasons I categorise restaurants by the ‘worst’ ingredients used.<br />
<br />
🌱 = fully vegan restaurant.<br />🍯 = uses honey but not dairy, egg or meat. <br /><span style="background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span face="" style="display: inline; float: none; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">🥛 = uses dairy and may use honey, but not egg or meat. </span></span><br />🥚 = uses egg and may use dairy and/or honey, but does not serve meat. <br /><span style="background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span face="" style="display: inline; float: none; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span></span>🐖 = serves meat, and/or dairy, and/or eggs and/or honey<br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Kyoto Districts</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Like for my page on <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/07/vegan-restaurants-in-tokyo.html" target="_blank">Vegan Restaurants in Tokyo</a>, this page follows the same outings as in my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Japan-Travel-Vegans-Jesse-Duffield-ebook/dp/B082718DZ9" target="_blank">Vegan Travel Guide to Japan</a>. In it I divide Kyoto up into four sections: the Kyoto Station Area, Northern Kyoto, Higashiyama and Arashiyama. These sections are selected to be useful for tourists, but they are not formal city districts. I recommend spending two days in Higashiyama (one day in Northern Higashimaya and one day in Southern Higashiyama, although these can be combined into one long summer's day) and one day in Arashiyama. There are several attractions and restaurants within a few kilometres of Kyoto Station in all directions, which can be easily reached from Kyoto Station, so I call this area the "Kyoto Station Area". That leaves an area dense in historical sites and some good vegan restaurants to the north of Kyoto Station, which I simply call "Northern Kyoto" (see map below). <br />
<br />
Most travellers to Kyoto choose to visit only a few tourist attractions and vegan restaurants in the Kyoto Station Area and Northern Kyoto, but everyone should at least visit Gion (and the nearby Shirakawa Minami Dori Street) and Kinkakuji (the famous Golden Pavilion). For visitors with only three days in Kyoto, I recommend fitting attractions in Northern Kyoto and the Kyoto Station Area around the other itineraries. If you have four or more days in Kyoto, then the Northern Kyoto attractions can be comfortably visited together in one day. For travellers who stay in Kyoto while visiting nearby cities (eg Osaka, Nara) I recommend visiting the Kyoto Station Area attractions in the morning before leaving Kyoto.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv5dACKlBGp1k4KBoHe3qvNK67IsXWTPFChbsi36jO6L4AmKf2qT0B3t07PqR3b8Y28IWF3LqBziXFItOTGlq8td6SDIT-csBEaPwOBKAQVLYTWWhOcnGO3rlFWsoDWm8YYCxB-xJzQJ1dX6ykxBk0t7TGfOxFKlM8pyHNQ7x8GTZI8BjhBRyyhiZDvo/s1025/Kyoto%20Itineraries%20Map.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1025" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv5dACKlBGp1k4KBoHe3qvNK67IsXWTPFChbsi36jO6L4AmKf2qT0B3t07PqR3b8Y28IWF3LqBziXFItOTGlq8td6SDIT-csBEaPwOBKAQVLYTWWhOcnGO3rlFWsoDWm8YYCxB-xJzQJ1dX6ykxBk0t7TGfOxFKlM8pyHNQ7x8GTZI8BjhBRyyhiZDvo/w640-h454/Kyoto%20Itineraries%20Map.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Kyoto Station Area</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYxgQSz--op08PZ7nY0aVJrOx_Iwj1Dmj2NR_U4lhLw9VVSph7XbFBk0l4DgGWXqBw2LcjNj0D9N05x5aUe41fcR_7YncZdUk0K562yD8sHJh-KRpzQaiLdU3wIXUJdgbUn0CXPXxFfT7xhJjGnBsh7V7lma62IGcsBoYQIGIzmIVh0CVVmc65Ui1fH4/s1290/Kyoto%20Station%20Area%20Map.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1290" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYxgQSz--op08PZ7nY0aVJrOx_Iwj1Dmj2NR_U4lhLw9VVSph7XbFBk0l4DgGWXqBw2LcjNj0D9N05x5aUe41fcR_7YncZdUk0K562yD8sHJh-KRpzQaiLdU3wIXUJdgbUn0CXPXxFfT7xhJjGnBsh7V7lma62IGcsBoYQIGIzmIVh0CVVmc65Ui1fH4/w640-h364/Kyoto%20Station%20Area%20Map.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Organic House Salute ($$, Macrobiotic, Vegan, Take-out, オーガニックハウス サルーテ, 🌱)</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fri-Mon: 11:30-14:30, 17:00-19:30; closed Tue-Thu. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Four minutes’ walk northwest of Kyoto Station (Central Exit). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">600-8216 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市下京区東塩小路町</span><span lang="EN-GB">600-31<br />
Shimogyo Ward, Higashishiokojicho 600-8216</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/vEm1jEE4LAHxYv979">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Salute.kyotojp/">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://salutekyoto.com/">website</a> (Japanese only)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AC%E3%83%8B%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%8F%E3%82%A6%E3%82%B9%20%E3%82%B5%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%86">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Inexpensive
<i>bentos</i> (lunchboxes) from beside Kyoto Station, perfect for train rides.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Very unreliable hours; currently only
take-out. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Organic+House+Salute+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">One of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Kyoto, this Salute now only sells take-out bentos (lunchboxes) for around ¥1,200. It used to be open for dine-in customers but with very irregular hours, and then it became a ‘member-only’ place during the border closures. It’s nothing to write home about, but I’m keeping it listed because a take-out vegan bento could be perfect for long train rides, and it’s only a few minutes’ walk from Kyoto Station. </div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div>
<h4>
Veg Out ($$, Western, 🌱)</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun: 9:00-10:30, 11:30-17:30; closed Mon, Tue,
Sat. <br />
Please check its Facebook page for irregular opening hours. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Veg Out is on the west side of the Shichijo Bridge over the
Kamogawa River, on the north side of the road. <br />
Ten minutes’ walk northeast of Kyoto Station, on the way to Southern
Higashiyama. <br />
Several buses cover some of the route from Kyoto Station (please use the directions
link below) but it’s usually faster and easier to walk the whole way or take a
taxi. <br />
Two minutes’ walk west (straight across the bridge) from <b>Shichijō Station</b>
on the Keihan Line (which connects with several restaurants and attractions in
this itinerary, and with Osaka, but <b>not with Kyoto Station</b>). <br />
Six minutes’ walk west of Sanjusan Gendo and the Kyoto National Museum. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">600-8133 </span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市下京区</span><span lang="JA"> </span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">七条通加茂川筋西入ル稲荷町</span><span lang="EN-GB">448 </span><span lang="JA" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">鴨川ビル</span><span lang="EN-GB">.<br />
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">600-8133 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Shichijō, Naricho 448,
Kamogawa Building. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/LdmUtSK3bNMhe8vn6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://tamisa-yoga.com/cafe/veg-out/index.html">website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vegout.kyoto">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/veg-out-kyoto-63991">HappyCow</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Veg+Out+Kyoto">Directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Good
food; open for breakfast; on the way to southern Higashiyama; beautiful view
over the Kamogawa river. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Moderately expensive, but good value
for the location. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Veg+Out+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
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</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>This sister café of Tamisa Yoga Café has two great things going for it: it’s open from 9:30 (it used to be 8:00 before the border closures, and hopefully will be again by the time you read this), and it has a prime location right on the Kamo River, beside the picturesque old bridge, between Kyoto Station and Southern Higashiyama. Much like the nearby cafe Choice (which is also usually open early) Veg Out can be a lifesaver when you need it. Prices are slightly higher than at comparable restaurants in Kyoto, with simple lunches costing around ¥1,700, but this is very reasonable given the location. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Northern Kyoto</h2>
This area includes many vegan restaurants and popular tourist attractions north of the Kyoto Station Area (see above) and west of the Kamogawa River (east of that is Higashiyama - see below). Most tourists visit some of these attractions and dine at some of the restaurants after a day in Higashiyama or on other evenings, but I don't recommend making a whole day out of these attractions unless you have at least four days in Kyoto.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="kittencompany"> </a>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Kitten Company ($$, Fusion, キトゥン カンパニー, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat: 11:00-19:00; closed Thu, Sun.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">One minutes’ walk west from <b>Gojō Station</b>, Exit 4, on the
Karasuma (subway) Line, one stop north of Kyoto Station. Continue as you walk
out the exit and a small lane will go off to the left. Kitten Company is in the
first building after that lane, on the ground floor. <br />
Fifteen minutes’ walk directly north of Kyoto Station. <br />
Thirteen minutes’ walk west of Kiyomizu-Gojō Station on the Keihan Line. <br />
Six minutes’ walk north of Higashi-Honganji Temple and Shouseien Garden. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">600-8170 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市下京区五条烏丸西入る上諏訪町</span><span lang="EN-GB">294-1<br />
Japan, </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">600-8170 Kyoto, Shimogyo-kyu, Kamisuwa-Cho 294-1</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rfw48RCZzZ5c7aQp7">Google Maps</a>, <a href="http://hanauta.kittencompany.net/">website</a> , <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/kitten-company-kyoto-46454">HappyCow</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%AD%E3%83%88%E3%82%A5%E3%83%B3%20%E3%82%AB%E3%83%B3%E3%83%91%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Charming,
inexpensive and very accessible little vegan café. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Kitten+Company+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVaRGXFr1_N24Zi0UDjD03fe0NIblVLWvVxSYdhL1SVAgLVgKFYYf8PXLQKJ-owIePa8BOsnaDl-jwzFqReL12fC75237087zIPJMdx9hgqbJQhQYmprKiCADggzXAgmdlEBFe4C1v7Y/s1600/Kitten+Company+Curry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVaRGXFr1_N24Zi0UDjD03fe0NIblVLWvVxSYdhL1SVAgLVgKFYYf8PXLQKJ-owIePa8BOsnaDl-jwzFqReL12fC75237087zIPJMdx9hgqbJQhQYmprKiCADggzXAgmdlEBFe4C1v7Y/s640/Kitten+Company+Curry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This humble café serves simple, healthy meals at remarkably low prices, especially given its location on the first floor near a busy street corner, within easy walking distance of many of the city’s prime tourist attractions. It has a somewhat alternative vibe (but not to the extent of Natural Food Village) and it’s clear that the family who run it are passionate about promoting veganism, sustainability and other good causes.<br />
The menu changes regularly, but it always includes the typical (but very good) Japanese/fusion/macrobiotic dishes like curries and salads. Their meal sets are excellent value, starting at around ¥1,000, and their cakes and other desserts are also very good. Come expecting a good meal, but not the company of kittens.<br />
<div><br /></div><div><h4>Whitely Cafe, ($$, Western, Fusion, 🌱)</h4><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">10:00-19:00</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">On the third floor of the Daimaru Department Store, beside Karasuma
Station on the Karasuma (subway) Line (which runs north-south, connecting Kyoto
Station, the Imperial Palace, and the Botanical Gardens) and the Hankyu Kyoto
Line (which runs to Osaka). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/krKz7SbW671n4Tc57">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whitely_kyotodaimaru/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/whitely-kyoto-298899">HappyCow</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Whitely+%E5%A4%A7%E4%B8%B8%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%BA%97">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Reliable
opening hours (it’s inside a shopping mall). <br />
Good food at reasonable prices. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Whitely+Kyoto+Karasuma">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp64nkTMJia7vmMS59I2EedfT7JET4aQhnjOt63l2LDenzlyciIy77F_j5r1qjtlRqhc93R1pzo2g3PH_Lliwdpdfz37YasXT55rbOqRghDpe55tJAuRWN0o3eWPNURo6eIR2P_WCNZbZwv_4V4lDDImMt006fD8XcP0fEJ75g8FpUlAHTA0-EeDG/s1550/Whitely%20Kyoto%20PSed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1550" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp64nkTMJia7vmMS59I2EedfT7JET4aQhnjOt63l2LDenzlyciIy77F_j5r1qjtlRqhc93R1pzo2g3PH_Lliwdpdfz37YasXT55rbOqRghDpe55tJAuRWN0o3eWPNURo6eIR2P_WCNZbZwv_4V4lDDImMt006fD8XcP0fEJ75g8FpUlAHTA0-EeDG/w640-h426/Whitely%20Kyoto%20PSed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>This new vegan restaurant serves good macrobiotic vegan fare which is likely to appeal to foreign tourists. The main dishes are mostly burgers and pasta, which cost between ¥1,200 and ¥1,500. For a few hundred more Yen dishes can be upgraded to include combinations and permutations of a salad, a drink and a small dessert. I was particularly impressed by the coffee. Whitely probably won’t serve your favourite meal in Japan, but the dining experience is very pleasant (despite being in a shopping mall), it’s conveniently located by the subway station, and, most importantly, being inside a shopping mall means that it keeps regular opening hours, making it the place to come when everything else around it is closed unexpectedly, which happens an awful lot in Kyoto. </div><div><br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Smoothie etc @ Tamisa Yoga Café ($$, Western, Baked Goods, 🌱,)</h4>
<div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Sat, Sun: 10:00-17:00.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Seven minutes’ walk west of <b>Sanjo Station</b> on the Keihan
Line. <br />
Three minutes’ walk south of Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Tozai Line,
which is of little use for any of the itineraries in this guidebook.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">About fifteen minutes’ ride north of Kyoto Station by Bus </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">市営</span><span lang="EN-GB">205</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">甲</span><span lang="EN-GB">, </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">市営急行</span><span lang="EN-GB">104, or </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">市営</span><span lang="EN-GB">4 from outside Kyoto Station (¥230). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">604-8082 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市中京区天性寺前町</span><span lang="EN-GB">532-2 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">北原ビル</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">604-8082 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Tenshojimaecho, 532-2, Kitahara
Building </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/7ZHgm7LYWLMsM7Qb7">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://tamisa-yoga.com/cafe/smoothie-etc/index.html">website</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/smoothie-etc-at-tamisa-yoga-kyoto-52642">HappyCow</a>,
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/smoothieetc/">Facebook</a> </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">07-5212-0776<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Smoothie+etc+Tamisa+Yoga+Cafe">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Nice
interior above a yoga studio. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Small portions.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Tamisa+Yoga+Cafe">Update
this restaurant</a>.</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #00b050;">Nice interior above
a yoga studio. <br />
</span><span style="color: red;">Small portions.</span><span style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Tamisa+Yoga+Cafe">Update
this restaurant</a>. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxPlFrMddg3r0URVhyphenhyphenT_UAiiPu-UXdDubBkF_VJhzvd-3QuNPyR3pCqR0CxjmyahxtsFovaERgB7bD_yfffqYCPwQjPBY8en6sfMUiXB51mEci_XRUtk-cHjabwPzp68Tc5-Peuo4GQk/s1600/Smoothie+Etc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxPlFrMddg3r0URVhyphenhyphenT_UAiiPu-UXdDubBkF_VJhzvd-3QuNPyR3pCqR0CxjmyahxtsFovaERgB7bD_yfffqYCPwQjPBY8en6sfMUiXB51mEci_XRUtk-cHjabwPzp68Tc5-Peuo4GQk/s640/Smoothie+Etc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />This little café, which is attached to the Tamisa Yoga Studio (which offers classes in English) serves light meals, including quiches, noodles and salads, as well as muffins and other baked treats. It has recently, however, stopped serving its namesake smoothies.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Ain Soph Journey ($$, Fusion, 🌱)</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wed, Fri, Sat: 11:30-15:00; Sun: 11:30-16:00, 18:00-18:45; closed
Mon, Tue, Thu. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Two minutes’ walk north of <b>Kawaramachi Station</b> (Exit 9) on
the (private) Hankyu Kyoto Line. <br />
Fifteen minutes’ walk west of Yasaka Shrine. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">通四条上ル中之町</span><span lang="EN-GB">, </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">新京極</span><span lang="EN-GB">, 538-6 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">中之町</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">中京区</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都市</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">604-8042<br />
Shijo Street,</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">上ル</span><span lang="EN-GB">Nakanocho, Shinkyoko Street, 538-6
Nakanocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">604-8042</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/5yRzgtX5FiHzgjnS9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/ain-soph-journey-kyoto-111394">HappyCow</a>,
<a href="https://www.ain-soph.jp/journey-kyoto">website</a> (Japanese only), <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ainsoph.japan/">Facebook</a> (shared page for
all branches)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/AinSophJourneyKyoto">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Fast,
healthy, inexpensive food. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">You’ll probably try the same food at
least once in another branch in Tokyo. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Ain+Soph+Journey+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-djqgcAYU93ao4YAR0ExEPCfciCQCVRj-KhxFPB6Tz7AaVkMKRqQZmhrbwamRw_FxB7CAJ2PLIiojssV-VuST8gECuGpSNsse9Rm0zm1U9-HNCTWysMP_fPmu4vdMBWAi0igUmWVR8gw/s1600/Ain+Soph+Journey+Kyoto+meal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-djqgcAYU93ao4YAR0ExEPCfciCQCVRj-KhxFPB6Tz7AaVkMKRqQZmhrbwamRw_FxB7CAJ2PLIiojssV-VuST8gECuGpSNsse9Rm0zm1U9-HNCTWysMP_fPmu4vdMBWAi0igUmWVR8gw/s640/Ain+Soph+Journey+Kyoto+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />When I heard the tragic news that Matsuontoko, one of Kyoto’s earliest vegan restaurants, had closed permanently, I had to edit this book in dismay, removing about a dozen references to this famous restaurant. Fortunately, Ain Soph, one of Tokyo’s earliest vegan institutions, has opened a Kyoto branch in the same place. While Matsuontoko started out as a pub and evolved into more of a restaurant, Ain Soph has more of a café-like atmosphere. But what’s most important is that this spot lives on as the go-to place for food in this cultural heart of Kyoto. True to its reputation from the capital, this branch also serves healthy, satisfying meals, at a surprisingly low prices for this location, at around ¥1,000 for a small meal. <br /><br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">Stardust ($$, Fusion, スターダスト, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fri-Tue: 11:00-18:00, <b>by reservation only</b>. Closed Wed, Thu. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Twenty minutes by Bus Shiei 4 from Demachiyanagi Station. <br />
A long ride (around half an hour) on Bus Shiei 9 from Kyoto Station. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">41</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">紫竹下竹殿町</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">北区</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都市</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府</span><span lang="EN-GB"> 603-8412<br />
41 Shichiku Shimotakedonocho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8412</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/o3bjs4dHCxZZUebK6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="http://stardustkyoto.com/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/stardust-kyoto-71077">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="mailto:info@stardustkyoto.com">Email for reservations</a> (English
is okay).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%80%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88+Kyoto">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Incredible
meal and dining environment for the price. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Restaurant is a long way from
attractions and requires a reservation a few days in advance. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Stardust+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div>
</div>
<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTKe_86qvuGIlkS_FWxQszXZPz6aoFjFPnpOV0GeY5l8YuJ0X3d3gw1Y7xUkJV22J0ZCNrLUvEQ2lRbs1WIK3mENkD5C_L_JKg4WpkYviaKahC9ICS6e1cCdNAeG2xUO1_Xkf6RyEcj0/s1600/Stardust+meal+kyoto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTKe_86qvuGIlkS_FWxQszXZPz6aoFjFPnpOV0GeY5l8YuJ0X3d3gw1Y7xUkJV22J0ZCNrLUvEQ2lRbs1WIK3mENkD5C_L_JKg4WpkYviaKahC9ICS6e1cCdNAeG2xUO1_Xkf6RyEcj0/s640/Stardust+meal+kyoto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>
<div><br /></div><div><div>Good writing is about adjectives, a friend once advised me, and I know I use the adjective ‘beautiful’ too often, but it’s difficult not to when writing about Japan. But nowhere deserves it more than Stardust, a fitting name for this café and sustainable fashion store which takes its name from the fact that many of the minerals in our body were created in exploding stars (called supernovae). Material from these supernovae coalesced to form the Earth over billions of years, and then some of these atoms came together and formed the complicated molecules necessary for conscious life. So our bodies are literally the dust of stars of the past – or, as I used to put it to my middle school science students, stars’ nuclear waste, although that description is much less fitting for this beautiful café. “You are a star brought down to Earth. Until the time when your light returns back to the universe, you carry that same brightness inside of you” (from the café’s website).</div><div><br /></div><div>I rarely recommend cafes this far from a city’s main attractions and transport hubs, and this is the only one I recommend which requires an advanced reservation except for shojin ryori restaurants, which always require reservations. But I chose to recommend Stardust because the whole experience here is just so perfect, including the food, the service, and the setting. In some ways, making a reservation and having a meal waiting for you at Stardust offers much of the shojin ryori experience for only ¥1,500, although of course the meal is simpler, and you dine in a rustic old machiya (traditional teahouse) or its beautiful garden, not a Buddhist temple, but I wouldn’t say either is any better than the other. I came away feeling very elated from my experience here, and if you have the time to get here and can make a reservation in advance, I highly recommend it. </div></div><div><br /></div>
</div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="gomacro"></a>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Gomacro Salon ($$, Sesame, ゴマクロサロン, 🍯)</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Tue-Sun: 11:30-17:00; closed Mon. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Two minutes’ walk west of <b>Karasume Oike Station</b> on the
Karasuma (subway) Line (which runs north-south, connecting Kyoto Station, the
Imperial Palace, and the Botanical Gardens) and the Subway Tozai Line, which connects
with the southern part of the Northern Higashiyama Station, including Keage
Station (beside the <a href="file:///C:/Users/jesse/Downloads/Japan%20Guidebook%20August%202023%20update/JAPAN%20VEGAN%20TRAVEL%20GUIDE%20Updated%20August%202023%202nd%20upload.docx#_Keage_Incline_and">Keage Incline</a>). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/LbyZrd93D4zvjbYc9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gomacro.fpage">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/gomacro-kyoto-64801">HappyCow</a>, <a href="http://gomacro.jp/">website</a> (limited English)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Gomacro+Salon+vegan+Kyoto">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Unique
focus on sesame.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">A sole vegan branch of a non-vegan business.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Gomacro+Salon+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ogr-yssatYLyjPe7MnF7-inqzuKXM3TEoI7rsZhMHadKAt1HuUBNySbfjXj76u-Y5krIlumhhe3DYYXFrxcWx43H5uEC2b8VxMmGUwNz9Pmu35IDKIKTYyC7ORYloJRbyqiM7C9oMDU/s1600/Gomacro+Custom+Size.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ogr-yssatYLyjPe7MnF7-inqzuKXM3TEoI7rsZhMHadKAt1HuUBNySbfjXj76u-Y5krIlumhhe3DYYXFrxcWx43H5uEC2b8VxMmGUwNz9Pmu35IDKIKTYyC7ORYloJRbyqiM7C9oMDU/s640/Gomacro+Custom+Size.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Sesame has long been important in Japanese cuisine. This restaurant is owned by a company which produces sesame products, and it uses this restaurant (and its other non-veg ones) to showcase its products. The menu consists of typical (but good) macrobiotic food, with the usual salads, brown rice and fried soymeat, but there’s sesame in or on virtually everything. Set meals start from about ¥1,300. Gomacro also sells bentos (takeout lunchboxes) and some of the company’s sesame sauces and oils as grocery items. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">I generally prioritise restaurants which are owned and run by vegans or vegetarians over vegan or vegetarian branches of non-veg chains, because I find the food to be invariably better (as non-vegan branches tend to just remove the animal products from their regular menus, instead of developing their own vegan cuisine), because the food is more likely to be truly vegan, and also because I think it’s better to support ethical businesses which don’t use their money to promote meat elsewhere. But I recommend Gomacro because of its unique focus on sesame, its reliable opening hours, and the overall quality of the food and dining experience it provides. </div><div><br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Higashiyama (<span class="st">東山</span>)</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzc0E6hz5YcLqao7aYI9mzn0jTncjYPMK7TLuMB3rgR_U-RfzwDUxT9NP0K9O35C6SsqyNdxcGH_x1lywjqbKsPF10DCvj9CLciPJxGJUHCKr8c4ly9WD8IR0tS34lZLhzZO1VcL9AAY/s1600/Kiyomizu+Dera+Temple+Entrance+Snow.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzc0E6hz5YcLqao7aYI9mzn0jTncjYPMK7TLuMB3rgR_U-RfzwDUxT9NP0K9O35C6SsqyNdxcGH_x1lywjqbKsPF10DCvj9CLciPJxGJUHCKr8c4ly9WD8IR0tS34lZLhzZO1VcL9AAY/s1600/Kiyomizu+Dera+Temple+Entrance+Snow.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">entrance to Kiyomizu Dera, one of Kyoto's most famous temples, on a rare snow day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Higashiyama has the highest density of
famous temples and other tourist attractions in Kyoto, if not in all of Japan. As I explain in my <a href="https://vegtravelguides.com/japan-guidebook" target="_blank">Vegan Travel Guide to Japan</a>, I
strongly recommend visiting Higashiyama on a weekday which is not a
national holiday. This is especially important during the <i>sakura</i> (cherry blossom) season around April, the <i>koyo </i>(falling leaves) seasons around November, and the new year period (Japanese follow the Gregorian/Western calendar, not the Chinese lunar calendar).<br />
<br />
In
my guidebook I recommend, if possible, spending one day each in Southern Higashiyama and Northern Higashiyama. They can also be combined in
one very long summer's day (when there are longer hours of daylight). Maruyama Park makes a good place to
finish one and start the other, although it is somewhat arbitrarily chosen; this is how I divide them up here.<br />
<br />
There are virtually no vegan or even vegan-friendly restaurants in the Higashiyama temple route (except for Starbucks), so I suggest eating well first (see details below) and then again after exploring this historic area. If you finish Southern Higashiyama around Maruyama Koen Park, then there are several restaurants within walking distance or a short subway ride away. After Northern Higashiyama (or after the whole of Higashiyama if you do both itineraries in one day) there are several good opens for dinner between Ginkakuji (the final temple on the Northern Higashiyama itinerary) and Demachiyanagi Station, which is on the way back to Gion or Kyoto Station.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Southern Higashiyama Restaurants</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVGa-DTRGylOQvnjs69_PrLCQFPdrhihV1bQVHCvykuUakARC8Rh2oFbQQK1Fv94HRC4UD2Itw7RCT9lUrb5czbiTAKnHzihb8lKhjZ1U9iF7a3yxY_oI6Dt7yFAZdfN0HAxNf4R-fcJmVdf471AO47CiD7dWKxDyMje5k8-R0Nscy7SyVln_lhuY3U8/s1579/Southern%20Higashiyama%20Map.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1579" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVGa-DTRGylOQvnjs69_PrLCQFPdrhihV1bQVHCvykuUakARC8Rh2oFbQQK1Fv94HRC4UD2Itw7RCT9lUrb5czbiTAKnHzihb8lKhjZ1U9iF7a3yxY_oI6Dt7yFAZdfN0HAxNf4R-fcJmVdf471AO47CiD7dWKxDyMje5k8-R0Nscy7SyVln_lhuY3U8/w640-h484/Southern%20Higashiyama%20Map.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
This itinerary includes several of Japan’s most famous temples, and the busiest streets in Japan. I recommend starting out as early as possible. In my guidebook I recommend starting at Kiyomizu Dera Temple if you see all of Higashiyama in a day, or else the Kyoto National Museum and adjacent Sanjusangendo Temple if you spend the whole day in Southern Higashiyama.<br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Besides a Starbucks along the temple route, the only vegan restaurant is Zirael, which is run by a Russian chef and has a focus on healthy salads. The most convenient place for breakfast is Veg Out, which is on the way from Kyoto Station to the beginning of the Southern Higashiyama itinerary. It opens at 9:00 and keeps fairly reliable opening hours. I recommend bringing some snack food (or baked items from Apelila), and then having a late lunch or early dinner in Northern Kyoto or the Kyoto Station Area afterwards. This leaves the late afternoon and evening to explore Gion, and perhaps fit in an attraction from Northern Kyoto. The Manga (Comic Book) Museum is the closest attraction, but it closes at 18:00 and is closed every Wednesday (see Northern Higashiyama Map below).</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h4>Zirael ($$, Salads, 🌱, ジラエル ビーガン レストラン) </h4><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun: 12:00-19:00; closed Tue, Sat. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Three minutes’ walk north of Yasaka Shrine. <br />
walk east of <b>Gion-Shijo Station</b> on the Keihan Line. <br />
Eleven minutes’ walk east of Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto
Line. <br />
Twenty minutes by Bus </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">市営</span><span lang="EN-GB">206</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">甲</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">fom Kyoto Station. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">605-0073 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市東山区祇園町北側</span><span lang="EN-GB">313−7<br />
313-7 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/B7Q3MXSftZ9pbDf77">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/zirael-vegan-restaurant-kyoto-312273">HappyCow</a>,
<a href="https://ziraelinc.wixsite.com/zirael-restaurant">website</a> </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A8%E3%83%AB%20%E3%83%93%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AC%E3%83%B3%20%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3+Kyoto">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Conveniently
located near Yasaka Shrine, along the Higashiyama temple-hopping route. <br />
Delicious, healthy meals. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Only 8 seats. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Zirael+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></p></div></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Finally, a vegan restaurant has opened
along the temple-hopping route in Higashiyama –something I’ve been waiting many
years for, although I haven’t had a chance to visit it myself yet. Zirael
serves colourful meals with generous servings of local, seasonal vegetables,
cooked by a friendly Russian chef. Gluten-free options are available. Meals
mostly cost from ¥1,500 to ¥2,000. These prices are a little higher than
equivalent meals would be elsewhere in Japan but are very reasonable considering
the location. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Zirael is the obvious place to come after
finishing the Southern Higashiyama route, especially if continuing on to
Northern Higashiyama. There are only eight seats though, so you may need to
wait, or else see immediately below for other options. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSZER0S8HF1HGpYVStPw0dW3zK8Wcrf2BJdjPuB-6vRnWETfhaYqjlUGLnHrfK9QkWSFZWy5LOlgbfl7efdixly_vwvhOi6hAOhV_lcmU2t3SyhszSZcjebDaf6Bxn6M0UuPoElfRZvk/s1600/Ninen+Zaka.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSZER0S8HF1HGpYVStPw0dW3zK8Wcrf2BJdjPuB-6vRnWETfhaYqjlUGLnHrfK9QkWSFZWy5LOlgbfl7efdixly_vwvhOi6hAOhV_lcmU2t3SyhszSZcjebDaf6Bxn6M0UuPoElfRZvk/s1600/Ninen+Zaka.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninen Zaka, Higashiyama at dawn, the only time it's free of crowds. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Northern Higashiyama Overview</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6DGjygTJDX8uXNo_Ion2UhdP3Fe_uzJm8ngUk6IXjeodoswuwnrHcizFQ_vmpN2JGJHNAlQSGfbIwqomV16QFp5BaQDBt1FCKhUBUXUNKa01LDkDYD5QCAU4py7nay-JNSgC2aUdsVSnLqZGsRABjNm7i05vip4KUm_k7M35Oof_LmJEio-IyL_mHP8/s1587/Northern%20Higashiyama%20Map.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1587" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6DGjygTJDX8uXNo_Ion2UhdP3Fe_uzJm8ngUk6IXjeodoswuwnrHcizFQ_vmpN2JGJHNAlQSGfbIwqomV16QFp5BaQDBt1FCKhUBUXUNKa01LDkDYD5QCAU4py7nay-JNSgC2aUdsVSnLqZGsRABjNm7i05vip4KUm_k7M35Oof_LmJEio-IyL_mHP8/w640-h488/Northern%20Higashiyama%20Map.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
Northern Higashiyama is one of my favourite districts in Kyoto and in all of Japan. Its most famous part is the Path of Philosophy, which leads to the famous Ginkakuji (Silver Pavillion). There are several vegan restaurants at the beginning and end of this itinerary.</div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Northern Higashiyama Restaurants, Part I: Breakfast or Lunch</b></h3>
These are the most convenient restaurants to start this itinerary with. There’s a problem, however, that they all serve small, moderately expensive portions. It’s possible to double-back to Padma, which serves large, delicious, inexpensive meals (see below), for lunch, but I would recommend just eating as well as possible at Choice or Veg Out and carrying snack food with you to tide you over until dinner. If you have snacks from Apelila then bring them, because you can get more after this itinerary.<br />
<br />
1. Walk to Veg Out (Northern Kyoto, open from 9:00). After breakfast walk across the bridge and take the Keihan Line from Shichijo Station to Gion-Shijo Station, right beside Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park at the start of this itinerary. But if you’ll only go to Veg Out once, then it’s better to go before the Southern Higashiyama itinerary, since there are more food options for this itinerary.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
2. Choice (see below) has something for everyone except a hungry person on a budget. It’s one stop north of Maruyama Koen Park (also on the Keihan Line) beside Sanjo Station, so it requires doubling back one stop on the train, or a fifteen-minute walk, to start this itinerary.<br />
<br />
3. Meal sets at Hobodo Café (see below) are better value, but it has very limited opening hours.<br />
<br />
4. Smoothie etc at the Tamisa Yoga Café is an eight-minute walk west of Sanjo Station. But it’s somewhere to come to relax over a smoothie – or do yoga – not for a filling meal.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="choice"></a>
<br />
<h4>
Choice ($$, International, Gluten Free, 🌱) </h4>
<div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Mon-Fri: 9:30-15:00, 17:00-20:00; Sat, Sun: 9:30-20:00; closed Mon, Tue.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">
Check <a href="https://hs-choice.com/?fbclid=IwAR0-6jcuWnyRI6JYEUwPYzfzgdg8XgrXymySt9QcOzIaLbqchFic7PkHumU">website</a>
for irregular closing hours (the calendar on the right shows closing days in
orange circles).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Two minutes’ walk east of <b>Sanjo
Station, Exit 9</b>, on the Keihan Line. Turn left, walk past the Family Mart,
and Choice is one building before the first intersection. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fifteen minutes’ walk northwest of Maruyama Park (beside <a href="file:///C:/Users/jesse/Downloads/Japan%20Guidebook%20August%202023%20update/JAPAN%20VEGAN%20TRAVEL%20GUIDE%20Updated%20August%202023%202nd%20upload.docx#_Yasaka_Jinja_Shrine">Yasaka Shrine</a>), a common start or end point
for exploring Northern and Southern Higashiyama. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">605-0009 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市東山区</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">大橋町89</span><span lang="EN-GB">−</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">1</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">鈴木形成外科ビル</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
Higashiyama-ku, Ohashi-cho 89-1, Kyoto 605-0009</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/xaE1p6JQSUn6dd5h6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/choicecafekyoto/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/choice-kyoto-42327">HappyCow</a>, <a href="https://hs-choice.com/?fbclid=IwAR0-6jcuWnyRI6JYEUwPYzfzgdg8XgrXymySt9QcOzIaLbqchFic7PkHumU">website</a>
(mostly Japanese)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%83%81%E3%83%A7%E3%82%A4%E3%82%B9">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">100%
gluten free; large dining area; workspace; reliable opening hours; convenient
location for Higashiyama; very close to Sanjo Station.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Small, sometimes bland portions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Choice+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPsF-2HVXa77f-T5HLn_dUPiLOIhneknOL2RV0MZpjUaA1AoqoJuaPIKEvTbpH8-Qrr90f5yPachZYIiHK9c5KvzKiomxeRREIF0wz9Zw3nhzTLrtH0fSK77eksViPvLfRbniH_hL5bM/s1600/Cafe+Choice+For+Blog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPsF-2HVXa77f-T5HLn_dUPiLOIhneknOL2RV0MZpjUaA1AoqoJuaPIKEvTbpH8-Qrr90f5yPachZYIiHK9c5KvzKiomxeRREIF0wz9Zw3nhzTLrtH0fSK77eksViPvLfRbniH_hL5bM/s640/Cafe+Choice+For+Blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Besides
being gluten free, there’s nothing very special about this pasta, and
at ¥1,400 it’s not nearly as good value as comparable meals at other
restaurants. Go here when you have a special reason to, and there are
plenty of those reasons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><div>Choice, like T’s Tantan in Tokyo, is somewhere that most visitors end up sooner or later. It boasts what’s probably the largest interior of any vegan restaurant in Kyoto (if not in all of Japan), and its extensive menu is not just healthy but also completely gluten free. And best of all: it’s open for breakfast (currently from 9:30), from which it’s an easy walk to Higashiyama (either the northern or southern itinerary). It’s the best place in Kyoto to get a coffee and get some work done, or just chill out, and it’s large enough that it shouldn’t be a problem to stay for a long time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Compared with many other restaurants which are clearly run by social and environmental activists (such as Village Natural Food and Kitten Company), and Buddhist temples, Choice has a somewhat commercial feel, and it has clearly seen massive investment to open in such large premises. That needn’t put you off charging up on some gluten-free pancakes before walking the Path of Philosophy, but I don’t suggest going out of your way for this restaurant if you don’t have a specific reason to. </div><div><br /></div>
<b>A Place to Get Work Done? </b><br />
As a large restaurant with a
range of table arrangements, they're unlikely to be full, so while I'd
recommend not staying longer than it takes to eat your meal if customers
are waiting for tables, they advertise themselves as an "eat and study space" and offer free wifi, so if
you need to hang out or get some work done, Cafe Choice makes a good alternative to Starbucks. Restaurants like this generally expect customers to order a drink if staying a long time, even after eating a meal.<br />
No tables? The nearby Hobodo Café also has a small bar table for individuals to read or go online.<br />
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr__fo8QPgUcBqbGCBOftwHRb7LBwUvrt5daINjM7OJzqy7DfTx2BgPvdMVQGcsWlVjcIwV-e6WAgFOj8sK5Je0AxnfTy-GFB_dZfZbEufElFI-2SMBPrgjsFvpYhvm229JBBKJvk2pY/s1600/Vegans+Cafe+Choice+Bar+Coffee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr__fo8QPgUcBqbGCBOftwHRb7LBwUvrt5daINjM7OJzqy7DfTx2BgPvdMVQGcsWlVjcIwV-e6WAgFOj8sK5Je0AxnfTy-GFB_dZfZbEufElFI-2SMBPrgjsFvpYhvm229JBBKJvk2pY/s1600/Vegans+Cafe+Choice+Bar+Coffee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Order a coffee and get some work done, using the free wifi. There are also plenty of individual tables in the large restaurant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My suggestion: Go to Choice for a variety of reasons: it has reliable
hours, is open for breakfast, is gluten free and has a large space for both
dining and café-style seats for reading or doing study/work. But don't come without any of these reasons if there are other options around, as food is better value elsewhere, and you'll probably end up here soon enough anyway.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span left="">Padma ($$, Macrobiotic, Vegan, 平和的ごはんパドマ, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">🥚</span>)</h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Tue, Wed, Fri-Sun: 12:00-19:00; closed Mon, Thu.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">
Lunch: 12:00-15:00. <br />
Café & bar: 15:00-19:00. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Beside <b>Jingū-Marutamachi Station</b>, Exit 2, on the Keihan
Line. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8396 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市左京区下堤町82</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">恵美須ビル</span><span lang="EN-GB"> 2</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">階</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8396 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Shimotsutsumicho, </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">82</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">Yebisu Building, 2<sup>nd</sup> Floor</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/kEXChsvCo1yBDgvq6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/saishokuan-padma-kyoto-56948">HappyCow</a>,
<a href="http://padmazenfood.com/">website</a> (Japanese only)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E5%B9%B3%E5%92%8C%E7%9A%84%E3%81%94%E3%81%AF%E3%82%93%E3%83%91%E3%83%89%E3%83%9E">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">075-708-7707 (owner speaks English)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Best
macrobiotic food in Japan. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">You might be sick of macrobiotic
food, no matter how good it is. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Padma+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHxIc2cdAc-pX1FFvZ11t9hUQMlIMeSYKHIzB3EFHorntv05NIxs6vUomBIewY9bosn6olosPHIEKpKxQbX7mtECX9RY_88tYL5KqEUrQ9KWEVi2RE11Y4ehtmOYYzk45YCjPr3cQgh0/s1600/padma+for+blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHxIc2cdAc-pX1FFvZ11t9hUQMlIMeSYKHIzB3EFHorntv05NIxs6vUomBIewY9bosn6olosPHIEKpKxQbX7mtECX9RY_88tYL5KqEUrQ9KWEVi2RE11Y4ehtmOYYzk45YCjPr3cQgh0/s640/padma+for+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Despite being not being all vegan anymore, Padma is popular among vegan travellers and residents for its large set lunches, which are good value at around ¥1,500-¥2,000. They are also more traditional than meals at many other restaurants in Kyoto, most of which focus on the tourist market. If you’ve been travelling throughout Japan and have had your lifetime’s ration of macrobiotic food then you might want to get your burger fix at Ain Soph, but if you’re wanting Japanese food in Kyoto then Padma is a very good option, especially if you need a large meal to see you through the Northern Higashiyama itinerary.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">The bilingual owner and chef of Padma is friendly and welcoming and enjoys chatting with her customers; this business relationship is common for small restaurants like this in Japan. This friendly environment, however, makes it not somewhere for a quick meal: expect to wait up to half an hour for your meal and allow at least an hour for your whole dining experience. I ate the entire meal shown in the photo above in about five minutes, and still almost missed my plane out of Osaka a few hours later. And, going by her HappyCow reviews, I’m not the only one to have had this problem. This is, however, just a part of the experience at this type of café in Japan and is certainly nothing to complain about; just please don’t come here in a rush as I did. </div><div><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Hobodo Café ($, Macrobiotic, 喫茶ホーボー堂, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Fri, Sat: 11:30-17:00; closed Sun-Thu.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">
Last order: 16:00. <br />
These are reduced hours; hopefully they will have been increased by the time
you read this.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Six minutes’ walk northeast of <b>Sanjo Station</b> (Exit 11) on
the Keihan Line. <br />
Twelve minutes’ walk southwest of Heian Shrine. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8353 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市左京区</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">東大路西入</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">正往寺町</span><span lang="EN-GB">452 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">仁王門アパート</span><span lang="EN-GB">1F<br />
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8353 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Higashioj, Nishioji, 452 Masatoujicho, Niomon Apartment, 1<sup>st</sup> Floor. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/M2s49Si1S9a4NixK6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hobodocafe/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/hobodo-cafe-kyoto-122969">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E5%96%AB%E8%8C%B6%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E5%A0%82">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Funky
café with good meal sets; good place to relax. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Hobodo+Cafe">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEHFyEf4n6DP4spZMvAf7wXP8BfKDMZ97JAG0ygWvEcA1A4MVH5A7dMAgj3kA6QMaCCl5CP9kWx_BZlyQzwwle02DfwV-EcVq0URmaXspOACE9Tiak5K0a3z1Y6Q2lgqqJ9jmufYsj8A/s1600/Hobodo+Cafe+meal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1380" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEHFyEf4n6DP4spZMvAf7wXP8BfKDMZ97JAG0ygWvEcA1A4MVH5A7dMAgj3kA6QMaCCl5CP9kWx_BZlyQzwwle02DfwV-EcVq0URmaXspOACE9Tiak5K0a3z1Y6Q2lgqqJ9jmufYsj8A/s640/Hobodo+Cafe+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This little gem offers inexpensive food and moderately priced drinks (including Taiwanese tea) in a homely setting with recycled furniture and décor. Their main meal of the day (¥1,000, shown above) is small but good value, and they have a narrow table along a wall where guests can read (old Japanese-language books are available) or work on computers without taking up one of the café’s two tables. It’s difficult to know how to recommend Hobodo Café, because it opens too late to start this long Northern Higashiyama itinerary with, and it’s probably not worth making a special trip back here from elsewhere in Kyoto. But if you’re hungry, thirsty, hot or cold, or just need a break from the temples in Northern Higashiyama, then it can be worth the detour here for a drink or a small meal to tide you over until dinner. If you make the detour to visit Heian Shrine (see below) then it’s only an extra ten-minute walk to get here.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 18.72px;">Northern Higashiyama Restaurants, Part II: Dinner</span></h3>
<div>
After walking through the temples, most travellers end up at Ginkakuji (see photo immediately below). There are then several options for a good large meal which most people need by then. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YRf_0iguTXVuVqpWacaDiz3jfvMNi62dqnSbksitelYH6wilNmTC8RGhYgXWyaeVqrxFuBUqI9i8RjrFKe1cQdPUiEETSjWB9RHM6Hc-HnaZpjuTng5M7tfOXz7CMp4CDZYBHhXOoPA/s1600/Ginkakuji+Kyoto+Background.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YRf_0iguTXVuVqpWacaDiz3jfvMNi62dqnSbksitelYH6wilNmTC8RGhYgXWyaeVqrxFuBUqI9i8RjrFKe1cQdPUiEETSjWB9RHM6Hc-HnaZpjuTng5M7tfOXz7CMp4CDZYBHhXOoPA/s1600/Ginkakuji+Kyoto+Background.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginkakuji, the Silver(less) Pavilion, Northern Higashiyama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Cacao Magic ($$$, Raw Chocolate, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Official hours: Mon, Sat, Sun:
12:00-16:00.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">
In my experience, it rarely keeps these hours. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">One minute’s walk from the northern end of the Path of Philosophy.<br />
Three minutes’ walk west of Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8406 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市左京区浄土寺石橋町</span><span lang="EN-GB">41-1<br />
41-1 Jodoji Ishibashicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8406</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">07-5757-8914 (Staff speak English; please call before making a
special trip.)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/nry3pVLavDVULREn9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.cacaomagic.com/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CacaoMagic/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/cacao-magic-kyoto-39332">HappyCow</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%AB%E3%82%AB%E3%82%AA%20%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B8%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Best
chocolate of your life. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Most expensive chocolate of your
life. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Cacao+Magic+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn5sPu-e__je3pnfaLiruXcoKMH78B8N8m-4-7Pm5p-pCbcCAFwisQL4Us75yR51rwCsz7nfQXlyW9s_f1qAFj2YAKfyrEULEvhWUwbx1hz65erne3O5J4w5C9zIai-6joKlu2FIMGm8/s1600/cacao+magic+for+blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1378" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn5sPu-e__je3pnfaLiruXcoKMH78B8N8m-4-7Pm5p-pCbcCAFwisQL4Us75yR51rwCsz7nfQXlyW9s_f1qAFj2YAKfyrEULEvhWUwbx1hz65erne3O5J4w5C9zIai-6joKlu2FIMGm8/s640/cacao+magic+for+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This boutique raw chocolatier churns out the bite-sized delicacies it sells online; however, during less-busy times it also functions as a small café, where it serves up delectable raw vegan desserts. Its owner discovered raw food while living in the USA, and after various attempts to bring the diet back to Japan, she found that chocolate was the most effective way to reach the masses with the raw message. The café sits at the end of the Path of Philosophy, where visitors might be so elated from the beauty of the path (and thus so detached from their bank balance) – or so ravenous from walking it – that they might be willing to part with over ¥2,000 for a small box of raw, organic, vegan chocolates such as the one shown in the photo above.<br />
<br />
<h4>Village Natural Food ($$, Fusion, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Tue-Sat: 12:00-15:00; 18:30-22:00; Sun: 12:00-15:00; closed Mon.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">
Hours are irregular – please check Facebook or call before going (see below). </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">This is the only restaurant in this section which isn’t on the
route between Ginkakuji and Demachiyanagi Station. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fifteen minutes by bus from Ginkakuji (several bus routes – please
use directions below). <br />
Twenty-five minutes’ walk (two kilometres) north of Ginkakuji.<br />
Ten minutes’ walk northeast of <b>Chayama Station</b> on the Eizan Main Line,
two stops northeast of Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Line. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8175</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">左京区一乗寺築田町</span><span lang="EN-GB">95 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">第一メゾン白川</span><span lang="EN-GB">202<br />
95 Ichijōji Tsukidachō, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, 606-8175</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/GE3PM9LJUojAVX5z9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NaturalLifeVillage/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/natural-food-village-kyoto-86049">HappyCow</a>,
<a href="https://ameblo.jp/naturalfoodvillage/">website</a> (Japanese only, not
much here)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Natural%20food%20village%EF%BC%88%E3%83%8A%E3%83%81%E3%83%A5%E3%83%A9%E3%83%AB%E3%83%95%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%82%B8%20%EF%BC%89">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Good
vegan food; open reasonably late; chill vibe.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">A bit far from central Kyoto, but
close to Ginkakuji, and worth visiting for a late meal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Natural+Food+Village+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></div></div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FvaIfI8sGAOpGK0w1pcZIU899-RC-LaNGO3n-qFI7A9r7jLkARxT-KhOxqXWyRzo_ezt88GgaHSTmg8hgnVFTrTMEriiC0BNg_HXNaMaAwhRc59RSaO4Phzo5A4SZfuOIuai-jzq4kU/s1600/villlage+natural+food+for+blog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FvaIfI8sGAOpGK0w1pcZIU899-RC-LaNGO3n-qFI7A9r7jLkARxT-KhOxqXWyRzo_ezt88GgaHSTmg8hgnVFTrTMEriiC0BNg_HXNaMaAwhRc59RSaO4Phzo5A4SZfuOIuai-jzq4kU/s640/villlage+natural+food+for+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The most authentic Pad Thai I have had outside of Thailand. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Reportedly the oldest vegetarian (now
vegan) restaurant in Kyoto besides the temple kitchens, Village has the vibe to
match its age. The talented owner plays the roles of chef, barman, waiter and
dishwasher, but he has such a chill, zen vibe about him that you wouldn’t know
it. Limitations in space and time still apply, however, so orders can sometimes
take a while to arrive. Dishes tend to be small (but still excellent value) so if
you go for dinner then it’s usually best to order a few and the first dish should
arrive quite quickly. The menu features a range of Japanese, Indian, and
Western dishes, mostly from ¥1,000-¥1,500. A satisfying dinner for two hungry
Higashiyama explorers is likely to come to around ¥3,000-¥4,000. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Alternatively, if you go to Village for
lunch, I recommend the Daily Plate, which is a bargain at ¥1,200.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">In Japan at bars like this there is an
expectation that customers order at least one drink. While the owner alludes to
it with a gentle request in the menu, he is ‘too Japanese’ (too polite) to say
so directly, especially to his customers’ faces. This expectation is built into
the menu’s pricing system, however, as profit is made – and rent paid – on the
drinks more than the food. The natural Cola is delicious, but (like most colas)
it contains caffeine. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The owner usually posts updates on Facebook
(that his restaurant is open), but in April 2023 a Happycow reviewer reported
being turned away an hour before closing, as the restaurant had apparently sold
out of food. This seems like an exception which could happen to almost any
eatery (I’ve never had it happen at Village, nor heard of it happening to
anyone else), but considering this, it might be worth calling first, especially
considering that it requires a bus ride out of the central city. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">If you are coming by bus, please follow your
location carefully and get off if necessary; I have had buses veer off course
from the route promised by Google Maps because some buses use the same number
but take different routes out of the city, and Google doesn’t know which are
which because buses in Kyoto don’t run to strict schedules. After the last stop
follow the signs to the restaurant on the second floor. It might be easier to
take a taxi.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Gorey Cafe ($, Italian, 🥚)</h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Tue-Sun 11:00-20:00; closed Mon.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">
Hours can be irregular; please check <a href="https://www.facebook.com/goreycafe">Facebook</a> for updates. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Ten minutes’ walk (700 metres) west of Ginkakuji.<br />
Ten minutes’ walk (800 metres) northeast of Yoshida Shrine. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都市左京区浄土寺西田町</span><span lang="EN-GB">82-1<br />
82-1 Jodoji Nishidacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8417</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/pSXFr6qpV7bFGVp7A">Google Maps</a>, <a href="http://gorey.jp/cafe/">website</a>,
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/goreycafe">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/gorey-cafe-kyoto-106637">HappyCow</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/GoreyCafeKyoto">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">07-5203-6296 (staff speak English).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Large,
satisfying meals at low prices.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Simple food, befitting the price. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Gorey+Cafe+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></div></div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWNPuS2_K-yCaN9oOywmO-iiMSnQkLX2-0iu8iLI3D158RZDSAkzTyaZFcyIQ1FVwdO8Tb5TU9k_bQhVqeMDglBve6vjJzptCHEcjQmAi_9DlDfKPPP8k-v_1SipasL2nyO6LnTcYEvg/s1600/gorey+cafe+for+blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWNPuS2_K-yCaN9oOywmO-iiMSnQkLX2-0iu8iLI3D158RZDSAkzTyaZFcyIQ1FVwdO8Tb5TU9k_bQhVqeMDglBve6vjJzptCHEcjQmAi_9DlDfKPPP8k-v_1SipasL2nyO6LnTcYEvg/s640/gorey+cafe+for+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">If there is
such a thing as a vegan tourist trap, this is it. But even tourist traps are
sometimes welcome, especially vegan ones. Gorey serves generously sized
portions of pasta just up the road from Ginkakuji for around ¥1,000, and they
can be ‘supersized’ for a few hundred more yen. During the period of border
closures, Gorey introduced Japanese style daily set meals, which are made from
locally grown vegetables and are posted on their Facebook page. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The
Japanese sets are similar to macrobiotic fare found across Japan but are
excellent value. The average chef could probably make most of the Western menu themselves
at home – and would probably be more generous with the sauce – but what’s not
to like about a large, inexpensive bowl of vegan pasta after a long day of
walking? The décor is simple and homely, and they sometimes host music and
dance nights.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><h4>Vegetarian Cafe Ren Ginkakuji ($$, Taiwanese, 🌱 , 素食カフェ Ren 銀閣寺店)</h4><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Mon-Sat: 11:30-21:00; closed Sun.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">
Twelve minutes’ walk (900 metres) west of Ginkakuji. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span class="lrzxr"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8417 </span></span><span class="lrzxr"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市左京区浄土寺西田町</span><span lang="EN-GB">115</span></span><span class="lrzxr"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">ー</span><span lang="EN-GB">15</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
115</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">ー</span><span lang="EN-GB">15 Jodoji Nishidacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8417</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/WWki55GHNk8ySnDV9">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://cafe-ren-ginkakuji.therestaurant.jp/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/cafe-ren-kyoto-187433">Happycow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E7%B4%A0%E9%A3%9F%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%20Ren%20%E9%8A%80%E9%96%A3%E5%AF%BA%E5%BA%97">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">080-6119-4815 (staff speak Japanese and Chinese).</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Serves
healthy, inexpensive Taiwanese meals.<br />
Serves oriental vegan food (without the five pungents such as onion and
garlic). <br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Relatively simple meals, befitting
the price. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Ren+Ginkakuji+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></div></div></div></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKMVtLKa75g1rZKiaUNWLuS0zj1EmZ49UVbhexnaingYJ3nQ0Hu0bHBsAiEqUeH1T9U34yWYX5I3sGynIU7uHaVIQ7aS3kLdm-kKnQ-Cb2RxdZGVDFIjnMQ-gwip_wXFeNQLaDX3lSE52tAt1ObZEMDaZSB58X3dglNHMuUGYEtPGyASf1Uuxy2mfHXc/s896/Ren%20meal%20Kyoto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="896" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKMVtLKa75g1rZKiaUNWLuS0zj1EmZ49UVbhexnaingYJ3nQ0Hu0bHBsAiEqUeH1T9U34yWYX5I3sGynIU7uHaVIQ7aS3kLdm-kKnQ-Cb2RxdZGVDFIjnMQ-gwip_wXFeNQLaDX3lSE52tAt1ObZEMDaZSB58X3dglNHMuUGYEtPGyASf1Uuxy2mfHXc/w400-h266/Ren%20meal%20Kyoto.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">Located just past Gorey Cafe, Ren also offers hearty inexpensive meals to hungry travellers starting from around ¥1,000. It serves a fusion of Taiwanese and Japanese foods; their ramen bowls are particularly popular. Ren is actually part of a small chain, and, while this is the only branch I currently recommend due to its proximity to Ginkakuji, if you come across another one (probably on HappyCow) you should get a healthy and reasonably priced meal there too. Ren is particularly popular with Taiwanese Buddhists and followers of other Eastern spiritual traditions (such as I Kuan Tao) who don't consume the five pungents (onion, garlic, etc).</span></h4><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">As with Gorey Cafe, a meal at Ren probably won't be your most memorable in Japan, but if you're hungry after exploring Higashiyama you really can't go wrong here, especially considering their prices.</span></h4><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">
Apelila ($$, bakery, アペリラ, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Thu-Sat: 11:00-16:00; closed Sun-Wed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Seven minutes’ walk northeast along the Takano River from <b>Demachiyanagai
Station</b>, Exit 9. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8101 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市左京区高野蓼原町</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">高野蓼原町</span><span lang="EN-GB">36-3<br />
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8101 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Takanotadeharachō, Takano
Kashihara-Cho 36-3</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/YYzFxtwCRg3vkGYV8">Google Maps</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/apelila-kyoto-83698">HappyCow</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Aperiraapelila">Facebook</a> (currently not
being updated)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%9A%E3%83%AA%E3%83%A9">directions</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Best
bakery in Japan; also serves dine-in lunch.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;">Sometimes sells out of bread early. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Apelila+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
</div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cP4cmRpER_1WZFRF8FJDNMgV10wv4xDGwrlaTOkJZJeJA2z89Q5Wo1ah_V_faXI5AlsrJc_HkbE6Ur_H47NaICylLI1zbNj6pb9GgNIo4bO6zZRT3-r_ro_Mqka7AtAc4D7uzuJwuAI/s1600/Apelila.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cP4cmRpER_1WZFRF8FJDNMgV10wv4xDGwrlaTOkJZJeJA2z89Q5Wo1ah_V_faXI5AlsrJc_HkbE6Ur_H47NaICylLI1zbNj6pb9GgNIo4bO6zZRT3-r_ro_Mqka7AtAc4D7uzuJwuAI/s640/Apelila.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">This all-vegan bakery seems too good to be true. The "yeast-magician" owner cooks a wide range of delicious, vegan breads and sweet treats to perfection, on site. Apelila also has a small café attached, where visitors can enjoy fresh coffees and other soy-based drinks, with the aroma of the baking wafting into the dining room. This is by far the best place in Japan to stock up on fresh food for travels. Many of the simpler breads should last for a few days, especially during the cooler months. Unfortunately, if you’ve been following this itinerary then it’ll probably be closed by now, in which case it may be worth coming back another time. I suggest making a special trip to Apelila to stock up before you leave Kyoto, and then eating the items you purchase in order of perishability. They will be especially useful for <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2014/04/koyasan.html" target="_blank">Kōyasan</a>. It’s best to arrive as early as possible, as many of the best creations usually sell out first, although I have never come away empty handed. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Falafel Garden ($$, Israeli, 🐖, ファラフェルガーデン)</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Thu--Tue: 11:30-21:00 (last order: 20:30); closed Wed. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB">Beside the river, one minute’s walk northeast of <b>Demachiyanagi
Station</b>, Exit 9. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span><span lang="EN-GB">606-8205 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市左京区田中上柳町</span><span lang="EN-GB">15-2<br />
15-2 Tanaka Kamiyanagicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8205</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rCq6Z8Aj32gxZhzq6">Google Maps</a>, <a href="http://www.falafelgarden.com/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/falafelgardenkyoto/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/falafel-garden-kyoto-26257">HappyCow</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">07-5712-1856 (Staff speak English, Japanese and
Hebrew.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%A9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%E3%83%AB%E3%82%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%87%E3%83%B3+Kyoto">directions</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;">Reliable
opening hours; great falafel. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red;"><br />
Falafel are cooked in the same deep fryer as meat. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Falafel+Garden+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4hbrGXEn_zXstCB2Xeuk2ddfifeaWYsdwOHUBxfjDKDoyN40SHtjunNn2bcFCbRAMuLF19HTrjGZAe9ABJDjAZ68lR5ZJsABCFcAYabBeczsKPs3Y6Wkaurka80MuKuMaE6vBJ1B40A/s1600/Falafel+Garden.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4hbrGXEn_zXstCB2Xeuk2ddfifeaWYsdwOHUBxfjDKDoyN40SHtjunNn2bcFCbRAMuLF19HTrjGZAe9ABJDjAZ68lR5ZJsABCFcAYabBeczsKPs3Y6Wkaurka80MuKuMaE6vBJ1B40A/s400/Falafel+Garden.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Falafel Garden has been looking after vegans in Kyoto for over a decade, throughout which time several fully vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the area have come and unfortunately gone. If you have been following this itinerary and are on your way back from the Path of Philosophy then I would suggest having dinner in Gion or at any one of the many other vegan or vegetarian restaurants in Northern Kyoto, but Falafel Garden has reliable opening hours and is always happy to serve hearty, inexpensive meals to hungry vegans. </div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Arashiyama </h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Arashiyama is Higashiyama’s quieter cousin. It doesn’t have its fame or its big-ticket temples like Kiyomizu Dera, but being so much less crowded, in many ways it better resembles the Kyoto of old, and thus in my opinion it offers a richer Kyoto experience overall. Arashiyama is home to Tenryu-ji, one of Kyoto’s top Zen temples, which is conveniently attached to the Bamboo Grove and hosts Tenruji Shigetsu, the least expensive place to try real shojin ryori (Buddhist temple cuisine) in Japan. Also nearby is Little Heaven, which is probably Japan’s top ‘non-shojin ryori’ vegan restaurant. Little Heaven offers a similar cuisine and standard of service to shojin ryori, but in a Western-style restaurant.<br />
<br />
The focal point of Arashiyama is the beautiful Togetsukyo Bridge across the Katsura river, which is especially popular during the cherry blossom season. Equally famous and iconic is the Bamboo Grove. As simple as its name sounds, wandering this ancient road through the bamboo forest can be quite surreal, especially at dawn and dusk, when the effects of the sun shining through the bamboo are the most pronounced. It’s much more peaceful early in the morning.<br />
<br />
Several smaller temples dot the mountainside to the northwest. I highly recommend the three-kilometre walk between them, although few tourists venture this far. The historic Daikaku-ji, one of the highest-ranked Shingon Temples (founded by Kōbō-Daishi, of Koyasan) lies a kilometre east of the mountains and is a good place to finish a walking tour. The Sagano Romantic Train is the key drawcard for children (of all ages) and young couples (of all ages).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>Most Shojin Ryori restaurants are in Arashiyama, so this is the place to reserve ahead and (if it's part of your plan and budget) spend up on dining. </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Arashiyama Restaurants</h3></div>
<h4>
Tenryugi Shigetsu ($$, Shojin Ryori, 🌱)</h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">11:00-14:00;
reservations are usually required three days in advance. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">In
the Sogen Garden, inside the grounds of <a href="file:///C:/Users/jesse/Desktop/The%20Final%20Book/JAPAN%20VEGAN%20TRAVEL%20GUIDE.docx#_Tenryu-ji_(%E5%A4%A9%E9%BE%8D%E5%AF%BA)">Tenryuji
Temple</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span>616-8385 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺芒ノ馬場町</span>68<br />
68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8385<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="http://www.tenryuji.com/en/shigetsu/index.html">website</a> (<a href="http://www.tenryuji.com/shigetsu/contact.html">Reservations in English</a>),
<a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/tenryuji-shigetsu-kyoto-11170">HappyCow</a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E5%A4%A9%E9%BE%8D%E5%AF%BA%20%E7%AF%A9%E6%9C%88">directions</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #00b050;">Lowest priced shojin
ryori meal in Kyoto. <br />
</span><span style="color: red;">Not the same experience as at more upmarket
shojin ryori establishments. </span><span style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Tenryuji+Shigetsu">Update
this restaurant.</a> <o:p></o:p></p></div>
</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwwd0H2oqwi4WFAwcIuXruPyuMHxlThcjwpi299ZuJ3uQh8CHCOYVBAsxBxzXbw-cZuxgkhcJ3TNm9-Fr4XqOnHzg2lUQL6t4wunaq7Z_vrhliXi4Rlnh_27hAZ4pPgu4KyXG6wLIve0/s1600/Shojin+Ryori+Arashiyama.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwwd0H2oqwi4WFAwcIuXruPyuMHxlThcjwpi299ZuJ3uQh8CHCOYVBAsxBxzXbw-cZuxgkhcJ3TNm9-Fr4XqOnHzg2lUQL6t4wunaq7Z_vrhliXi4Rlnh_27hAZ4pPgu4KyXG6wLIve0/s1600/Shojin+Ryori+Arashiyama.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shojin Ryori (from Tenryuji Shigetsu, 3300 Yen + 500 Yen temple admission)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Tenryuji Shigetsu is the kitchen and restaurant of the Tenryuji Temple (beside the Bamboo Grove) and is located within its grounds. While the most economical way to enjoy shojin is at Kōyasan, where you can stay and dine at the same temple, Tenryuji Shigetsu offers the least-expensive shojin ryori meal in Kyoto, with lunches starting from ¥3,300. Shojin ryori is defined as food free of animal products (and onion and garlic), but on hearing the word most people envisage a very upmarket dining experience. Here at Tenryuji, compromises are made in the mass production of its meals, and in how diners eat in one large tatami room, with other guests coming and going, instead of in their own private dining room like at the more expensive temples, although larger parties may be allocated their own private dining room. This is perhaps not to be taken too lightly, as the only complaints I can find about Tenryuji Shigetsu are about fellow diners being loud and rude. But the food here is certainly ‘real’ shojin ryori because it’s authentic, vegan, Buddhist food served inside a temple, and a famous one at that. </div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Whether it counts as your main shojin ryori experience or not, Tenryuji Shigetsu is a great stop for a delicious, healthy lunch. Walk-in customers are sometimes accepted outside of the peak sakura and koyo seasons, but they can only order the simplest meal set (shown in the photo above). I recommend <a href="http://www.tenryuji.com/shigetsu/contact.html" target="_blank">making a reservation</a> if you know when you’ll be going to Arashiyama. </div><div><br /></div>
<h4>
Little Heaven ($$, Japanese, Fine Dining, リトルヘヴン, 🌱)</h4>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: #f2f2f2; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; background: none 0% 0% repeat scroll rgb(242, 242, 242); color: black; font-family: quot; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Opening
hours are posted on Facebook to help with planning, but meals strictly by <b>reservation
only</b>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Meal
set: ¥8,000.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Two
minutes’ walk from Katabiranotsuji Station on the Keifuku (tram), which is
useful when coming from central Arashiyama. <br />
Seven minutes’ walk from Uzumasu Station on the JR San’in Main Line, which
connects with Kyoto Station, JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, and Umahori Station at
the end of the Sagano Romantic Train. <br />
As these routes require crossing railways lines, I recommend using Google Maps
to find directions from your location (see link below). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">〒</span>616-8313 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: PMingLiU, serif;">京都府京都市右京区嵯峨野開町</span>8-29<br />
8-29 Saganohirakicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8313<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="http://ikuranet.chu.jp/heaven/index.html">website</a>, (<a href="http://ikuranet.chu.jp/heaven/form_en.html">Reservations in English</a>) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LITTLEHEAVEN55">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/little-heaven-kyoto-52487">HappyCow</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%83%AA%E3%83%88%E3%83%AB%E3%83%98%E3%83%B4%E3%83%B3">directions</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #00b050;">Incredible fine
dining meal.<br />
</span><span style="color: red;">Expensive (but good value). </span><span style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Little_Heaven+Kyoto">Update
this restaurant.</a><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
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<br />
<div>This upmarket restaurant blends Western-style fine dining and shojin ryori. Like shojin, it requires a reservation at least three days in advance because local vegetables are sourced and prepared according to the number of diners. And, also like shojin, meals are presented as a series of exquisite, mouth-watering servings. But, unlike for most shojin, guests dine at tables in a Western-style restaurant, not in private rooms. Multi-course feasts start from around ¥7,000.</div><div><br /></div><div>Little Heaven is run by a talented and passionate chef who previously ran what was one of my favourite restaurants in Tokyo. The owner grew his own vegetables south of Tokyo, which meant that the food was always fresh and delicious, but, unfortunately, the restaurant was often closed when he was at the farm. He opened here in Kyoto in 2014. </div><div><br /></div><div>The owner and his assistant are clearly passionate about healthy, locally grown food, and they went out of their way to explain to me the different types of daikon (radishes), which were the focus of that day's meal. They even brought out four differently coloured ones to show me and explained where (in Kyoto Prefecture) they were grown and how they were used in the meal. The various courses were also explained on a sheet (in English) which was at the table before I arrived.</div><div>If you’ll have just one expensive meal in Kyoto, then shojin ryori offers a more unique cultural experience, but if you’re just after the meal of a lifetime (at a slightly lower cost) then Little Heaven is a very good alternative. </div></div><div><br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="shojin"></a>
Aside: If Possible, Try Shojin Ryori While in Kyoto </h2>
While expensive, if possible I recommend trying <i>shojin ryori</i>
(Buddhist temple cuisine) at least once in Japan, preferably in Kyoto.
This cuisine has been developed over centuries (after Buddhism was
imported from China) and is vegan without onion or garlic.
Unfortunately, however, an increasing number of shojin outlets are
adding dairy and egg products, or even fish sauces. This is against the
Buddhist rules and traditions; however, since unfortunately most
Buddhist monks and their patrons eat meat, it isn't seen as serious
except by vegan tourists.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Fake Shojin? </h3>
Unfortunately, the high
price of shojin ryori makes it prone to abuse, and there are many 'fake'
shojin ryori restaurants (mostly outside of Kyoto) which serve similar
food but not with nearly
the same quality ingredients or careful preparation; while a foreign
tourist
may not notice a significant difference it would be a waste of this
quintessential Japanese vegan experience (and a lot of money) to try an
imitation. It's best to eat at restaurants in or directly attached to
temples, also always read reviews first, and NEVER eat "shojin ryori"
from a restaurant which also serves
non-vegetarian food: it's fake shojin ryori and may well contain fish
derivatives.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0xpJJqg38vTvv_jdL6tLxpmFbaJQErY_Ffv6AhSqzYSGsT7j3sKynH7bwpeJbkspmbrTrqxMgjBXp6ll1JSRH4osLFTOyhpTZ7K_zR9gIuGniETRlLxb9F3l0fYo3zlVpNRZhIyF_Rg/s1600/Koyasan+Dinner+Breakfast.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0xpJJqg38vTvv_jdL6tLxpmFbaJQErY_Ffv6AhSqzYSGsT7j3sKynH7bwpeJbkspmbrTrqxMgjBXp6ll1JSRH4osLFTOyhpTZ7K_zR9gIuGniETRlLxb9F3l0fYo3zlVpNRZhIyF_Rg/s640/Koyasan+Dinner+Breakfast.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staying at a temple at Koyasan is a great way to experience a temple and try shojin ryori. At 10,000 Yen it's much more economic than dining in Kyoto, This meal is at Eko-in.</td></tr>
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Temples at <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.jp/2014/04/koyasan.html" target="_blank">Koyasan</a>
(Mt Koya) offer excellent deals combining shojin ryori for breakfast and
dinner with accommodation (starting at around ¥13,000, a good overnight trip from Kyoto or Osaka.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Reserve Shojin Ryori and Other Meals in Advance</h3>
It's important to reserve shojin-ryori means in advance. The only exception is for
single-person visitors to Tenryigi Shigetsu, during the off-season (see above). Little Heaven (the city's
best non-shojin meal) and Stardust (see above for both) also both require reservations at least three days in advance.
<br />
It's not only meals: if you'll take the Romance Train in Arashiyama
this must also be booked ahead. It's also possible to reserve
English-language tours of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, though I don't
recommend this to most visitors.
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Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Vegan Accommodation: Vegan Minshuku Sanbiki Neko B&B</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtc3gYn7F8aVvBUHUB8qFB7eR7JAW-oVTYwfuk2R9xLqhvb0JdiG6pI2KcKKiSToBwhSxQ0xu-jEtT9xuFqVkojG9ZcWpMCBhOBYuvVXufcAoGaKCgYz2X6c0_xbQQmAde7kd7Y3t2O_0/s1600/Sanbiki+room.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1381" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtc3gYn7F8aVvBUHUB8qFB7eR7JAW-oVTYwfuk2R9xLqhvb0JdiG6pI2KcKKiSToBwhSxQ0xu-jEtT9xuFqVkojG9ZcWpMCBhOBYuvVXufcAoGaKCgYz2X6c0_xbQQmAde7kd7Y3t2O_0/s400/Sanbiki+room.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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While in Kyoto I highly recommend staying at Vegan Minshuku Sanbiki Neko, an Australian-run B&B in a newly built, traditional-style Japanese home. It offers the benefits of a Japanese homestay without language or food barriers. I usually stay in fairly budget accommodation, but while in Kyoto I splash for a night or two here. For a private ensuite room and a hearty vegan breakfast prices are very reasonable, for everyone but especially a solo traveller.<br />
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For more information, please see my separate page on <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/p/vegan-minshuku-sanbiki-neko.html" target="_blank">Vegan Minshuku Sanbiki Neko</a>. <br />
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-47411241140476044602023-03-31T21:42:00.007-07:002023-03-31T21:47:56.353-07:00Planning Your First Trip to Japan<p> In my latest Japan video, I help first-time travellers plan to avoid the crowds and visit the best places at the most appropriate times. Although it is taken largely from the Planning chapter of my guidebook, this video is not intended specifically for vegans, although I do suggest a few top vegan restaurants that I think everyone will enjoy. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="348" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bekW_h7eW54" width="479" youtube-src-id="bekW_h7eW54"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-20419602232665058632020-03-30T05:37:00.000-07:002020-03-30T05:37:58.157-07:00Koyasan (高野山)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This page has been updated as a sample chapter of my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Japan-Travel-Vegans-Jesse-Duffield-ebook/dp/B082718DZ9" target="_blank">Vegan Travel Guide to Japan</a>. For more information please see the <a href="http://www.vegtravelguides.com/" target="_blank">Japan Vegan Travel Guides</a> website.<br />
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<a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;" target="_blank">Japan Guide</a>, <a href="http://www.koyasan.or.jp/en/" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;" target="_blank">Koyasan official website</a><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Overview</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Introduction</h3>
Koyasan has been a Buddhist retreat for over a millennium, ever since Kūkai (空海), Japan’s most famous monk established the centre for his new Shingon Esoteric sect of Buddhism here after returning from a period of scholarship in China. Kūkai is known posthumously as Kōbō-Daishi, and, while both are used in Japanese (and in English) I use Kōbō-Daishi throughout this book for the sake of consistency.<br />
No one knows why, as a private monk, Kōbō-Daishi was awarded a state-sponsored trip to China to study Buddhism (from 804 to 806 AD), but most scholars assume that he had family connections with powerful samurai. His expedition, which was Japan’s sixteenth diplomatic mission to China, comprised of four ships, and also included the Buddhist monk Saicho, who founded the famous Tendai Buddhism sect, whose temples include Nisonin in Arashiyama and Shōrenin in Northern Higashiyama (both are in Kyoto). One ship was lost at sea during a storm and another had to turn back, and then Kōbō-Daishi faced identification problems when he turned up at Fujian (opposite Taiwan), but he was eventually allowed to proceed to Xian, which was the capital of the Tang Dynasty at the time. Kōbō-Daishi originally planned to stay in China for twenty years, but after receiving the Buddhist transmission from Master Huiguo (746-805), who was famous for translating Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit, Kōbō-Daishi decided to return to Japan to establish his own esoteric Buddhist school after only one year.<br />
There are several legends as to why Kōbō-Daishi chose Koyasan as the headquarters for his new sect, with the most magical being that he threw his sankosho (ceremonial Buddhist tool) towards Japan from China, and upon his return he found it stuck in a tree at what is now the Danjo Garan (see below). What is known is that he was granted the land by Emperor Saga in 1816, after which he began setting up his new school in earnest.<br />
Due to his direct study under Chinese Masters, especially Huiguo, with his understanding of Sanskrit scriptures, Kōbō-Daishi’s Shingon Esoteric school of Buddhism is more spiritual than other Japanese Buddhist sects, and it has always placed a higher emphasis on vegetarianism and compassion towards non-human animals. I was particularly impressed by the continual references to the importance of leading a compassionate lifestyle by my English-language tour of the graveyard by a monk from Ekoin (see below). Kōbō-Daishi brought back sutras (scriptures) and Buddhist paraphernalia from China, and he focused much more on rituals than other Buddhist sects in Japan at the time. A popular legend, which is famous all over Japan, is that Kōbō-Daishi is still meditating in his tomb, awaiting the liberation of all souls.<br />
For most of its history a visit to Koyasan has been a serious pilgrimage, requiring a long, challenging trek up Mount Koya, probably from Kyoto. But “pilgrims” can now enjoy a beautiful train ride through valleys, followed by an exciting cable car ride up the steep mountain slope. And shukubo (temple lodging) has become a luxurious Japanese affair, with many temples offering large, ornate rooms, flat screen TVs and of course wireless internet (see Accommodation below). Koyasan is also very much on the tourist trail; during the morning prayer session I attended at Ekoin there were about a dozen observers, ten of whom were Caucasian. But tourists with big cameras needn’t take anything from the authenticity of these morning prayers, and the tomb of Japan’s most decorated Buddhist monk of all time is as holy a site now as it was a thousand years ago. It’s just keeping up with the times, Japanese style.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Preparation & Timing</h3>
The town of Koya is located in a valley at an altitude of 800 metres, and is surrounded by 8 mountain peaks, so it’s usually significantly cooler than Osaka and Kyoto. Temperatures generally range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius during the summer, and often dip below freezing point during winter. Like all mountains, the weather can turn bad suddenly, so bring wet weather gear if you intend to hike, but an umbrella should suffice for around the temples and the graveyard. Public transport can be suspended during and after bad weather, especially the cable car up the mountain, so please don’t visit Koyasan immediately before an international flight.<br />
Bon An Shya, the only vegetarian café with official opening hours, is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and according to Google the unofficial opening hours of Chuoshokudo Sanbo (a vegan Japanese restaurant which doesn’t have a website) is also closed on Mondays, making these days less preferable. However, as most lodgings provide a shojin ryori dinner and breakfast as part of their package, it’s possible to come on a these days if you eat well for breakfast (probably in Osaka or Kyoto) and bring enough packaged food with you (perhaps breads from Apelia in Kyoto) for lunch and to tide you over until you return to Osaka on the following day. Even on other days of the week it’s advisable to have a backup supply of snack food in case Bon An Shya or Chuoshokudo Sanbo are closed, or for emergencies. Since most temples provide food to guests there’s little other food for sale in the town.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Transport & Discount Tickets</h3>
Transport to and from Koyasan is managed by the Nankai Electric Rail company, a private railway company which was established in 1884. It takes around two and a half to three hours to reach the centre of Koyasan from Osaka.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Koyasan cable car station.</span></td></tr>
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Several trains run from Namba or Shin-Immamiya Station along the Nankai-Koya line to Gokurakubashi Station, often requiring a change at Hashimoto Station. From Gokurakubashi Station the Nankai Koyasan Cable (a funicular / cable car) whisks passengers up to Koyasan Station in five minutes. Buses run from the station to the centre of the town, from which it’s a short walk to the famous Oku-no-in graveyard, Bon An Shya, and most of the temples which offer shukubo (lodging). For safety reasons, visitors are not allowed to walk from Koyasan Station into the town, so visitors must use the buses (which are included with the pass – see below) or take a taxi. If you need to wait for a bus at the ropeway station, then get a drink from the vending machines and walk up to the second floor. There are seats around large panoramic windows, which during good weather offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains.<br />
There are several pilgrims’ trails still in use from before cable cars were invented. The original 23.5-kilometre Koyasan Choishi Michi Trail is marked by stone lanterns along the way and takes around seven hours to hike. Please see ➚<a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4909.html" target="_blank">this Japan Guide article</a>➚ for more information on hiking up Koyasan, including an easier hike to the lower cable car station. Also, please note the warning about bears (and snakes) under Hiking.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Koyasan World Heritage Ticket</h4>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="https://www.nankaikoya.jp/en/stations/ticket.html" target="_blank">Official website</a>, <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4909.html" target="_blank">Japan Guide</a></span></div>
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The main tickets are for trains. Break the small tabs off the envelope (shown at the top) for discounts to attractions in the town.<br />
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This two-day pass includes travel from Osaka (Namba Station or Shin-Immamiya Station) to Koyasan, unlimited bus travel around Koyasan, and a 20 per cent discount on admission to most popular temples and museums. The regular pass costs ¥2860, and the limited express pass, which oddly allows travel on the limited express trains to Koyasan but not back, costs ¥3400. Passengers without the limited express pass can pay an extra ¥780 to ride the express train, which usually saves about 20 minutes and a change of trains at Hashimoto Station. Depending on your departure time it may not be any faster to wait for an express train, so unless you buy the pass and reserve your ticket at the same time I recommend purchasing the regular pass and paying the extra for the express train at the station if it works out faster at that particular time. Likewise, when coming back from Koyasan (whichever pass you bought, if any) I recommend only paying the extra to upgrade to the express train at the station if it works out to be faster at that time.<br />
To determine the fastest route, here are ➚<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E9%AB%98%E9%87%8E%E5%B1%B1%E9%A7%85" target="_blank">Directions to Koyasan Station</a>➚ from your current location.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Combination Ticket (Not Recommended for Most Visitors)</h4>
This ¥1,500 sightseeing pass covers entry to the hall and pagoda at Garan (total ¥400), the Reihokan Museum (¥600), a jukai service (Buddhist initiation, at which the guest receives the precepts) at Daishi Kyokai (¥500). It also includes the Tokugawa Mausoleum (¥200), which I would recommend only to people with a lot of time or those especially interested in the Sengoku (Warring States) period of Japan, as there is so little to see there. Please see ➚this Japan Guide article➚ for more information on the Combination Ticket. It offers the convenience of not having to pay at each site (if the effort of going to a tourist information office to buy the Combination Ticket is less of an inconvenience) but it brings little saving even if you visit every attraction it’s valid for. Most tourists are better off purchasing a Koyasan World Heritage Ticket (see above) and using the 20% discounts at the sites they wish to go to.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Koyasan Map</h3>
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Most visitors stay at a temple and eat dinner and breakfast there as part of the <i>shukubo</i> (temple lodging) experience. The two vegetarian restaurants are located in the city centre. All the attractions are walkable from the centre except for the Okonoin graveyard, which is a short bus ride (or a twenty-minute walk) to the east. The temples are mostly located between the town and the graveyard.<br />
Accommodation (mostly temples), attractions and restaurants are all listed separately below.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Temples & Other Accommodation</h2>
A key drawcard of Koyasan is the opportunity to experience shukubo, or temple lodging, which usually includes shojin ryori (temple cuisine) for dinner and breakfast. While shukubo is relatively expensive (generally starting from ¥10,000 per person, or more during peak times or for luxurious rooms) when considering that it usually includes two vegan feasts, and a comfortable night’s accommodation, it’s excellent value, as just the two meals could easily cost that much in Kyoto. Guests are also usually invited to attend the temple’s (very early) morning prayer ceremony, which can include chanting, bells, a fire, and sometimes a short lecture (in Japanese). Some temples also offer guests the chance to try out Buddhist activities such as copying sutras (scriptures), which has been a popular devotional practice in Japan for centuries and was a popular pastime of the samurai to (supposedly) atone for their violent way of life.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, ➚<a href="http://koyasanguesthouse.com/guest/" target="_blank">Guest House Kokku</a>➚ offers capsule-style beds from ¥3,500 per night, or double rooms from ¥4,500 per person per night, and many temples serve lunch or other meals to non-staying guests. I wouldn’t, however, recommend visiting Koyasan if you aren’t staying at temple. I would personally prefer a shorter trip to Japan with a night at a temple than either of these options.<br />
When I first learned of shukubo I imagined that Buddhist temples had simple (and inexpensive) rooms out the back for devout pilgrims who had found their way up the mountain. At first I felt that the temples were ‘fake’: Many have large accommodation wings which look and function more like ryokans (traditional, luxurious Japanese inns) than religious institutions. But this is Japan, the land of convenience and of customer service, and despite the underlying religious context, guests at temples are very much paying customers. Unlike in India and most other Buddhist countries, where monks and nuns serve a spiritual role in society and have their material needs mostly taken care of by their lay followers, Buddhist monks in Japan play practical roles in society – for money – just like everyone else. Elsewhere in Japan these roles are usually directing traditional rituals (mostly funerals and memorials for deceased family members), but at Koyasan it’s cleaning rooms and serving their famous cuisine to guests. And, like most other working men – and increasingly women – in Japan, after their hard day’s work they go down to their local izakaya (traditional Japanese pub) to eat meat and drink beer.<br />
<br />
Due to the rise in popularity of “Christian” weddings, Japan has many fake (non-consecrated) churches, staffed by fake priests (actors), purely for the purpose of weddings (as I explain in the religion chapter of my book, Japanese are “born Shinto, married Christians and die Buddhists”.) But the temples in Koyasan are <i>bone fide</i> temples, and most have been Buddhist institutions for centuries. But unfortunately, because Buddhist monks in Japan gave up their commitment to the fundamental precept of Ahimsa (non-violence) when they gave up their ascetic lifestyle, many temples now use fish stock in their food. While Kōbō-Daishi would probably turn in his grave (can I say that if he’s still meditating there?) if he saw what his spiritual descendants serve to their guests, most Japanese visitors aren’t vegetarian and are there to enjoy the experience of dining on what they consider to be temple food (that is, based on tofu and fresh vegetables). So most temple guests are quite happy to have a little fish stock added to their shojin ryori if it improves the flavour for them, just like most diners at an Italian restaurant would be happy for a little soy sauce to be added to their pasta for the same reason, and it wouldn’t detract from their Italian dining experience.<br />
<br />
Based on temples’ websites, reviews, my own email exchanges with staff, and my experiences staying at them, I have concluded that two temples are trustworthy: Ekoin and Daienin (see below for both). I am confident that none of their shojin ryori meals contain any animal products (but please let me know via the ‘updates’ link of each if you find or suspect otherwise). This does not include the complementary crackers in most rooms, which are an unwelcoming welcome snack for vegan guests because they often contain egg. There may well, of course, be other temples which serve genuinely vegan food; please let me know if you would like to recommend others.<br />
<br />
Like most traditional Japanese accommodation, many temples do not offer private bathrooms. Instead most offer an ofuro, or public bath, which is essentially the same as an onsen but it uses electrically heated water instead of geothermal water. Bathers are separated by gender and expected to bathe naked; it would be very strange (and probably offensive) to wear a swimsuit of any kind. As at all onsen, there is a row of showers alongside the bath, and it’s an important custom for guests to wash themselves at a stool before entering the bath, even if they have recently showered. Of course, it’s acceptable to just wash and then not use the bath, but either way this requires being naked right beside others, so please consider not staying at a temple without private bathrooms if you are not comfortable with this. Ekoin (see immediately below) has rooms with private bathrooms.<br />
Even compared with other accommodation in Japan, there is little saving per person for double or larger rooms; for example, at Ekoin (see below) a single room costs ¥18,000, and four people sharing a room costs around ¥16,000 per person. This might reflect what is perceived as a fairness, and also that in such a remote location much of the cost is in the food and the facilities (instead of the space itself, which is the limiting factor in most hotels).<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Ekoin (恵光院)</h4>
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Overnight
accommodation costs from ¥16,000–¥30,000 per person.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>648-0211 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">和歌山県伊都郡高野町大字高野山497</span><br />
497 Koyasan, <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">高野町</span> Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E6%81%B5%E5%85%89%E9%99%A2">Directions</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.ekoin.jp/en/">Website</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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07-3656-2514<o:p></o:p></div>
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The
best way to book is by emailing them directly<span style="font-family: "segoe ui symbol" , sans-serif;"> </span>at
<a href="mailto:ekoin_form@ekoin.jp">ekoin_form@ekoin.jp</a>; they also accept
bookings through <a href="http://www.ekoin.jp/en/stay/policy.html">their
website</a>, which is a little ‘old-school’ but functional. It’s also possible
to call, as many of their resident monks speak English. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">Staff speak English
and are comfortable serving foreign guests. <br />
</span><span style="color: red;">The experience is less authentic than at temples
which serve fewer foreign tourists. </span><span style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #F2F2F2; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2lh3IRbniyJp_J2rEDyd6QC5ojLQ5kC1_3v1Lpgl67jG5Xg/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.558072748=Ekoin">Update
this accommodation listing</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC53QQMKEj2Q9bg7uWYRV4ivuwntgod3JRJ5keNZ6qsBzpTL88xffakbB93hW0f5saAvjPrRmZqLvTTxtoGtFJxeAndNkKNWDVfZ4ly2LpI29vw0K4OvrJRhivPh4-HSDjvxaW3JI02lE/s1600/Ekoin+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC53QQMKEj2Q9bg7uWYRV4ivuwntgod3JRJ5keNZ6qsBzpTL88xffakbB93hW0f5saAvjPrRmZqLvTTxtoGtFJxeAndNkKNWDVfZ4ly2LpI29vw0K4OvrJRhivPh4-HSDjvxaW3JI02lE/s640/Ekoin+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My room at Ekoin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ekoin is popular for its young, friendly, English-speaking monks, who are comfortable serving foreign guests. This makes it, in my opinion, the best option for most foreign visitors to Japan wanting a comfortable – if slightly less authentic – shukubo experience. During my visit virtually all the guests were Caucasian, and of the few Asians I don’t think any were Japanese. The staff are responsive to emails, and, perhaps in a large part because of their foreign vegan visitors, they appear to keep their promise of serving only vegan food. They allow non-flash photography of their early-morning Goma Fire Ritual, which is a hypnotic blend of chanting, bells, fire and scriptures; however, the snapping of cameras does somewhat detract from the experience. The wood symbolises human desires, and the fire symbolises the wisdom of the Buddha, which cleanses us of material desires. Visitors can give the names of ancestors before the event, and their souls will be prayed for during the ceremony.<br />
<br />
Rooms are large and comfortable, with all modern amenities including flat-screen TVs. All rooms now feature wireless internet, and at mine it was fast and reliable (which many aren’t in this remote mountain town). The bathroom is open for most of the morning and the evening, and in keeping up with the demands of its foreign guests, it has recently increased the number of rooms with private bathrooms (for double and larger rooms, for around an additional ¥5,000 per person) and it now even offers gluten free meals.<br />
<br />
Prices depend on the room type, meals (see below) and time, with weekends and April (for cherry blossoms) being the most expensive.<br />
<br />
At the time of reservation guests must choose a meal size from an extravagant “middle-sized meal” to an outrightly indulgent “sumptuous meal”).<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGxTuK0ve6NsI2BTlzx-RVjpQDuFPOxJvbval19WLNJ5JBsklLkekgB1WrCPhYJ4US-U8KaCTqqx-c7o01Y3kNEPlD_4Z2vdEVK0FbxjDgmoHt_9Nt4rpEknXZ3zPe-Iolhlqr5szL-I/s1600/Ekoin+dinner+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGxTuK0ve6NsI2BTlzx-RVjpQDuFPOxJvbval19WLNJ5JBsklLkekgB1WrCPhYJ4US-U8KaCTqqx-c7o01Y3kNEPlD_4Z2vdEVK0FbxjDgmoHt_9Nt4rpEknXZ3zPe-Iolhlqr5szL-I/s640/Ekoin+dinner+set.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most basic dinner set at Ekoin. While I can understand why many tourists wish to make the most of this opportunity and splurge on one of the finest traditional vegan meals available on Earth, I personally feel uncomfortable gouging myself on food in a Buddhist centre. This meal was more than adequate for my large appetite.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Daienin (大円院)</h4>
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Single
rooms with breakfast and dinner start at around ¥12,000.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reservations
can be made on <a href="https://www.japanican.com/en/hotel/detail/6416111/">JapaniCan</a>
and other online travel agencies such as Agoda. <span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>648-0211 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">和歌山県伊都郡高野町大字高野山</span>594<br />
594 Kōyasan, Koya, Ito-gun, Wakayama 648-0211<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.daienin.com/e/jiin.html">Website</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E6%81%B5%E5%85%89%E9%99%A2">Directions</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">Authentic;
inexpensive. <br />
</span><span style="color: red;">Limited (and public) bathing facilities; staff
speak little if any English. </span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2lh3IRbniyJp_J2rEDyd6QC5ojLQ5kC1_3v1Lpgl67jG5Xg/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.558072748=Daienin">Update
this accommodation listing</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlBUMXYGs5CRWeriqV0LnZsFe0-nHSvppc7yCyyGv8bYkpb2qiNxVYZmoN8DY1WfLaj9O8Fs7DrR_yEupUaieXiazIaY1KoLcomFoWL9pT1oN_iB4Hj3DS6-wKhGcBhqp1Ry2Qj8JNyw/s1600/Daienin+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlBUMXYGs5CRWeriqV0LnZsFe0-nHSvppc7yCyyGv8bYkpb2qiNxVYZmoN8DY1WfLaj9O8Fs7DrR_yEupUaieXiazIaY1KoLcomFoWL9pT1oN_iB4Hj3DS6-wKhGcBhqp1Ry2Qj8JNyw/s640/Daienin+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My room at Daienin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For a more traditional shukubo experience, I recommend the thousand-year old Daienin. Single rooms here are great value for solo travellers, but double or larger rooms offer little, if any, saving over other temples.<br />
<br />
While the accommodation wing at Ekoin feels somewhat like a ryokan (a traditional, usually luxurious Japanese inn), rooms at Daienin exude a humbler Buddhist vibe, and many overlook a small Japanese garden and Shinto shrine.<br />
<br />
Meals here are also much simpler, but as authentic shojin ryori they are still perfectly satisfying, and of course they are beautifully presented. They are served in the temple’s main rooms (not guest rooms), with each travelling party assigned their own private room for dining. An English-speaking monk or nun first introduces the meal and explains how to eat it. In fitting with the Buddhist tradition, guests are provided tea but no teacup; the rice bowl is used for the tea after the meal, to ensure that any leftover rice which sticks to the bowl isn’t wasted.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnN9N1e9YiAfODtkAB49_qmJ2wBazY_mQntEYo3cVTbhPzydNlYaUOTr7Bn3oPAew8EWEWjbsKkyLho6USx8lZMuD9ERDjs_5um-eZrS2kzchAddA415ct9vs1DhnBxn8qnfFXNhqhSdc/s1600/Daienin+meal+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1380" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnN9N1e9YiAfODtkAB49_qmJ2wBazY_mQntEYo3cVTbhPzydNlYaUOTr7Bn3oPAew8EWEWjbsKkyLho6USx8lZMuD9ERDjs_5um-eZrS2kzchAddA415ct9vs1DhnBxn8qnfFXNhqhSdc/s640/Daienin+meal+set.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meals at Daienin are simpler and smaller, but it’s still a great vegan meal for the price.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The bathroom is only open during the evening, so guests cannot bathe (or shower) in the morning. Also, the Buddhist ceremony is an hour of chanting followed by a half-hour lecture (perhaps akin to a sermon by the senior monk), and of course it’s all in Japanese. And, being a religious ritual, photography is not allowed. Unlike the photo-snapping tourists watching the fire ritual at Ekoin, the Japanese guests sitting beside me at Daienin clearly took it very seriously, and I guess it was the main purpose for their visit to Koyasan, perhaps along with paying their respects to departed family members in the graveyard.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Koyasan Restaurants</h2>
Most visitors stay at temples, so the only meal to have out is lunch, possibly on both days. Chuoshokudo Sanbo offers the most traditional experience, and is really a must for anyone not staying at a temple, but if two traditional meals are enough for one day, then Bon An Shya offers delicious, healthy international cuisine.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Chuoshokudo Sanbo ($$, Japanese Bento / Lunch Boxes, 中央食堂 さんぼう)</h4>
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11:00-16:00<o:p></o:p></div>
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In
central Koyasan, close to where the first bus stop in the town. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>648-0211<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">和歌山県伊都郡高野町大字高野山</span>722<br />
722 Kōyasan, Koya, Ito-gun, Wakayama 648-0211<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E9%A3%9F%E5%A0%82%20%E3%81%95%E3%82%93%E3%81%BC%E3%81%86">Directions</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/san-bou-restaurant-koyasan-42378">Happycow</a>,
<a href="https://tabelog.com/tw/wakayama/A3001/A300103/30000382/">unofficial
website</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #F2F2F2; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 242;">
07-3656-2345<span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">Best traditional
meal outside of temples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=">Update
this restaurant.</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDf3HTFigreYjvSU54ao8PrCVjbLZtLwR_222eiFogS09N8UGAq9DVtXqc-dMmZZy0YSbPzfXZX-cKqd3U5H214ZDTSn18Jo2w51TsqQJX65Ba_rSiYjKBIC5ZA8SYI9C3-EHpHXhbYuo/s1600/Chushokudo+Sanbo+meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDf3HTFigreYjvSU54ao8PrCVjbLZtLwR_222eiFogS09N8UGAq9DVtXqc-dMmZZy0YSbPzfXZX-cKqd3U5H214ZDTSn18Jo2w51TsqQJX65Ba_rSiYjKBIC5ZA8SYI9C3-EHpHXhbYuo/s640/Chushokudo+Sanbo+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
This traditional Japanese restaurant serves bentos (lunchboxes), and staff assure me that it is all vegan – without sakana dashi (fish flakes), and I couldn’t taste any in mine. Meal sets are good value, mostly from ¥1,000 to ¥2,000. If you are coming up for the day (or staying at a hostel or otherwise not getting food at your accommodation) then I strongly recommend dining here for a taste of the Buddhist cuisine which has developed here at Koyasan over the last millennium, particularly koyadofu (Koyasan tofu), which has been frozen and thawed out, giving it a unique spongy texture. A very believable legend is that many centuries ago it was so cold that even the tofu froze, and as off-putting as its spongy texture was, people had nothing else to eat. They then somehow came to like it so much that it developed into a famous specialty of Koyasan, and then spread across Kansai and the rest of Japan. It has interesting parallels with – but a very different flavour from – Stinky Tofu from China (also popular in Singapore and Taiwan), which was ‘discovered’ when a man buried his surplus tofu hoping to preserve it, dug it up and found that it tasted good even though it had gone rotten.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Bon An Shya ($$, Western, Fusion, 🥚)</h4>
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Official hours: Wed-Sun: 6:30-17:00; closed Mon, Tue. <br />
It’s best to arrive
around 11:30–12:00 for lunch.<br />
150 metres past the traffic lights on the way to Okuno-in Cemetery<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="widget-pane-link"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>648-0211 </span><span class="widget-pane-link"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">和歌山県伊都郡高野町高野</span></span><span class="widget-pane-link"><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">山</span></span><span class="widget-pane-link"><span style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;"><br />
</span></span>730 Koyasan,
Ito-gun, Koya-cho 648-0211, Wakayama<br />
07-3656-5535<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E6%A2%B5%E6%81%A9%E8%88%8E+Koyasan">Directions</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/bon-an-sha-international-cafe-koya-38348">Happycow</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">Delicious
international food; vegan friendly. </span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Bon+An+Shya">Update
this restaurant.</a><span class="widget-pane-link"><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0RDzlLKRax1L5MCC_w3bOsqXoxyk75gyPo7uP4o7r1B9MP2FpJj7NzWTVOmYFaHLiQ-x6aWe3xXe6RRg1ZUoJnrijMNRHy8G-AlHt-4Mxp706iCR6ZQe6hrAIbutuAk41439hnOe7Ls/s1600/Bon+An+Shya+Koyasan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0RDzlLKRax1L5MCC_w3bOsqXoxyk75gyPo7uP4o7r1B9MP2FpJj7NzWTVOmYFaHLiQ-x6aWe3xXe6RRg1ZUoJnrijMNRHy8G-AlHt-4Mxp706iCR6ZQe6hrAIbutuAk41439hnOe7Ls/s640/Bon+An+Shya+Koyasan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vegan set is excellent value at ¥1,200, including a drink and cake. <br />
</td></tr>
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This charming vegetarian café and art gallery is run by a French woman and her Japanese husband. It’s popular even among non-vegetarians for its Western foods, including European dishes, cakes and coffee. Their lunch set, which includes a few main dishes, a piece of cake and a drink, is excellent value at ¥1,200. The owner seemed pleased when I asked for my set to be vegan, because he prepares vegan options for every part of the set (including the dessert) every day, but it is rarely asked for vegan food. If you are getting tired of Japanese food (or will be soon), then this is the place to come for a Western lunch before heading back down to Osaka.<br />
<br />
If you prefer to work at a table with a chair than at the low table in the beautiful tatami room you are staying in, or if your temple doesn’t provide WiFi, then Bon An Shya has both, and the owners are happy for customers to stay for hours as long as it’s not too busy (thus causing the shop to lose other customers). The café opens early in the morning, so if you have seen everything in Koyasan it’s okay to order a coffee and wait until the lunch is ready (which is usually around midday).<br />
<br />
Bon An Shya doesn’t have a website or a Facebook page, so please consider calling first before making a special trip there (the staff speak English). Or if you turn up and find them closed, just go to Chuoshokudo Sanbo (see above).<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Koyasan Attractions</h2>
Most sights in Koyasan take about an hour to visit, except for the small (but worthwhile) museum, which takes about half an hour. It’s easily possible to visit all the attractions in Koyasan in one day, but spending two days here, either side of a night in a temple and an evening trip to the graveyard, makes the whole experience much more rewarding.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #073763;">Oku-No-In (奥の院)</span></h4>
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Cemetery:
always open. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Torodo
Hall (beside mausoleum): 6:00-17:30<br />
Gokusho Offering Hall: 8:30-17:00<o:p></o:p></div>
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Admission
is free to the graveyard and all the buildings. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The
traditional Ichinohashi entrance to the graveyard is about ten minutes’ walk from
Bon An Shya, in the city centre.<br />
The Okunoinmae bus stop, by the newer entrance to the graveyard which is closer
to Kōbō-Daishi’s tomb,
is about ten minutes by bus from the town centre (¥220, please have correct
change, or get it from a vending machine beside the bus stop if necessary).
Alternatively, it’s about a twenty-minute walk (1.7km) from Bon An Shya and the
city centre. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>648-0211 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">和歌山県伊都郡高野町大字高野山555</span><br />
555 Kōyasan, <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">高野町</span> Koya, Ito-gun, Wakayama 648-0211<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4901.html">Japan Guide</a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E9%AB%98%E9%87%8E%E5%B1%B1%20%E5%A5%A5%E4%B9%8B%E9%99%A2%20%E8%A1%A8%E5%8F%82%E9%81%93%20%E4%B8%80%E3%81%AE%E6%A9%8B">Directions</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"> </span>(to
the Ichinohashi entrance).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmG2Xq4gnU">Excellent short Rare Earth
documentary on the graveyard.</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">Surreal experience
unparalleled in Japan, if anywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NN2GDRhEC2n1nbN6ecXMfXNbbxk7beX6CgirTej5KOIAgsQafTULhmN58KeadRLfcsYkry32HmAbUwrEMV90XaQ5bupReZkjdvekpye6vOe-ABmy4tRwuDlN4XkNs_Jf1E0hXaJL_YY/s1600/Okunoin+graveyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NN2GDRhEC2n1nbN6ecXMfXNbbxk7beX6CgirTej5KOIAgsQafTULhmN58KeadRLfcsYkry32HmAbUwrEMV90XaQ5bupReZkjdvekpye6vOe-ABmy4tRwuDlN4XkNs_Jf1E0hXaJL_YY/s640/Okunoin+graveyard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This eerie but very peaceful graveyard has a history of over a thousand years, and as the site of the mausoleum of Kōbō-Daishi himself it is the heart of the Shingon Esoteric Buddhist sect and one of the most important spiritual sites in all of Japan. The traditional entrance is the Ishinohashi (literally “First bridge”), from which it’s a two-kilometre walk through two hundred thousand graves to Kōbō-Daishi’s mausoleum. Most are small, unmarked, moss-covered graves, but those of feudal lords stand out for their grandeur, including the four-hundred-year-old tombs of the warlord Matsudaira Hideyasu and his mother, which are built entirely of stone. While this is a Buddhist graveyard, there are many toriis (ceremonial gates to Shinto Shrines) signifying the graves as holy places; many of these built before the separation of Shinto and Buddhism into distinct religions (in 1868).<br />
A shorter path from the Okunoinmae bus stop cuts the walk (to the mausoleum) in half, and passes instead through more modern graves identifiable by the corporations which paid for them rather than the deceased they entomb. This is partly because, during Japan’s bubble era, corporations became the new ‘family’ for Japanese people, so they were expected to provide for all their employees needs in life, so why not in death too? But, in reality, many of these graves are advertisements for the companies themselves, the most famous of which is one for a termite control company, officially praying for the souls of its white ant victims.<br />
<br />
Both paths meet at the Gokusho Offering Hall, where visitors throw water at the Buddha statues, which is believed to wash away bad karma from themselves or their departed family members. Behind the temple the path continues over the Gobyonohashi Bridge to the temple and Kōbō-Daishi’s mausoleum. The region beyond Gobyonohashi Bridge is a very, very sacred spot (even relative to the rest of the graveyard), and photography here of all types is prohibited, as is the use of mobile phones or other electronic devices, and the consumption of food and drink. Visitors are expected to bow towards Kōbō-Daishi’s mausoleum before and after crossing the bridge. To the left of the bridge, in the stream, are small wooden memorials to “water babies”, placed there by mothers for their miscarried or aborted babies.<br />
<br />
A few metres past the bridge is the Miruko Stone, housed inside a small thatched structure. Visitors are invited (after throwing in a few coins as an offering) to reach their hand in and try to lift the stone onto its upper platform. If you can’t lift it, you need to go vegan – or work out more – as it’s believed that it feels lighter for people with better karma. It also offers a direct connection to the Mirukou Boddhisatva, the future Buddha, who followers of Shingon Buddhism believe will return to Earth to save those unable to reach enlightenment themselves, thus bringing universal salvation to all sentient beings (including, presumably, all those white ants).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJX8E1lgsAFVHVKTnCE5KVE-7-dUrtcneWzBUv26pP_sVxRJZ0YDelq9EkFpZqnEsPPH1oOTyAaasMpsuV3cmH3vkjZG_gW3pykKtOMIu-l22OVIEu3qlZhu_mWnnSE1Plcdt-0Wc7MKw/s1600/Gokusho+Offering+Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJX8E1lgsAFVHVKTnCE5KVE-7-dUrtcneWzBUv26pP_sVxRJZ0YDelq9EkFpZqnEsPPH1oOTyAaasMpsuV3cmH3vkjZG_gW3pykKtOMIu-l22OVIEu3qlZhu_mWnnSE1Plcdt-0Wc7MKw/s640/Gokusho+Offering+Hall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddhas outside the Gokusho Offering Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Kōbō-Daishi’s tomb itself is a surprisingly modest wooden structure and is barely visible from its ceremonial gate. Faithful followers can often be seen chanting and prostrating outside it. In front of the tomb is the Torondo Hall (Hall of Lamps), the main hall of worship in the Okunoin cemetery. Visitors are free to enter the hall, which is the largest and busiest hall of fire rituals and offerings that I have seen in Japan, with paintings of Kōbō-Daishi himself on the central altar. But the most striking feature of this ornate building is its more than 10,000 namesake lamps, two of which are believed to have been alight since AD 1088. The basement contains 50,000 statues which were donated to the temple by worshippers in 1984, to mark the 1150th anniversary of Kōbō-Daishi’s passing. The hall is free to enter and closes at 17:30.<br />
<br />
The graveyard takes on a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere at night. But my favourite time to visit is at dusk, when the graves are still visible, but the lamps come on to light the way towards Kōbō-Daishi’s resting place (see photo above). Please be careful, however, as these ancient stone paths can become slippery, especially during or after rain, or worse still frost. If you don’t mind missing the chance to see the goings on in the Torondo Hall (or going back at another time), I recommend entering the graveyard by the Ishinohasi Bridge shortly before dusk, walking up the two-kilometre path through the old graves as the lamps along the main pathway come on, and then walking around the mausoleum after dark, when the sanctuary is usually deserted and is lit up by its 10,000 lamps (but please don’t be tempted to take photos, out of respect for Kōbō-Daishi and because of the many security cameras quietly watching over his tomb). Then walk back along the newer, shorter route (which is also safer at night) to the Okunoinmae bus stop, and either take the bus or walk back to where you are staying. Bring warm clothes (except during fine summer evenings), a mobile phone for emergencies and a good torch (flashlight) if your phone doesn’t have one.<br />
I highly recommend the night-time tour (¥1,500) offered in English by the Ekoin Temple (although other temples’ tours may be just as good). The Koyasan Interpreter Guide Club run tours of the cemetery (as well as Danjo Garan and Konbuguji Temple – see Daishi Kyokai below) starting from 9:00 for the same price. Tours start from Ishinohashi, and can be reserved by emailing or calling 090-3263-5184 or 090-1486-2588, or emailing ➚<a href="mailto:mail@koyasan-ccn.com">mail@koyasan-ccn.com</a>➚.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #073763;">Danjo Garan (壇上伽藍)</span></h4>
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Temple grounds: always open.<br />
Konpon Hall and Pagoda: 8:30-17:00<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ten minutes’ walk
west from Bon An Sha and the city centre. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>648-0211 <span lang="JA" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">和歌山県伊都郡高野町大字高野山152</span><br />
152 Kōyasan, <span lang="JA" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">高野町</span> Koya,
Ito-gun, Wakayama 648-0211<o:p></o:p></div>
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Admission: <br />
Temple grounds: free. <br />
Konpon Hall and Pagoda: Both ¥200 (and covered by the Combination Ticket). <br />
I recommend both. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E5%A3%87%E4%B8%8A%E4%BC%BD%E8%97%8D">Directions</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4902.html">Japan Guide</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">Most important
temple complex at Koyasan; grounds are free to enter. <span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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this attraction.</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGVZDzpAgQfxkoVkVlyno3WQ8aTTasD7kIMPxzwkGbB0nYn8A5MvZaLdV63Kvqy9eFs7x-BWhe-wQMBJyH3KqPJ_YawiCkoDtyCXggtz8IB-PU-9yTx7g9lh0Xh6yNmLw8KT7nObLTJA/s1600/Danjo+Garan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGVZDzpAgQfxkoVkVlyno3WQ8aTTasD7kIMPxzwkGbB0nYn8A5MvZaLdV63Kvqy9eFs7x-BWhe-wQMBJyH3KqPJ_YawiCkoDtyCXggtz8IB-PU-9yTx7g9lh0Xh6yNmLw8KT7nObLTJA/s640/Danjo+Garan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Commonly referred to just as Garan, this is the most important temple of Koyasan, and a must-visit while up the mountain. The two main buildings are the Konpon Daitō Hall (根本大塔) and the enormous, two-level Konpon Daitō Pagoda. Legend has it that when Kōbō-Daishi began searching for a centre for his new Buddhist school, a black and a white dog (symbolising two local deities) led him to this sacred spot, surrounded by eight peaks which resemble lotus petals, so he chose the site for the heart of his new Buddhist school. (As beautiful lotus flowers grow out of muddy water, in Buddhism they symbolise the purification of the spirit to reach enlightenment, despite being born into the murkiness of the material world.)<br />
<br />
Kōbō-Daishi began building both structures himself; however, he was not able to finish either in his lifetime, and the main pagoda was completed around 876, forty years after he entered his “eternal meditation”. All the structures have burned down several times over the centuries, and the current hall dates to 1932 and the pagoda to 1937. Additional buildings and pagodas have been added over the centuries to what is now a large complex which offers some good photo opportunities.<br />
The Konpon Daitō Hall enshrines a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine and healing; however, on my visit it was hidden in a cabinet, but its surrounding altar was interesting enough. Inside the pagoda there is a three-dimensional Mandala (a Buddhist model of the cosmos) which includes a statue of the Dainichi Nyorai (Cosmic Buddha). Both the pagoda and the hall cost ¥200 to enter and are worthwhile in their own ways, but if you are only entering one then I recommend the pagoda, because I found walking around the Mandala and observing the model of the cosmos from different angles to be a more interesting experience. Photography is not allowed in either the hall or the pagoda.<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<br />Kongobuji Temple (金剛峯寺)</h4>
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8:30-17:00 (last entry: 16:30).<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Koyasan centre, five minutes’ walk west of Bon An
Shya and five minutes’ walk east of Danjo Garan. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Admission: ¥500.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>648-0294 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">和歌山県伊都郡高野町大字高野山</span>132<br />
132 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0294<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4903.html">Japan Guide</a> <span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E9%87%91%E5%89%9B%E5%B3%AF%E5%AF%BA">Directions</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">Largest stone garden
in Japan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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this attraction.</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRsuGUU0Po6fvbb_TXVguU3wgco6XOGNHgBPOLU7RTNjVDdP9Sf_tkTgX8heNxP91rrH8gg3IHTv6mdCCbeVoF-rEeya-Jh2MKdayM1jyC_2o9uc-6-SJTvY7hk2y7U2XpdxH390TqGk/s1600/Kongobuji+Temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRsuGUU0Po6fvbb_TXVguU3wgco6XOGNHgBPOLU7RTNjVDdP9Sf_tkTgX8heNxP91rrH8gg3IHTv6mdCCbeVoF-rEeya-Jh2MKdayM1jyC_2o9uc-6-SJTvY7hk2y7U2XpdxH390TqGk/s640/Kongobuji+Temple.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The largest stone garden in Japan, at Kongobuji Temple</td></tr>
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The Kongobuji Temple (literally Temple of the Diamond Mountain) is the head temple of the Shingon Esoteric sect and its administrative centre. It was originally constructed in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Second Great Unifier of Japan, in memory of his deceased mother, and was rebuilt in 1861. It’s home to the largest stone garden in Japan at 2340 square metres, which includes 140 granite stones which were somehow brought up from Shikoku, the birthplace of Kōbō-Daishi. They are arranged to represent a pair of dragons emerging from the clouds to protect the temple, but you’ll need to have a better imagination than I do to see it.<br />
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The most famous room in the temple is the Willow Room (the third room visitors pass after entering the temple) which witnessed one of the most pivotal (and perhaps most gruesome) events in Japan’s long history. It was here that Toyotomi Hidetsugu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s nephew, was ordered by Hideyoshi to commit seppuku, or ritual suicide by disembowelment, along with his three wakashū (adolescent male apprentices) in 1595. As Hideyoshi had no children, Hidetsugu was raised to be his heir, however their relationship began to deteriorate after Hideyoshi’s concubine gave birth to a son in 1593. Rumours were spread of Hidetsugu committing unjust murder, and finally of plotting a coup, which resulted in his order to commit seppuku. Hideyoshi also ordered the murders of Hidetsugu’s entire family, including 39 women and children, a decision which may have led to his downfall: seven years later, in the Battle of Sekigahara, many powerful families and warlords, who were still shocked by the brutality of these murders, chose to support his rival Tokugawa Ieyasu instead. Tokugawa won a decisive victory and went on to establish the Tokugawa Shogunate which ruled Japan (from Edo, present-day Tokyo) until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.<br />
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The rooms in Kongobuji feature some stunning old Fusuma (painted sliding doors); however, visitors are not permitted to photograph them or even to sketch them. The newer wing of the temple contains Fusuma which tell the story of Kōbō-Daishi’s pilgrimage to China. At the end of the wing is a large tatami room, where visitors are invited to enjoy basic rice crackers and green tea (help yourself to the tea from the vending machine). On both my visits (most recently in June 2018) the crackers were vegan, but I recommend checking the ingredients on the packet, perhaps with Google Translate, in case they have changed. The green tea should just be matcha (pulverised, unoxidized green tea) so milk is very unlikely to be used. I was impressed by the old kitchen and the chimney, covered in soot, which appears in its day to have been able to prepare shojin ryori for hundreds of monks and pilgrims at a time. They would have wanted plenty of hot food during the long, cold winters.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Daishi Kyōkai (大師教会)</h4>
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8:30-17:00
(last entry: 16:30)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Five
minutes’ walk southwest of Kongobuji. <br />
Ten minutes’ walk west of Bon An Shya and the town centre. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Admission: free.<br />
Jukai (Buddhist initiation: ¥500 for)<o:p></o:p></div>
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347
Kōyasan, Koya, Ito-gun, Wakayama 648-0211<br />
<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>648-0211 <span lang="JA" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">和歌山県伊都郡高野町大字高野山</span>347<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E6%95%99%E4%BC%9A+Koyasan">Directions</a><u><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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07-3656-2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4908.html">Japan Guide</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">Admission is free
(except for Buddhist initiation). <br />
</span><span style="color: red;">Not much to see or do here. </span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5IBXQiRbH3FRhWhTJGBwxdgBYQr56Q_HIuLuIxgpIWJmcmg/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.125567354=Daishi+Kyokai">Update
this attraction.</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iglx-ivKmJkmYzJT4V28fLFgtiR-YO4f9tnVGXU-VPrHAXJ5PzuaAApleD_Z9zSs2Ck63Svh43ICd8JROFb8KYjUXzdiooscfsfA7PMaiBj-2WlHze8W8Teu03hazs_4qMzdKjU2YEI/s1600/Daishi+Kyokai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1378" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iglx-ivKmJkmYzJT4V28fLFgtiR-YO4f9tnVGXU-VPrHAXJ5PzuaAApleD_Z9zSs2Ck63Svh43ICd8JROFb8KYjUXzdiooscfsfA7PMaiBj-2WlHze8W8Teu03hazs_4qMzdKjU2YEI/s640/Daishi+Kyokai.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henjoden (traditional hall)</td></tr>
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This administrative centre of Shingon Buddhism is divided into two parts: the Henjoden, a traditional-style Buddhist hall built in 1915, and a modern administration building. Visitors may receive Jukai (受戒), the Buddhist initiation ritual, in which participants recite the ten Buddhist Precepts (the first of which is not to ‘take life’) and “take refuge in the Buddha”. Visitors can also copy Buddhist sutra (scriptures), which is considered an act of meditation and devotion. There is also a modern (1915) temple dedicated to Kōbō-Daishi, and a set of paintings which tell his life story.<br />
In the foyer of the administrative building there is a Visitor’s Centre, from which English tours by members of the Koyasan Interpreter Guide Club depart for Kongobuji and Garan at 13:00 and 15:00. The tours take 1.5 hours and cost ¥1,500. They also offer tours of Okunoin (the famous cemetery) daily at 9:00, starting from Ishinohashi Bridge. Tours can be reserved by calling 090-3263-5184 or 090-1486-2588, or ➚emailing mail@koyasan-ccn.com➚.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Reihokan Museum (霊宝館)</h4>
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May-Oct: 8:30-17:30; Nov-April: 8:30-17:00<br />
Last admission: half an hour before closing time. <br />
The museum closes over the new year holiday period. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Opposite Daishikyokai (to the south/west).<br />
Five minutes’ walk from Danjo Garan & Kongobuji Temple.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E9%AB%98%E9%87%8E%E5%B1%B1%E9%9C%8A%E5%AE%9D%E9%A4%A8">Directions</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="JA" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>648-0211 <span lang="JA" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">和歌山県伊都郡高野町大字高野山</span>306<br />
306 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://en.visitwakayama.jp/venues/venue_836/">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4906.html">Japan Guide</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Admission: ¥600 (also covered by the Combination
Ticket).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">“Treasure trove of
Buddhist art.” <br />
</span><span style="color: red;">The museum can be quite cold during winter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5IBXQiRbH3FRhWhTJGBwxdgBYQr56Q_HIuLuIxgpIWJmcmg/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.125567354=Reihokan+Museum+Koyasan">Update
this attraction.</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-Rdxv1w1KvZLmpnwJO2ELMqZPxj66NcD1vk85CGm_uYHHC5jm6OxKnn7MNzWFowW_bgLxg4AcGgesOVuLJnhLijzBPBfSdzgbRVc8W0TwkEkQQVVNHOL09HLJkSP96KC2e6auS1sorg/s1600/Reohokan+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-Rdxv1w1KvZLmpnwJO2ELMqZPxj66NcD1vk85CGm_uYHHC5jm6OxKnn7MNzWFowW_bgLxg4AcGgesOVuLJnhLijzBPBfSdzgbRVc8W0TwkEkQQVVNHOL09HLJkSP96KC2e6auS1sorg/s640/Reohokan+Museum.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koyo (autumn colours) were just beginning at this altitude on my visit in late June.</td></tr>
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This official Wakayama travel guide rightly describes the Reihokan Museum as “a treasure trove of Buddhist art”. The main hall was built in 1921 to preserve and display the religious and cultural treasures of Koyasan, making it the oldest wooden museum in Japan (the Special Exhibition Hall of the Kyoto National Museum is older, but it is built of stone).<br />
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Treasures from the museum’s extensive collection are rotated several times a year, so it’s possible to visit twice and see different treasures. On my visit most exhibits were paintings of Mandalas and scrolls, and carvings of Buddhas, some so peaceful that they could send you straight to Nirvana (Buddhist heaven), and some are so ugly and ferocious that they could give you nightmares in your temple lodging. Some of the exhibits are over a thousand years old, including a ninth-century bronze Buddha image from China.<br />
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It’s an expensive admission fee for what is quite a small museum (the whole museum can be seen in less than an hour), photography is not allowed, and at the time of my research visit English explanations of the exhibits were limited, although it appears from online reviews that more have been added recently. If time permits, I recommend a visit to anyone with an interest in Buddhism, especially its art or history; if, however, you are visiting the Kyoto National Museum you may see similar exhibits (and more) there, depending on which are on display at the time.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Hiking at Koyasan</h3>
There are some good hikes around Koyasan; however, these change regularly due to weather conditions and temple developments, and some are not made public if they pass by sacred sites. I recommend asking at your accommodation (especially if you stay at Ekoin, where the monks speak good English) for a suitable hike for your schedule, level of fitness and the weather conditions. Alternatively, just take enough food, water and warm clothes, set out and see what you find. The mountain is dotted with historic temples and shrines.<br />
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Signs warn of wild bears and advise hikers to carry a bell or radio (A mobile phone playing music or a podcast might be more with the times?) as the bears are afraid of humans. If you do encounter one stay calm, and don’t shout or run away. If they do attack you guard your face with your arms. Signs around the trails ask hikers to call the town office on +07-365-630-00 if bears are spotted.<br />
Like everywhere in Japan, there is also a risk of venomous snakes. If you encounter one walk slowly away, or if that’s not possible stand still and stay calm. Never corner or trap them, as (like the bears) most snakes are afraid of humans and will retreat if given the opportunity to do so. If bitten try to remember what the snake looked like, tie a tourniquet (such as a bag from a backpack) around the affected limb and call 119 with as specific details on your location as possible, or else carry the injured person to the closest sign of civilisation and ask for help. It’s also possible to hike up to Koyasan; see Transport (above).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfQblQCLbOckM7jh-Aix6TB0FBKGKerMIiMaTJj8hgaJkizCeUfCAfY7qcI64JOvaylT-GJ514KES2j0icxHDA3Vqbae7fzZ2lrZsAvzdgrHhdQglGuFVEG7muByvUQwM8-5PD8pfMCg/s1600/IMG_20140405_114515.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfQblQCLbOckM7jh-Aix6TB0FBKGKerMIiMaTJj8hgaJkizCeUfCAfY7qcI64JOvaylT-GJ514KES2j0icxHDA3Vqbae7fzZ2lrZsAvzdgrHhdQglGuFVEG7muByvUQwM8-5PD8pfMCg/s1600/IMG_20140405_114515.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image is left from my original blog post, while the rest of this page has been updated from the Koyasan chapter of my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Japan-Travel-Vegans-Jesse-Duffield-ebook/dp/B082718DZ9" target="_blank">Vegan Travel Guide to Japan</a> as a sample chapter. </td></tr>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com160tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-369442498734145372020-03-25T16:30:00.000-07:002020-03-25T02:43:52.624-07:00Vegan Restaurants In and Around Fukuoka <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="top"> </a>
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Updated March 2020, as tourist sites in Japan empty out as COVID-19 restricts inbound tourism and most non-essential travel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfep2yaoLB0-NhfFmva3XPU1FOyOryue5GXWvb73936OZX9EclF-_4N7keqqiaNKkogaCWgNv_d7oQamZ2yEoI15satXbq4KffwTGOhjE8zoP0y58gBGtBvxeP3B0WdIUnv1Sji4V6xBM/s1600/Maizuru+Park+Fukuoka.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfep2yaoLB0-NhfFmva3XPU1FOyOryue5GXWvb73936OZX9EclF-_4N7keqqiaNKkogaCWgNv_d7oQamZ2yEoI15satXbq4KffwTGOhjE8zoP0y58gBGtBvxeP3B0WdIUnv1Sji4V6xBM/s1600/Maizuru+Park+Fukuoka.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maizuru Park is Fukuoka's Largest Backyard and home to its castle ruins.</td></tr>
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Fukuoka is a very live-able city and an interesting one to visit, but few tourists to Japan spend long here because there are far more historical sites in Kyoto and much more to see and do in Tokyo and Osaka. Many foreign visitors do, however, arrive in Fukuoka by boat from Korea.<br />
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The vegan scene in Fukuoka has improved drastically over the last few years, with good options both within the city and a short train ride away. If you have more than a day in the city I recommend taking the short trip to at least one of Funadeya or Haze Rouge. Nevertheless, if you have less than two weeks in Japan I don't recommend more than a half-day in the city, but I recommend that everyone with a Japan Rail Pass at least stop at the station to pick up some bentos from Evah Dining (see below).<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Orientation</h2>
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<iframe height="480" src="https://mapsengine.google.com/map/embed?mid=zykHwWQV1xf8.kZcJQK2WioJM" width="100%"></iframe>
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Fukuoka is a merger of the two former municipalities, Fukuoka and Hakata, with both names commonly used to describe the city. Most significantly, Hakata is the name given to the main station (for Shinkansens) and is the commercial hub, but Tenjin (five minutes away on the Airport Line, or a half hour walk) is the cultural and certain culinary heart of Fukuoka, especially for vegans. It would be better, if possible, to stay around that area, but the city is covered well enough by buses and the subway that transport isn't a problem at all. Note that the only "Fukuoka Station" is in fact in Toyama Prefecture.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Vegan Restaurants in Fukuoka </h2>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Evah Dining (Vegan Cafe and Bentos)</h4>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As Evah expand their empire they are opening more and more kiosks
around Fukuoka, but these are the two which are of the most interest to foreign
visitors, because the kiosk in Hakata Station is so good for travellers, and
because the Riverrain Mall branch offers dine-in meals. If you are not passing
through Hakata Station (the Fukuoka shinkansen station) and you would like
bentos (boxed meals) then I suggest searching on Happycow for the nearest
branch to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.evahdining.com/" target="_blank">Company
Website</a></span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> , <a href="https://www.facebook.com/evahdining/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Evah Dining Hakata Station
Kiosk</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1-1 Hakataekichuogai Hakata-ku
Fukuoka Fukuoka<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">福岡県福岡市博多区博多駅中央街</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1-1 JR</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">博多シティ</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1F<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">092-483-2262<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lunchboxes often begin selling
out mid-evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/evah-dining-macrobiotic-deli-fukuoka-64505" target="_blank">Happycow</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Evah Dining Cafe</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://riverain.co.jp/english/" target="_blank">Riverrain
Mall (English website)</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">福岡市博多区下川端町</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">3-1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">10:30 - 22:00 (Last Order: 21:30)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lunch Menu: 11:00-15:00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">c092-713-6033<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/evah-dining-macrobiotic-fukuoka-73777" target="_blank">Happycow</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The vegan heart of Fukuoka is the famous Evah Dining, the city's famous vegan pioneer which is now becoming a little empire of kiosks selling vegan <i>bentos </i>(meal boxes). </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Bento (Lunchbox) Kiosks</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZdhbzwV5llixd2tKiRf6yw5SDy0gr08ND4Bv_W3zdN3NC5Kz3bJetgHppveoKuDE-fEqbCOG6jR-oeRPh0zaVITNSrwE-aYA2AGViwv2HrGeRO2jWSPMTP9fB2NWiWUW4rKMlBU9n4g/s1600/Evah+Dining+Fukuoka+Bento+on+Shinkansen+August+2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZdhbzwV5llixd2tKiRf6yw5SDy0gr08ND4Bv_W3zdN3NC5Kz3bJetgHppveoKuDE-fEqbCOG6jR-oeRPh0zaVITNSrwE-aYA2AGViwv2HrGeRO2jWSPMTP9fB2NWiWUW4rKMlBU9n4g/s640/Evah+Dining+Fukuoka+Bento+on+Shinkansen+August+2016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bento from Evah Dining on the Shinkansen (800 Yen)</td></tr>
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Evah are best known for their incredible <i>bentos</i>, or Japanese lunchboxes, which are available in two outlets in Hakata Station and several other branches around Fukuoka (see above). They are especially good for taking to Maizuru Park or Ohori Park (the heart of Fukuoka, famous for its castle ruins). A small meal starts at around ¥500, and a take-out feast can be had for ¥1,000. While it's generally food which doesn't keep too well, consider getting one for the next day's breakfast if you'll be up early to explore the city. If you are passing through Fukuoka on the shinkansen it's worth stopping by to stock up on the day's food. The largest kiosk is the easiest to find, and is in Ippin Dori "street" (inside the station, so not really a street), not far from the main
Shinkansen ticket gate. If in doubt just ask at information where Evah Dining (エヴァダイニング) is.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Café in Riverrain Mall</h4>
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If you would prefer to eat in a cafe, Evah run this cafe inside the Riverrain shopping mall. It's a shadow of its former self as one of Japan's best and best-value vegan restaurants, but if you just want an easy, affordable vegan meal it's worth a visit.Portions, which mostly cost from ¥800-¥1000, are small, so I recommend ordering a couple per person. As usual for Japan, lunch sets are better value.<br />
The mall is closest to Nakasukawabata Station, two stops from Hakata Station on the Kuko Line . Car parking is available.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Coffee Hiruneko</h3>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: 13.5pt;">Hiruneko is temporarily closed from June 2019</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">, and is likely to open sometime soon (as
of March 2020), so please check their Facebook page for an update. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">092-771-7899<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hirunecosyokudou" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.hiruneco.sblo.jp/" target="_blank">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/hiruneko-shokudou-fukuoka-56020" target="_blank">Happycow</a> (as Hiruneko Shokudo)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcM7lVPOQnc4Gk1QlOWi68DruT6iqE43voOPmQc8vw8OcYdMe6OBS5FigkZXqE651wMsQMQCua_GJOnC3O3dZkTUQaVgll7eOBkTM2a_jwTvjUJUir4M8OFqtQG2usx_SE7GMz-63xNY/s1600/Care+Hiruneko+Fukuoka+Burger+set+August+2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcM7lVPOQnc4Gk1QlOWi68DruT6iqE43voOPmQc8vw8OcYdMe6OBS5FigkZXqE651wMsQMQCua_GJOnC3O3dZkTUQaVgll7eOBkTM2a_jwTvjUJUir4M8OFqtQG2usx_SE7GMz-63xNY/s640/Care+Hiruneko+Fukuoka+Burger+set+August+2016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The friendly vegan owners of this cat-themed cafe serve Fukuoka's best Western and international fusion food, including the best pizza in Fukuoka. It's open late and a great place to stop in for a coffee or satisfying meal. <br />
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<h3>
Sky Walk (スカイウォーク)
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mon-Fri:
9:00-18:00; Sat-Sun & Holidays: 9:00-17:00.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">3-1-28
Kego Chuo-ku Fukuoka Fukuoka.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">福岡県</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">福岡市中央区</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">警固</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 3-1-28 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">アーバン警固</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 1F</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">092-791-8312</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AB%E3%82%A4%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF+%E7%A6%8F%E5%B2%A1%E7%9C%8C"><span style="color: blue;">Directions</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://ameblo.jp/organicshopskywalk/"><span style="color: blue;">Website</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcIpnYBEcsiAz0KIUtqSby7oWjfDPZ46BnAV-wGCxFl2_dJkiZL6DZ1z8Kwd5LgkXVMjNe6Ks2qGyWRHujbIa0Ffu6aNc6vW9QQoMbQZEPdcdRSFDbxYCkhmISvrhSaGjZvRmIfF1Rug/s1600/Skywalk+Cafe+Fukuoka+Sandwich+August+2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcIpnYBEcsiAz0KIUtqSby7oWjfDPZ46BnAV-wGCxFl2_dJkiZL6DZ1z8Kwd5LgkXVMjNe6Ks2qGyWRHujbIa0Ffu6aNc6vW9QQoMbQZEPdcdRSFDbxYCkhmISvrhSaGjZvRmIfF1Rug/s640/Skywalk+Cafe+Fukuoka+Sandwich+August+2016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This charming, inexpensive little organic shop serves delicious sandwiches and smoothies in a small cafe. It's a very limited menu, but a great lunch option nonetheless. There is very little information about it online, but I can confirm that it's still open as of August 2019.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Haze Rouge</h3>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lunch: 11:30-2:30 (LO); Dinner: 18:00-20:00 (LO)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">(Reservations are required for
dinner.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">(094) 227-6750<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">〒</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">839-0827 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">福岡県久留米市山本町豊田1849-1</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1849-1,Toyoda,Yamamoto-machi,Kurume-city,Fukuoka<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%80%92839-0827%20%E7%A6%8F%E5%B2%A1%E7%9C%8C%E4%B9%85%E7%95%99%E7%B1%B3%E5%B8%82%E5%B1%B1%E6%9C%AC%E7%94%BA%E8%B1%8A%E7%94%B0%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%98%EF%BC%94%EF%BC%99%EF%BC%8D%EF%BC%91" target="_blank">Directions</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://simple-moderne.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/haze-rouge-fukuoka-41875" target="_blank">Happycow</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwk9CYMDXfR8_FmcqWQkoNnBSDv2SWWrBYtkT-k23TX6K_Vx-psT57M6CdipTGP2wQvhczcRVh8WSB9Uy4Sc4tpMgc1Ut9jMG5oXZLBiy-rwTEJLDFtK4Et005C-ZHhNLAyT1Fx8w8nA/s1600/Haze+Rouge+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwk9CYMDXfR8_FmcqWQkoNnBSDv2SWWrBYtkT-k23TX6K_Vx-psT57M6CdipTGP2wQvhczcRVh8WSB9Uy4Sc4tpMgc1Ut9jMG5oXZLBiy-rwTEJLDFtK4Et005C-ZHhNLAyT1Fx8w8nA/s1600/Haze+Rouge+Building.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In nearby Kurume is the incredible Haze Rouge, which serves some of the finest vegan macrobiotic food in Japan to guests who dine in their own room in this 120 year-old Japanese house in the <i>inaka</i> ( Japanese countryside). This experience is similar to eating the famed <i>Shojin-Ryori </i>(Japanese temple cuisine, best eaten in Kyoto or at Koyasan), however it uses Western tables and chairs and utensils, and the food is also more Western / international fusion in its style. Dining here is a unique experience, and with delicious, multi-course lunch sets starting at 1650 for a four-course menu or 2,950 for a five-course menu. Walk-ins are welcome for lunch, but reservations are required for dinner, which start at around 5,000 Yen. <br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AqnHUpvIjQp0yowsLU2nuqja7fHB1mShnt8aPiO3eGs0gePQIBeWiOvGD1NEn1Dx4VMtRmAik__qH47p7Lc_jRpIR_X9Q0gRdX5tNAuEx8rrvCMB8C8e3msPZdBvEyIrn2LAauscrwE/s1600/Haze+Rouge+Fukuoka+Meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AqnHUpvIjQp0yowsLU2nuqja7fHB1mShnt8aPiO3eGs0gePQIBeWiOvGD1NEn1Dx4VMtRmAik__qH47p7Lc_jRpIR_X9Q0gRdX5tNAuEx8rrvCMB8C8e3msPZdBvEyIrn2LAauscrwE/s1600/Haze+Rouge+Fukuoka+Meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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To get there, take the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omita Line from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station, and then transfer to Bus 25, and get off at Shimono (<span class="directions-mode-group closed" id="transit_group_0"><span class="transit-stop-name" title="下野(バス)">下野) stop after about twenty minutes</span></span>. The whole journey from Fukuoka, including the pleasant ten-minute walk, should take about an hour and cost about a thousand Yen. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, more money than sense or are coming from the south already, Kurume Station is also a stop on the Kyushu Shinkansen. It would of course be easier with your own wheels, but don't let the public transport put you off.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Near Haze Rouge</h4>
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The amazing <a href="http://www.kurume-naritasan.or.jp/guidance01.html" target="_blank">Daihonzan Naritasan Kurume (Buddhist) Temple</a> (久留米成田山) with its 62-metre high Kannnon statue . If you're there early enough (it close at 5PM) it's possible to climb up and look out the eyes of the Buddha, and to witness Buddhist Hell beneath the Buddha (500 Yen). Note that there's also another Naritasan Temple in the other Narita City in Chiba, best known for Tokyo's Narita International Airport. To get there from the restaurant it's necessary to change buses again at the Nishitetsu Bus Station.<br />
<b>See also:</b> <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Kurume" target="_blank">Wikitravel Kurume</a><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Veggie Funadeya (船出屋)</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tue-Sun:
11:30-21:00 (Last order: 20:00)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">福岡県</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">古賀市日吉</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">3</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">丁目</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">17-12 </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">3
Chome-17-12 Hiyoshi, Koga, Fukuoka</span><u><span style="color: #000032; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">811-3106</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E8%88%B9%E5%87%BA%E5%B1%8B"><span style="color: blue;">Directions</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">092-980-2631
(Please call first before visiting.)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://r.goope.jp/funadeya/top"><span style="color: blue;">Website</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/%E8%88%B9%E5%87%BA%E5%B1%8B-veggie%E9%A3%9F%E5%A0%82-379385712086320"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/veggie-syokudo-funadeya-fukuoka-63622"><span style="color: blue;">Happycow</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisFI0D-PQctdAipDSfCA_4WWaJTtauCjAAob9f6QtjqWxDxjUEut-GWW4kWzgx-X4EF2diZfCyjPBSd3ypNWwX8Pw4TrAphKxF6SoXM0V2B8xVTdRlDPr-QTs2xUvP07zvuUqigGBt5E/s1600/Veggie+Funadeya+meal+set.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisFI0D-PQctdAipDSfCA_4WWaJTtauCjAAob9f6QtjqWxDxjUEut-GWW4kWzgx-X4EF2diZfCyjPBSd3ypNWwX8Pw4TrAphKxF6SoXM0V2B8xVTdRlDPr-QTs2xUvP07zvuUqigGBt5E/s640/Veggie+Funadeya+meal+set.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The owners of Funadeya are passionate about promoting vegan food and animal rights, passion that's obvious by the animal rights stickers on the door and especially the quality of the food and generous portions. This is the place to come for a hearty, inexpensive feast while staying in Fukuoka. Set meals start at around 1000 Yen. Bentos (take-out lunchboxes) start at around 600 Yen.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for the casual visitor, Funadeya is near Shishibu Station, about half an hour north of Fukuoka on the JR Kagoshima Local Line (鹿児島本線). It's essential to call before travelling out there, as they sometimes close to run their catering service.It's not far from the station, but is a little tricky to reach, so it's best to use Google Maps (the directions link above will open directions from your current location).<br />
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<a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.tw/2015/02/vegan-restaurants-in-and-around-fukuoka.html#top"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Top of Page</b></span></a></div>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-25500072873585139852020-03-25T15:30:00.004-07:002022-03-10T23:44:27.768-08:00Vegetarian Indian Restaurants in Tokyo in 2022<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Updated March 2022 </span></h4>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Summary of Veg Indian Restaurants in Tokyo</span></h2>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All these links stay in this page. </span> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">For the best Indian meal in Tokyo, including mouth-watering South Indian dishes such as dosas and idli, head to <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.jp/2013/11/indian-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#vege">Vege Herb Saga</a>. While the restaurant has expanded in recent years and hired a few more staff members, food is still cooked individually from fresh ingredients, so you may have a wait for your food (but it will be worth it). For an alternative South Indian option, with a slightly nicer venue and not quite as good food, which serves alcohol and allows smoking at the tables, head to the <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.jp/2013/11/indian-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#vegkitchen">Veg Kitchen</a> around the corner. For a small, pleasant restaurant serving fairly authentic Indian food with an interesting Japanese twist, head to <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.jp/2013/11/indian-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#gopinathas">Gopinathas</a>. For <i>prasadam</i> (blessed Hare Krishna food) head to <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.jp/2013/11/indian-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#govindas">Govindas Edogawa</a>, where they have become increasingly willing to cater to vegans. They have the only evening vegetarian buffet in the weekend in Tokyo. And for insipid, overpriced "Indian" food in a setting as pleasant as an underground basement can possibly be, which is good for introducing "Indian" food to someone who has never eaten spicy food before (and doesn't want to try it) head to one of the many <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.jp/2013/11/indian-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#nataraj">Nataraj</a> chain stores. </span><br />
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<h2>
Why Indian in Japan? </h2>
</div>
Japanese food is deservedly famous for its beautiful presentation; it's said that this practice stems from tougher times in the past, when little food was available, so presenting it so elegantly was the best people could do. Over time this came to be believed to make the food taste better -- something I've come to understand. I do appreciate a good bowl of ramen or plate of sushi, or a <i>shojin ryori</i> feast, but for me no arrangement of rice and vegetables, however freshly cooked or perfectly presented, can beat the fire and spice of an authentic Indian meal. This post is to introduce my favourite vegetarian Indian restaurants in Tokyo and to help vegetarian and vegan travellers to find food in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="vegeherbsaga"> </a>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Vege Herb Saga ($$, ヴェジハーブサーガ, 🥛)</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Go here because: <b> </b><br />
<b>You want the best Indian food in Tokyo. </b><br />
You want <b>South Indian food</b>. <b> </b></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Tue-Sun: 11:00-14:30, 17:15-22:30; closed Mon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Two minutes’ walk southeast of Okachimachi Station,
South Exit 2 (for the JR Yamanote and Keihen/Tohoku lines) and one minute’s
walk west of Naka-Okachimachi Station, Exit 2 (for the Hibiya subway
line). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>110-0005 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">東京都台東区上野5丁目22</span>−<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">1</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">地下</span>1<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">階</span><span lang="ZH-TW"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">東鈴ビル</span><br />
5-22-1, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A7%E3%82%B8%E3%83%8F%E3%83%BC%E3%83%96%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AC">Directions</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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03-5818-4154<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">It’s
like being in India. <br />
</span><span style="color: red;">It’s like being in India. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Vege+Herb+Saga">Update
this restaurant.</a></div>
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Hours can be irregular; it sometimes closes for long
periods of time when the staff return to India. If closed, I recommend the
nearby Veg Kitchen (see below).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Vege Herb Saga is my favourite restaurant in Tokyo, and I think I share this with most resident vegetarian Indians and in the city, as well as a surprising number of non-vegetarians and non-Indians. It's the 'real deal' for Jain and other vegetarian Indian food.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWhgKmzxIjSOFC36c_0a-qNzMZcvjg6VfysHEA8nOXNK0Y96sDlxI4_z0FQMyIth387Q5LW-76-FrjzWYkUF5SpwhY8ySHD9DltgN7DPr_4TEVVYs47fzPQN3mo7a5zwWaYpncWSHQ4w/s1600/Mysore+Masala+Dosa+Veggie+Herb+Saga.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWhgKmzxIjSOFC36c_0a-qNzMZcvjg6VfysHEA8nOXNK0Y96sDlxI4_z0FQMyIth387Q5LW-76-FrjzWYkUF5SpwhY8ySHD9DltgN7DPr_4TEVVYs47fzPQN3mo7a5zwWaYpncWSHQ4w/s640/Mysore+Masala+Dosa+Veggie+Herb+Saga.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Mysore Masala Dosa, my favourite dish, has a spicy potato filling and a chilli paste smeared over the inside of the dosa. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Vege Herb Saga is a little piece of India,
right here in Tokyo, down to the beaming chef in a white jacket and the steaming hot delicious South Indian foods, such as dosa and idli. The owner, Raja, regularly imports fresh spices from India (I've seen them be roasted on the same grill that will cook your Masala Dosa) and the effect on the flavour is certainly noticeable compared with all other Indian restaurants I've visited outside India. Resident Indians tell me that this extra effort - and expense - with the spices makes Veggie Herb Saga's food even better than what they can cook at home. Vege Herb Saga is the place to come for the best
Indian food in Tokyo.<br />
<br />
I recently met the owner, Raja, who explained
that there are several hundred <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism" target="_blank">Jains</a> (including himself) living in
the surrounding community, mostly in the diamond
trade. Jainism is the world's oldest religion of non-violence, from which the concept of Ahimsa (non-violence) comes. While many Jains do comsume dairy products (a tradition which goes back to an era in India when cows were treated at least as well as humans, millenia before factory farms) they don't eat root vegetables, as their harvesting kills insects and other creatures, and the plants themselves, so Jains prefer to eat foods which can be harvested without uprooting the plant. Jains, therefore, have even more difficulty finding food than vegans, so Raja opened Vege Herb Saga because he and his visiting business associates needed somewhere to eat.<br />
<br />
During its first few years Veggie Herb Saga was housed in a rather unappealing basement, and customers would be expected to share tables with strangers (where I had many of the most interesting conversations I've had anywhere, with poeple who had sought out vegetarian Indian food); however, has since moved into a larger, more pleasant restaurant, which appears
to be a converted Karaoke bar, and on one of my visits the owner whipped
out the Karaoke equipment and began singing.<br />
<br />
On a television show several years ago Vege Herb Saga won fifth place among all Indian restaurants in Tokyo, despite being its menu being all vegetarian. As a result it developed it attracted many Japanese who like Indian cuisine, many of whom would otherwise be unlikely to eat vegetarian food. <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Jain Principles: No Smoking or Alcohol</b></div>
While Jains don't eat root vegetables, it does serve them to non-Jains (including in the masala dosa shown in the photo above); this is normal for Jain restaurants, which are used to catering to non-Jain vegetarians. It also caters to vegans very well, with vegan items clearly labelled on the menu. Fortunately, an increasing number of Jains (especially younger ones) are turning vegan,
especially in the UK, as they learn about the realities of modern-day farming of cows. <br />
<br />
True to Jain principles, the restaurant does not serve alcohol or allow smoking, which are strictly forbidden in Jainism, Buddhism and most of the world's spiritual traditions. Like the Tokyo Loving Hut, this demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical and spiritual principles, because the standard restaurant business model in Japan is to 'give away' food and make a profit on drinks. Please bear this in mind if the restaurant appears expensive, although prices are only marginally higher than at other non-vegetarian Indian restaurants, and are excellent value given the quality of the spices and other ingredients, and the preparation which goes into each dish from a qualified and talented chef. <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Menu & Prices</b></div>
The menu is perhaps the largest of any Indian restaurant in Tokyo. It includes all popular North and South Indian favourites, and a few completely new dishes invented by the chef. A drink, starter and main meal should come to <span class="st">¥</span>2000-<span class="st">¥</span>3000. Vegan items are clearly labelled, but it's best to remind the waiter that you are vegan so can't eat any milk, butter, cream, ghee etc. </div>
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<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
You're in India Now</b></div>
I have a lot of respect for Jainism and am greateful to Raja (the owner) for running what is my favourite restaurant in Tokyo. Furthermore, the long-time staff member (who has been preparing my favourite meals for almost a decade) is one of the most warm and kind-hearted people I have ever met. I must warn, however, that this restaurant is run by Indian staff who come to work here straight from India, so they are not all familiar with the levels of formality and personal distance expected in Western and especially in Japanese culture. There are other small cultural differences which make some Western tourists feel uncomfortable; for example, staff have been known to rearrange food on the customer's plate as they give it to them to make it look perfect - a practice perfectly acceptable in India (where most people eat with their hands) but an absolute taboo in Japan, where most diners don't even touch their own food. As most of Vege Herb Saga's clientele are also Indian, this is not a problem for them, but some Western diners do take offence. While I have never had any of these experiences for many years (and the current staff have been there for years) if this sounds like it would put you off your meal then I recommend Gopinatha (see below). </div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="vegkitchen"></a>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Veg Kitchen ($$, 🥛)</h4>
Go here because:<br />
<b>You want to drink or smoke with your meal. </b><br />
Veggie Herb Saga is closed between lunch and dinner.<br />
You don't want to dine in a basement. <br />
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11:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00<o:p></o:p></div>
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A few minutes’ walk east of <b>Naka-Okachimachi
Station</b> (for the Hibiya subway line) and Okachimachi Station (for the JR
Yamanote and Keihen/Tohoku lines).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/veg-kitchen-tokyo-48092">Happycow</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vegkitchentokyo">Facebook</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>110-0016 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">東京都台東区台東3丁目44</span>−8<br />
3 Chome-44-8 Taito, Taitō, Tokyo 110-0016<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
03-5817-8165<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Veg+Kitchen+Ueno">Directions</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050;">The
décor and dining experience are ‘better’ (or at least more predictable) than at
Veggie Herb Saga. <br />
</span><span style="color: red;">Food is not as authentic (or, in my opinion, as
good) as at Veggie Herb Saga. <br />
</span>Unlike Veggie Herb
Saga, the Veg Kitchen serves alcohol, and sometimes allows diners to smoke at
their tables.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Veg+Kitchen">Update
this restaurant.</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<br />
This South Indian restaurant is run by a former chef from
Veggie Herb Saga. When I heard he was leaving to run his own restaurant I
hoped it would be an upmarket dining establishment, in a different
locality, so that the two restaurants could fill different niches and complement each
other. But, unfortunately, he opened a few minutes walk away, and he serves similar food at similar prices to Vege Herb Saga, thus competing for the same Jain and other Indian vegetarian clientele. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInQ4-Savyf9IN_ms5U_FoLIG0TBYhABrW_Bs61S9YABzqcNNKihIMNZmFDxAb8fyhnVS4EUZ3F98Ud2Dywu4LGvmg4z8tYu6jstukCZU2kCZHdWcwTh8RJ2rT9yvcz2dyN3bk4nxsAdI/s1600/DSCF0091.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInQ4-Savyf9IN_ms5U_FoLIG0TBYhABrW_Bs61S9YABzqcNNKihIMNZmFDxAb8fyhnVS4EUZ3F98Ud2Dywu4LGvmg4z8tYu6jstukCZU2kCZHdWcwTh8RJ2rT9yvcz2dyN3bk4nxsAdI/s1600/DSCF0091.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd-floor dining</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Prices at the Veg Kitchen are similar to Veggie Herb Saga, and staff
are
very friendly and welcoming at both. At first the Veg Kitchen stayed
open between lunch and dinner, so I recommended it for then, but it now
opens at almost identical hours to Vege Herb Saga. The Veg Kitchen is
located in a two-story (above-ground) restaurant, so before Vege Herb
Saga moved into its new premises I used to recommend the Veg Kitchen to
people who wanted a nicer dining experience than Vege Herb Saga could
offer. But now that neither of these differences apply, and since the
food is better at Vege Herb Saga and prices are similar (see below) I
can only recommend the Veg Kitchen for when Vege Herb Saga is closed
unexpectedly, or for diners who want to drink or smoke with their meal
(see below).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Menu and Food Quality</b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOVa9p9JlGtYPCKi1ZZ2LBZx108fflOXf_rS6VAdR6UR2DDaDvWzXZSTNgZXs8bDG6D5Lm5LMUqO1eiFePyf-u6imzntu6AdGlqW_oZaMGb2YyocdaQULMWF7KYjZ3ivoatU9fmMrDe0/s1600/DSCF0112.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOVa9p9JlGtYPCKi1ZZ2LBZx108fflOXf_rS6VAdR6UR2DDaDvWzXZSTNgZXs8bDG6D5Lm5LMUqO1eiFePyf-u6imzntu6AdGlqW_oZaMGb2YyocdaQULMWF7KYjZ3ivoatU9fmMrDe0/s1600/DSCF0112.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like Vege Herb Saga, the Veg Kitchen also does great dosas, but in my opinion and experience they are not quite as good as at Vege Herb Saga. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Food at the Veg Kitchen is at least as
good as most other
Indian restaurants in Japan, and serving South Indian they are among
the most vegan-friendly too. But, in my opinion and experience, Veggie Herb Saga is a
cut above for freshness and quality of food, and I believe that this is probably because Saga imports and roasts its own spices. The Veg Kitchen and Vege Herb Saga both serve similar North Indian and South Indian cuisine. While Vege Herb Saga offers more unique dishes which its chefs have developed in store, the Veg Kitchen serves Indian Chinese food. Personally, even though I like Indian and Chinese food, I'm not a fan of Indian Chinese food, because I find it too greasy and salty, but for many Western visitors it's a novel new cuisine style, and many Indians like it, especially people from large cities in India or other places where there is a significant Chinese or Tibetan population. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWtca6pepuq5Q2uemtRPi1aA_ooz_3Q8QH3qJEMUOPrn1aR4ebIEOtk74mZ5DdFX1_JsLrC-jmB5IdjMnowKyA8DRv8ARiush1IlSLV3The11H5ET-XUPlsBhcZTTqzqCfZ0TJrW9vkY/s1600/DSCF0115.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWtca6pepuq5Q2uemtRPi1aA_ooz_3Q8QH3qJEMUOPrn1aR4ebIEOtk74mZ5DdFX1_JsLrC-jmB5IdjMnowKyA8DRv8ARiush1IlSLV3The11H5ET-XUPlsBhcZTTqzqCfZ0TJrW9vkY/s1600/DSCF0115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Indian-Chinese dish was too oily and salty for my taste.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Smoking and Drinking</b></div>
Unlike the Veggie Herb Saga, where Jain principles strictly forbid drugs, the Veg Kitchen serves alcohol and allows customers to smoke at their tables. This may be a good or bad thing depending on the customer, but I much prefer the atmosphere (literally and figuratively) at Veggie Herb Saga. <br />
<br />
<br />
The Veg Cafe serve alcohol, which may
appeal to some, however they also
allow smoking during dinner, which can be quite unpleasant (if you don't
smoke). They also provide Hookah's which further add to the smoke in
the air. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Vegan Items are Not Labelled</b></div>
The friendly owner of the Veg Kitchen is very happy to accommodate vegans; however, it’s
necessary to ask, and the first time he introduced the menu for me he missed some items
which were clearly not vegan. He also said that nan were vegan, which is
possible but very unlikely, because the menu traditionally calls for milk
(and without it it’s not really nan), and it needs to be prepared the night before and fermented, so it can'b be made on the spot. Vegan items are labelled on the
menu at Veggie Herb Saga and I’ve never been served anything with dairy products.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomolX4OtZxHUCXSgWAxV3yVF-_RyDVtcj0LDPJHpRfA1eDq1C_Kh2rw2iyt4KDFlry8GVQWS91nk5S2xTovMonNBKv49MAY9rt17s6k2N7_cSWoeN_yCJESuvdnfz1nberPUUqYrW2fo/s1600/DSCF0088.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomolX4OtZxHUCXSgWAxV3yVF-_RyDVtcj0LDPJHpRfA1eDq1C_Kh2rw2iyt4KDFlry8GVQWS91nk5S2xTovMonNBKv49MAY9rt17s6k2N7_cSWoeN_yCJESuvdnfz1nberPUUqYrW2fo/s1600/DSCF0088.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Veg Kitchen are quite accommodating to vegans, but at Veggie Herb Saga vegan items are labelled on the menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Veg Kitchen or Vege Herb Saga?</h4>
They're up the road from each other, and you'll probably only go to one, so... which one? Simply put, the Veg Kitchen would be a godsend anywhere in Japan except up the road from Vege Herb Saga. For me, the flavour of Vege Herb Saga dishes has the edge for the freshness of its spices, and I appreciate the Jain environment without the drinking or smoking. But it's clear that both serve excellent food and have a loyal following of Indian, Western and Japanese followers. They each offer a different South Indian dining experience, and I hope
business continues to go well for both.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Vege Herb Saga and Veg Kitchen Map</b></div>
<iframe height="480" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zAhFEuuKIoHU.kET_vwRBdoJA" width="100%"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b></b></span>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Gopinatha ($$, 🥛)</h4>
Go here because:<br />
<b>You want to try Indian food with an interesting, Japanese twist. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
Wed-Sun: 12:10-14:30, 18:00-20:00; closed Mon,Tue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
Five minutes’ walk east of <b>Nakano Station</b>, a few small blocks north of the railway line. Take
the <b>North Exit</b>, and then use Google
Maps (directions link below) as it’s located in a small alleyway and somewhat
difficult to find otherwise. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>164-0001 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">東京都中野区中野5丁目17</span>−10<br />
Nakano 5-Chome, 17-10<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/%E3%82%84%E3%81%95%E3%81%84%E9%A3%9F%E5%A0%82-%E3%82%B4%E3%83%94%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF-298232843639872/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/gopinatha-tokyo-37400">Happycow</a>, <a href="http://gopinathaveggie.blogspot.com/">Website</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%84%E3%81%95%E3%81%84%E9%A3%9F%E5%A0%82%20%E3%82%B4%E3%83%94%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF">Directions</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Excellent
value meal sets, including both Indian and Japanese fusion food.<br />
</span><span style="color: red;">Difficult to find without Google Maps.</span><span style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Gopinathas+Tokyo">Update
this restaurant.</a> <span style="color: red;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gopinatha's food is perhaps somewhat 'Japanisiced' Indian cusine, in contrast to Vege Herb Saga and the Veg Kitchen, which serve Indian food just as it's served in India itself. Ja<span style="font-family: inherit;">panese cuisine is famed for its simplicity and how it brings out the natural flavours of ingredients, while Indian food is famed for the fragrances and flavours of its spices. <span style="font-family: inherit;">While at Nataraj (see below) the Indian spices are simily diluted, turning what could have been a delicious curry into an insipid soup, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the talented chef at Gopinatha somehow manages to fuse to very different cuisines into unique, fresh and flavoursome meals, and she serves them up at surprisingly low prices. I especially like her pakoras (shown in the photo below). </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While she does use dairy products (like all the Indian vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo) she is happy to make a set vegan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOP-T5CPBYIPC2VNNlbCrzk8k6tIKdNLPwg5fsHOVtemPIHSJFBYK3d4_Z4pDVAOuwlqQJym5P0lECKUc40YXG04aPqYPxu0_0LnBI-KtcX0G13PNA8C5pSzyq0coiNNRvHTMzBRTP5w/s1600/gopinathas+meal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOP-T5CPBYIPC2VNNlbCrzk8k6tIKdNLPwg5fsHOVtemPIHSJFBYK3d4_Z4pDVAOuwlqQJym5P0lECKUc40YXG04aPqYPxu0_0LnBI-KtcX0G13PNA8C5pSzyq0coiNNRvHTMzBRTP5w/s1600/gopinathas+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pakoras and Curry at Gopinathas. The tomato sauce on the Pakoras is amazing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The owner of Gopinatha is clearly pas<span style="font-family: inherit;">sionat<span style="font-family: inherit;">e about <span style="font-family: inherit;">veg<span style="font-family: inherit;">etarian<span style="font-family: inherit;">ism, and recently enjoyed vegetarian food in Taiwan. I highly recommend a visit to anyone who would like to try her unique fusion of cuisines, or to Japanese or other people who are not comfortable with the level of spiciness of traditional Indian food. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span>
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Govindas Edogawa-ku ($, 🥛)</h2>
Go here because: <b>You follow ISKCON and want <i>Prasadam</i> (blessed food) or a large, buffet meal.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
Mon-Fri: 11:00-14:30, 17:00-21:00, Sat-Sun:
10:30-14:30, 17:30-21:00.<br />
Dinner Buffet (recommended): 17:30-21:30 (around ¥2,000)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
Five minutes’ walk from <b>Funabori Station</b> on
the Shinjuku (subway) Line.<br />
(Half an hour and ¥320 from Tokyo Station.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span>134-8622 <span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">東京都江戸川区船堀2丁目23</span>−4<br />
2 Chome-23-4 Funabori, Edogawa City, Tokyo 134-8622<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<a href="http://www.govindas-tokyo.com/">Website</a>,
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GovindasTokyo/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/govindas-edogawa-ku-tokyo-27160">Happycow</a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%82%B4%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80%E3%82%B9Edogawa">Directions</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Great
weekend Indian buffet! <br />
</span><span style="color: red;">Some staff don’t understand veganism, and
there’s sometimes few vegan options available. </span><span style="color: #00b050;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242) none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Govindas+Edogawaku">Update
this listing.</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Menu & Prices</b></div>
Govindas have a weekend
buffet (<span class="st">¥</span>1,800) which is excellent value, at least for people with large apetites. They also offer a la carte menu at all times (including
weekends), with set meals (see dosa above) starting from around <span class="st">¥</span>1,000, which makes it one of the most inexpensive meals in Tokyo.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrFT3UjwoYqFe7xCTCSCcue8fqFZmY-mX7WeS6vQ3brLwDhL4tWT_USTSdSTZci_LCRiU6F7z67WlUZJz5-z0Mh1ENrm2alkmFLrj2gGCyR2ex-7e_Ud1m0bkdkgD1Q_g6YIJhETD55Q/s1600/Govinda%2527s+Buffet+2017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrFT3UjwoYqFe7xCTCSCcue8fqFZmY-mX7WeS6vQ3brLwDhL4tWT_USTSdSTZci_LCRiU6F7z67WlUZJz5-z0Mh1ENrm2alkmFLrj2gGCyR2ex-7e_Ud1m0bkdkgD1Q_g6YIJhETD55Q/s640/Govinda%2527s+Buffet+2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weekend buffet is an excellent deal at 1800 Yen, especially when staff are willing to make vegan curries. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
ISKCON food is made without onion, garlic
or Hing / asafoetda (a popular Indian spice) - a similar diet to the
Buddhist Shojin Ryori, and Chinese Buddhist food, and similar to but
less restrictive than Jain food (see above). As such it is less flavoursome than
other Indian food, but this is believed to be healthier. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRijVSUsvPGnw0mFoA7BrmiIam1TZBhVyqLL7i9KzZ8hMarPQ0oe0BH9VQwby-gHdXF4X04eicFifUNZc1SvcdGpte2gPisYgjFHQ51uK4_9IjDQg78AMbAzXzSuzmBtsnhy8xtXBOExc/s1600/Govinda%2527s+Dosa+2017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRijVSUsvPGnw0mFoA7BrmiIam1TZBhVyqLL7i9KzZ8hMarPQ0oe0BH9VQwby-gHdXF4X04eicFifUNZc1SvcdGpte2gPisYgjFHQ51uK4_9IjDQg78AMbAzXzSuzmBtsnhy8xtXBOExc/s640/Govinda%2527s+Dosa+2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The a la carte menu includes the largest dosas I have ever seen. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
ISKCON, Cows and Veganism </b></div>
Govinda's Edogawa-ku is a vegetarian Indian restaurant associated with Tokyo's ISKCON temple, to which it is attached. ISKCON is the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness, commonly known as "Hare
Krishnas" (from their chant) in the West. ISKCON followers believe
that the cow is sacred (as do Hindus) and the consumption of dairy
products is an integral part of ISKCON life. Temples often have
their own farms, at which the cows are treated with the same regard humans are, and are even cremated when they die - which is of course always
at the end of their natural life. Unfortunately, humane as this may be
(animal rights aside), it is
very inefficient, and most of these farms can no longer
provide enough dairy products to sustain the society's temples, let alone their busy vegetarian restaurants. So most ISKCON restaurants use dairy products from conventionally-farmed cows, which in Japan almost certainly means factory farmed cows.<br />
<br />
During discussions with ISKCON followers, including in New Zealand
and in
India, I've often met strong opposition to veganism, and while their
restaurants tend to cater to vegans (perhaps due to their food's
popularity among vegans) I've never found them to be very supportive of
the vegan philosophy. There are, however, a small but increasing number
of (usually younger) devotees <br />
(members of the organisation) who are turning vegan.<br />
<br />
On my most recent visit two of the four main dishes were
vegan, but I needed to ask the helpful waiter, as vegan items are never
labelled. Moments later, the same waiter appeared with the standard
basket of nan and dosas, and after I (again) explained about the milk,
he confirmed it had milk (seemingly unaware still that I wouldn't want
to eat it, despite having just asked about dairy in the curries) and later
re-appeared with rotis, which, as he helpfully explained didn't contain
any milk. They were, however, smeared with butter or ghee. He gave up
after that. Vegans certainly need to be careful to ensure that their meal doesn't contain dairy products. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotF2pFDsj-tECxDdVMvDBGHA3DoYeFC2upe2Rr6qK4e1Qx1qGX9gycWJ-bDT4UDmNili3sMx1rNGebUm2hqJ1QAKTbDLZgGQvm-KaUWEiCkYNdzo6DxgwOYDcI7w0Xcj1TYCTUeqFD4U/s1600/Govindas+Tokyo.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotF2pFDsj-tECxDdVMvDBGHA3DoYeFC2upe2Rr6qK4e1Qx1qGX9gycWJ-bDT4UDmNili3sMx1rNGebUm2hqJ1QAKTbDLZgGQvm-KaUWEiCkYNdzo6DxgwOYDcI7w0Xcj1TYCTUeqFD4U/s1600/Govindas+Tokyo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Govindas is Located inside the ISKCON temple, a few minutes' walk from Funabori Station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Should you Visit? </b></div>
If you are an ISKCON follower, or if you would like to visit the temple to learn about ISKCON, and/or sample their food, then this is the obvious place to come. Govinda's is also a greatoption if you would like a hearty meal from an all-you-can-eat buffet. However, for non-ISKCON followers, a more flavoursome (and more expensive) meal could be had without the half-hour commute to Funabori from Veggie Herb Saga or the Veg Kitchen (see above). <br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Nataraj ($$, </b>ナタラジ,<b> 🥛)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Go here because: you want a cheap buffet meal. Or don't go.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">This restaurant has five branches across Tokyo, including Shibuya and Ginza. If you want to go I suggest using the Happycow app to find the closest branch to you.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.nataraj.co.jp/en/EnglishTop.html" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;" target="_blank">Website</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7OxuvSQVr4q8J5cEwNJo8Ts4YDkbFE-40Lp5VF09xzWJQxgo4HjFVI516J0cqYqHZdaaLvGG0n0OPpkWwm0lQRLjsLuS8-4MdguMPq70ZQJMyIzZg4dfR3jgGL2i45HU-3taPMgJVyo/s1600/Nataraj+Minato+Ku+Chana+Masala.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7OxuvSQVr4q8J5cEwNJo8Ts4YDkbFE-40Lp5VF09xzWJQxgo4HjFVI516J0cqYqHZdaaLvGG0n0OPpkWwm0lQRLjsLuS8-4MdguMPq70ZQJMyIzZg4dfR3jgGL2i45HU-3taPMgJVyo/s640/Nataraj+Minato+Ku+Chana+Masala.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A good vegan naan imitation and a typical, watery, overpriced "Chana Masala".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Nataraj are Tokyo's oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant, and are somewhat of an institution among vegetarians in Japan. I think, however, that they're cashing in on their reputation, and are now very overpriced. The only reason I recommend going is for the inexpensive lunch buffet, but is only offered on and off at some branches (see below). </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Indian Food Without the Flavour</b></div>
Nataraj restaurants are like the antithesis of Vege Herb Saga, and in that sense they complement each other nicely. To any
connoisseur of Indian food, Nataraj has a chain-restaurant feel,
and its meals taste very insipid, as if the chef forgot the spice and then watered down the curry to save money. At Veggie Herb Saga all dishes are flavoursome and spicy (but, of course, it's possible to ask for less spice), while at Nataraj food is almost flavourless by default, and chilli powder and garam masala (two essential spices which are used in virtually every Indian dish) are optional, paid extras.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Menu and Prices</b></div>
Besides tasting like it's watered down, in my opinion Nataraj's a-la-carte food tastes bland, as if it's mass-produced with low-quality spices. Portion sizes are very small (see photo above, in which the chick peas in the channa masala could be counted) and a barely satisfying meal for two (including a drink each, poppadoms, a shared entree, two curries and two naans) comes to about <span class="st">¥</span>7,000. This might be worth spending on a feast of authentic Indian curries and sides cooked to perfection from fresh ingredients at Veggie Herb Saga, but this is just too overpriced for what it is.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Lunch Buffet</b></div>
From time to time the Nataraj restaurants offer a lunch buffet for around <span class="st">¥</span>1,000. It typically consists of four curries, a basic salad, tumeric rice and pakoras. This is the least expensive meal in Tokyo, and while a better (albeit smaller) meal can be had at Govinda's (see above) the Nataraj chains are much easier to get to, with several branches in Tokyo, including ones near tourist hotspots like Harajuku and Ginza. If you're wanting a large, inexpensive meal, then the Nataraj buffet might be just what you're looking for, but I suggest thinking of the "curries" as soups instead of Indian curries. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Should You Go? </b></div>
The only reason I ever go to Nataraj is for a quick, inexpensive buffet meal. I never go to their a-la-carte service because I consider the curries to be much too bland, and the prices ridiculously high relative to the quality of the food. And I refuse to pay extra for chilli powder in an Indian curry. Nataraj can be good for introducing "Indian" food to those
who have not eaten it before (as is the case for many Japanese, who are
not accustomed to spicy food). However, I would strongly recommend
Gopinathas (see above) for this purpose, because the talented chef there adds a Japanese
twist with herbs and spices, while the food at Nataraj just tastes like the
chef left out everything intended to give the dish flavour.<br />
<br />
On the upside, I do appreciate that Nataraj make a vegan version of naan (see photo above), which is very rare (as far as I know Indian Restaurant Shama in Osaka are the only other place in Japan to offer one). It's available at the buffet and is one reason I go. <br />
<br />
Finally, most are underground or on a high floor, all Nataraj restaurants have a
pleasant interior, and your order will be delivered very quickly (and the buffet is of course even more efficient). <br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Non-Vegetarian Indian Restaurants in Japan? </h2>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU7GQvCk4lDfPBnq4gcfH3-V_CNqccS1KAa6IpePquK-Ynd7bQmzKnsLso8pZhMWhJrSmF4WxhV1Ie5gfn83EvQbE3FY2ikHVSr2HamUC62sdq5ePb-z0I2soEYoTzVMLFWeQylL5fsA/s1600/Kathmandhu+Indian+restaurant+Matsumoto.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU7GQvCk4lDfPBnq4gcfH3-V_CNqccS1KAa6IpePquK-Ynd7bQmzKnsLso8pZhMWhJrSmF4WxhV1Ie5gfn83EvQbE3FY2ikHVSr2HamUC62sdq5ePb-z0I2soEYoTzVMLFWeQylL5fsA/s640/Kathmandhu+Indian+restaurant+Matsumoto.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In much of Japan, a chana masala from the local Indian restaurant is the best vegan option.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Most
Indian restaurants in Japan serve North Indian food, and many
have a chef who speaks some English and can prepare a vegan dish;
however there are several risks involved. Many may use a
pre-made non-vegetarian curry sauce for all their curries, adding
chicken to a chicken curry or chick peas to a chana masala . I generally
ask to speak to a chef and try to get a feeling of how honest he (it's
always he) is being, and then proceed with an order if I trust
he's making enough effort to ensure that my meal will be. My worst
experience was at a restaurant in Nagasaki (which, not surprisingly,
seems to have closed down) where the English-speaking waitress clearly
understood my order, but still the roti came out smeared with ghee, the
salad had a mayonnaise dressing and the curry had curd in it. They
just couldn't be bothered, so I paid for the samosas (which were frozen on the
inside and burned to a crisp on the outside) and the one roti I'd eaten,
and left. This experience is, unfortunately, very common at non-vegetarian restaurants.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
The 'Nan Test' </b></div>
</div>
<div>
The
best way to test if a restaurant will cater to vegans is to ask about
breads. Nan bread always contains milk (and usually egg, except at most Indian vegetarian restaurants) and it must be
prepared the night before and fermented overnight. If they staff quickly point
out that nan bread aren't vegan, I trust them. If they don't think of
it, it's a bad sign as they haven't really understood. If they promise
to make a vegan one (as many do) I walk out, as it means they either
have no idea or (in most cases) are just lying, telling me what
they think I want to hear in order to get my meal order through as fast as
possible. This of course does not apply to vegetarian restaurants like Nataraj
which prepare vegan nan daily, including Nataraj (see above) and Indian Restaurant Shama in Osaka. </div>
<div>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Tips for Eating at Non-Vegetarian Indian Restaurants in Japan</h3>
1. Small restaurants run by one or two Indians (including the chef) are a much safer bet than large chain restaurants (such as those found in shopping malls) where staff tend to come and go, food is prepared in advance (usually with meat-based stocks) and chefs are told to follow strict recipes. <br />
<br />
2.
Try to identify restaurants which are run by (in order of preference, on average) Jains, Buddhists and Hindus.
This seems discriminatory, but Buddhists and Hindus are familiar with the concept of vegetarianism, and they grow up being taught that it is a virtuous way to live,
so most hold it in high regard. Muslims, by comparison, are taught that
killing animals for food is morally permissible, as long as the animals are
killed in an especially cruel manner (Halal slaughter). Of course, there are plenty of Muslims who offer an honest vegan meal, and people of all religions who would prefer to lie than go to the effort to make a vegan meal or lose custom. But, speaking on averages, the difference
on consciousness of vegetarianism is significant, at least from my
experience. Hindu and restaurants can usually be identified by gods on the
walls, and they never serve beef; Buddhist ones also don't usually serve beef and they often have Buddha images around. Muslim establishments never serve pork, usually serve beef, and are more likely to specify that they use halal meat than others. <br />
<br />
3. Never order a set meal, as these curries are usually pre-made, and are likely to have animal-based stocks to appeal to local tastes.<br />
<br />
4.
Order a dry curry, such as chana masala (chickpea curry) or (sometimes)
an aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower), even if they're not on the
menu. This means they're more likely to make it up on the spot (which a
skilled Indian chef can do in minutes) and is thus a safer bet for a
vegan meal. These two dishes traditionally don't use dairy products.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>
Common Traps </b></div>
</div>
<div>
1. In Japan many
restaurants (especially chain restaurants in shopping malls) add an egg
to the pakora batter, to make it more like Japanese tempura.Likewise
samosa pastry occasionally contains milk and/or egg, so it's good to ask
whether or not they make it themselves. Many wait staff will have no idea, however, and may be reluctant to find out.<br />
<br />
2. Rotis (flatbread) are often smeared with ghee (clarified butter).<br />
<br />
3. Many staff don't think of mayonnaise (used for salad dressings) as containing milk or egg.<br />
<br />
<br />
Heading to Taiwan? Check out my page on <a href="https://vegantaiwan.blogspot.com/p/indian-vegetarian-restaurants-in-taipei.html" target="_blank">Indian Vegetarian Restaurants in Taipei</a>. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.jp/2013/11/indian-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#top"><b>top of page</b></a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-74215380429915719722020-03-25T15:30:00.000-07:002020-03-25T02:45:24.436-07:00Loving Hut Tokyo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Updated March 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. </b> <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Practical Details</h3>
<div>
<div style="background: #F2F2F2;">
<span style="color: black;">Wed-Thu: 11:30-14:30, 17:00-20:30; Fri: 11:30-14:30; Sat 11:00-15:00, 17:00-20:30.<br />Saturday lunch buffet 11:00-15:00. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">In mid-March 2020 the buffet has been temporarily suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19. </span> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">A-la-carte dinner: 17:00-20:30 (reservations recommended)</span></div>
<div style="background: #F2F2F2;">
<span style="color: black;">Five
minutes’ walk from <b>Jimbocho Station</b> (Toei Shinjuku Line, Toei Mita Line,
Tokyo Metro Hanzomo Line) (<b>Exit 5)</b>. <br />
Twenty minutes’walk from Yasakuni Shrine, or one stop on the Shinjuku Line
(Kudanshita Station to Jimbocho Station). </span></div>
<div style="background: #F2F2F2;">
<span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: black; font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">〒</span><span style="color: black;">101-0051 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: black; font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">東京都千代田区</span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: black;"> </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: black; font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">神田神保町1丁目</span><span style="color: black;">54 </span><span lang="ZH-TW" style="color: black; font-family: "pmingliu" , serif;">岡田ビル</span><span style="color: black;"> 2F<br />
Okada Bldg 2F, 1-54, Kandajinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0051</span></div>
<div style="background: #F2F2F2;">
<span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="http://lovinghut.jp/">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LovingHutJapan">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/loving-hut-tokyo-15591">Happycow</a></span></div>
<div style="background: #F2F2F2;">
<span style="color: black;">03-5577-6880
(Staff speak English and Chinese.)</span></div>
<div style="background: #F2F2F2;">
<span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/%E3%83%A9%E3%83%93%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E3%83%8F%E3%83%83%E3%83%88">Directions</a></span></div>
<div style="background: #F2F2F2;">
<span style="color: #00b050;">Great-value
all-vegan buffet. </span></div>
<div style="background: #F2F2F2;">
<span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNT5-sPT7Jg5E98NSJYUUThLIXqHkj24zVEui-gn3pE8GQDQ/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.954142827=Tokyo+Loving+Hut">Update
this restaurant.</a> </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Introduction</h3>
Japan's only Loving Hut has been around for well over a decade, making it one of the very few pioneer vegan restaurants in Japan to remain open today. While it's not in a prominent location, it's only a few minutes walk from Jimbocho Station and is well worth the short trip from central Tokyo; it also works very well with a day exploring Ginza and Chiyoda. I recommend that most tourists visit the Loving Hut after the Imperial Palace East Gardens and/or the (controversial) Yasakuni Shrine and its attached Yushukan (war) Museum.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Menu</h3>
The Tokyo Loving Hut serves a delicious range of Japanese, Taiwanese
and other fusion favourites, with basic meals starting at under ¥1,000,
including fried rice, ramen and soup dishes. Like many Loving Huts
around the world, it uses fake meat, in fitting with the
chain's purpose of helping omnivores switch to a plant-based diet. But
while <a href="http://vegantaiwan.blogspot.com/2009/10/fake-meat-update-or-lack-of.html" target="_blank">a lot of fake meat contains animal products</a>, the Loving Hut
company manufacture theirs from raw ingredients in their own factory in
Taiwan, ensuring that they are not only vegan but as healthy as
processed protein-rich foods can be. Also, all Loving Hut staff and owners are strictly vegan, making them among the safest places for vegans to eat around the world.<br />
<br />
In fitting with the purpose and teachings of the chains founder, spiritual teacher <a href="http://vegantaiwan.blogspot.com/p/religions-and-spiritual-groups-in-taiwan.html#smch" target="_blank">Supreme Master Ching Hai</a>, Loving Huts do not serve alcohol, due to its negative effects on society and those who consume it. This makes running a business in Japan much more difficult, because the standard restaurant business model there is to give away food with little if any profit and make money on drinks; the average person spends about as much on drinks as they do on their food, and all the restaurant needs to do for that money is to open a bottle and recycle it afterwards. As far as I am aware, there is only one other vegetarian restaurant in Japan which doesn't serve alcohol for ethical/spiritual reasons, and that is <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/11/indian-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#vegeherbsaga" target="_blank">Vege Herb Saga</a> (also in Tokyo) which is owned by a Jain (the world's oldest religion of non-violence, from which the concept of Ahimsa comes). It mostly serves Indian vegetarians who also don't consume alcohol and are willing to pay a little more for quality food cooked in a vegetarian kitchen, and eat in an environment without meat or alcohol.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHm0Z9lMlxWkeQZolQwlTwb7fHWqLGvnBnigqhGZzQgNiQD7fsbuPXYxjbbo7A_v1CRvVuoQc7TGDF1xQTP9JlXIAtjfhKlVrDLcXOYXtqvUn7CpouPxlCgJHk49pT6nRbZv3E4TqUqA/s1600/IMAG0994.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHm0Z9lMlxWkeQZolQwlTwb7fHWqLGvnBnigqhGZzQgNiQD7fsbuPXYxjbbo7A_v1CRvVuoQc7TGDF1xQTP9JlXIAtjfhKlVrDLcXOYXtqvUn7CpouPxlCgJHk49pT6nRbZv3E4TqUqA/s640/IMAG0994.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These fried dumplings are the largest I've ever seen. I should have photographed them with something else in the picture for comparison.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Saturday Lunch Buffet</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvyw5eyx7eOthR91MJqD3gpM17SEd_FgrL1uEkUiKCVLgGKkqW1by6FMA-TxBNHQLsx3sCEUDp29y0F58ka3QuSoL136Ur4nzPsfhw6Mo0nPleXC9xCWvDkjUWccKU6neXPUwIB7ai10/s1600/Loving+Hut+meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1053" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvyw5eyx7eOthR91MJqD3gpM17SEd_FgrL1uEkUiKCVLgGKkqW1by6FMA-TxBNHQLsx3sCEUDp29y0F58ka3QuSoL136Ur4nzPsfhw6Mo0nPleXC9xCWvDkjUWccKU6neXPUwIB7ai10/s640/Loving+Hut+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Tokyo Loving Hut is the most famous for its weekly Saturday lunch
buffet, which, at ¥2,000 is the best-value buffet meal in the Tokyo, if not the best-value of any meal in the city. Anyone
who's familiar with Taiwan will recognise versions of the favourites from the
buffets for which Taiwan has been famous for among vegetarians and vegans
for decades, but the Loving Hut also offer a range of Japanese and other dishes. All are cooked to perfection, and the busy staff never seem to stop bringing out fresh plates of delicious dishes.<a href="https://www.happycow.net/reviews/loving-hut-tokyo-15591" target="_blank"> Happycow reviewers</a>
describe this multi-course meal as the best they had in Japan. Of
course, no buffet meal at this price it can't rival the expensive shojin
ryori served at Buddhist temples in its exquisite presentation and fine dining experience, but for
me -- and clearly many other diners -- the Loving Hut offers the most elevating dining experience in Japan,
as their purpose and passion for veganism showing through into
the food, the restaurant atmosphere and the whole experience. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Bentos </h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Tokyo Loving Hut sells <i>bentos </i>(meal boxes) for ¥800. While it's great that there is now <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/p/vegan-food-in-tokyo-station.html" target="_blank">vegan food available in Tokyo Station</a>,
I would alway prioritise food from a Loving Hut over any other, because it's a
completely vegan company whose purpose is to support the growth of
veganism around the world. (Ts Tantan in Tokyo Station, which offers
ramen and take-out sandwiches, is also a totally vegan company, but
Ekiben, which also sells vegan bentos, offers one vegan option among a store
full of fish products).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXoG9I7oja_HRYiLgL652yeXXaNQ1YrTHO1CEClfzt8H4jzEpfTyC5L_1ZVIiGSwTcGjkyN6rKUNDtNdlQ5sLaxHrJ_GNy6cHwUyKmfrRhHqYFLJIxFsjt7X_WzZ7439KWkW35AI0xVM/s1600/DSCF2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="756" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXoG9I7oja_HRYiLgL652yeXXaNQ1YrTHO1CEClfzt8H4jzEpfTyC5L_1ZVIiGSwTcGjkyN6rKUNDtNdlQ5sLaxHrJ_GNy6cHwUyKmfrRhHqYFLJIxFsjt7X_WzZ7439KWkW35AI0xVM/s640/DSCF2489.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how my bento looked a decade ago, after I carried it up Mount Fuji in my backpack and kept it overnight for breakfast. Please take my word for it that the bentos look a lot better under normal circumstances! While nowadays sandwiches from <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/p/vegan-food-in-tokyo-station.html" target="_blank">T's Tantan in Tokyo Station</a> would probably be more practical for this purpose, at that time I was very, very grateful for any take-out food which I could trust was vegan. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you visit the Loving Hut before day trips out of Tokyo or leaving the city to travels to parts of Japan which don't yet have vegan restaurants I highly recommend taking some with you. Ask the staff how long they will keep unrefrigerated at that time of year. <br />
<br />
<h3>
Store</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFluSDe9Yn_kuAA5CoXkkPuOA0AQmXBW50Ea7raGyWc_-WevW4ZCB7EnuRgBE4UxvTfewTZYrm-nGmzOt3yfnH5aki385gXJm0FdlDijzuZGFflaAZJo6Hpre7wdZr872J9h64qwv5Bk/s1600/DSCF3343.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFluSDe9Yn_kuAA5CoXkkPuOA0AQmXBW50Ea7raGyWc_-WevW4ZCB7EnuRgBE4UxvTfewTZYrm-nGmzOt3yfnH5aki385gXJm0FdlDijzuZGFflaAZJo6Hpre7wdZr872J9h64qwv5Bk/s400/DSCF3343.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Tokyo Loving Hut is located in a pleasant, second-floor restaurant. It also features a small library of uplifting books, mostly on veganism, the environment and related issues. It also sells some take-out food. Like all food at Loving Huts, we can be totally confident it's vegan.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Festivals</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwbcpFxgbZ9SfPcGyxSXQEsKSYqaS2JGJv8Y4zmk2_CrVB4EnZ7CTFQoSCKOdem-LM7hnY1E15XwBd4QX5y49H7sg4A4_7jjX93Q1Rzuc4bqZwal3v7F40ITCfyK6d5CfQcnLAhz2PXQ/s1600/DSCF3037.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwbcpFxgbZ9SfPcGyxSXQEsKSYqaS2JGJv8Y4zmk2_CrVB4EnZ7CTFQoSCKOdem-LM7hnY1E15XwBd4QX5y49H7sg4A4_7jjX93Q1Rzuc4bqZwal3v7F40ITCfyK6d5CfQcnLAhz2PXQ/s640/DSCF3037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving Hut stall at the Tokyo Veg Festa, 2010. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Loving Hut often hold a staff selling vegan food at festivals, such as Earth Day and of course the Tokyo Veg Festa (vegetarian festival) in October, Japan's largest vegetarian event (see photo above). Their booth always has a long cue, and often runs out of main dishes early. During these times the main store closes, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LovingHutJapan/" target="_blank">check their Facebook page</a> for any announcements of closures or changes to opening hours. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Old Stuff</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While I've just updated it in March 2020, this post dates back to a time before everyone carried smartphones and had data connections. I'm leaving the information here for posterity and for anyone without a smartphone, but if you do have one I suggest clicking on the 'Directions' link in the grey box at the top; this should bring up directions to the restaurant from your current location. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Directions</b></h3>
Go to Jimbocho Station and take Exit A5.<br />
Walk around the corner so you are heading north.<br />
Walk north about 250m until you see a small yellow Loving Hut sign.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq03MXvyc_QlmCDEWqPvmXs4CiPooPtJM0gxRu2SR5fzTJn4PNSTT-5hwnsXlSlaKzydM1VtArHm7hke7vO6cduHviBgq4u8ogGbXTZ40ggHSOdeQNqBNUDsjX0xFK5AvQOevThwoRgfA/s1600/IMAG0968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq03MXvyc_QlmCDEWqPvmXs4CiPooPtJM0gxRu2SR5fzTJn4PNSTT-5hwnsXlSlaKzydM1VtArHm7hke7vO6cduHviBgq4u8ogGbXTZ40ggHSOdeQNqBNUDsjX0xFK5AvQOevThwoRgfA/s320/IMAG0968.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Take that alley, and the Loving Hut is on the second floor of a small building on the right, about 50m down the alley.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q0Kc3N0euM6BNAury0KBNCqGfjym1gf4CPY-2d4R_3IlJtOsoyoVaWucUOhzYh103evGJLk0S1F8PKpfSB7Kywci-cPOYiSvIbQ4bWZ4nt7f4GGb5PVvRQheFmJ5RcLykC9gsQr0ZA0/s1600/DSCF3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q0Kc3N0euM6BNAury0KBNCqGfjym1gf4CPY-2d4R_3IlJtOsoyoVaWucUOhzYh103evGJLk0S1F8PKpfSB7Kywci-cPOYiSvIbQ4bWZ4nt7f4GGb5PVvRQheFmJ5RcLykC9gsQr0ZA0/s320/DSCF3321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Old Photos</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUz__6k33nIhbniw9s5Z5plf7ZL_qs8FC1sH1HsN-0ScAP43bzMTW-YQtB-5Kdq5EampXdS_0WTUOgrotHnHZfDFk0x9_tPuIsipBDHVcfPpBZFfRa7N60y9s5efuSEAMtriwuatHBXms/s1600/IMAG0992.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUz__6k33nIhbniw9s5Z5plf7ZL_qs8FC1sH1HsN-0ScAP43bzMTW-YQtB-5Kdq5EampXdS_0WTUOgrotHnHZfDFk0x9_tPuIsipBDHVcfPpBZFfRa7N60y9s5efuSEAMtriwuatHBXms/s640/IMAG0992.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As of April 2014 this dish no longer appears to be on the menu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XdVyOuuL-AT4tahyhnjYBOvZwhob-RE82zdwntWA60huO_249YlsF1myUM-xMc1WiN0JkNs07SeU_uxulm1fguECgh5SfBYbYgpRY2SskIpDC2AfCYiRpgzXSMFT5tOZY9KmJ8fnAxI/s1600/DSCF3332.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XdVyOuuL-AT4tahyhnjYBOvZwhob-RE82zdwntWA60huO_249YlsF1myUM-xMc1WiN0JkNs07SeU_uxulm1fguECgh5SfBYbYgpRY2SskIpDC2AfCYiRpgzXSMFT5tOZY9KmJ8fnAxI/s640/DSCF3332.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'Loving
Burger' has been a staple of the Tokyo Loving Hut for years, and is
typical of Loving Hut food worldwide: simple, healthy, appealing to
non-vegans and very well priced at around 1000 Yen. Maybe discontinued
as of April 2014.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-8735389750615477112019-10-30T21:45:00.002-07:002020-03-10T19:43:42.535-07:00Vegan Travel Guide to Japan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
<span style="text-align: left;">Welcome to Vegan Travel Guides</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sv3AVF2GYHU" width="800"></iframe>
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<div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
What's In the Vegan Travel Guide to Japan? </h2>
The Vegan Travel Guide to Japan is a nine-hundred-page travel guide to Japan. It is written for non-Japanese, vegan (or vegetarian) travellers to Japan. It covers most cities which are visited by first-time visitors to the country. Unlike traditional vegan guides, which focus mostly on food and restaurants, Vegan Travel Guides are <b>complete travel guides </b>which cover everything a foreign traveller to a country needs to know for an easy, stress-free trip which includes the best tourist attractions and vegan restaurants. Besides vegan restaurants and tourist attractions, the Japan Vegan Travel Guide also covers public transport, discount passes and other travel practicalities, and
a discussion of the history, politics and religion of Japan from a
vegan perspective.<br />
<br />
Attractions and vegan restaurants are combined into easy-to-follow outings, with step-by-step directions, so that the vegan traveller can plan their travels at a glance based on the weather and day of the week, saving hours of planning time and preventing disappointments of finding restaurants closed or unbearable crowds.<br />
<br />
The first two publications (for Taiwan and Japan) are the world's first complete travel guides written for vegans.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Which Cities are Covered?</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvG5OczR7zuHxc1I-UJ4otEuUcBPgWM41PXlVM7P_VQ87II7hTR2npdwJrbpM1GUhmZ9lgKLu2XAGFEaAbwIb9L69UNgAourHBrlTomI9_wp41zzibMJEWe91tqPz2kHlMfU4Lu6ictc/s1600/Japan+overall+map+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvG5OczR7zuHxc1I-UJ4otEuUcBPgWM41PXlVM7P_VQ87II7hTR2npdwJrbpM1GUhmZ9lgKLu2XAGFEaAbwIb9L69UNgAourHBrlTomI9_wp41zzibMJEWe91tqPz2kHlMfU4Lu6ictc/s640/Japan+overall+map+final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Maps</h3>
While they can be used by the traveller to find their way around, maps are intended to offer an overview of a city or town, so that the reader can see at a glance where the train stations, vegan restaurants and main attractions are, and how to travel between them. Step-by-step walking directions, and links to Google Maps, are provided in the text of the book.<br />
Maps include weather, budget and preparation for each outing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuM3YgPpBKetcRUxIZ321YHSAzn668EfFH0mH8eGRRf_Tofjf8yeoDB_GvmjCj1d6Hr34qpMHSb0ZLyopf5d9VdvnTDW6ed048QLLHiul-Sws3AJgTTwb61CoZ1PgehrT-If2hINb_eU/s1600/Nara+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1300" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuM3YgPpBKetcRUxIZ321YHSAzn668EfFH0mH8eGRRf_Tofjf8yeoDB_GvmjCj1d6Hr34qpMHSb0ZLyopf5d9VdvnTDW6ed048QLLHiul-Sws3AJgTTwb61CoZ1PgehrT-If2hINb_eU/s640/Nara+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Itineraries</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The key attractions in Tokyo are separated into four itineraries, with optional extra for Tokyo Disneyland, Disney Sea, and the shopping island of Odaiba. Kyoto is also separated into three itineraries with a separate list of attractions around Kyoto Station which can be visited at any time. Of course, all itineraries combine attractions, vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants, preparation, costs and other necessary practicalities to make following them easy and enjoyable. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfqfRAzHtEmVbsj8v-RFP-jEQTIvgyMX4ASuwB_Fz7X-70cDNmZnN0Lk3lSxI7JmZD3tHjF1NHPUVNq4n-uN99T4M_9LrF89DdP5gTF2wi9BVNXirePuoiokF2pDzsp49qMXSbYEpifY/s1600/Tokyo+Itineraries+Overview+Slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1324" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfqfRAzHtEmVbsj8v-RFP-jEQTIvgyMX4ASuwB_Fz7X-70cDNmZnN0Lk3lSxI7JmZD3tHjF1NHPUVNq4n-uN99T4M_9LrF89DdP5gTF2wi9BVNXirePuoiokF2pDzsp49qMXSbYEpifY/s640/Tokyo+Itineraries+Overview+Slide.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div>
In most smaller cities and locales, attractions and restaurants are listed separately, because they are mostly reachable on foot from each other, and most people only choose a small number of each and plan their own day accordingly. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Chapters</h3>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV1aHyPTQV-UIKW7Snb51VHW3bK1uCGJAm_QUmgqR1hXYMMSuk32T7Nt4jdxkD-nculvkl1IxcamLxcsO6y9lJU5pHq0B7J49_ayDwIATLnztPtHUNTz6tV4wZgSb7zIssi5DFfwRDpg/s1600/Chapters+Overview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV1aHyPTQV-UIKW7Snb51VHW3bK1uCGJAm_QUmgqR1hXYMMSuk32T7Nt4jdxkD-nculvkl1IxcamLxcsO6y9lJU5pHq0B7J49_ayDwIATLnztPtHUNTz6tV4wZgSb7zIssi5DFfwRDpg/s640/Chapters+Overview.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Food </h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Japan serves some of the best vegan food in Asia, if not the world, especially its famed Buddhist shojin ryori (literally "devotion cuisine"), and vegan macrobiotic restaurants can be found all over the country. But Japan can also be extremely difficult to travel in as a vegetarian or vegan because small amounts of fish and other animal products are used in every meal. This chapter covers the different types of Japanese cuisines, popular Japanese chain stores which serve vegan food, and of course the uniquitous convenience stores. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vWW8gAQ0AUhaEAiH1X6yhpnZGYK93xAUSVqWfmhPup5iiJxePq6eg687MEpC99suWWz3TNY3vWoTskULm8R_8hAp-i8A176JhyphenhyphenVLu5z6hzF4zl28wMJzwOV2SpFv503JEiwQrP3R3qU/s1600/Kanga+An+Meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vWW8gAQ0AUhaEAiH1X6yhpnZGYK93xAUSVqWfmhPup5iiJxePq6eg687MEpC99suWWz3TNY3vWoTskULm8R_8hAp-i8A176JhyphenhyphenVLu5z6hzF4zl28wMJzwOV2SpFv503JEiwQrP3R3qU/s640/Kanga+An+Meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddhist vegan restaurants like Kanga An serve some of the finest vegan cuisine in Asia, but many visitors never try it because they don't realise that they need to reserve it at least three days in advance. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Almost a hundred vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants are recommended
throughout the book in the sections for each city or region.<br />
<br />
The book also covers finding food at convenience stores and chain restaurants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNd6eRNnppOnIIsjm9RSz2cAIopKY4pi3-E-Grf1FA69bZYDEtAKyb7qhmsekK4jKFdkVgzFrBsZVqmeoOU5zajLqzR28mOoy_d81uNWSOqUU2jv9DRbEoPvXg1xMMzdMb8wIychAvDE/s1600/Cocos+Ichibaniya+Curry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNd6eRNnppOnIIsjm9RSz2cAIopKY4pi3-E-Grf1FA69bZYDEtAKyb7qhmsekK4jKFdkVgzFrBsZVqmeoOU5zajLqzR28mOoy_d81uNWSOqUU2jv9DRbEoPvXg1xMMzdMb8wIychAvDE/s400/Cocos+Ichibaniya+Curry.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco Ichibanya, Japan's largest curry restaurant chain, serve these vegan curries at most of their branches, but they should not be confused with the "vegetable" curries, which contain animal products in the gravy. In March 2020 they have introduced soy cutlet to accompany their vegan curry range. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Travel Practicalities</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
Japan is deservedly famous for having the most advanced but also one
of the most expensive railways systems in the world, and it can be
overwhelming for many first-time visitors to the country. This chapter
covers the many different types of trains, discount passes other
practical information needed to travel around Japan as efficiently and
affordably as possible. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzlMoDu5iLc8zMaEaWC_AH_84_7etjwmQPeNxY8GP_S9KPVsfMT9pXXUJwwz_p51kn43gWGTVgtupOf4WlHjbLerW2l1pePKhoFttT8hOV0mVl1cYNtQc8izlvrZPXHauokDlSOuzH4Q/s1600/Trains+Overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1280" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzlMoDu5iLc8zMaEaWC_AH_84_7etjwmQPeNxY8GP_S9KPVsfMT9pXXUJwwz_p51kn43gWGTVgtupOf4WlHjbLerW2l1pePKhoFttT8hOV0mVl1cYNtQc8izlvrZPXHauokDlSOuzH4Q/s640/Trains+Overview.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The book also covers the myriad of accommodation options in Japan, from high-end <i>ryokans</i> (traditional, high-end Japanese lodgings) to <i>kapuseru hoteru</i> (capsule hotels) and the affordable, efficient "business hotels" which are (despite their name) perfect for travellers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSFaIXhn9fqvLZ_5nc1GcWXqpfuUMxDu_a4l_zvfVJlyM9baqX5ND1sYo9Ve1nktS1mjFvsnve1R0nXK2DmM-wUilINDgujhUo7pUiCerLYFppaXlcYxIVAQIP3Agq7d8sirPQ04kq-Q/s1600/Toilets+Japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1380" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSFaIXhn9fqvLZ_5nc1GcWXqpfuUMxDu_a4l_zvfVJlyM9baqX5ND1sYo9Ve1nktS1mjFvsnve1R0nXK2DmM-wUilINDgujhUo7pUiCerLYFppaXlcYxIVAQIP3Agq7d8sirPQ04kq-Q/s400/Toilets+Japan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Push the wrong button on a Japanese toilet, and you may receive an unexpected shower from an unwanted place. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Which Areas are Not Covered in The First Edition? </h3>
This guidebook covers most if not all cities and attractions which are commonly visited by first-time travellers to Japan.<br />
<br />
Every city and every suburb
in Japan has something interesting to see or do, so it's difficult to specify which regions which could be of interest to a traveller aren't included, but popular areas which are not covered in the first edition include the southern island chain of Okinawa, and Kumamoto on the
southern island of Kyushu. The guidebook includes climbing Mount
Fuji, but not the Fuji Five Lakes area, which is very beautiful but is
difficult to travel around without private transport. I hope to include
these in a future edition.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.vegtravelguides.com/japan-guidebook" target="_blank">Visit the Japan Vegan Travel Guides website. </a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082718DZ9"><span style="font-size: large;">Buy the Book or Download a Free Sample on Amazon.com</span></a> </div>
</div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-77150258595594623512014-08-16T23:56:00.002-07:002015-02-17T06:30:32.122-08:00Mana Burgers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;">As of February 2015 Mana Burgers have sadly closed. I'll keep this page here until I find out whether or not there's any chance of them re-opening anywhere else.</span></span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ixnRV5kRr-JpbZbTI46cviMiTntf_uE42ga1ykcfWFasAXtzWBlb2doYiYAVOrYIOxhBgp256-kumNzlcmsQhjptkVbA8ipO-bjgSZMQJ000jQjc-OMZbcsIvmVxQS42wCK9D1MB0N4/s1600/DSCF0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ixnRV5kRr-JpbZbTI46cviMiTntf_uE42ga1ykcfWFasAXtzWBlb2doYiYAVOrYIOxhBgp256-kumNzlcmsQhjptkVbA8ipO-bjgSZMQJ000jQjc-OMZbcsIvmVxQS42wCK9D1MB0N4/s1600/DSCF0680.JPG" height="248" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
I first went to <a href="http://manaburgers.co.jp/" target="_blank">Mana Burgers</a> in 2010, when I had a day in Fukuoka on a whirlwind tour of Japan on the Japan Rail Pass. I went to Mana burgers, did a load of laundry, slept, got up and whipped around the old castle ruins, all in less than a day, and then had to jump back on the Shinkansen to get back to Tokyo before my pass ran out.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTIAy2QEtEim8bCrnbllazpm10-bCM-XUuPKMD1MOtBYDqaE1beb3DbgblRlmWGD67Q_uVrYSf1nJvF616P8XqhHPlDak-vvBH4X92ToyYNkIAdwG3ukVyro1ZV38Cl_8Ua3WAABfp8E/s1600/Mama+burgers+from+facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTIAy2QEtEim8bCrnbllazpm10-bCM-XUuPKMD1MOtBYDqaE1beb3DbgblRlmWGD67Q_uVrYSf1nJvF616P8XqhHPlDak-vvBH4X92ToyYNkIAdwG3ukVyro1ZV38Cl_8Ua3WAABfp8E/s1600/Mama+burgers+from+facebook.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mana Burgers, Fukuoka, 2010 (now closed)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was delighted to recently learn that they've re-opened in Yokohama. I also learned that Island Veggie is also inspired by the same owners.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMSEL8o5QkYiyAqzZMPAf04VjFv0B-VP0ZGnM2bpfOxlpAjfyHlgYrXhEMaQ9exBUHbzstMyxnoXdvr5MRI_DAJWu4w30T9aVHKdm_U8HXW5d5EwfJFmm-k3tMDMeG4DRZF_9q7XdOyE/s1600/DSCF0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMSEL8o5QkYiyAqzZMPAf04VjFv0B-VP0ZGnM2bpfOxlpAjfyHlgYrXhEMaQ9exBUHbzstMyxnoXdvr5MRI_DAJWu4w30T9aVHKdm_U8HXW5d5EwfJFmm-k3tMDMeG4DRZF_9q7XdOyE/s1600/DSCF0678.JPG" height="176" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Natural junk" in a nutshell!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My burger was delicious, and it's always nice to find a fresh soy smoothie!</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfFEMSDDGMSF1yn81KiC-A6uTXbTBoH8SGajaPZHlxSUnHIZ5_jZ_K3g8336HN5FvEbcQIukPqkvEBMBsygEhyphenhyphene680QBJoz3cZThekIr6I6ZYVbWZvNgorf6hk37m0GvHl8t0lF5rY90/s1600/mana+burgers+meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfFEMSDDGMSF1yn81KiC-A6uTXbTBoH8SGajaPZHlxSUnHIZ5_jZ_K3g8336HN5FvEbcQIukPqkvEBMBsygEhyphenhyphene680QBJoz3cZThekIr6I6ZYVbWZvNgorf6hk37m0GvHl8t0lF5rY90/s1600/mana+burgers+meal.jpg" height="348" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mana Burgers meal (Yokohama, 2014)</td></tr>
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They also serve steamed buns from the Loving Hut.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjWu33FJkOOHFfEE6QNiSKEm7mwOgh9m_3BsOxr2UwzeuWmyJM0TIX8uxZaVTezMqhb6o_Ah9Bmb2KIAHGQ52VrlVAaXJYLtOoJUsmg-7ygbogitvle0zjmmfaa1E59BCbTCeDoiq0d4/s1600/DSCF0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjWu33FJkOOHFfEE6QNiSKEm7mwOgh9m_3BsOxr2UwzeuWmyJM0TIX8uxZaVTezMqhb6o_Ah9Bmb2KIAHGQ52VrlVAaXJYLtOoJUsmg-7ygbogitvle0zjmmfaa1E59BCbTCeDoiq0d4/s1600/DSCF0677.JPG" height="171" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed Bun from the Loving Hut</td></tr>
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While they're officially the only vegetarian restaurant in Yokohama (disappointing for a city the size of New Zealand) they're a long way from Yokohama Station or tourist areas, and it's faster to reach them from Tokyo (25 minutes from Shibuya Station on the Den-en Toshi Line) than from Yokohama. But when you're feeling like a healthy (??) junk-food meal they're well worth a visit from either city.<br />
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The interior is large and pleasant, with indoor and outdoor seating.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNe6VxkkgeocZfycJMZL5qn1qd976DBL06O-4H9ghuGbqbXhO-qsoKNsgtuxzrycFBpMeOq0eseAI_GKPPlAUpUzUdOF_ZG-HJIYMB23k9abaOSIEt3mIgbkj91dBQHNfFHYoWX2ni7U/s1600/DSCF0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNe6VxkkgeocZfycJMZL5qn1qd976DBL06O-4H9ghuGbqbXhO-qsoKNsgtuxzrycFBpMeOq0eseAI_GKPPlAUpUzUdOF_ZG-HJIYMB23k9abaOSIEt3mIgbkj91dBQHNfFHYoWX2ni7U/s1600/DSCF0679.JPG" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's not easy to find Mana Burgers, and as of August 2014 they aren't on Google Maps (and only the owner can add them, and I can't find an email address to suggest it). But his location should be correct, and their own <a href="http://manaburgers.co.jp/location.html" target="_blank">map is here</a>.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.000500ccb0a95d8bff765&ie=UTF8&t=m&start=0&geocode=FcwrHQIdO3lSCCGEMRi3vnQKYintTi-xE1wYYDGEMRi3vnQKYg%3BFVToHgId63tRCA&ll=35.579115,139.557781&spn=0.006108,0.008583&z=16&output=embed" width="400"></iframe><br /></div>
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.000500ccb0a95d8bff765&ie=UTF8&t=m&start=0&geocode=FcwrHQIdO3lSCCGEMRi3vnQKYintTi-xE1wYYDGEMRi3vnQKYg%3BFVToHgId63tRCA&ll=35.579115,139.557781&spn=0.006108,0.008583&z=16&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Mana Burgers</a> in a larger map</small>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-47418358402086874052014-08-04T01:39:00.000-07:002017-08-22T00:07:16.614-07:00Vespera's Falafel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Unfortunately <b>Vespera's Falafel has permanently closed</b>. I will leave this page open for posterity, and in case the owner hopefully reopens (he has closed and re-opened in the past). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPGgNu3D39J6NynrX1qWdnsMTZFavY4JxFsrS0hmLuidLZ_2xz76U7X5M5DG3xaw_1QzQFQoB7jEEorcFBPrDaR4DIH6C8ITA92mXHTekRmksnqKmA-DR0bTOMVEipxvvqSGfqY7V1oI/s1600/DSCF0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPGgNu3D39J6NynrX1qWdnsMTZFavY4JxFsrS0hmLuidLZ_2xz76U7X5M5DG3xaw_1QzQFQoB7jEEorcFBPrDaR4DIH6C8ITA92mXHTekRmksnqKmA-DR0bTOMVEipxvvqSGfqY7V1oI/s1600/DSCF0612.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An advertisement for vegan food is always a good sign!</td></tr>
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The original <a href="http://vegvespera.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Vespera's Falafel</a> closed down at its previous location after the owner was unfortunately hit by a car, but he's now recovered and re-opened his store in Koenji. I found it on <a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews/vesperas-falafel-and-deli-tokyo-36290">Happycow</a>, and decided to make the half-hour trip from where I was staying in search of Tokyo's newest falafel eatery, and it was my best find in months (thanks Happycow!). Unfortunately it'll be a while before I make it back since I'm leaving Japan soon, but Vespera's Falafel should top any travellers list, and if you live in or around Tokyo, I recommend it as a great place to go for delicious, affordable meals and a pleasant and interesting place to hang out. I was amazed to find myself the only customer on a Saturday night, though I guess that's to be expected for a newly-opened restaurant in a quiet suburban location.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplUptbA9afGNWwhN5Np0xgI4lGi2StMcL43Bbww4MVrdB1TqlucTclhCBKmbi7z0vfuKjM1jjdeRsx1CxmI94U7VHuJ4-1WE6uoXtvMmQrzeBkAVxF72vVtNIEGxbC-pCpl4qOXXR1vg/s1600/Vespera's+Falafel+Meal+Drink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplUptbA9afGNWwhN5Np0xgI4lGi2StMcL43Bbww4MVrdB1TqlucTclhCBKmbi7z0vfuKjM1jjdeRsx1CxmI94U7VHuJ4-1WE6uoXtvMmQrzeBkAVxF72vVtNIEGxbC-pCpl4qOXXR1vg/s1600/Vespera's+Falafel+Meal+Drink.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not just falafel: This Pad Thai was the best I've had outside Thailand.</td></tr>
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While Vespera's namesake falafel was fresh, crispy and delicious as falafel should be, it turns out that this restaurant isn't just about falafel. While the menu is predominantly Middle-Eastern, it offers an expanding range of other international cuisines. I enjoyed a falafel wrap, fried potatoes (chips) with a delicious chilli seasonings and the best Pad Thai I've had outside of Thailand. They serve a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including organic ginger beer. They have an English menu and the friendly and helpful waitress spoke fluent English.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeftYep0Xi318DB6uodknorEl5W_lkOZadHMOrNORi3fdJVyNwpf_dbuAWJrpaiDSR7U7-AaaeHhmQNovmj8lCuCUnJ5PKoqmuc-wewu1XGctBObjb1JVG5u9ENxLgfd5S5M2HVp15kE/s1600/DSCF0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeftYep0Xi318DB6uodknorEl5W_lkOZadHMOrNORi3fdJVyNwpf_dbuAWJrpaiDSR7U7-AaaeHhmQNovmj8lCuCUnJ5PKoqmuc-wewu1XGctBObjb1JVG5u9ENxLgfd5S5M2HVp15kE/s1600/DSCF0611.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the most healthy, I still occasionally enjoy fried potatoes (as they are known in <br />
Japan) and these were the best I've had anywhere, owing to their fresh, spicy seasoning. </td></tr>
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The vegetarian owner, Eiji, is passionate about serving healthy vegetarian food at affordable prices, and that he certainly is: At 650 Yen for a falafel wrap or 500 Yen for a Pad Thai - both prepared cooked perfection - prices are incredibly low for Tokyo, especially for such quality vegan food. Two dishes, fried potatoes and a drink came to 2000 Yen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCSDHVpOo_T9wFxwCTMSCB5qoc3rnhw1QKrN2JpQl_VcraiDT76Gu4i25xZARssAAWo8cSfEP-Q_p9VUZY3RHrmMSfEOpHjfhejqcNKX2E6IziJj9SpqHvdXHXagr3nYgHxlawwJi_zk/s1600/DSCF0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCSDHVpOo_T9wFxwCTMSCB5qoc3rnhw1QKrN2JpQl_VcraiDT76Gu4i25xZARssAAWo8cSfEP-Q_p9VUZY3RHrmMSfEOpHjfhejqcNKX2E6IziJj9SpqHvdXHXagr3nYgHxlawwJi_zk/s1600/DSCF0602.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vespera's Falafel has a very pleasant dining interior.</td></tr>
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Vespera's Falafel has a very pleasant, spacious dining area, which includes western-style tables and traditional Japanese low tables on a raised platform (for which shoes should be removed). There's also a table selling a few local and imported vegan groceries, most of which I haven't seen for sale anywhere else in Japan. I bought some vegetable crackers to snack on when I can't make it to vegan eateries.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAIyMIcajrZ_lzeje_Lyp2m90C-op1fEaDxLbMHu3ggXVbWesVCrImCtrcVDjy4oGh6t-7LraFy2kElxk3EW2NfDDU1QahZCsJKy6WIuN9CjxOYUORfdmls8Jguyq6yeO-ePTNWWkiNg/s1600/DSCF0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAIyMIcajrZ_lzeje_Lyp2m90C-op1fEaDxLbMHu3ggXVbWesVCrImCtrcVDjy4oGh6t-7LraFy2kElxk3EW2NfDDU1QahZCsJKy6WIuN9CjxOYUORfdmls8Jguyq6yeO-ePTNWWkiNg/s1600/DSCF0599.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vegetable crackers are delicious, and make a great on-the-go snack. They remind <br />
me of similar crackers available in convenience stores all over Taiwan.</td></tr>
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The inspiration for Vespera's Falafel comes from Eiji's visits to Inforshops in Europe, while touring with his band. Infoshops are centres for the distribution of information and social and political ideas, including alternatives to capitalism and the current consumer-oriented society, and often animal rights. While anyone with any background in grassroots activism, punk culture or anarchism will undoubtedly appreciate some of the posters and books tucked away on a corner bookshelf, Eiji is quick to point out that his restaurant is first and foremost a vegan restaurant, and for anyone not interested in this subculture it will appear to be no more than a light, pleasant touch of alternative decor. The balance is struck perfectly, with alternative information available for anyone interested in it, but a stylish vegan restaurant with delicious, healthy, affordable food for everyone else.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvyOl_6DS5Np2ZT7Vduyl0BK2JAFMCWFhKc-yR98pVbLWjYBwKq7uYRbV3pV-AbzC1WNXa1imVSjxFqH3rzn3OJbIYVKMR632flghwKzwyP3jzM1jfQxBTlePIfMLJeEItcolM8sarRE/s1600/DSCF0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvyOl_6DS5Np2ZT7Vduyl0BK2JAFMCWFhKc-yR98pVbLWjYBwKq7uYRbV3pV-AbzC1WNXa1imVSjxFqH3rzn3OJbIYVKMR632flghwKzwyP3jzM1jfQxBTlePIfMLJeEItcolM8sarRE/s1600/DSCF0591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koenji Station area would be very pleasant if it wasn't used primarily as a smokers lounge.</td></tr>
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Vespera's Falafel is a 10 minute walk from Koenji Station, which is itself 10 minutes from Shinjuku Station on the Chuo Rapid train. Koenji (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Denji">Wikipedia</a>) is considered to be the centre for underground or alternative youth culture and music in Japan, and in particular it is said to be the birthplace of punk culture in Japan. It also boasts parks, temples and interesting shopping arcades, including a large number of second hand music and clothes stores. Also within walking distance are <a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews/meunota-tokyo-21068">Meunota</a> (also good, and I intend to post on it soon) and <a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews/poleyale-tokyo-43703">Poleyale</a> (vegetarian) which I haven't tried (links to Happycow). I recommend visiting Vespera's and another cafe for lunch and dinner, and in between times exploring this interesting suburb of Tokyo.<br />
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Hours (from <a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews/vesperas-falafel-and-deli-tokyo-36290">Happycow</a>): Wednesday - Sunday 11AM - 11PM.<br />
Address: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;">杉並区高円寺南2-15-18 汐沢ビル2F</span><br />
Phone: 03 - 59298998 (owner/chef and waitress both speak English)<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004ffb1969346d59a478&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.70237,139.649105&spn=0.010455,0.010643&z=15&output=embed" width="250"></iframe><br /></div>
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004ffb1969346d59a478&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.70237,139.649105&spn=0.010455,0.010643&z=15&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Koenji Vegan Restaurants</a> in a larger map</small>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-31539499971789949912014-03-26T03:11:00.000-07:002017-09-24T01:22:22.237-07:00Cafe Rappa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Unfortunately Cafe Rappa has closed permanently closed. Please let me know if it updates. Thank you. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkA6fmE0dyd_eDH6BQwQCAzkKbd9NVyUAMGd0GAGhudgrNCKIFMwrjmf-GRmAaIW6z7d-Ij1e4Htwc4HSLAioBguHHkpg6-8DT81RFoAtnOTqPnqqaQAr9OcLZe8hEyGlF8FpPeVS0bk/s1600/tmp_DSCF4675_edit0-846352950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkA6fmE0dyd_eDH6BQwQCAzkKbd9NVyUAMGd0GAGhudgrNCKIFMwrjmf-GRmAaIW6z7d-Ij1e4Htwc4HSLAioBguHHkpg6-8DT81RFoAtnOTqPnqqaQAr9OcLZe8hEyGlF8FpPeVS0bk/s1600/tmp_DSCF4675_edit0-846352950.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe Rappa, Nakano, Tokyo</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.cafe-rappa.com/" target="_blank">Cafe Rappa</a> is a charming little vegan cafe in Nakano, about 20 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station. It features a pleasant, relaxing interior and delicious vegan food, at very reasonable prices.<br />
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I arrived quite late, and the helpful English-speaking owner suggested I get the curry plate, which was a delicious meal and a great deal at only 900 Yen. The menu is only in Japanese, but the owner was happy to explain it to me in English.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2h0bSmf2FT4JpkArukuzJcmMTJi0mmWncFx7SeFop4eq0KR9VzRrFhAe2gkmSlaN_lVBj0LOqQxcrF1ZzhdtUaE1PO3hv4LkQ7Zx3nGtL6VLV-Re8QUuc-I5pfxOUzusxbYY74mJGrg/s1600/tmp_DSCF4670_edit0947267273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2h0bSmf2FT4JpkArukuzJcmMTJi0mmWncFx7SeFop4eq0KR9VzRrFhAe2gkmSlaN_lVBj0LOqQxcrF1ZzhdtUaE1PO3hv4LkQ7Zx3nGtL6VLV-Re8QUuc-I5pfxOUzusxbYY74mJGrg/s1600/tmp_DSCF4670_edit0947267273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This two-curry set was delicious, and a great deal at only 900 Yen.</td></tr>
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Cafe Rappa serves a variety of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. I had a coffee alternative (I think it was Inca) made with hot soymilk, cappuccino style. It was delicious. The owner is clearly passionate about healthy food.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4YYuQaoBLqeKdMUm7Ry3mk8A8-oEN-done1DI_BhHXs7MHnekyn52IhhvEACJmGo5SFw8YPK8ZFR_Io2YkMJIww6F6VDvygkoI6dnLuh05vGjwLd__TZK-frmJ7RVCI8KEeZz_oqjQY/s1600/tmp_DSCF4669_edit0-522428732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4YYuQaoBLqeKdMUm7Ry3mk8A8-oEN-done1DI_BhHXs7MHnekyn52IhhvEACJmGo5SFw8YPK8ZFR_Io2YkMJIww6F6VDvygkoI6dnLuh05vGjwLd__TZK-frmJ7RVCI8KEeZz_oqjQY/s1600/tmp_DSCF4669_edit0-522428732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coffee alternative, cappucino style</td></tr>
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If you're in or around Nakano or Shinjuku I highly recommend Cafe Rappa for dinner, or an evening hangout. It's also a good option for a meal if you're in Tokyo late (other options include Vege Herb Saga, Nagi Shokudo and Pure Cafe). <br />
<br />
<b>Opening Hours:</b><br />
Tue - Sat: 11:30AM - 10:00PM. <br />
Closed Sun - Mon<br />
<br />
It's about a five minute walk from Araiyakushimae Station on the Seibu Shinjuku line. You'll probably need to take (at least) two trains, but it's worth the effort.<br />
<br />
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-13546595376582587042013-10-04T19:52:00.002-07:002015-09-17T09:37:21.023-07:00Skiing in Hokkaido<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Niseko is a Meka for snow sports, boasting what some would call the
best powder snow in the world (though Hakuba is also excellent).<b> </b>I
visited three ski fields: Niseko, Kokusai and Mt Moiwa. Whereever you
go, if you take just one piece of advice from this blog, <i>bring plenty of snack food with you</i>.
Due to my late order and the Xmas backlog, my veganessentials order
didn't arrive before I left, and I could really have done with all those
snack bars I'd ordered, especially while travelling and on the slopes!<br />
<br />
<b>Getting There</b><br />
The
best way to get to Hokkaido for the environment is of course the train,
and it's an interesting day's journey (or more if you stop off along
the way) to take the shinkansen to Aomori and then an interesting trip
through the world's longest undersea tunnel to Hokkaido, the Seikan
Tunnel. (The Channel Tunnel has a longer undersea portion, however the
the Seikan Tunnel is the longest and also the deepest rail tunnel). If
you have a Japan Rail Pass (almost an essential for tourists who plan on
leaving the Greater Tokyo are) it's all covered by the JR Pass, unless
you want an expensive sleeper berth.<br />
<br />
If you do fly, you won't be alone, as the Tokyo to Sapporo is the world's busiest air route. New
Chitose Airport is about an hour and a half's flight from Tokyo, and
flights leave from both Haneda and Narita airports. There is a Starbucks
on the third floor. (Starbucks is usually the only place one can find
soymilk, with an exception being Niseko, thanks to all the Australians - edit: and Tulley's Coffee).
Also, the conveyor-belt sushi restaurant nearby has a few vegan
options, including pickled plum, cucumber and gourd; these three can be
found in sushi restaurants all over Japan, and are usually vegan. There
are small dipping bowls for soy sauce under the conveyor belt for sushi,
and ginger is in a box on the table. The powdered green tea is free
(help yourself). Just don't be tempted by the deep fried squid legs or
the crab intestine sushi, quite a bargain at only 200 and 300 Yen
respectively. The Tokyo-Sapporo route is reportedly the busiest air route in the world, and is flown by several carriers. Beware that while Air Asia (soon to close) and Jetstar offer some amazingly low fares for the route, they cancel planes regularly and when they do offer no compensation or even a refund, leaving the only option to take their next available flight, and if this isn't possible (ie if they want you to return two days later, but you can't due to work) then you just lose your money. I recommend booking early on a good Japanese airline (or taking the train).<br />
2015 Update: Be very careful with Low Cost Carriers in Japan, and <b>don't even think about flying <a href="http://www.japanlccs.com/p/vanilla-air.html" target="_blank">Vanilla Air</a></b>. Please see my <a href="http://www.japanlccs.com/" target="_blank">LCCs in Japan</a> website for more info. <br />
<br />
Whichever way you're getting there, consider using <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2278.html" target="_blank">Takuhaibin</a> to send your skis/snowboard (and luggage) to your hotel. It's probably cheaper than checking it in on your flight, and saves lugging them on and off trains. It's surprisingly cheap and simple, and can be done through convenience stores.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynTG0f67ZQlUpPw4kXWLOKw_3hJ_w-KO7x3j4q7ipN000n3NSdcyDuLHSkuWLSvwiMcNj_iWQx4-ZX_-FsZQTsUisTSjZO8xC5aDsgmUOEcr1Nie8q0BW09kaOFh9-vadiznXKxZ7Y9Y/s1600/DSCF7601.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynTG0f67ZQlUpPw4kXWLOKw_3hJ_w-KO7x3j4q7ipN000n3NSdcyDuLHSkuWLSvwiMcNj_iWQx4-ZX_-FsZQTsUisTSjZO8xC5aDsgmUOEcr1Nie8q0BW09kaOFh9-vadiznXKxZ7Y9Y/s400/DSCF7601.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">sushi from the conveyor belt restaurant near Starbucks, 3rd floor New Chitose Airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRa3gj7SaNQ9gu7zKBJ38Cv8Orsh_19b4OX5Ch2Smt7gP4ZWubxFVDsNNgD_Kg_OQF4DihDRnLwis_K3pWGnWvKDCcBUlg0UGkMDN2NkYJ3h9ZbEYSwvAZ2f83qEt3wLtfr_xYLyXoBE/s1600/NewChitoseAirport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRa3gj7SaNQ9gu7zKBJ38Cv8Orsh_19b4OX5Ch2Smt7gP4ZWubxFVDsNNgD_Kg_OQF4DihDRnLwis_K3pWGnWvKDCcBUlg0UGkMDN2NkYJ3h9ZbEYSwvAZ2f83qEt3wLtfr_xYLyXoBE/s320/NewChitoseAirport.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>Niseko</b><br />
Niseko is almost a 'little Australia', and
during the Xmas period I'd guess three quarters of people there,
including many working in the restaurants, are Aussies, and most of the
rest also foreigners, including many from Hong Kong and Singapore.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaN_u4x_fi5dQOyz6EqqjyzTJqsry5Cl4-A6ttu3N5NhmXa2vRPZxq65dyMOn3jo909zvWcAC7dFLX7Cpz9JJcYFnSV-c6Tnr5n44Nx-yRAM8c0R-fRwpAT7mbp5UK8r-CtQyvMEBo44/s1600/DSCF9082.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaN_u4x_fi5dQOyz6EqqjyzTJqsry5Cl4-A6ttu3N5NhmXa2vRPZxq65dyMOn3jo909zvWcAC7dFLX7Cpz9JJcYFnSV-c6Tnr5n44Nx-yRAM8c0R-fRwpAT7mbp5UK8r-CtQyvMEBo44/s640/DSCF9082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On
the slopes themselves, food is mostly a matter of survival. Most places
will serve white rice and "fried potatoes". King Bell on the Hirafu
Slopes serve pizzas with dairy-free bases, and a pizza base with tomato
sauce and basil was better than it sounded, even by the fourth one.<br />
The Grand Hirafu Area was also the best area for night skiing, largely because the Gondola runs until late.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwydiRkQW1HSZQfUApBCd0EyBjuJk4IVfNUcOYFHoKq_mn8An7qnHfDutjfHbYDA29t5xM1GcnDyOGsIMKdlyXxjn3eJR-FE2aMh6tFYWjeU9BmrjwnKpEV73Rtmz8tnEe5C-YRdEVy48/s1600/DSCF9028.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwydiRkQW1HSZQfUApBCd0EyBjuJk4IVfNUcOYFHoKq_mn8An7qnHfDutjfHbYDA29t5xM1GcnDyOGsIMKdlyXxjn3eJR-FE2aMh6tFYWjeU9BmrjwnKpEV73Rtmz8tnEe5C-YRdEVy48/s400/DSCF9028.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Best on the Niseko slopes: a vegan pizza base, chips and rice from King Bell in the Grand Hirafu ski area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At Annupuri, my favourite of the four ski
areas, the Nook do a green salad, rice and "friend potatoes" - usual
vegan fare. Beware that the last bus back to Hirafu leaves just after
8PM - I found out the hard way that it's a long taxi ride around the
mountain, as easy as it seems to ski over it.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBElWtmbZIyZ80lOUkQifdY8geb_gXNEORrSNwjNEOfaoB0uTMnvpoDpwog-dDEyaUaOpK1_vS5IzeJR074alqXBJcxCQa8wIRgFfkxObz1jW1PF29L-imt4BT1_GT7OCMyQKGeb2njY/s1600/DSCF9063.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBElWtmbZIyZ80lOUkQifdY8geb_gXNEORrSNwjNEOfaoB0uTMnvpoDpwog-dDEyaUaOpK1_vS5IzeJR074alqXBJcxCQa8wIRgFfkxObz1jW1PF29L-imt4BT1_GT7OCMyQKGeb2njY/s320/DSCF9063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Best of Annupuri: a vegan lunch at the Nook, Annupuri ski area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Niseko Village Area area was the
worst, with the restaurants (including the Lookout Cafe on the slopes)
seemingly dominated by the Hilton Hotel, with food and prices to match. I
couldn't find anything vegan, and prices for drinks were ridiculous. I
don't recommend this area.<br />
<br />
I never made it to the Hanozono Resort Area, so if there's a vegan cafe there I missed it.<br />
<br />
For dinner, or a break during lunch, walk or take the shuttle bus to the <a href="http://www.tajmahalgroup.com/niseko.aspx" target="_blank">Taj Mahal restaurant</a>,
about half a kilometre from the Grand Hirafu area. They were happy to
make food vegan (and clearly made the effort to check ingredients) and
the food, while the typical North Indian fare found all over Japan, was
excellent.<br />
<br />
On Sunday they have a buffet. Needless to
say, little of it (basically Pappadoms and one curry) was vegan, but
they cooked me roti, an additional Channa Masala and offered
alternatives to other items not vegan. All up, it was a great deal at
1950 Yen (my other meals there were about the same price). The owner,
originally from Bombay, has lived in Japan for fourty years, and he also
has branches in Chitose (near the airport) and Sapporo. The Taj Mahal
is the obvious choice for dinners or a good satisfying lunch while at
Niseko.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOy7gw_GkciALN0C_ssfITenIT96xbUGJ4ZepwYrENrrNykYLdsKt2-GtTd25s-LH9Z17NhPwVK-djvRspcl75a5cixcmxdauLmZx1-yACXfBP8rV540hIdlvAG2mS4gK2QBZqViUQ0k/s1600/DSCF9100.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="521" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOy7gw_GkciALN0C_ssfITenIT96xbUGJ4ZepwYrENrrNykYLdsKt2-GtTd25s-LH9Z17NhPwVK-djvRspcl75a5cixcmxdauLmZx1-yACXfBP8rV540hIdlvAG2mS4gK2QBZqViUQ0k/s640/DSCF9100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A vegan modification of the Sunday buffet meal at the Taj Mahal - a great deal at 1950 Yen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They also have two buses/vans in the area,
one by Seicomart, offering hot food on the go. I found the quality (not
surprisingly) much lower than the restaurant, so it's well worth the
walk to get the food fresh from the kitchen rather than from the
microwave.<br />
<br />
<b>Kokusai</b><br />
Kokusai, which
literally translates to 'international' (though I only saw one other
foreigner there, among several hundred Japanese - quite the opposite of
Niseko) is about a two hour bus ride from Sapporo Station. Compared to
Niseko, I found its runs to be longer and wider, and I enjoyed skiing
there a lot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOUB7KV6M6mraGmdJnkHFjhwjcTbhkFlh6FsxhCZVDZ41DRQphytBEw8w_OKMEU3K1Kbhg1CycDrOsfaAulaw9PAAQtjbA_SIc_qIO8EhzgABk29Li8fAB9kIEqQdEejlAB3mTej_keA/s1600/DSCF9303.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOUB7KV6M6mraGmdJnkHFjhwjcTbhkFlh6FsxhCZVDZ41DRQphytBEw8w_OKMEU3K1Kbhg1CycDrOsfaAulaw9PAAQtjbA_SIc_qIO8EhzgABk29Li8fAB9kIEqQdEejlAB3mTej_keA/s640/DSCF9303.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">the view from outside the gondola at Kokusai Ski Resort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It also has two Gondolas to near the top
of the mountain, so this and the wide, long runs meant that a greater
proportion of my time was spent skiing than on chairlifts or in cues
than at other skifields.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5opUtCkVOV4cts5AmZFk3V71b3JVMBst9_9xMfWuMUO0RjyJs0y0rA3M8OCfD88rVI9xyaobrLz9OvouU2p3MaDRC9iOBibKl7Tou4Wa6AHeoNLiAoppjhWtey8yVFqozvr9FZeSm2BQ/s1600/DSCF9311.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5opUtCkVOV4cts5AmZFk3V71b3JVMBst9_9xMfWuMUO0RjyJs0y0rA3M8OCfD88rVI9xyaobrLz9OvouU2p3MaDRC9iOBibKl7Tou4Wa6AHeoNLiAoppjhWtey8yVFqozvr9FZeSm2BQ/s400/DSCF9311.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Kokusai base</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8RU36I_5MzNscF-iHkuwFp2fHH6r97M3VU-AdaQqnqGIv7jroTKb0RQS3PO8akiQD3X91omKtgUNCRGWu19DuHURrM_r9Wc6PUqMv41QsoRxzkxPcdU4CYhtpPAyUnfC29biRFC_GUk/s1600/DSCF9322.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8RU36I_5MzNscF-iHkuwFp2fHH6r97M3VU-AdaQqnqGIv7jroTKb0RQS3PO8akiQD3X91omKtgUNCRGWu19DuHURrM_r9Wc6PUqMv41QsoRxzkxPcdU4CYhtpPAyUnfC29biRFC_GUk/s400/DSCF9322.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">once the sun came out, the views from the gondola were spectacular</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Don't expect much for lunch
though. The only thing I could find at all (other than french fries) was
freshly baked sweet potato (that's kumara for any kiwis reading this)
from the dining area to the far right in this photo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3amGZsdu3KhaRB4mcAR6jJzv4sjgRmTAaq2GVLtxniCsFCm8i0rdN371QuECySEh_epT_IFXZy54cFeZeNnJKPsehvEvXiogShiQlv1XgqZ2B6lRWIk0CCuriYcT7WLHvpQYwgDQm1AQ/s1600/DSCF9330.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3amGZsdu3KhaRB4mcAR6jJzv4sjgRmTAaq2GVLtxniCsFCm8i0rdN371QuECySEh_epT_IFXZy54cFeZeNnJKPsehvEvXiogShiQlv1XgqZ2B6lRWIk0CCuriYcT7WLHvpQYwgDQm1AQ/s400/DSCF9330.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">enter at the far right of this building (as seen from this direction) and sweet potato are sold at the first counter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakL3ys5zhH5JCPiQjaofUcCv4mAIaFkooyAsGTHh0yxCiHzVD8oqIJ7t8QnjZd0-oM_-cL991uoPq7RM3aVmrIzbAm5t-AxEV0jwar9g2TqSDJyAG7F5w0sLfaUAHqSyvow0_eqZ92Nc/s1600/DSCF9309.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakL3ys5zhH5JCPiQjaofUcCv4mAIaFkooyAsGTHh0yxCiHzVD8oqIJ7t8QnjZd0-oM_-cL991uoPq7RM3aVmrIzbAm5t-AxEV0jwar9g2TqSDJyAG7F5w0sLfaUAHqSyvow0_eqZ92Nc/s400/DSCF9309.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">morning tea, lunch (and dinner if you stay long enough) at Kokusai Ski Resort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Mt Moiwa Ski Resort</b><br />
For
a more family affair, head to Mt Moiwa Ski field, near Sapporo. This is
where families come for a day skiing, and where working folk duck by
for a quick night ski after work. Facilities here are very simple, and
food very basic. I found nothing vegan except fries and rice.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldvvjums0qfnPeH8AsMS-G_FghKQeeh15gZlIMX7GbRjO1cggjj_wb9kezZuE-cdxW8hBAktX6Tx_m17wS5aKwYUaJ8OeBsR3jMKFw6TpqgRYqsoIhCnPj8O5ENPBZuywmIpb977OBxc/s1600/DSCF9277.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldvvjums0qfnPeH8AsMS-G_FghKQeeh15gZlIMX7GbRjO1cggjj_wb9kezZuE-cdxW8hBAktX6Tx_m17wS5aKwYUaJ8OeBsR3jMKFw6TpqgRYqsoIhCnPj8O5ENPBZuywmIpb977OBxc/s400/DSCF9277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mt Moiwa Ski area, close to Sapporo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Note: I am writing about the Mt Moiwa near central
Sapporo. There is a much larger Mt Moiwa Ski resort close to Niseko,
which I didn't go to. Also note that this is a skier only area (no
snowboarding).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n8IAwDqp9dS6UguRjS8CVYeV7W9g8C7QXnaWm60PixZYZKHV1u5JNGcuCTNsErnQxE799DtlAz26YZRDnj6QESjwttIDT79Noyrk5JbO8jj60mI_f988NsmvDHEFfjR_fAAdIWVIgXw/s1600/DSCF9285.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n8IAwDqp9dS6UguRjS8CVYeV7W9g8C7QXnaWm60PixZYZKHV1u5JNGcuCTNsErnQxE799DtlAz26YZRDnj6QESjwttIDT79Noyrk5JbO8jj60mI_f988NsmvDHEFfjR_fAAdIWVIgXw/s640/DSCF9285.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The views of Sapporo were amazing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
To get there, take the subway to Makomanai Station, and then there is a shuttle bus (or a taxi) from there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n8IAwDqp9dS6UguRjS8CVYeV7W9g8C7QXnaWm60PixZYZKHV1u5JNGcuCTNsErnQxE799DtlAz26YZRDnj6QESjwttIDT79Noyrk5JbO8jj60mI_f988NsmvDHEFfjR_fAAdIWVIgXw/s1600/DSCF9285.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrbtA6KUyavQRRaggn_-gZLb4_-TEoRhzXkiCNPe-yUdgWJUC0wzuf8kqGsygSz2kekiICNFBXlxlhQKUZYINgcwL6VJJuc4tnkDPsbWMm9FDSqFX0a9OuoMMaJj333rItGWgSeUIsYQ/s1600/DSCF9296.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrbtA6KUyavQRRaggn_-gZLb4_-TEoRhzXkiCNPe-yUdgWJUC0wzuf8kqGsygSz2kekiICNFBXlxlhQKUZYINgcwL6VJJuc4tnkDPsbWMm9FDSqFX0a9OuoMMaJj333rItGWgSeUIsYQ/s400/DSCF9296.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">my favourite run at Mt Moiwa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5opUtCkVOV4cts5AmZFk3V71b3JVMBst9_9xMfWuMUO0RjyJs0y0rA3M8OCfD88rVI9xyaobrLz9OvouU2p3MaDRC9iOBibKl7Tou4Wa6AHeoNLiAoppjhWtey8yVFqozvr9FZeSm2BQ/s1600/DSCF9311.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<b>SAPPORO</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZYuFb6N3P3XDBsZfwGKIm2bTKgL3T9IOK1ekyaCIVajjtLwdAyRzqt8DBmBzbtFIj3KtGp8PduQM92FHoFTukNHmVBuX1LjrsK27Rc0rCuLXKF_qrp2ts_H2v_dnrzXD9Z-u4BmgKwc/s1600/DSCF9166.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZYuFb6N3P3XDBsZfwGKIm2bTKgL3T9IOK1ekyaCIVajjtLwdAyRzqt8DBmBzbtFIj3KtGp8PduQM92FHoFTukNHmVBuX1LjrsK27Rc0rCuLXKF_qrp2ts_H2v_dnrzXD9Z-u4BmgKwc/s640/DSCF9166.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If
you're in Hokkaido, chances are you'll go to Sapporo. I found it to be a
very pleasant, liveable city. Being a planned city, it has straight,
wide streets, and a central park-like avenue (Oodori) running right
through the centre. It reminded me very much of Christchurch (especially
with the hills in the distance) and of Kaohsiung, which was probably
planned and built by Japanese at around the same time.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qxTr3hfiQrVtlenbyCIGVaJufhwWM48AcP0JmS5IDsmUzcL01eX5bNJUaNNAr2BguDYhCDErvWrT0UF6azYspRsBXKQjZwLzftkdmExRT0Rt2AV87ZDwB_9SVXPadVY19u-23fEdWTQ/s1600/DSCF9200.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qxTr3hfiQrVtlenbyCIGVaJufhwWM48AcP0JmS5IDsmUzcL01eX5bNJUaNNAr2BguDYhCDErvWrT0UF6azYspRsBXKQjZwLzftkdmExRT0Rt2AV87ZDwB_9SVXPadVY19u-23fEdWTQ/s400/DSCF9200.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Oodori, central Sapporo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">2014 Update: There are now several vegan and vegetarian options on Happycow. I have removed Jyoti and instead also recommend Lohas Rawfood and Itadakizen (details to come soon). I didn't get to try Heureuse Vie, Cafe Chienoki or Natural Food Holo.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
I recommend three places to eat in Sapporo, all from <a href="http://www.happycow.net/asia/japan/sapporo/" target="_blank">Happycow</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=13094" target="_blank">Aoi Sora Organic Cafe</a><br />
Being
Sapporo's only vegetarian cafe (it's actually vegan and organic) this
should be top of the list. The meal was fresh and delicious (such a
change from days of rice and French fries) and the friendly owner speaks
good English. It's well worth the effort to get there.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5DA2Lhi38ZfkW_Yx0rWbbeJjRJaZSxDDqocP7O6zTtImdTnt9hTOpiYjHClz_EoydFZPcCNKmYUd3QjpO5sVlheft-kqE-vTDXxmsHA4m7RC97Jmdf7d2bS-i7PLFiKAZvB72XJV9RA/s1600/DSCF9153.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5DA2Lhi38ZfkW_Yx0rWbbeJjRJaZSxDDqocP7O6zTtImdTnt9hTOpiYjHClz_EoydFZPcCNKmYUd3QjpO5sVlheft-kqE-vTDXxmsHA4m7RC97Jmdf7d2bS-i7PLFiKAZvB72XJV9RA/s640/DSCF9153.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">a set lunch from Ao Sora Organic Cafe, Sapporo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=33663" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iki Laboratory</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iki Laboratory (it's r<span style="font-size: small;">eally a restaurant) labels many items on its menu 'vegan' and 'oriental vegetarian' (<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="zh-TW"><span class="">全素 - no garlic or onion). <span style="font-size: small;">Portions <span style="font-size: small;">were small (<span style="font-size: small;">as normal in Japan) but for such excellent food, it was still good value. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUEmxETiGYi7JaiJiV68LTNaC2gKDWgY_Hq1LW_O9evzaR9EXHSvUSvCg5-Cf99QU6SHc6r-BinxdZ-RULIyDW2l5PNKCscIHxmfFLNP3ML9ffDUPMykahCT9FvmDPsnKHhOeZv8zPsQ/s1600/DSCF9143.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUEmxETiGYi7JaiJiV68LTNaC2gKDWgY_Hq1LW_O9evzaR9EXHSvUSvCg5-Cf99QU6SHc6r-BinxdZ-RULIyDW2l5PNKCscIHxmfFLNP3ML9ffDUPMykahCT9FvmDPsnKHhOeZv8zPsQ/s400/DSCF9143.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">potato salad from Iki Laboratory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AcdHSMTGOQHs0674ZUlZHPp8DWKWntn15KBc0xr4xbf3Y0Okr54Sy4zWbKSUQvOLk070Oz_Pq5lxNq6aSbjrX5S8bxBlBybbDxpv-80HXT-7j_V5B7-FyuA70Nf-B51cyHcG9sHDhFI/s1600/DSCF9147.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AcdHSMTGOQHs0674ZUlZHPp8DWKWntn15KBc0xr4xbf3Y0Okr54Sy4zWbKSUQvOLk070Oz_Pq5lxNq6aSbjrX5S8bxBlBybbDxpv-80HXT-7j_V5B7-FyuA70Nf-B51cyHcG9sHDhFI/s400/DSCF9147.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I think these were made from gluten, but I can't remember what they were called.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsDH4ItHsB8ZdcYpA6W0oo5M4CS-CaiDlIWkDA-pXzdPYssDuhvUrG7FXuPNjfl9NC5qnAS3IeaiNLUY1xgvVdqBLUIFTXVpeEfWWJDTaYFoEi_dPxvPTE2mGz1ZJjpQxSkOzvuhsa3I/s1600/DSCF9149.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsDH4ItHsB8ZdcYpA6W0oo5M4CS-CaiDlIWkDA-pXzdPYssDuhvUrG7FXuPNjfl9NC5qnAS3IeaiNLUY1xgvVdqBLUIFTXVpeEfWWJDTaYFoEi_dPxvPTE2mGz1ZJjpQxSkOzvuhsa3I/s400/DSCF9149.JPG" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">parfait - Iki Laboratory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=30636" target="_blank">Jyoto</a></b><br />
<span style="color: blue;">2014 edit</span><br />
I previously recommended Jyoti for Indian food (written Dec 2012, removing it now Feb 2014). However on this visit the owner wasn't offering to make the vegetarian set vegan any more, so ordering dishes separately meant that my meal of dahl, lacha paratha (bread), samosas and "spicy potatoes" (essentially a potato curry, made with about one potato) came to about 2000 Yen. The dahl was also the only dish he suggested could be made vegan. And it was also very cold inside. So with these changes and the extra places added to Happycow, I no longer recommend Jyoti.<br />
That said it is centrally located, and the staff clearly still understand veganism, so if you're craving an Indian meal it's still a possibility. <b>But I'd highly recommend giving your patronage to one of the half dozen or so vegan or vegetarian restaurants in Sapporo.</b> </div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-66782446355780671602013-10-04T19:43:00.000-07:002020-03-16T21:28:56.027-07:00Gala Yuzawa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbFyk1v4D-o0CX9HIqA5uRtQXqYwRTvR1gkf1kO-TQe57IVnz7psmQnI_QlwM1xwFLPKmt5KWJf9O6Uv8MUtogTOgkdGg7xQ6EYOg-Zv6bpQ4vZjjjNo4RVEjfYT_g1tIeUJmbmfNPq4/s1600/DSCF6395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbFyk1v4D-o0CX9HIqA5uRtQXqYwRTvR1gkf1kO-TQe57IVnz7psmQnI_QlwM1xwFLPKmt5KWJf9O6Uv8MUtogTOgkdGg7xQ6EYOg-Zv6bpQ4vZjjjNo4RVEjfYT_g1tIeUJmbmfNPq4/s640/DSCF6395.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gala Yuzawa ski resort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Gala Yuzawa is where Tokyoites go for a day
on the ski slopes. The station is owned and run by the JR Company, and
the shinkansen station, locker rooms and gondola entrance are all in the
same building - Japanese efficiency at its best. Being owned by JR,
they offer an excellent package including the train (about 1.5 hours
each way) and a lift ticket for around 10 000 Yen (depending on the time
of year). This is less than the train itself, so the lift pass is
essentially thrown in free. Tickets can be bought from major JR
stations.<br />
<br />
It tends to get quite crowded on weekends,
especially with young snowboarders who seem to come more as a social
outing, and they often sit down and talk on the pistes - beware. Serious skiers and boarders don't seem too fond of Gala Yuzawa, and for good reasons, however if you are just looking for an easy day on the ski slopes from Tokyo, this is the most convenient place to
come.<br />
<br />
Food wise, it's the standard green salad, chips ("fried potatoes") and a bowl of white rice. I always bring snack food with me. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfCNtdZe_6ruAUxRrFoHFNKSTlAAmVcX6k1dN9qsDIoTkSLymcPQeMGmMfg4bm9c5B-cNrsur0yK4QRgxn2zoWiraTQAFh2HgicuJDwO-o943HaxheiGA2TacK0yYWJOF7IttNIJC3e8/s1600/DSCF7587.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfCNtdZe_6ruAUxRrFoHFNKSTlAAmVcX6k1dN9qsDIoTkSLymcPQeMGmMfg4bm9c5B-cNrsur0yK4QRgxn2zoWiraTQAFh2HgicuJDwO-o943HaxheiGA2TacK0yYWJOF7IttNIJC3e8/s400/DSCF7587.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">ramen and rice with soymeat from T's Tantan in Tokyo Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Since the shinkansen goes back to Tokyo
station, on the way back is a perfect time to go to <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/07/vegan-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#tstantan" target="_blank">T's Tantan</a>, the
vegan ramen restaurant located inside the train station itself and not
far from the Shinkansen entrance. It's located on Keiyo Street (an
underground food "street") inside the gates of the station itself. Alternatively, if you're not carrying to much stuff and would prefer an Indian meal, you could get off the shinkansen at Ueno Station and go to <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/11/indian-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#vegeherbsaga" target="_blank">Vege Herb Saga</a>, but I suggest calling ahead to check that they are open. If they aren't, then the nearby <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/11/indian-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#vegkitchen" target="_blank">Veg Kitchen</a> probably will be. </div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-72905003682915533512013-10-04T19:27:00.000-07:002013-10-04T19:29:38.672-07:00Hakuba<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Hakuba" target="_blank">Hakuba</a> is a
vegan oasis in the Japanese ski world, and also the site of the 1998
Winter Olympics. This is because there is a vegan restaurant right on
the ski slopes and because the Hakuba Highland Hotel has chefs willing
show off their culinary skills and cook up fresh, delicious and
authentic Japanese food, which is probably the best Japanese food I've
ever eaten.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz3hMRkNsk_nwL0Kc7VpcElxPbThXOeUsIefuYPbyJj9sE6mrfyfMZ71glRxTg2iMeSt1u4rw3-VMlQPqZambTG_x__kzL5mQisvGBvSigOZ36XdZJ1AWOpYkrk7qKA4m-1mBefVMvyg/s1600/DSCF6405.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz3hMRkNsk_nwL0Kc7VpcElxPbThXOeUsIefuYPbyJj9sE6mrfyfMZ71glRxTg2iMeSt1u4rw3-VMlQPqZambTG_x__kzL5mQisvGBvSigOZ36XdZJ1AWOpYkrk7qKA4m-1mBefVMvyg/s640/DSCF6405.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">It's not just the Olympic past which make Hakuba worth visiting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UpdajELfTgrrxa_axXnYsd0HaG9SU8IwXqORYb_RGGmOP0xDu0iO9P3vOH_g_u8QAZltEAlf4W9FWsoHdW3DFBvO7JwmETUSyq2jVioH-ad8Lndj3UcS3AwnH5_CSnMOY0TqNEtlo8Y/s1600/DSCF6431.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UpdajELfTgrrxa_axXnYsd0HaG9SU8IwXqORYb_RGGmOP0xDu0iO9P3vOH_g_u8QAZltEAlf4W9FWsoHdW3DFBvO7JwmETUSyq2jVioH-ad8Lndj3UcS3AwnH5_CSnMOY0TqNEtlo8Y/s400/DSCF6431.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">And it's not just the food either - the views are spectacular.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaJPIJgSLOYIUhqtrtlFIYqVYqGd51zWXVVrKrwfYQ_uG-4LRi5XaLQDgqKuTAO_Wdy1O3412G1wnmm3UQqcEl8KjdoISSk5Kn5hS0L6cK43oerwxqqyvnaYQhg_WexJ7rO6WWRKhH54/s1600/DSCF9490.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaJPIJgSLOYIUhqtrtlFIYqVYqGd51zWXVVrKrwfYQ_uG-4LRi5XaLQDgqKuTAO_Wdy1O3412G1wnmm3UQqcEl8KjdoISSk5Kn5hS0L6cK43oerwxqqyvnaYQhg_WexJ7rO6WWRKhH54/s400/DSCF9490.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">But it can also get quite blizzard-like up the mountain!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hakuba lies almost directly across the
main island of Japan from Tokyo, about 50km from the West Coast. It's
possible, but slow, to reach it by conventional train, with the best
route being a shinkansen to Nagano (about an hour and a half), and then a
bus to Hakuba (about an hour). It's a perfect location for a three-plus
day excursion from Tokyo. It's generally significantly cheaper to go
through a travel agent for a deal combining the shinkansen and the hotel
(and possibly lift pass) than to book both independently, and it has
the added benefit of the travel agent being able to explain vegan
requirements.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K-pkBP5lBhyphenhyphenStni6Wwa8GsienW9gmuJEK6sjzIYsMT1c3eBZ84tx71yVFQ9-BDPAtO3Eg2_aEp8LaBsGR-4ww8fT-oXKFHdmveX__jVPT12vaX1_WvWFRM1fd2wgNtwevrXJcL3ZgCU/s1600/DSCF6418.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K-pkBP5lBhyphenhyphenStni6Wwa8GsienW9gmuJEK6sjzIYsMT1c3eBZ84tx71yVFQ9-BDPAtO3Eg2_aEp8LaBsGR-4ww8fT-oXKFHdmveX__jVPT12vaX1_WvWFRM1fd2wgNtwevrXJcL3ZgCU/s400/DSCF6418.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I was fortunate to be in Hakuba after a massive snow drop in April 2012.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
It was probably the result of some good research by my travel agent (<a href="http://www.jackrabbit.jp/new/english/company-outline.htm" target="_blank">Jack Rabbit Travel in Motomachi, Yokohama</a>)
and perhaps a little good luck too (given that it's not something
likely to be listed in Japanese travel literature!) that she discovered
that the <a href="http://www.japanican.com/hotels/ShisetsuDetail.aspx?st=5245001" target="_blank">Hakuba Highland Hotel</a> chefs
are willing to cook delicious Japanese food for a visiting vegan. Their
reportiore was, understandably, somewhat limited at first, but it grew
over the course of my two visits, and included egg-less tempura and
various hotpots (as in Taiwan, but with seaweed as a stock).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKs-88D5NC0S0wqYl5V9znAzqLGqOItlTLesS4cDbJpvEr2sid87aNNt_S0HKQ3A9qLRBXZ0H_IJVqCWpcxBNOAdGbc6_Zg1ZT_XpfCFcQE0msU_umr_bJ53q5b1ry4P2iFy5Ngiqlwo/s1600/DSCF9479.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKs-88D5NC0S0wqYl5V9znAzqLGqOItlTLesS4cDbJpvEr2sid87aNNt_S0HKQ3A9qLRBXZ0H_IJVqCWpcxBNOAdGbc6_Zg1ZT_XpfCFcQE0msU_umr_bJ53q5b1ry4P2iFy5Ngiqlwo/s640/DSCF9479.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">the morning view from my window at Hakuba Highland Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2013 Update: The food was even better -
and quite spectacular - in my recent trip. I can't recommend Hakuba
Highland Hotel enough, but it's vital to let them know in advance that
you're vegan.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H6ZWaCKB4fD1JZFjk3co_W0N_LI9Ra2hyUSe07dVCtyqPopPzbuRqpX9W0jkzCJpCrACTNdk5cBqOKv56SteJVgvZvDmoxhUFW4aDa0Ltajr3JWP9RQU13fFJJvWb2FUdAxJ5O1jLdc/s1600/DSCF6399.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H6ZWaCKB4fD1JZFjk3co_W0N_LI9Ra2hyUSe07dVCtyqPopPzbuRqpX9W0jkzCJpCrACTNdk5cBqOKv56SteJVgvZvDmoxhUFW4aDa0Ltajr3JWP9RQU13fFJJvWb2FUdAxJ5O1jLdc/s400/DSCF6399.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">a typical oishii vegan dinner at the Hakuba Highland Hotel</td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The food was beautifully prepared (of
course) and I really enjoyed trying authentic Japanese cuisine cooked by
a local chef. Portions were generously sized, and a couple of times
they brought out so much for breakfast (which I had to cook myself over a
burner) that I nearly missed the shuttle to the skifield. </div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF3MS1_B9Ip19AUXFfW4hwXJfkwYtDfzAscgzUOHyK06kOMVgmJ0WncCZeh9XSk21m3VPGcoZE5u4Y55L7s3GIxG25OhJTlBZ8WuuPI0Zzh0G6JZF2MsbwwBCuiLCHorSjmEnN71Gj-w/s1600/DSCF6403.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF3MS1_B9Ip19AUXFfW4hwXJfkwYtDfzAscgzUOHyK06kOMVgmJ0WncCZeh9XSk21m3VPGcoZE5u4Y55L7s3GIxG25OhJTlBZ8WuuPI0Zzh0G6JZF2MsbwwBCuiLCHorSjmEnN71Gj-w/s400/DSCF6403.JPG" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Cooking the range of foods over the flame was quite a novelty. Allow plenty of time for these breakfasts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinlFrL3iHPr9xHALDTE6eHVqySIQB5OGz4yhuAL7phZ3N0QHCdU-D59mDR5nlCVmxHRN4Zx_txYMSqbvHs_uo-aZZiNuuGyYsphN1Qdl4X_OFNYNrbbGSZNkF2z2e8-e5fGCV3X1Gans/s1600/DSCF6428.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinlFrL3iHPr9xHALDTE6eHVqySIQB5OGz4yhuAL7phZ3N0QHCdU-D59mDR5nlCVmxHRN4Zx_txYMSqbvHs_uo-aZZiNuuGyYsphN1Qdl4X_OFNYNrbbGSZNkF2z2e8-e5fGCV3X1Gans/s400/DSCF6428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">But all this breakfast requires is some serious eating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o-yv3wiFTp-aEpwFCAqLYXPOSMBnn7pDaf8AxHRgWwRcbU7mTRPlVVPXVk5qTQFA-yqzG7NiDO191r1dQB0Ys7LV8H9D1VIVR-RyLx2RMIgRoSQC2snLcjK249AgHQdGOFdNBEOVfP8/s1600/DSCF9522.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o-yv3wiFTp-aEpwFCAqLYXPOSMBnn7pDaf8AxHRgWwRcbU7mTRPlVVPXVk5qTQFA-yqzG7NiDO191r1dQB0Ys7LV8H9D1VIVR-RyLx2RMIgRoSQC2snLcjK249AgHQdGOFdNBEOVfP8/s400/DSCF9522.JPG" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">2013 addition: It just keeps getting better and better!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz6mPNbv9oa27aXgF0ywiKreP_qzYrdNwb_k0VaB8Bgu8vYqPRyoZA75-ZjsF9KCwMAbTdWCv2Jx4sJz7eDrqzcqeEFdiW5dN4mrIXBhBQcf_YyZZCEwU1nfeHrXOV-oaZTC6tadXFns/s1600/DSCF9485.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz6mPNbv9oa27aXgF0ywiKreP_qzYrdNwb_k0VaB8Bgu8vYqPRyoZA75-ZjsF9KCwMAbTdWCv2Jx4sJz7eDrqzcqeEFdiW5dN4mrIXBhBQcf_YyZZCEwU1nfeHrXOV-oaZTC6tadXFns/s400/DSCF9485.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The mochis (top right) were pre-cooked, but they also gave me a burner to heat them up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Veksr-JeoZ1XwiM2oxlJZ5mO5kbHaqacNxNduNuZgVEusJyAjdtyNhmE5W_igHF0sHyDJ4wLdE58BkrOL9TCdC_jGIIJD4aVcfAh_QpCCuMz6UpYvZ6mMWwbbcy-PhdWeeyV_Qjo_mM/s1600/DSCF9495.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Veksr-JeoZ1XwiM2oxlJZ5mO5kbHaqacNxNduNuZgVEusJyAjdtyNhmE5W_igHF0sHyDJ4wLdE58BkrOL9TCdC_jGIIJD4aVcfAh_QpCCuMz6UpYvZ6mMWwbbcy-PhdWeeyV_Qjo_mM/s640/DSCF9495.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">2013: Daiya may
not have made it into the Japanese culinary world yet, but I was so sure
the cheesy topping on the potato really was that I apologised and said I
couldn't eat cheese. The mildly-offended waiter explained that it was
made of soybean powder. Their chef is amazing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm not a big fan of onsens, but the
Hakuba Highland Hotel also has a nice outdoor onsen, and it's a great
way to soak tired limbs after skiing, with a mountain view and snow
almost up to the edge of the (covered) bath itself. The hotel is warm,
clean and friendly, and a short, free shuttle-ride from the train
station (where the bus from Nagano Station stops) and the ski fields.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Nearby on the slopes of Happo One Resort is the incredible <a href="http://www.evergreen-hakuba.com/rootscafe/" target="_blank">Roots Cafe</a>.
It is owned by Evergreen Outdoor Centre, which was started by Dave
Enright eleven years ago, when he ran courses in avalanche safety and
worked as a sole ski instructor. From there the business has grown into a
hive of year-round outdoor education activities. I have been pleased
with my ski lessons over the last year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkKxGBjPRfXnJgBU3QYhb9iM-Jh3y8haYAxF0lGXYqgXLRtn1wvcjVPBeqCOjydpQu1-1Wlx-W5ARGc83w5Oqixub2UPqu1HPQQvGAZlwV5xEhmnNvdyeMrLovKQoxCegYzQA5bPZ4Qg/s1600/DSCF9476.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkKxGBjPRfXnJgBU3QYhb9iM-Jh3y8haYAxF0lGXYqgXLRtn1wvcjVPBeqCOjydpQu1-1Wlx-W5ARGc83w5Oqixub2UPqu1HPQQvGAZlwV5xEhmnNvdyeMrLovKQoxCegYzQA5bPZ4Qg/s640/DSCF9476.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Almost-vegan Roots Cafe, Happo One Ski Resort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Five years ago Dave started Roots Cafe as a way of
giving back to the community. Not only does it use locally produced
vegetables and organic rice, but Dave grows some of the produce himself
during the summer months. It also holds regular charity events,
including one event which raised enough money to buy and deliver a new
tractor for a tsunami-stricken village in Tohoku.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeuA9q0S7PDOgRqjoJ_jS4ZDYzrkxuAIWed56jHtSW2JOLzdxCGBJnNSfGFrgXZh5iu78eZ-H06BmxePCZ3vouJ87UELUCbqz91TU06VwwnUSF0f0JBk379VM_Gn9x6tIBsur37maUOA/s1600/DSCF9545.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeuA9q0S7PDOgRqjoJ_jS4ZDYzrkxuAIWed56jHtSW2JOLzdxCGBJnNSfGFrgXZh5iu78eZ-H06BmxePCZ3vouJ87UELUCbqz91TU06VwwnUSF0f0JBk379VM_Gn9x6tIBsur37maUOA/s640/DSCF9545.JPG" width="564" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Roots
cafe has now grown into a busy cafe, and you'll be lucky to find a seat
during the busy lunch period around midday. What I tend to do is come
early (say between 10:00 and 11:00) and then again for a late afternoon
snack around 3:00 - 4:00, to tide me over to dinner. Note that the main
courses (eg the wraps) are only available until 2:30, but there are
plenty of snacks available afterwards. They also sell baked goods which
are ideal for quick snacks on the ski lifts.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6OVHnVyel0fUBSbO_VcfPqNiNq2kDNktfuf3XSFsRaQ6-XI1IRzDkMt5gs6UYKH-Onr1qbKC5XfeDs4xBNNoHCo9GfeKi_dIWPH6brhqZ-jrAK8msdjy6Xs6_3uZt8u6dqHSMBea_EI/s1600/DSCF9543.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6OVHnVyel0fUBSbO_VcfPqNiNq2kDNktfuf3XSFsRaQ6-XI1IRzDkMt5gs6UYKH-Onr1qbKC5XfeDs4xBNNoHCo9GfeKi_dIWPH6brhqZ-jrAK8msdjy6Xs6_3uZt8u6dqHSMBea_EI/s320/DSCF9543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Snack time. Wrapped bars and biscuits are fresh from the oven, and make great snacks for the ski lifts. The tea was good too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
Unfortunately on my first
visit, I simply didn't know about them, and found out by chance from a
vegetarian ski instructor on my last day, and on my second visit (in
April, partly to try this cafe), it had closed for the season the day
before I arrived. I finally made it here in February 2013, and wasn't
disappointed. It just makes the whole ski experience so much nicer when
hot vegan food is so easily available.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NFwTYQq6yjCRSqqpacV-EkqhOnMyxbnP6MM5aJl4TO4YdtBfixPmGKAe2gCI1uBC2MrHel-inAsiuUItPW8qzBNeBjo7Aclybe6Aa2zWgm0HamDZ9np-7BNMsxUhWhT5OEJR30b1XOU/s1600/DSCF9511.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NFwTYQq6yjCRSqqpacV-EkqhOnMyxbnP6MM5aJl4TO4YdtBfixPmGKAe2gCI1uBC2MrHel-inAsiuUItPW8qzBNeBjo7Aclybe6Aa2zWgm0HamDZ9np-7BNMsxUhWhT5OEJR30b1XOU/s640/DSCF9511.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">How many ski slopes are there in the world where one can find hummus and pita platters right on the slopes?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The food is simple, healthy and delicious,
and very suited to a hungry, non-vegan ski-boot-clad clientele, both
Japanese and foreign. They use organic rice, and locally grown
vegetables.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgWS-nvJvmB4UHVyCJ4JDDkHuNOytqfTLq0jQ7pQTQNt-L_LW3Kj5INxewar5rU-ZrzNShpoGSiUrA7pCMcNQ6oNTCvMWltOvHZhvOFEmkxD9szmEyue5JTUApDmQE7pEHtBMcA-WiJ8/s1600/DSCF9487.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgWS-nvJvmB4UHVyCJ4JDDkHuNOytqfTLq0jQ7pQTQNt-L_LW3Kj5INxewar5rU-ZrzNShpoGSiUrA7pCMcNQ6oNTCvMWltOvHZhvOFEmkxD9szmEyue5JTUApDmQE7pEHtBMcA-WiJ8/s400/DSCF9487.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Lunches like this Mexican Wrap are available until 2:30.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKTvn1pX8Ypqe2EUmCPOKLGLuRa1PvBPOO7BSkpImGg8YXhKtt5BMQvhNUa8_KtyVVJGZZdh7R5B3aKfTjJPiBS0u7tGQb2qEb5O_VFa-juXHHk-xuE8fqY9gKcXXXadLBIBhOY3q7pA/s1600/DSCF9477.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKTvn1pX8Ypqe2EUmCPOKLGLuRa1PvBPOO7BSkpImGg8YXhKtt5BMQvhNUa8_KtyVVJGZZdh7R5B3aKfTjJPiBS0u7tGQb2qEb5O_VFa-juXHHk-xuE8fqY9gKcXXXadLBIBhOY3q7pA/s400/DSCF9477.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">But the Soup of the Day (here Minestrone) and snacks like these Soy Karage balls are available all day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Cows milk is available for drinks upon
request, and their burger buns contain milk powder (because they are
bought from outside) but otherwise everything is vegan. Some sauces
contain honey, so if you don't eat honey, then ask which products
contain it (and please read <a href="http://www.satyamag.com/sept05/greger.html" target="_blank">this article</a>).<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz6mPNbv9oa27aXgF0ywiKreP_qzYrdNwb_k0VaB8Bgu8vYqPRyoZA75-ZjsF9KCwMAbTdWCv2Jx4sJz7eDrqzcqeEFdiW5dN4mrIXBhBQcf_YyZZCEwU1nfeHrXOV-oaZTC6tadXFns/s1600/DSCF9485.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVU6cc12rRQAiRSv-uUITPxI_JctyYUJsCU-U-mFSEBeQILMUi0Z-6yfLi9PKQ1D6FKchGZYcIvs7KYdf4QdnnNCY14bmMbTbXqrxRfk_cvD91qCJ4U-V-DPl8BzuKZOSKgbKnE9VNs8/s1600/DSCF9541.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVU6cc12rRQAiRSv-uUITPxI_JctyYUJsCU-U-mFSEBeQILMUi0Z-6yfLi9PKQ1D6FKchGZYcIvs7KYdf4QdnnNCY14bmMbTbXqrxRfk_cvD91qCJ4U-V-DPl8BzuKZOSKgbKnE9VNs8/s400/DSCF9541.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The range of wraps (including falafel) were my favourite, but they also had this Chinese dish and an Indian-style curry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Roots Cafe (and Evergreen Outdoor Centre)
is on the slopes of Kokusai. The Hakuba Highland Hotel shuttle bus stops
at the Gondola, from which it's possible to get to Kokusai by skiing
either of the former Olympic routes (black runs). It should also be
possible on green runs, but it's a bit more complicated (check a piste
map). Alternatively, it's only a five to ten minute walk around the base
of the mountain.<br />
<br />
I recommend eating twice at Roots
Cafe - preferably first before 11AM, and the next before the 2:30 finish
of main dishes (snacks are available until 4:30) - and at the Hakuba
Highland Hotel, but should you find yourself in Hakuba in need of food
in the evening, the only Indian (and Nepalese) restaurant, <a href="http://www.hakuba-joho.net/hindi/" target="_blank">Hindi Momo</a>,
has two vegan main dishes, Dahl and a Spinach-tomato curry, and the
owner was happy to explain what was vegan. I found the dahl to be the
best of the two.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV7vlUSWa4sckSCDqJWSTRzothD4Vrg4lq73bJFZ4u_4So_hxy6ycxBGCqWb3Il_fSsikkmA05LoE31VCFIkV13uei0KlkdAaP4sZ6C9B2NuTbTTgqUCQLQ6a-t2v2zCq0eaEbtRKqyE/s1600/DSCF9678.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV7vlUSWa4sckSCDqJWSTRzothD4Vrg4lq73bJFZ4u_4So_hxy6ycxBGCqWb3Il_fSsikkmA05LoE31VCFIkV13uei0KlkdAaP4sZ6C9B2NuTbTTgqUCQLQ6a-t2v2zCq0eaEbtRKqyE/s400/DSCF9678.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Dahl and rice from Hindi Momo, Hakuba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
August
2013 Edit: On my original post (on my Vegan Taiwan blog) I noted that
the nearby Goryu resort has a Subway restaurant, but have since learned
that the breads (like virtually all of the sauces) all contain dairy
products, so I don't recommend going anywhere other than Hakuba.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Also
in Nagano (a train, bus and walk from Nagano Station) are the famous
snow-monkeys (Japanese macaques which bathe in "onsens" during winter. I
haven't (yet) been, and am undecided about whether or not to. So far as
I can tell, including from accounts by people who have visited, there
are no issues of abuse, and the monkeys are not in any form
of dependence or captivity. Feeding them, for example, is prohibited so
as to prevent them becoming dependent on humans. One could argue that
humans are intruding on the monkeys habitat, with swarms of tourists
pouring through daily, while however it is a perfect opportunity for the
public to see and experience the sentience of non-human animals in
their natural habitat. If you do go, please let me know what you think.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004cd05829c8527555ff&ie=UTF8&t=m&source=embed&ll=36.700081,137.850094&spn=0.048172,0.072956&z=13&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br /></div>
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004cd05829c8527555ff&ie=UTF8&t=m&source=embed&ll=36.700081,137.850094&spn=0.048172,0.072956&z=13" style="color: blue;">Hakuba Vegan Spots</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-59461775832173301192013-08-15T20:15:00.000-07:002017-09-24T00:22:34.543-07:00Upcoming Events<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I no longer live in Japan I am unable to advise of upcomming events. However, I have compiled a <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.tw/2013/07/vegn-events-in-tokyo.html" target="_blank">list of annual or regular events here</a>. </span> </div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Tokyo Veg Festa</h2>
<br />
Usually held in October, this is Tokyo's top vegan event of the year, and should not be missed. Bring an empty stomach and a bag to stock up on groceries. Despite the name, all food and groceries are vegan. There are usually around 100 stalls selling foods, eco-products or just promoting worthy causes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLOS-Y1RtZrQDPrSMpJWtPB1uJWeA7QdvKNUlnY_oFRVT2tYjaXPbwPxmyz_V6azpQYTiMN8UsLrgD5SxUmj1ZfXYhTf8MhLFDscA6UPw7vGu3OI29HCOQOcrw6OYMPozB1CZEJzT2Eg/s1600/DSCF7653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLOS-Y1RtZrQDPrSMpJWtPB1uJWeA7QdvKNUlnY_oFRVT2tYjaXPbwPxmyz_V6azpQYTiMN8UsLrgD5SxUmj1ZfXYhTf8MhLFDscA6UPw7vGu3OI29HCOQOcrw6OYMPozB1CZEJzT2Eg/s640/DSCF7653.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Tokyo Vegfood Festa (more on my <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.jp/2013/07/vegn-events-in-tokyo.html?utm_source=BP_recent" target="_blank">blog post here</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Essentials</h3>
Yoyogi Park (beside NHK Hall)Admission: free<br />
<br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">
Vegan Meetups</h2>
Details for monthly Vegan Meetups at the Pink Cow (and increasingly other ones) can be found at the <a href="http://www.meetup.com/vegan-389/" target="_blank">meetup site here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-91394531971579201792013-08-13T23:34:00.002-07:002014-08-17T00:52:10.135-07:00Outing, Dinner & Groceries: Alishan Cafe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #073763;">Updated August 2014</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E1N8lPkoZLdtmprdi1ayEhp8hiPh4eTMfQoDyx0Z6TCiFObY9xgtADK-y_NkjsVgrIXMPorBAiy7IrixJnmYjiEorcBOExdUviBHAX_7hmXBS03ys9xBrtu393JNFLTWH3lFRlHDOkU/s1600/Alishan+Shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E1N8lPkoZLdtmprdi1ayEhp8hiPh4eTMfQoDyx0Z6TCiFObY9xgtADK-y_NkjsVgrIXMPorBAiy7IrixJnmYjiEorcBOExdUviBHAX_7hmXBS03ys9xBrtu393JNFLTWH3lFRlHDOkU/s400/Alishan+Shop.JPG" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alishan Organics Cafe and Shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I don't know why it took me two years to visit <a href="http://www.alishan-organics.com/Alishan2010_organics/about/about-alishan/" target="_blank">Alishan Cafe</a> in Saitama, north of Tokyo, but now that I've been once it will become as regular a hangout as anywhere so far from Yokohama could. If you live or stay around Tokyo, a trip to Alishan is three-fold: an escape from the city (while only an hour away), a delicious vegan meal and a chance to stock up on organic whole foods. But even if you're just visiting Japan for a short time it's well worth the trip to visit Alishan.<br />
<br />
Alishan Organics is owned by Jack, American, and Faye, who is (surprise) from Alishan. Alishan is a mountain in central Taiwan, and is deservedly one of the country's top tourist destinations (for locals and foreign tourists, including ever-increasing numbers of Chinese).<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB4m2rZHDnNtr3ag07jGyg2YIIum2-tgms1B60D-EB1P4CfxqDyX7r1SgdPokM9y-8ZkrTmXd7wfu1ZLZ3KxTMlnhLvTJoipadKaxDsU8gFdLLjtKVS0o-LGtG0tWtOZr2KiAhFVOZN8/s1600/Alishan+lake+edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB4m2rZHDnNtr3ag07jGyg2YIIum2-tgms1B60D-EB1P4CfxqDyX7r1SgdPokM9y-8ZkrTmXd7wfu1ZLZ3KxTMlnhLvTJoipadKaxDsU8gFdLLjtKVS0o-LGtG0tWtOZr2KiAhFVOZN8/s640/Alishan+lake+edited.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alishan, Taiwan (2007 photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Alishan is especially popular for its sublime sunrise. Its fame began a century ago, back when Taiwan was part of Japan, when its forests supplied timber for the Japanese empire. The Torii (gate) of Meiji Shrine (close to Yoyogi Park in Shibuya) is from Alishan, as was the original which was destroyed during the WW2 bombings. The Japanese-built narrow-gauge railway up the mountain (to transport logs), complete with the original steam train, used to be used to take tourists up the mountain, passing through stunning scenery and a range of climactic zones, and it was especially popular during the sakura (cherry blossom) season, for which Alishan is famous in Taiwan. Unfortunately the train was discontinued a few years ago, apparently due to typhoon damage.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiecXaUgciNSrfkAmeKsIdGRiWMJhx6lafrQh0_haywRjaP4zVBU0HGy3GfEGvCtmq6PYNwCZY7gqSOyGLGvmf9I7hmnOgLu4XZSsjvTDpDZU02h3hLCDEn0fssYNOE4f4GBgaEwxC4AU/s1600/Koma+River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiecXaUgciNSrfkAmeKsIdGRiWMJhx6lafrQh0_haywRjaP4zVBU0HGy3GfEGvCtmq6PYNwCZY7gqSOyGLGvmf9I7hmnOgLu4XZSsjvTDpDZU02h3hLCDEn0fssYNOE4f4GBgaEwxC4AU/s640/Koma+River.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koma River. Alishan Organics is just to the left of where this photo was taken from.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Alishan Organics started out in the early 1980s, when Jack and Faye, who at the time were exporting Japanese antiques and folkcraft, began importing small amounts healthy and nutritious food (such as whole wheat flour and peanut butter!) for their family and friends. From there they grew into the major wholesaler of organic and whole foods in Japan they are today. Their products can be found in organic and natural food shops nationwide (including <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.jp/2013/07/vegan-groceries-in-tokyo.html" target="_blank">Natural Mart and National Azabu in Hiroo</a>) and they have been running the cafe and shop at its current site since 2001, when they built their 'big red barn'. It's worth bringing a bag to stock up at the store, but they also do direct mail order through their <a href="http://www.alishan-organics.com/Alishan2010_organics/tengu-natural-foods/tengu-products/" target="_blank">Tengu Natural Foods</a> site if you don't want to lug your next month's lentils or Amy's soup tins back on the subway.<br />
<br />
Despite being located on a main road, Alishan Cafe has an outdoor seating area which backs directly onto the beautiful Koma river, so it feels quite secluded from the outside world, and is a beautiful spot to eat, drink and chill out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpofhrlOYJwXItUndxo0EkvTBg9OTm4n6_d-AFDsIfRkKPnfpgfFZ78BLhOQci3UTb6mF2OimNVT-TObkYoOa-qS-eQXqIke1pQeHKCJ8VAAp_Y2jjE-POV2eRoSS7-kgTRb-Re8WzYY/s1600/Alishan+Table+View.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpofhrlOYJwXItUndxo0EkvTBg9OTm4n6_d-AFDsIfRkKPnfpgfFZ78BLhOQci3UTb6mF2OimNVT-TObkYoOa-qS-eQXqIke1pQeHKCJ8VAAp_Y2jjE-POV2eRoSS7-kgTRb-Re8WzYY/s400/Alishan+Table+View.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view from my table at Alishan Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
During the evenings the outside area is often lit by candlelight, and on my visit there was a sitar and tabla ensemble entertaining the crowd of Japanese and foreign visitors. The seating area was fairly full, so it wouldn't hurt to make a reservation for the evening meal during weekends (phone<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white;">042-982-4823)</span></span>.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
The five minute walk to Alishan Organics from Koma Station passes through market gardens and along the Koma river.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_ZsAh7V72a1S6zwNPQsHccwU70ylN0qqqMaWNi0-7OaDcWZQ7Pe_4L_L5Gm2PaOT6kdfa25_C6T48noe_chwZWv67JAcEu3sbWLx-igpHY_y8uFCTrUMukUYMjPn6wTJGqeMUkKHXX4/s1600/Alishan_walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_ZsAh7V72a1S6zwNPQsHccwU70ylN0qqqMaWNi0-7OaDcWZQ7Pe_4L_L5Gm2PaOT6kdfa25_C6T48noe_chwZWv67JAcEu3sbWLx-igpHY_y8uFCTrUMukUYMjPn6wTJGqeMUkKHXX4/s640/Alishan_walk.jpg" height="235" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Alishan Organics is a five minute walk from Koma Station, through these gardens and past a swimming area of the Koma River.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's well worth having a walk along the river, which is popular for swimming (and unfortunately fishing).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviTznssQtysLvmU-dpbHyqlW1pDZ53ogKJtnVzN2BPSG9a-eQmpecxR-qCXQYEc-9PdxWBc9Hcg4aDrAHqXCq6sC7VGbx-5PyR5fVhp8Hkro1w7WChI9ISGfSVqUnNaAifQ4gxnl1Kd4/s1600/Koma+river+walkway+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviTznssQtysLvmU-dpbHyqlW1pDZ53ogKJtnVzN2BPSG9a-eQmpecxR-qCXQYEc-9PdxWBc9Hcg4aDrAHqXCq6sC7VGbx-5PyR5fVhp8Hkro1w7WChI9ISGfSVqUnNaAifQ4gxnl1Kd4/s400/Koma+river+walkway+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Take a stroll down the Koma River.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The area downstream from the cafe is also a popular picnic and camping spot (Kinchakuda), and it's great to be able to camp and not have to worry about cooking meals, especially if you need to carry your camping equipment from the train (as I did).<br />
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolUqUmnyBES8JFVkYpvuQ5yvlUo_PF3rMJjM2wUN1i_qHdAaiKd7105GvKMePOOi3lOkj4qu8SJhArB0L_i9V6E2X2oO46ayj9XTbhVz3-arTcFIvj4pDnX7kURhoAv4cuI73Vwx5dzI/s1600/Koma+River+Camping+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolUqUmnyBES8JFVkYpvuQ5yvlUo_PF3rMJjM2wUN1i_qHdAaiKd7105GvKMePOOi3lOkj4qu8SJhArB0L_i9V6E2X2oO46ayj9XTbhVz3-arTcFIvj4pDnX7kURhoAv4cuI73Vwx5dzI/s400/Koma+River+Camping+1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinchakuda picnic and camping area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">If camping, it's best to camp in the middle of the loop (as far as possible from the entrance) as it's quieter and the gravel is much finer. That said, it is still gravel (as of August 2014, but this changes as the river does) so be sure to have a comfortable mattress. I also don't recommend camping during the hottest part of the year (August) as I did, but during the spring and autumn this would be a charming spot. And, like skiing or hiking at Hakuba, it's so great to be able to enjoy the outdoors of Japan without having to live on tofu and white rice.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf6X3f_uP9GEalFRyIYQ3sS0I3SbuHh_BPArcggoOcm3dd8a-sOHBw6srXTRY7Vt__LypWwIhaVj-A7IrkrIFaciz9SrAEG_gQVLnZ1-FxU69gVtLpMjszfIvpbEDzpTOssWEr-ZlFRs/s1600/DSCF5566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf6X3f_uP9GEalFRyIYQ3sS0I3SbuHh_BPArcggoOcm3dd8a-sOHBw6srXTRY7Vt__LypWwIhaVj-A7IrkrIFaciz9SrAEG_gQVLnZ1-FxU69gVtLpMjszfIvpbEDzpTOssWEr-ZlFRs/s1600/DSCF5566.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping in the middle of the loop, Kinchakuda picnic / camping area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
It's not just the setting, camping opportunity and grocery store that makes Alishan Organics worth the hour's trip from Tokyo: the food will bring any hungry vegan back again. Vegan options are listed on separate pages (some contain honey, so if you don't eat honey then ask), and include a range of international dishes, including Amy's (US brand) pizzas and burgers, and delicious vegan baking.<br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAGiwvp7sdmnTTX5RDLTlD-EOeXIfTY0frggH8w__sQg3xDnk0lKbllh0TahZZX9hEjwWWIGtAFFzmXk5B3rwm4-q_jX0QViCc0_Km9u37THIxYDtxB4RzM_UUYk6VjghkL6fFJpcRkI/s1600/ALishan+Thai+Curry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAGiwvp7sdmnTTX5RDLTlD-EOeXIfTY0frggH8w__sQg3xDnk0lKbllh0TahZZX9hEjwWWIGtAFFzmXk5B3rwm4-q_jX0QViCc0_Km9u37THIxYDtxB4RzM_UUYk6VjghkL6fFJpcRkI/s640/ALishan+Thai+Curry.JPG" height="488" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thai curry from Alishan Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
The fig and pear pie was the best pie I've eaten in longer than I can remember, and the coconut curry the most authentic Thai meal I've had in Japan, and the lemongrass aroma reached me before the curry itself. (T's Tantan's Masaman curry is also very good.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONG_QbllUScIK2FuTEeG7yXKBVrolGG5M2szSQdJOvBUccQ5GptIrUfJ4kXS0Bh2ShzOMrLogwuLQwwt27Qb6JmjVbGMBbIcX2XNyBBG6PzndRlNz4HBS9MqEh794HrOlJMokRz8A_uQ/s1600/Alishan+dessert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONG_QbllUScIK2FuTEeG7yXKBVrolGG5M2szSQdJOvBUccQ5GptIrUfJ4kXS0Bh2ShzOMrLogwuLQwwt27Qb6JmjVbGMBbIcX2XNyBBG6PzndRlNz4HBS9MqEh794HrOlJMokRz8A_uQ/s640/Alishan+dessert.JPG" height="497" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't remember when I last ate a dessert this good. The Pink Cow vegan meetup desserts are the next best in Tokyo.</td></tr>
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They also serve Taiwanese tea, from (surprise) Alishan, which (besides sunrises and sakura) is very famous for its tea, as, like Li Shan (which boasts the highest tea plantations in the world) its altitude and weather patterns make it one of the world's best places to grow tea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX37xkitgIUBGs-oX8utJbQX8kXBpiRs7WYgOcOBiOgOaMKXfjpueyjIXnT4IrP5uCFp3r6xM6T-a4TwNOBP97T-fbHiaHlTRpRjVSmOvez_4c4zWxNE-Gpo29I1KLPW0PpmOUY9EYdIQ/s1600/Alishan+Organics+Tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX37xkitgIUBGs-oX8utJbQX8kXBpiRs7WYgOcOBiOgOaMKXfjpueyjIXnT4IrP5uCFp3r6xM6T-a4TwNOBP97T-fbHiaHlTRpRjVSmOvez_4c4zWxNE-Gpo29I1KLPW0PpmOUY9EYdIQ/s640/Alishan+Organics+Tea.jpg" height="296" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loose leaf Alishan tea</td></tr>
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During the busy summer period the menu is somewhat reduced (due to the large numbers of customers) but still a delicious meal, and vegan options are always available.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95Dtd27rNFwQm-lK3RfuwGq1j9kYVU4dlDQRQ4YDpRbTjT59Iha5cmdJ8gogVx1slKCL9T0LY187MyokHq78rg4q51amz2rvcLpSc-gfLIO_gN89BhhuvSSvX_Z3WAvL5lRcUJkfiVc0/s1600/DSCF0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95Dtd27rNFwQm-lK3RfuwGq1j9kYVU4dlDQRQ4YDpRbTjT59Iha5cmdJ8gogVx1slKCL9T0LY187MyokHq78rg4q51amz2rvcLpSc-gfLIO_gN89BhhuvSSvX_Z3WAvL5lRcUJkfiVc0/s1600/DSCF0671.JPG" height="232" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh, delicious and 'summery' , August 2014 </td></tr>
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Living in Yokohama, I'm fortunate that since the Tokyo Toyoko Line (for Yokohama) was joined up with the Fukutoshin (subway) Line, I can make it to the cafe with just one transfer (though two is often faster). It's about an hour from Ikebukuro (Northern Tokyo) on the Seibu Line. The Fukutoshin Subway Line continues (as the Seibu Yurakucho and then Ikebukuro Lines) to Hanno Station, from which it's a short hop on the Seibu Chichibu Line to Koma Station. For the best route there I recommend <a href="http://www.hyperdia.com/en/" target="_blank">Hyperdia</a> (from: anywhere, to:Koma; they also have a very useful smartphone app) or just go to Ikebukuro Station (or wherever you are) and ask the staff for the best route to Koma Station in Saitama.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=koma+station+saitama&daddr=alishan+organic+cafe&hl=en&geocode=FRiDIwId451NCCl79tjXvygZYDGs7rZSZP177Q%3BFW-SIwIdm65NCCGIRSH9MNLOSylrwvVO6ygZYDGIRSH9MNLOSw&aq=&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.884043,139.306748&spn=0.006085,0.00912&z=16" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.alishan-organics.com/Alishan2010_organics/alishan-cafe/cafe-info/" target="_blank"><b>Opening Hours:</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Monday: 11:30 - 18:00 (final orders for food 15:30)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday: 11:30 - 18:00</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Saturday: 11:30 - 21:00</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Tuesday & Wednesday: closed</span></div>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-58173101165491032382013-08-06T22:02:00.000-07:002013-10-04T19:40:46.168-07:00Skiing in Japan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>HAKUBA</b><br />
The main exception to this rule, and therefore the top recommendation for ski resorts in Japan goes to <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Hakuba" target="_blank">Hakuba</a>, a vegan oasis in the Japanese ski world, and also the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics. This is because there is a vegan restaurant right on the ski slopes and because the Hakuba Highland Hotel has chefs willing show off their culinary skills and cook up fresh, delicious and authentic Japanese food, which is probably the best Japanese food I've ever eaten.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">It's not just the Olympic past which make Hakuba worth visiting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UpdajELfTgrrxa_axXnYsd0HaG9SU8IwXqORYb_RGGmOP0xDu0iO9P3vOH_g_u8QAZltEAlf4W9FWsoHdW3DFBvO7JwmETUSyq2jVioH-ad8Lndj3UcS3AwnH5_CSnMOY0TqNEtlo8Y/s1600/DSCF6431.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UpdajELfTgrrxa_axXnYsd0HaG9SU8IwXqORYb_RGGmOP0xDu0iO9P3vOH_g_u8QAZltEAlf4W9FWsoHdW3DFBvO7JwmETUSyq2jVioH-ad8Lndj3UcS3AwnH5_CSnMOY0TqNEtlo8Y/s400/DSCF6431.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">And it's not just the food either - the views are spectacular.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaJPIJgSLOYIUhqtrtlFIYqVYqGd51zWXVVrKrwfYQ_uG-4LRi5XaLQDgqKuTAO_Wdy1O3412G1wnmm3UQqcEl8KjdoISSk5Kn5hS0L6cK43oerwxqqyvnaYQhg_WexJ7rO6WWRKhH54/s1600/DSCF9490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaJPIJgSLOYIUhqtrtlFIYqVYqGd51zWXVVrKrwfYQ_uG-4LRi5XaLQDgqKuTAO_Wdy1O3412G1wnmm3UQqcEl8KjdoISSk5Kn5hS0L6cK43oerwxqqyvnaYQhg_WexJ7rO6WWRKhH54/s400/DSCF9490.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">But it can also get quite blizzard-like up the mountain!</td></tr>
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Hakuba lies almost directly across the main island of Japan from Tokyo, about 50km from the West Coast. It's possible, but slow, to reach it by conventional train, with the best route being a shinkansen to Nagano (about an hour and a half), and then a bus to Hakuba (about an hour). It's a perfect location for a three-plus day excursion from Tokyo. It's generally significantly cheaper to go through a travel agent for a deal combining the shinkansen and the hotel (and possibly lift pass) than to book both independently, and it has the added benefit of the travel agent being able to explain vegan requirements.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K-pkBP5lBhyphenhyphenStni6Wwa8GsienW9gmuJEK6sjzIYsMT1c3eBZ84tx71yVFQ9-BDPAtO3Eg2_aEp8LaBsGR-4ww8fT-oXKFHdmveX__jVPT12vaX1_WvWFRM1fd2wgNtwevrXJcL3ZgCU/s1600/DSCF6418.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K-pkBP5lBhyphenhyphenStni6Wwa8GsienW9gmuJEK6sjzIYsMT1c3eBZ84tx71yVFQ9-BDPAtO3Eg2_aEp8LaBsGR-4ww8fT-oXKFHdmveX__jVPT12vaX1_WvWFRM1fd2wgNtwevrXJcL3ZgCU/s400/DSCF6418.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I was fortunate to be in Hakuba after a massive snow drop in April 2012.</td></tr>
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It was probably the result of some good research by my travel agent (<a href="http://www.jackrabbit.jp/new/english/company-outline.htm" target="_blank">Jack Rabbit Travel in Motomachi, Yokohama</a>) and perhaps a little good luck too (given that it's not something likely to be listed in Japanese travel literature!) that she discovered that the <a href="http://www.japanican.com/hotels/ShisetsuDetail.aspx?st=5245001" target="_blank">Hakuba Highland Hotel</a> chefs are willing to cook delicious Japanese food for a visiting vegan. Their reportiore was, understandably, somewhat limited at first, but it grew over the course of my two visits, and included egg-less tempura and various hotpots (as in Taiwan, but with seaweed as a stock).<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKs-88D5NC0S0wqYl5V9znAzqLGqOItlTLesS4cDbJpvEr2sid87aNNt_S0HKQ3A9qLRBXZ0H_IJVqCWpcxBNOAdGbc6_Zg1ZT_XpfCFcQE0msU_umr_bJ53q5b1ry4P2iFy5Ngiqlwo/s1600/DSCF9479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKs-88D5NC0S0wqYl5V9znAzqLGqOItlTLesS4cDbJpvEr2sid87aNNt_S0HKQ3A9qLRBXZ0H_IJVqCWpcxBNOAdGbc6_Zg1ZT_XpfCFcQE0msU_umr_bJ53q5b1ry4P2iFy5Ngiqlwo/s640/DSCF9479.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">the morning view from my window at Hakuba Highland Hotel</td></tr>
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2013 Update: The food was even better - and quite spectacular - in my recent trip. I can't recommend Hakuba Highland Hotel enough, but it's vital to let them know in advance that you're vegan.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H6ZWaCKB4fD1JZFjk3co_W0N_LI9Ra2hyUSe07dVCtyqPopPzbuRqpX9W0jkzCJpCrACTNdk5cBqOKv56SteJVgvZvDmoxhUFW4aDa0Ltajr3JWP9RQU13fFJJvWb2FUdAxJ5O1jLdc/s1600/DSCF6399.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H6ZWaCKB4fD1JZFjk3co_W0N_LI9Ra2hyUSe07dVCtyqPopPzbuRqpX9W0jkzCJpCrACTNdk5cBqOKv56SteJVgvZvDmoxhUFW4aDa0Ltajr3JWP9RQU13fFJJvWb2FUdAxJ5O1jLdc/s400/DSCF6399.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">a typical oishii vegan dinner at the Hakuba Highland Hotel</td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr>
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The food was beautifully prepared (of course) and I really enjoyed trying authentic Japanese cuisine cooked by a local chef. Portions were generously sized, and a couple of times they brought out so much for breakfast (which I had to cook myself over a burner) that I nearly missed the shuttle to the skifield. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF3MS1_B9Ip19AUXFfW4hwXJfkwYtDfzAscgzUOHyK06kOMVgmJ0WncCZeh9XSk21m3VPGcoZE5u4Y55L7s3GIxG25OhJTlBZ8WuuPI0Zzh0G6JZF2MsbwwBCuiLCHorSjmEnN71Gj-w/s1600/DSCF6403.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF3MS1_B9Ip19AUXFfW4hwXJfkwYtDfzAscgzUOHyK06kOMVgmJ0WncCZeh9XSk21m3VPGcoZE5u4Y55L7s3GIxG25OhJTlBZ8WuuPI0Zzh0G6JZF2MsbwwBCuiLCHorSjmEnN71Gj-w/s400/DSCF6403.JPG" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Cooking the range of foods over the flame was quite a novelty. Allow plenty of time for these breakfasts!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinlFrL3iHPr9xHALDTE6eHVqySIQB5OGz4yhuAL7phZ3N0QHCdU-D59mDR5nlCVmxHRN4Zx_txYMSqbvHs_uo-aZZiNuuGyYsphN1Qdl4X_OFNYNrbbGSZNkF2z2e8-e5fGCV3X1Gans/s1600/DSCF6428.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinlFrL3iHPr9xHALDTE6eHVqySIQB5OGz4yhuAL7phZ3N0QHCdU-D59mDR5nlCVmxHRN4Zx_txYMSqbvHs_uo-aZZiNuuGyYsphN1Qdl4X_OFNYNrbbGSZNkF2z2e8-e5fGCV3X1Gans/s400/DSCF6428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">But all this breakfast requires is some serious eating.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o-yv3wiFTp-aEpwFCAqLYXPOSMBnn7pDaf8AxHRgWwRcbU7mTRPlVVPXVk5qTQFA-yqzG7NiDO191r1dQB0Ys7LV8H9D1VIVR-RyLx2RMIgRoSQC2snLcjK249AgHQdGOFdNBEOVfP8/s1600/DSCF9522.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o-yv3wiFTp-aEpwFCAqLYXPOSMBnn7pDaf8AxHRgWwRcbU7mTRPlVVPXVk5qTQFA-yqzG7NiDO191r1dQB0Ys7LV8H9D1VIVR-RyLx2RMIgRoSQC2snLcjK249AgHQdGOFdNBEOVfP8/s400/DSCF9522.JPG" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">2013 addition: It just keeps getting better and better!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz6mPNbv9oa27aXgF0ywiKreP_qzYrdNwb_k0VaB8Bgu8vYqPRyoZA75-ZjsF9KCwMAbTdWCv2Jx4sJz7eDrqzcqeEFdiW5dN4mrIXBhBQcf_YyZZCEwU1nfeHrXOV-oaZTC6tadXFns/s1600/DSCF9485.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz6mPNbv9oa27aXgF0ywiKreP_qzYrdNwb_k0VaB8Bgu8vYqPRyoZA75-ZjsF9KCwMAbTdWCv2Jx4sJz7eDrqzcqeEFdiW5dN4mrIXBhBQcf_YyZZCEwU1nfeHrXOV-oaZTC6tadXFns/s400/DSCF9485.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The mochis (top right) were pre-cooked, but they also gave me a burner to heat them up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Veksr-JeoZ1XwiM2oxlJZ5mO5kbHaqacNxNduNuZgVEusJyAjdtyNhmE5W_igHF0sHyDJ4wLdE58BkrOL9TCdC_jGIIJD4aVcfAh_QpCCuMz6UpYvZ6mMWwbbcy-PhdWeeyV_Qjo_mM/s1600/DSCF9495.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Veksr-JeoZ1XwiM2oxlJZ5mO5kbHaqacNxNduNuZgVEusJyAjdtyNhmE5W_igHF0sHyDJ4wLdE58BkrOL9TCdC_jGIIJD4aVcfAh_QpCCuMz6UpYvZ6mMWwbbcy-PhdWeeyV_Qjo_mM/s640/DSCF9495.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">2013: Daiya may not have made it into the Japanese culinary world yet, but I was so sure the cheesy topping on the potato really was that I apologised and said I couldn't eat cheese. The mildly-offended waiter explained that it was made of soybean powder. Their chef is amazing!</td></tr>
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I'm not a big fan of onsens, but the Hakuba Highland Hotel also has a nice outdoor onsen, and it's a great way to soak tired limbs after skiing, with a mountain view and snow almost up to the edge of the (covered) bath itself. The hotel is warm, clean and friendly, and a short, free shuttle-ride from the train station (where the bus from Nagano Station stops) and the ski fields.<br />
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Nearby on the slopes of Happo One Resort is the incredible <a href="http://www.evergreen-hakuba.com/rootscafe/" target="_blank">Roots Cafe</a>. It is owned by Evergreen Outdoor Centre, which was started by Dave Enright eleven years ago, when he ran courses in avalanche safety and worked as a sole ski instructor. From there the business has grown into a hive of year-round outdoor education activities. I have been pleased with my ski lessons over the last year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Almost-vegan Roots Cafe, Happo One Ski Resort</td></tr>
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Five years ago Dave started Roots Cafe as a way of giving back to the community. Not only does it use locally produced vegetables and organic rice, but Dave grows some of the produce himself during the summer months. It also holds regular charity events, including one event which raised enough money to buy and deliver a new tractor for a tsunami-stricken village in Tohoku.<br />
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Roots cafe has now grown into a busy cafe, and you'll be lucky to find a seat during the busy lunch period around midday. What I tend to do is come early (say between 10:00 and 11:00) and then again for a late afternoon snack around 3:00 - 4:00, to tide me over to dinner. Note that the main courses (eg the wraps) are only available until 2:30, but there are plenty of snacks available afterwards. They also sell baked goods which are ideal for quick snacks on the ski lifts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Snack time. Wrapped bars and biscuits are fresh from the oven, and make great snacks for the ski lifts. The tea was good too.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately on my first visit, I simply didn't know about them, and found out by chance from a vegetarian ski instructor on my last day, and on my second visit (in April, partly to try this cafe), it had closed for the season the day before I arrived. I finally made it here in February 2013, and wasn't disappointed. It just makes the whole ski experience so much nicer when hot vegan food is so easily available.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">How many ski slopes are there in the world where one can find hummus and pita platters right on the slopes?</td></tr>
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The food is simple, healthy and delicious, and very suited to a hungry, non-vegan ski-boot-clad clientele, both Japanese and foreign. They use organic rice, and locally grown vegetables.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Lunches like this Mexican Wrap are available until 2:30.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKTvn1pX8Ypqe2EUmCPOKLGLuRa1PvBPOO7BSkpImGg8YXhKtt5BMQvhNUa8_KtyVVJGZZdh7R5B3aKfTjJPiBS0u7tGQb2qEb5O_VFa-juXHHk-xuE8fqY9gKcXXXadLBIBhOY3q7pA/s1600/DSCF9477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKTvn1pX8Ypqe2EUmCPOKLGLuRa1PvBPOO7BSkpImGg8YXhKtt5BMQvhNUa8_KtyVVJGZZdh7R5B3aKfTjJPiBS0u7tGQb2qEb5O_VFa-juXHHk-xuE8fqY9gKcXXXadLBIBhOY3q7pA/s400/DSCF9477.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">But the Soup of the Day (here Minestrone) and snacks like these Soy Karage balls are available all day.</td></tr>
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Cows milk is available for drinks upon request, and their burger buns contain milk powder (because they are bought from outside) but otherwise everything is vegan. Some sauces contain honey, so if you don't eat honey, then ask which products contain it (and please read <a href="http://www.satyamag.com/sept05/greger.html" target="_blank">this article</a>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz6mPNbv9oa27aXgF0ywiKreP_qzYrdNwb_k0VaB8Bgu8vYqPRyoZA75-ZjsF9KCwMAbTdWCv2Jx4sJz7eDrqzcqeEFdiW5dN4mrIXBhBQcf_YyZZCEwU1nfeHrXOV-oaZTC6tadXFns/s1600/DSCF9485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The range of wraps (including falafel) were my favourite, but they also had this Chinese dish and an Indian-style curry.</td></tr>
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Roots Cafe (and Evergreen Outdoor Centre) is on the slopes of Kokusai. The Hakuba Highland Hotel shuttle bus stops at the Gondola, from which it's possible to get to Kokusai by skiing either of the former Olympic routes (black runs). It should also be possible on green runs, but it's a bit more complicated (check a piste map). Alternatively, it's only a five to ten minute walk around the base of the mountain.<br />
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I recommend eating twice at Roots Cafe - preferably first before 11AM, and the next before the 2:30 finish of main dishes (snacks are available until 4:30) - and at the Hakuba Highland Hotel, but should you find yourself in Hakuba in need of food in the evening, the only Indian (and Nepalese) restaurant, <a href="http://www.hakuba-joho.net/hindi/" target="_blank">Hindi Momo</a>, has two vegan main dishes, Dahl and a Spinach-tomato curry, and the owner was happy to explain what was vegan. I found the dahl to be the best of the two.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Dahl and rice from Hindi Momo, Hakuba</td></tr>
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August 2013 Edit: On my original post (on my Vegan Taiwan blog) I noted that the nearby Goryu resort has a Subway restaurant, but have since learned that the breads (like virtually all of the sauces) all contain dairy products, so I don't recommend going anywhere other than Hakuba.</div>
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Also in Nagano (a train, bus and walk from Nagano Station) are the famous snow-monkeys (Japanese macaques which bathe in "onsens" during winter. I haven't (yet) been, and am undecided about whether or not to. So far as I can tell, including from accounts by people who have visited, there are no issues of abuse, and the monkeys are not in any form of dependence or captivity. Feeding them, for example, is prohibited so as to prevent them becoming dependent on humans. One could argue that humans are intruding on the monkeys habitat, with swarms of tourists pouring through daily, while however it is a perfect opportunity for the public to see and experience the sentience of non-human animals in their natural habitat. If you do go, please let me know what you think.</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004cd05829c8527555ff&ie=UTF8&t=m&source=embed&ll=36.700081,137.850094&spn=0.048172,0.072956&z=13&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br /></div>
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004cd05829c8527555ff&ie=UTF8&t=m&source=embed&ll=36.700081,137.850094&spn=0.048172,0.072956&z=13" style="color: blue;">Hakuba Vegan Spots</a> in a larger map</small><br />
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<b>GALA YUZAWA</b><br />
Gala Yuzawa is where Tokyoites go for a day on the ski slopes. The station is owned and run by the JR Company, and the shinkansen station, locker rooms and gondola entrance are all in the same building - Japanese efficiency at its best. Being owned by JR, they offer an excellent package including the train (about 1.5 hours each way) and a lift ticket for around 10 000 Yen (depending on the time of year). This is less than the train itself, so the lift pass is essentially thrown in free. Tickets can be bought from major JR stations.<br />
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It tends to get quite crowded on weekends, especially with young snowboarders who seem to come more as a social outing, and they often sit down and talk on the pistes - beware. However, for a day on the ski slopes from Tokyo, this is the place to come.<br />
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Food wise, it's the standard green salad, chips ("fried potatoes") and a bowl of white rice. I always bring snack food with me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">ramen and rice with soymeat from T's Tantan in Tokyo Station</td></tr>
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Since the shinkansen goes back to Tokyo station, on the way back is a perfect time to go to T's Tantan, the vegan ramen restaurant located inside the train station itself and not far from the Shinkansen entrance. It's located on Keiyo Street (an underground food "street") inside the gates of the station itself.<br />
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<b>HOKKAIDO</b><br />
Niseko is a Meka for snow sports, boasting what some would call the best powder snow in the world (though Hakuba is also excellent).<b> </b>I visited three ski fields: Niseko, Kokusai and Mt Moiwa. Whereever you go, if you take just one piece of advice from this blog, <i>bring plenty of snack food with you</i>. Due to my late order and the Xmas backlog, my veganessentials order didn't arrive before I left, and I could really have done with all those snack bars I'd ordered, especially while travelling and on the slopes!<br />
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<b>Getting There</b><br />
The best way to get to Hokkaido for the environment is of course the train, and it's an interesting day's journey (or more if you stop off along the way) to take the shinkansen to Aomori and then an interesting trip through the world's longest undersea tunnel to Hokkaido, the Seikan Tunnel. (The Channel Tunnel has a longer undersea portion, however the the Seikan Tunnel is the longest and also the deepest rail tunnel). If you have a Japan Rail Pass (almost an essential for tourists who plan on leaving the Greater Tokyo are) it's all covered by the JR Pass, unless you want an expensive sleeper berth.<br />
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If you do fly, New Chitose Airport is about an hour and a half's flight from Tokyo, and flights leave from both Haneda and Narita airports. There is a Starbucks on the third floor. (Starbucks is usually the only place one can find soymilk, with an exception being Niseko, thanks to all the Australians). Also, the conveyor-belt sushi restaurant nearby has a few vegan options, including pickled plum, cucumber and gourd; these three can be found in sushi restaurants all over Japan, and are usually vegan. There are small dipping bowls for soy sauce under the conveyor belt for sushi, and ginger is in a box on the table. The powdered green tea is free (help yourself). Just don't be tempted by the deep fried squid legs or the crab intestine sushi, quite a bargain at only 200 and 300 Yen respectively.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">sushi from the conveyor belt restaurant near Starbucks, 3rd floor New Chitose Airport</td></tr>
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<b>Niseko</b><br />
Niseko is almost a 'little Australia', and during the Xmas period I'd guess three quarters of people there, including many working in the restaurants, are Aussies, and most of the rest also foreigners, including many from Hong Kong and Singapore.<br />
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On the slopes themselves, food is mostly a matter of survival. Most places will serve white rice and "fried potatoes". King Bell on the Hirafu Slopes serve pizzas with dairy-free bases, and a pizza base with tomato sauce and basil was better than it sounded, even by the fourth one.<br />
The Grand Hirafu Area was also the best area for night skiing, largely because the Gondola runs until late.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwydiRkQW1HSZQfUApBCd0EyBjuJk4IVfNUcOYFHoKq_mn8An7qnHfDutjfHbYDA29t5xM1GcnDyOGsIMKdlyXxjn3eJR-FE2aMh6tFYWjeU9BmrjwnKpEV73Rtmz8tnEe5C-YRdEVy48/s1600/DSCF9028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwydiRkQW1HSZQfUApBCd0EyBjuJk4IVfNUcOYFHoKq_mn8An7qnHfDutjfHbYDA29t5xM1GcnDyOGsIMKdlyXxjn3eJR-FE2aMh6tFYWjeU9BmrjwnKpEV73Rtmz8tnEe5C-YRdEVy48/s400/DSCF9028.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Best on the Niseko slopes: a vegan pizza base, chips and rice from King Bell in the Grand Hirafu ski area.</td></tr>
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At Annupuri, my favourite of the four ski areas, the Nook do a green salad, rice and "friend potatoes" - usual vegan fare. Beware that the last bus back to Hirafu leaves just after 8PM - I found out the hard way that it's a long taxi ride around the mountain, as easy as it seems to ski over it.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBElWtmbZIyZ80lOUkQifdY8geb_gXNEORrSNwjNEOfaoB0uTMnvpoDpwog-dDEyaUaOpK1_vS5IzeJR074alqXBJcxCQa8wIRgFfkxObz1jW1PF29L-imt4BT1_GT7OCMyQKGeb2njY/s1600/DSCF9063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBElWtmbZIyZ80lOUkQifdY8geb_gXNEORrSNwjNEOfaoB0uTMnvpoDpwog-dDEyaUaOpK1_vS5IzeJR074alqXBJcxCQa8wIRgFfkxObz1jW1PF29L-imt4BT1_GT7OCMyQKGeb2njY/s320/DSCF9063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Best of Annupuri: a vegan lunch at the Nook, Annupuri ski area.</td></tr>
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The Niseko Village Area area was the worst, with the restaurants (including the Lookout Cafe on the slopes) seemingly dominated by the Hilton Hotel, with food and prices to match. I couldn't find anything vegan, and prices for drinks were ridiculous. I don't recommend this area.<br />
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I never made it to the Hanozono Resort Area, so if there's a vegan cafe there I missed it.<br />
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For dinner, or a break during lunch, walk or take the shuttle bus to the <a href="http://www.tajmahalgroup.com/niseko.aspx" target="_blank">Taj Mahal restaurant</a>, about half a kilometre from the Grand Hirafu area. They were happy to make food vegan (and clearly made the effort to check ingredients) and the food, while the typical North Indian fare found all over Japan, was excellent.<br />
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On Sunday they have a buffet. Needless to say, little of it (basically Pappadoms and one curry) was vegan, but they cooked me roti, an additional Channa Masala and offered alternatives to other items not vegan. All up, it was a great deal at 1950 Yen (my other meals there were about the same price). The owner, originally from Bombay, has lived in Japan for fourty years, and he also has branches in Chitose (near the airport) and Sapporo. The Taj Mahal is the obvious choice for dinners or a good satisfying lunch while at Niseko.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOy7gw_GkciALN0C_ssfITenIT96xbUGJ4ZepwYrENrrNykYLdsKt2-GtTd25s-LH9Z17NhPwVK-djvRspcl75a5cixcmxdauLmZx1-yACXfBP8rV540hIdlvAG2mS4gK2QBZqViUQ0k/s1600/DSCF9100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOy7gw_GkciALN0C_ssfITenIT96xbUGJ4ZepwYrENrrNykYLdsKt2-GtTd25s-LH9Z17NhPwVK-djvRspcl75a5cixcmxdauLmZx1-yACXfBP8rV540hIdlvAG2mS4gK2QBZqViUQ0k/s400/DSCF9100.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A vegan modification of the Sunday buffet meal at the Taj Mahal - a great deal at 1950 Yen!</td></tr>
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They also have two buses/vans in the area, one by Seicomart, offering hot food on the go. I found the quality (not surprisingly) much lower than the restaurant, so it's well worth the walk to get the food fresh from the kitchen rather than from the microwave.<br />
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<b>Kokusai</b><br />
Kokusai, which literally translates to 'international' (though I only saw one other foreigner there, among several hundred Japanese - quite the opposite of Niseko) is about a two hour bus ride from Sapporo Station. Compared to Niseko, I found its runs to be longer and wider, and I enjoyed skiing there a lot.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOUB7KV6M6mraGmdJnkHFjhwjcTbhkFlh6FsxhCZVDZ41DRQphytBEw8w_OKMEU3K1Kbhg1CycDrOsfaAulaw9PAAQtjbA_SIc_qIO8EhzgABk29Li8fAB9kIEqQdEejlAB3mTej_keA/s1600/DSCF9303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOUB7KV6M6mraGmdJnkHFjhwjcTbhkFlh6FsxhCZVDZ41DRQphytBEw8w_OKMEU3K1Kbhg1CycDrOsfaAulaw9PAAQtjbA_SIc_qIO8EhzgABk29Li8fAB9kIEqQdEejlAB3mTej_keA/s640/DSCF9303.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">the view from outside the gondola at Kokusai Ski Resort</td></tr>
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It also has two Gondolas to near the top of the mountain, so this and the wide, long runs meant that a greater proportion of my time was spent skiing than on chairlifts or in cues than at other skifields.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5opUtCkVOV4cts5AmZFk3V71b3JVMBst9_9xMfWuMUO0RjyJs0y0rA3M8OCfD88rVI9xyaobrLz9OvouU2p3MaDRC9iOBibKl7Tou4Wa6AHeoNLiAoppjhWtey8yVFqozvr9FZeSm2BQ/s1600/DSCF9311.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5opUtCkVOV4cts5AmZFk3V71b3JVMBst9_9xMfWuMUO0RjyJs0y0rA3M8OCfD88rVI9xyaobrLz9OvouU2p3MaDRC9iOBibKl7Tou4Wa6AHeoNLiAoppjhWtey8yVFqozvr9FZeSm2BQ/s400/DSCF9311.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Kokusai base</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8RU36I_5MzNscF-iHkuwFp2fHH6r97M3VU-AdaQqnqGIv7jroTKb0RQS3PO8akiQD3X91omKtgUNCRGWu19DuHURrM_r9Wc6PUqMv41QsoRxzkxPcdU4CYhtpPAyUnfC29biRFC_GUk/s1600/DSCF9322.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8RU36I_5MzNscF-iHkuwFp2fHH6r97M3VU-AdaQqnqGIv7jroTKb0RQS3PO8akiQD3X91omKtgUNCRGWu19DuHURrM_r9Wc6PUqMv41QsoRxzkxPcdU4CYhtpPAyUnfC29biRFC_GUk/s400/DSCF9322.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">once the sun came out, the views from the gondola were spectacular</td></tr>
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Don't expect much for lunch though. The only thing I could find at all (other than french fries) was freshly baked sweet potato (that's kumara for any kiwis reading this) from the dining area to the far right in this photo.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3amGZsdu3KhaRB4mcAR6jJzv4sjgRmTAaq2GVLtxniCsFCm8i0rdN371QuECySEh_epT_IFXZy54cFeZeNnJKPsehvEvXiogShiQlv1XgqZ2B6lRWIk0CCuriYcT7WLHvpQYwgDQm1AQ/s1600/DSCF9330.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3amGZsdu3KhaRB4mcAR6jJzv4sjgRmTAaq2GVLtxniCsFCm8i0rdN371QuECySEh_epT_IFXZy54cFeZeNnJKPsehvEvXiogShiQlv1XgqZ2B6lRWIk0CCuriYcT7WLHvpQYwgDQm1AQ/s400/DSCF9330.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">enter at the far right of this building (as seen from this direction) and sweet potato are sold at the first counter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakL3ys5zhH5JCPiQjaofUcCv4mAIaFkooyAsGTHh0yxCiHzVD8oqIJ7t8QnjZd0-oM_-cL991uoPq7RM3aVmrIzbAm5t-AxEV0jwar9g2TqSDJyAG7F5w0sLfaUAHqSyvow0_eqZ92Nc/s1600/DSCF9309.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakL3ys5zhH5JCPiQjaofUcCv4mAIaFkooyAsGTHh0yxCiHzVD8oqIJ7t8QnjZd0-oM_-cL991uoPq7RM3aVmrIzbAm5t-AxEV0jwar9g2TqSDJyAG7F5w0sLfaUAHqSyvow0_eqZ92Nc/s400/DSCF9309.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">morning tea, lunch (and dinner if you stay long enough) at Kokusai Ski Resort</td></tr>
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<b>Mt Moiwa Ski Resort</b><br />
For a more family affair, head to Mt Moiwa Ski field, near Sapporo. This is where families come for a day skiing, and where working folk duck by for a quick night ski after work. Facilities here are very simple, and food very basic. I found nothing vegan except fries and rice.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldvvjums0qfnPeH8AsMS-G_FghKQeeh15gZlIMX7GbRjO1cggjj_wb9kezZuE-cdxW8hBAktX6Tx_m17wS5aKwYUaJ8OeBsR3jMKFw6TpqgRYqsoIhCnPj8O5ENPBZuywmIpb977OBxc/s1600/DSCF9277.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldvvjums0qfnPeH8AsMS-G_FghKQeeh15gZlIMX7GbRjO1cggjj_wb9kezZuE-cdxW8hBAktX6Tx_m17wS5aKwYUaJ8OeBsR3jMKFw6TpqgRYqsoIhCnPj8O5ENPBZuywmIpb977OBxc/s400/DSCF9277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mt Moiwa Ski area, close to Sapporo</td></tr>
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Note: I am writing about the Mt Moiwa near central Sapporo. There is a much larger Mt Moiwa Ski resort close to Niseko, which I didn't go to. Also note that this is a skier only area (no snowboarding).<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n8IAwDqp9dS6UguRjS8CVYeV7W9g8C7QXnaWm60PixZYZKHV1u5JNGcuCTNsErnQxE799DtlAz26YZRDnj6QESjwttIDT79Noyrk5JbO8jj60mI_f988NsmvDHEFfjR_fAAdIWVIgXw/s1600/DSCF9285.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n8IAwDqp9dS6UguRjS8CVYeV7W9g8C7QXnaWm60PixZYZKHV1u5JNGcuCTNsErnQxE799DtlAz26YZRDnj6QESjwttIDT79Noyrk5JbO8jj60mI_f988NsmvDHEFfjR_fAAdIWVIgXw/s400/DSCF9285.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The views of Sapporo were amazing!</td></tr>
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To get there, take the subway to Makomanai Station, and then there is a shuttle bus (or a taxi) from there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n8IAwDqp9dS6UguRjS8CVYeV7W9g8C7QXnaWm60PixZYZKHV1u5JNGcuCTNsErnQxE799DtlAz26YZRDnj6QESjwttIDT79Noyrk5JbO8jj60mI_f988NsmvDHEFfjR_fAAdIWVIgXw/s1600/DSCF9285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">my favourite run at Mt Moiwa</td></tr>
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<b>SAPPORO</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZYuFb6N3P3XDBsZfwGKIm2bTKgL3T9IOK1ekyaCIVajjtLwdAyRzqt8DBmBzbtFIj3KtGp8PduQM92FHoFTukNHmVBuX1LjrsK27Rc0rCuLXKF_qrp2ts_H2v_dnrzXD9Z-u4BmgKwc/s1600/DSCF9166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZYuFb6N3P3XDBsZfwGKIm2bTKgL3T9IOK1ekyaCIVajjtLwdAyRzqt8DBmBzbtFIj3KtGp8PduQM92FHoFTukNHmVBuX1LjrsK27Rc0rCuLXKF_qrp2ts_H2v_dnrzXD9Z-u4BmgKwc/s640/DSCF9166.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you're in Hokkaido, chances are you'll go to Sapporo. I found it to be a very pleasant, liveable city. Being a planned city, it has straight, wide streets, and a central park-like avenue (Oodori) running right through the centre. It reminded me very much of Christchurch (especially with the hills in the distance) and of Kaohsiung, which was probably planned and built by Japanese at around the same time.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qxTr3hfiQrVtlenbyCIGVaJufhwWM48AcP0JmS5IDsmUzcL01eX5bNJUaNNAr2BguDYhCDErvWrT0UF6azYspRsBXKQjZwLzftkdmExRT0Rt2AV87ZDwB_9SVXPadVY19u-23fEdWTQ/s1600/DSCF9200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qxTr3hfiQrVtlenbyCIGVaJufhwWM48AcP0JmS5IDsmUzcL01eX5bNJUaNNAr2BguDYhCDErvWrT0UF6azYspRsBXKQjZwLzftkdmExRT0Rt2AV87ZDwB_9SVXPadVY19u-23fEdWTQ/s400/DSCF9200.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Oodori, central Sapporo</td></tr>
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I recommend three places to eat in Sapporo, all from <a href="http://www.happycow.net/asia/japan/sapporo/" target="_blank">Happycow</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=13094" target="_blank">Aoi Sora Organic Cafe</a><br />
Being Sapporo's only vegetarian cafe (it's actually vegan and organic) this should be top of the list. The meal was fresh and delicious (such a change from days of rice and French fries) and the friendly owner speaks good English. It's well worth the effort to get there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">a set lunch from Ao Sora Organic Cafe, Sapporo</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=33663" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Iki Laboratory</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Iki Laboratory (it's r<span style="font-size: small;">eally a restaurant) labels many items on its menu 'vegan' and 'oriental vegetarian' (<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="zh-TW"><span class="">全素 - no garlic or onion). <span style="font-size: small;">Portions <span style="font-size: small;">were small (<span style="font-size: small;">as normal in Japan) but for such excellent food, it was still good value. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">potato salad from Iki Laboratory</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I think these were made from gluten, but I can't remember what they were called.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">parfait - Iki Laboratory</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=30636" target="_blank"><b>Jyoto</b></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jyoti is an Indian restaurant right in central Sapporo. It serves typical but delicious North Indian food. It's friendly owner, Mahavira, is vegetarian, and uses separate utensils for his own food and vegetarian customers. I twice had the vegetarian set, with a Lacha Paratha (a kind of flaky bread which I'd never tried before) instead of the Naan. The staff were friendly and efficient and the food was excellent.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">starters at Jyoti, central Sapporo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Lacha Parathi, dal and vegetable curry from Jyoti</td></tr>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-6018184562592125972013-07-19T07:34:00.000-07:002013-08-18T01:20:38.977-07:00Outing: Hakone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A popular day-trip from Tokyo is <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Hakone" target="_blank">Hakone</a>, a small town about two hours from Tokyo. While it's famous for its beautiful views of Mount Fuji (when it's not shrouded in cloud) and geothermal activity - including a region unsafe for asthmatics due to the sulphur content of the air - Hakone's novel attraction is the possibility of riding five modes of transport: a (somewhat tacky) pirate ship across a beautiful lake, a gondola, a cable car, a switchback train and an ordinary train.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Hakone is famous for its views of Mount Fuji.</td></tr>
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Aside from the different forms of transport, passengers can get off the gondola half way down (or up) and walk through a geothermal area high in sulpherous gases. Unfortunately the main attraction is considered to be black eggs cooked in the sulpherous water.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Owakudani (Great Boiling Valley) is not for the asthmatic.</td></tr>
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There is plenty of information around about Hakone, however on my first visit my only meal of the day included a small bowl of fried rice with soy sauce and a few frozen vegetables, and even then only thanks to a kind-hearted foreigner who translated my strange needs to the bewildered staff of a tiny restaurant. However, second time around, my parents and I found this charming sushi jaunt run by a very helpful couple who understood quickly what we ate and didn't.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Hakone's only vegan meal can be found here, just before the Open Air Museum.</td></tr>
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There are four types of vegan sushi available: cucumber and two root vegetables, and inari sushi (deep fried tofu pockets). The first three come in a set. These trays are great value at between 500 and 800 Yen each.<br />
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The sushi bar is located just outside Chukoku-no-mori station on the Hakone Tozan line (the switchback train). It's just outside the station on the way to the Open Air Museum. It's open from 9AM to 8PM, and is closed on Thursdays. Beware that the Open Air Museum closes at 5PM with the last admissions at 4:30, so if you've done the circuit starting with the pirate ship and intend to visit the museum, it might be best to visit the museum first, and have dinner here before making your way back to Tokyo. Alternatively, if you go around anti-clockwise, it might make a good lunch spot. Generally which way around one goes is worked out by when the odds are best from seeing Mt Fuji, and whether one wants to see it from the lake or the mountains (while on the gondola and at the geothermal area).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">After a long day exploring Hakone, this fresh, delicious sushi is just what is needed.</td></tr>
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These dishes are all common sushi dishes which can be found all over Japan, particularly at kaiten sushi (conveyor belt) restaurants and often even at grocery stores and even convenience stores. While visiting Japan one should try eating these, though they may sometimes be all you can find, especially in more remote areas, however what makes these worth blogging about is that they are, as far as I can tell, the only vegan food in Hakone.<br />
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Being regarded as a top tourist attraction from Tokyo, and a fun day out (or overnighter), it seems worth mentioning on this blog where vegan food can be found, however beware that Hakone can get very crowded, especially during the weekend, and can feel very 'packaged', particularly on the transport circuit. So Hakone may not be for everyone. If you do go I recommend spending at least a couple of days there, preferably not on a weekend (or popular holiday period) and spending one day off the tourist route exploring the area on foot. I enjoyed walking the <a href="http://japantourist.jp/view/the-old-hakone-highway-hike" target="_blank">Old Hakone Highway</a>.</div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-8364744256642455982013-07-19T07:33:00.001-07:002016-03-04T06:52:41.211-08:00Outing: Kamakura<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Kamakura is a charming seaside little town about an hour from Tokyo, famous for its beach and temples. It was the de facto capital of Japan during the Kamakura Period from 1185 to 1333, during which time Japan was ruled by the Kamakura Shoganate and the famous samurai class emerged. Kamakura is a popular day or overnight trip from Tokyo.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The 750-year-old Daibutsu (big Buddha) is Kamakura's icon.</td></tr>
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The temples are beautiful, and there are some nice walks around the place.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The Daibutsu Hiking Path is a beautiful escape from the city. It takes about an hour from Jochi-ji Temple to the Daibutsu. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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It's also possible to cycle to Kamakura from Tokyo (or Yokohama) but there isn't a good route, so expect lots of traffic.<br />
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For a few weeks during the summer vacation period the beaches really comes alive, with locker, changing and shower facilities being erected on the sand, and crowds flocking to swim, sunbathe and just enjoy the beach environment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">beach facilities being constructed in late June</td></tr>
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<b>Yuigahama Beach</b><br />
Yuigahama is the easiest beach to reach, being a short ride on the tram (Enoden / electric railway) from Kamakura station. The beach also becomes a real party-zone, with beach-side bars and dance floors if that's your thing. All constructions disappear promptly after the vacation period, at which time the beach returns to its former pristine state. Beware of jellyfish in the water during the really warm months - I learned the hard way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi995xdWG2VDMgCKvZor1h8Wxxxf9jrSs8VWaAtldcRKnWY_oTMBthEWvhCdF3C3fUmplIloKzieKyqvfWyX4Pk2xhLEjieWYA1gmaNxJA-eYor2rzdeTqxr2oofb4V0o7-1_FJswr8H2w/s1600/DSCF7011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi995xdWG2VDMgCKvZor1h8Wxxxf9jrSs8VWaAtldcRKnWY_oTMBthEWvhCdF3C3fUmplIloKzieKyqvfWyX4Pk2xhLEjieWYA1gmaNxJA-eYor2rzdeTqxr2oofb4V0o7-1_FJswr8H2w/s400/DSCF7011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Yuigahama Beach at Kamakura comes alive during the hot summer months.</td></tr>
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Right across from Yuigahama Beach itself, is the veg-friendly Organic and Hemp Style Cafe and Bar.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzce06YA34ZGR29igSf8PyxSQTNy1At0X6GRf5eU4c0v89fHyMX7pl5C15jj2OLnJ0k4RXE-SRELrJ3UGdefIlz2vghL0V2rl0-aWoBhJIZxsnp5C6-NScinvhTWaQ-Imdg46W-PYIL8M/s707/DSCF0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzce06YA34ZGR29igSf8PyxSQTNy1At0X6GRf5eU4c0v89fHyMX7pl5C15jj2OLnJ0k4RXE-SRELrJ3UGdefIlz2vghL0V2rl0-aWoBhJIZxsnp5C6-NScinvhTWaQ-Imdg46W-PYIL8M/s400/DSCF0533.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Organic &amp; Hemp Style Cafe, Yuigahama Beach, Kamakura</td></tr>
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The interior could be described as 'hippy", with a few hemp products for sale, and the food is excellent. While unfortunately it's not vegan anymore, the staff all have a good understanding of veganism and I've never had any problems ordering delicious food.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtYOJTWmnrBOWAiyfvn417CY1kGLE1j7d0TgIl2mmLzaT-TdJkYM5zFIGk85k2wEwXqXX6JjM6o7Ss5FT05C2ShWoPqnQ3F4HIdN1GYO376rH_ZT_awSOvL3PLMG5-9dd0VRw8dgOjro/s1600/DSCF7382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtYOJTWmnrBOWAiyfvn417CY1kGLE1j7d0TgIl2mmLzaT-TdJkYM5zFIGk85k2wEwXqXX6JjM6o7Ss5FT05C2ShWoPqnQ3F4HIdN1GYO376rH_ZT_awSOvL3PLMG5-9dd0VRw8dgOjro/s400/DSCF7382.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">the vegetarian dinner set at The Hemp Style Cafe, Kamakura</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwRIfZ7Klsrwf-3lv-j9W_1Z9JVPsO9jYRQ4S0_RenErfRG2FkjUHaEVD5pdvEbG4EwwfSB1ilvECfm9W_Kg0EyMzfYUUdptg05GLTOXyLjEQzNsopzuuwSfT8Cc2nHG4h07eeAsyt04/s1600/DSCF7016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwRIfZ7Klsrwf-3lv-j9W_1Z9JVPsO9jYRQ4S0_RenErfRG2FkjUHaEVD5pdvEbG4EwwfSB1ilvECfm9W_Kg0EyMzfYUUdptg05GLTOXyLjEQzNsopzuuwSfT8Cc2nHG4h07eeAsyt04/s400/DSCF7016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">fried tempura and the best pickles I've ever eaten</td></tr>
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Nearby in Hase are the expensive but very good <a href="http://sairam.asia/" target="_blank">Sairam</a>,which offer deliicous, vegan meals with a beautiful waterfront view. <br />
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<b>Zushi</b><br />
Zushi is like a smaller, quieter Kamakura, also with a beach and a few temples. And I was pleased to learn from a colleague recently that, like Kamakura, Zushi has a (mostly) vegan cafe. <a href="http://www.beachmuffin.net/Beach_Muffin/home.html" target="_blank">Beach Muffin</a> serves a delicious range of baking, and vegan meals. The bakery is open from 9:30 to 7:00, and the cafe from 11AM (also to 7PM).<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7URuWvkLLTTLUvNGBtNwd8sZs7AgA5cMShzosaQjghrb7piSxOCAlwz6idiQTWWofiWrx8zRyB8wNv3yN-TOndORXnlTfvuEyDxbkJv551cMsyEIRXwXCXasxcQrkwlUmR71Hu7TMlpY/s678/DSCF0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7URuWvkLLTTLUvNGBtNwd8sZs7AgA5cMShzosaQjghrb7piSxOCAlwz6idiQTWWofiWrx8zRyB8wNv3yN-TOndORXnlTfvuEyDxbkJv551cMsyEIRXwXCXasxcQrkwlUmR71Hu7TMlpY/s640/DSCF0540.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Beach Muffin, a mostly-vegan bakery and cafe, Kamakura</td></tr>
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Unfortunately I arrived after the kitchen had closed (I guess about an hour before closing time), so only the bakery was open, but the cafe <a href="http://www.beachmuffin.net/Beach_Muffin/menu.html" target="_blank">menu</a> includes burgers and burritos.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit39i1TBenktjpiJGfk7HrXVMj3D9SU_Y0zpS8IgBOyNWa9UrY-xDR2QSKj1xaG_GyzzLqMjAdA7d92qjNQJBAuQ3LzzgouxBCwW1o5qqKuOhjyZ6Tu7H4VwbN_tHbJh_iuUhQ6v_ss7M/s800/DSCF0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit39i1TBenktjpiJGfk7HrXVMj3D9SU_Y0zpS8IgBOyNWa9UrY-xDR2QSKj1xaG_GyzzLqMjAdA7d92qjNQJBAuQ3LzzgouxBCwW1o5qqKuOhjyZ6Tu7H4VwbN_tHbJh_iuUhQ6v_ss7M/s400/DSCF0543.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">herb tea and dessert from Beach Muffin</td></tr>
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One thing that impresses me about Beach Muffin is how well they promote veganism to their non-vegan clientele. However, beware that a few of the baked goods contain egg and dairy, and they are labelled in Japanese only, so it's important to specify that you are vegan when you order.<br />
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It's possible to take a bus from Yuigahama to Zushi, but as of June 2013, Google Maps isn't working properly for buses. Alternatively it will take about half an hour to reach Beach Muffin from Yuigahama (changing trains at Kamakura). It would also be a very pleasant 5 kilometre bike ride (or walk) along the beach.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004cd45b4cd7babe6a79&ie=UTF8&t=m&source=embed&ll=35.302097,139.555893&spn=0.049033,0.072956&z=13&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br /></div>
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004cd45b4cd7babe6a79&ie=UTF8&t=m&source=embed&ll=35.302097,139.555893&spn=0.049033,0.072956&z=13" style="color: blue;">Vegan Kamakura</a> in a larger map</small></div>
</div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-41135722003503716562013-07-19T07:31:00.002-07:002021-02-28T22:42:41.703-08:00Vegan Survival in Japan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Updated March, 2020, amid the COVID-19 outbreak.<br />
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It's becoming easier and easier to be vegan in Japan, but sometimes a vegan meal cannot be found, especially outside the main city centres. Here's a guide to how to survive in Japan when there are no vegan restaurants around or you just don't can't make it to one.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Convenience Stores</h2>
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Since they can be found all over Japan, I'll start with convenience stores. I'll cover some common options and common traps, but <a href="http://isitveganjapan.com/" target="_blank">this site on vegan products in Japan</a> is much more comprehensive than what I have here. If you would like to know if a product is vegan, please feel free to post a photo to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/429306360452173/" target="_blank">IsitVeganJapan Facebook group</a>.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Macrobiotic Cookies</h3>
These macrobiotic snacks at many convenience stores all over Japan. In my experience, Lawsons are the most reliable for finding them. I like the chocolate brownie the most, and it's also the most commonly available, and is even sold at some small convenience stores inside train stations. Flavours change from time to time, but they have been available for several years and have always been vegan, so I don't expect that to change, especially with the rapidly growing vegan market. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqkER2k34LIplYrFK32QbOnLH3n0L-huj1B90uzxlYdT3cE523Do_GH-h_wMpmE5K9ZxDiCy6XF2oKNqvC0pdVUyhQ_aLt6aGiwEPRxu40DAh_wk7YyRfVsBpArRqM-1Ag08_eon7EGk/s1600/Macrobiotic+Cookies+2017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqkER2k34LIplYrFK32QbOnLH3n0L-huj1B90uzxlYdT3cE523Do_GH-h_wMpmE5K9ZxDiCy6XF2oKNqvC0pdVUyhQ_aLt6aGiwEPRxu40DAh_wk7YyRfVsBpArRqM-1Ag08_eon7EGk/s640/Macrobiotic+Cookies+2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole range of these macrobiotic cookies are all vegan. </td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Other Vegan Options Available at Most Convenience Stores</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NJvZqZ4ZJCbulNHos8QaNg6tP48m5QqdMnzAGUx027fYTnVmF5iR1dAHIaKBu-2sva99WBt4W0NlM8m63J7d5nVVHZp_4PecvFMlUDSv3-J3OzWgoo6sCr9lBsWKr4nrjdkEZbq0BQQ/s1600/Japan+convenience+store+food.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NJvZqZ4ZJCbulNHos8QaNg6tP48m5QqdMnzAGUx027fYTnVmF5iR1dAHIaKBu-2sva99WBt4W0NlM8m63J7d5nVVHZp_4PecvFMlUDSv3-J3OzWgoo6sCr9lBsWKr4nrjdkEZbq0BQQ/s640/Japan+convenience+store+food.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">As good as it usually gets from a konbini (convenience store): a black coffee, soymilk (mix for a latte), a plain rice ball and edamame (soybeans).</td></tr>
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Edamame (triangular packet above) are just whole soybeans (in their pods) cooked in vegetable oil, with added salt. Black coffee is of course vegan, and the soymilk shown above is vegan, and can be mixed to make a latte. You'll find better coffee at Starbucks and Tully's, but this is as good as it usually gets in the inaka (countryside) when it comes to coffee. The plain rice onigiri (rice ball, shown in the photo above) is vegan because it just contains rice and salt.<br />
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Soyjoy Crispy bars are vegan, however the <b><span style="color: red;">regular (not crispy) ones contain egg</span></b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMXNH_N2WPqDBiBc-HKOnKH9p2PNi6Ek6FpwLN8TQ6JJGundxO-qPNT_ETFiGktAnDkZkdqSk1kGKkADE-XFqcfwn4-hjROkUJOLIj_J2FEyxBcv47QOdrb5JVxOAZgNSxxgO9iTbsHY/s1600/SoyJoy+Crispy+Bars.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMXNH_N2WPqDBiBc-HKOnKH9p2PNi6Ek6FpwLN8TQ6JJGundxO-qPNT_ETFiGktAnDkZkdqSk1kGKkADE-XFqcfwn4-hjROkUJOLIj_J2FEyxBcv47QOdrb5JVxOAZgNSxxgO9iTbsHY/s400/SoyJoy+Crispy+Bars.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Only the Crispy Series are vegan. <span style="color: red;">Others contain egg. </span></i></b></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Convenience Store Items Which are Usually Not Vegan but Look Like They Are</h3>
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There is currently talk of a new labelling system will be introduced to Japan ahead of the Tokyo Olympics (if they still happen with the COVID-19 outbreak) which will encourage manufacturers to specify whether or not their products are vegan. But unfortunately virtually all products at convenience stores contain animal products or ingredients which may or may not be from animals. The worst offender is amino acids, which are probably just synthetic flavourings (most likely MSG) but they could also be derived from fish. I suggest never assuming something is vegan unless you can read and translate all the ingredients.<br />
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Many vegans mistakenly assume <i>inari sushi</i> (rice in tofu pockets, shown immediately below) are vegan; however, most contain fish stock or other animal-derived ingredients in the rice mixture, and some even contain tiny pieces of meat. As of March 2020 I am unaware of any vegan inari sushi available at convenience stores in Japan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXaLHH2KTzT-cZ9zh-D_9bFUOlrABM9FNpdvNxtKMMcCJ6Q9zB5dbhZHiKg5AQm6IdnNuOIN5Fb0SKTL4HNLXeuqr-WYmPiWJyD-7ATN1U5uDkUkVAC1BpuIG-hKG3osIE0lEES2OH1c/s1600/DSCF0272.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXaLHH2KTzT-cZ9zh-D_9bFUOlrABM9FNpdvNxtKMMcCJ6Q9zB5dbhZHiKg5AQm6IdnNuOIN5Fb0SKTL4HNLXeuqr-WYmPiWJyD-7ATN1U5uDkUkVAC1BpuIG-hKG3osIE0lEES2OH1c/s1600/DSCF0272.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">These Inari Sushi are safely vegan, because <a href="http://vegantaiwan.blogspot.jp/2009/06/new-vegetarian-labelling-coming-in.html" target="_blank">they're from Taiwan</a>. But most in Japan probably aren't, despite popular belief to the contrary. Some contain meat and most contain stocks or suspect amino acids.</td></tr>
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Sometimes vegan <i>onigiri</i> (triangular rice pockets) come and go, but most contain fish derivatives or unknown amino acids (which may be derived from fish -- see above).<br />
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Breads from convenience stores always contain dairy and/or egg.<br />
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Most convenience stores sell bags of nuts, but watch out for small fish in them (I'm not joking). Some are cooked in butter oil (shown below); to further complicate it, some "butter peanuts" are actually cooked in vegetable oil, with the 'butter' just being a name.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8z4hubtUPf30vtQo_GQVvjVDwQM7ISyhg4tWo_rRudYCFO-TJUOewSIBJaz9Qlg9KpLTwI0yE2ZLJWSeRAwaP39ev6UeYswEZFMVprEZYJwSF8Stuf4qoug5ZOXNZ24Z6yPCSbPZDGw/s1600/DSCF0665.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8z4hubtUPf30vtQo_GQVvjVDwQM7ISyhg4tWo_rRudYCFO-TJUOewSIBJaz9Qlg9KpLTwI0yE2ZLJWSeRAwaP39ev6UeYswEZFMVprEZYJwSF8Stuf4qoug5ZOXNZ24Z6yPCSbPZDGw/s400/DSCF0665.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never Be Too Careful: it didn't occur to me to check the ingredients of these peanuts, which are cooked in <b>butter oil</b> (バターオイル) and even have a red warning that they contain dairy products.</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
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Tofu</h3>
Tofu is usually but not always vegan. If it's set with nigari (にがり, traditional, vegan) it should be vegan, but some (usually cheaper) tofu is set with glycerine (グリセリン), which may be animal-derived.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Fried Potatoes (Chips, French Fries)</h3>
Chips (French Fries), known as 'Fried Potato' in Japan, are sold all over the country, including in many convenience stores. Most ones for sale in supermarkets don't contain any animal ingredients (they are generally just potato and a cheap oil) and, according to their allergen charts, 7-11 ones do not contain beef, chicken, pork, fish, dairy or egg, so they should be vegan. At other restaurants there are always concerns over what seasonings may be used (and it's never possible to really find out) but they are a possibility. Of course, they are cooked in the same deep fryer as meat and other animal products.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Family Mart Vegan Meals</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUvP2jdyHat65KgGaEX82Z01OdXcl9G-aikha_S2X7pyHEI1-gAAgPVqMLYCY7UrT8pO5wP_TgOqWt3DnsqXWiRjvwqspfwlW4LagWpzAym9ihnQcGCvW-YAfLnmksoW-y8IRPx7lbVw/s1600/Family+Mart+Patty+meal.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1087" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUvP2jdyHat65KgGaEX82Z01OdXcl9G-aikha_S2X7pyHEI1-gAAgPVqMLYCY7UrT8pO5wP_TgOqWt3DnsqXWiRjvwqspfwlW4LagWpzAym9ihnQcGCvW-YAfLnmksoW-y8IRPx7lbVw/s400/Family+Mart+Patty+meal.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Mart Promotional photo. </td></tr>
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On March 13, 2020, <a href="https://www.family.co.jp/company/news_releases/2020/20200313_01.html?fbclid=IwAR3kA0PYvOkEkRzZf7QVXOGANVhXO4OXGujC0_H4tYz9lJQE3tdOIXZrF2k" target="_blank">Family Mart has announced</a> that from March 17th they will stock a vegan soy patty burger bowl for ¥500 in 2,400 branches in Tokyo. This will be the best-value convenience stores meal in the country when it comes available. <br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
7-Eleven Vegan Meals</h3>
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In late 2019 the 7-Eleven chain announced that they would sell vegan meals in a selected number of convenience stores, mostly around Ueno (the suburb of Ueno with a large Indian community). Unfortunately, at the time of writing (March 2020) these stores are all in areas in which there are much better vegan options; however, they are clearly labelled 'vegan' in English, so if you find one I recommend trying it. </div>
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<h2>
Chain and other Non-Veg Restaurants</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Coco Ichibanya</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oqVpUw6tY6pGvhJAP3PeAPxcYOgmWyZ6A_Jo-AVQ7FoukFsqNsDOsVWrgtcnD82pR205BQ5hdOy3gO2QcX_024iIXoJ0Rp-lcCVaWBvjVzeHaLcj3SJCZdPvimsewW8yZwudkc_f8iA/s1600/Coco+Ichibanya+Meal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oqVpUw6tY6pGvhJAP3PeAPxcYOgmWyZ6A_Jo-AVQ7FoukFsqNsDOsVWrgtcnD82pR205BQ5hdOy3gO2QcX_024iIXoJ0Rp-lcCVaWBvjVzeHaLcj3SJCZdPvimsewW8yZwudkc_f8iA/s640/Coco+Ichibanya+Meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cocos Ichibaniya curry. The eggplant is an optional extra, and the rice has been upgraded to a larger serving for an additional ¥200.</td></tr>
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This famous Japanese curry chain has hundreds of branches across the country, usually in or near train stations and night life areas. Many stay open for most of the night. They are easily recognisable by their name (written in English) and logo, which consists of a curry and rice meal on a yellow background. If you can’t find a specific store, just show anyone the heading above, the photo of the curry, or the menu below, and they’ll point you in the right direction. </div>
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Some branches serve vegan curries for a little under ¥1,000. These come on a <b>separate vegetarian menu booklet </b>(see photo below); however, <span style="color: red;">the “vegetable” curry on the regular menu</span> (which is available at all stores) <span style="color: red;">contains meat</span>. Also, the eggplant shown here is cooked in the same deep fryer as meat, but the curries which don’t have eggplant (easily identifiable from the photos on the menu) should be cooked in separate pots to the regular (meat) curries, but of course there is always possible contamination from utensils (see Deep Fryers). </div>
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When the vegan curries were introduced the company ran a trial during which all branches were required to serve them, and after that branches were allowed to choose whether or not to continue to serve them. Unfortunately the branches which sold a lot and continue offering it are mostly ones in areas popular with foreign tourists, most of which are also places with real vegan restaurants. Thus Cocos is usually an option when you don’t need it and not an option when you do. But they are sometimes a good last resort when all the nearby vegan restaurants are all closed during the evening. </div>
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Japanese curries are very different to Indian and Thai curries and are more like a sauce to accompany rice than a meal in themselves; however, it’s possible to have extra vegetables added to the curry, and to ask for a larger amount of rice. Both additions can be seen in the photo above. Customers also choose a level of spiciness from 1 to 10, with the higher levels costing a tiny bit more. The spiciness tastes as if it comes from pepper more than from chili peppers. As someone who enjoys Indian food made by and for Indians, I find Level 4 mild, level 5 a comfortable degree of spiciness, and level 6 uncomfortably hot. Unfortunately, vegans can’t make it less spicy than the default option because a sweet sauce which contains honey is added. </div>
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In March 2020 some branches have just introduced a soy meat cutlet, to replace a popular animal-based alternative with Japanese curries. It is only available in a few branches, but if you find it on the menu I suggest trying it, because it gets great reviews. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmDNPB9lX6YvgQOTOOQrAb4EQ6syDtQW3ld1zCoaDzhvfRczXFXj9Gpky7vjGYSvlQTwUCT-YkRs80T-4icjKYMwsRxE6pceAX3rumU5YzUjTHx3UOueyzZIE_lWNAYczwjBC5PN64Gs/s1600/Coco+ichibanya+veg+menu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmDNPB9lX6YvgQOTOOQrAb4EQ6syDtQW3ld1zCoaDzhvfRczXFXj9Gpky7vjGYSvlQTwUCT-YkRs80T-4icjKYMwsRxE6pceAX3rumU5YzUjTHx3UOueyzZIE_lWNAYczwjBC5PN64Gs/s400/Coco+ichibanya+veg+menu.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only these curries are vegan. The regular "vegetable" curries contain meat. </td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Soup Stock Tokyo</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvH6qyO8y02Fjr0mNhRs3s__QBocT78BYCj-LusLAgu8viZJ8uKezffsLBoUHPd8oaG_5E-lJTjHPw6MHALXSEl22K4_kR32Bo4Lj0bZ68CP1Ee5wpkjdF1hl3lQT3vW6TwyemH9gF9k/s1600/Soup+Stock+Tokyo+Meal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvH6qyO8y02Fjr0mNhRs3s__QBocT78BYCj-LusLAgu8viZJ8uKezffsLBoUHPd8oaG_5E-lJTjHPw6MHALXSEl22K4_kR32Bo4Lj0bZ68CP1Ee5wpkjdF1hl3lQT3vW6TwyemH9gF9k/s400/Soup+Stock+Tokyo+Meal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Soup Stock Tokyo, whose empire now expands well beyond their namesake capital, have been the most vegan-friendly food chain in Japan for many years, perhaps equal now with Cocos Ichibanya.<br />
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Soup Stock Tokyo have announced that every branch will always have one "veg" option available. These contain no meat, dairy or egg products, but they may contain honey. All stores offers bilingual lists of ingredients (which are generally wholesome and healthy) for all of their products, and most branches employ at least one English-speaking staff member who is usually happy to help a hungry vegan foreigner check what they can eat; however, they will probably not understand veganism, so it’s important to check the ingredients list yourself. This has become easier since they recently posted their <a href="https://s3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/sst-web-master/uploads/vege-en.pdf" target="_blank">menu (and allergen chart) online</a>. Fortunately the soups don’t contain any food additives, which makes it easy to determine whether or not they vegan.<br />
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Stores also sell frozen soup mixes, which are great if you are staying in a hostel or apartment with a kitchen available. Occasionally, during off-peak hours, staff may kindly offer to cook up a vegan soup if there isn’t one on offer that day; however, this should never be asked for or expected. Rice is of course vegan, and their focaccia bread usually is too, but I recommend asking if you can check the ingredients of anything you order.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Chabuton</h3>
Chabuton are a chain ramen restaurant, which offer two vegan dishes: ramen and gyoza (dumplings). The ramen aren't bad at all, and it's good to show demand for a vegan dish, but of course it's no substitute for <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/07/vegan-restaurants-in-tokyo.html#tstantan" target="_blank">T's Tantan in Tokyo Station</a>, the all-vegan ramen and curry restaurant in Tokyo Station.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bowl of vegan ramen from Chabuton (Yokohama branch)</td></tr>
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While the staff should know how to cook the ramen by the ("100% vegetable") recipe, don't expect them to know or understand anything about veganism (or most likely speak much English) so assume that any condiments supplied aren't vegan.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Other Non-Veg Restaurants</h3>
There are many chain stores such as <i>Jonathons</i> which serve simple Japanese-style food. Most will serve chips (fried potato, which may or may not be vegan) and white rice, and an all-you-can-drink (non-alcoholic) "drinks bar". Jonathon's also serve baked potatoes, so it's possible to order one without the butter or meat filling. These places may be a last resort at times, but that's all they should be.<br />
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<b>Don't Go To Subway</b><br />
For a long time I ate at subway restaurants, assuming that the bread followed international recipes. I have since learned though that the breads all contain dairy products. Also, another 'surprise' many years ago was that the red wine vinaigrette contains microscopic pieces of bacon (yes, really) and the 'chili-tomato' sauce also contains meat. So an 'oil-vinegar-salt-pepper' salad might be okay, but my suggestion is to stay away from Subway restaurants.<br />
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<b>Don't Eat at 'Normal' Restaurants</b><br />
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People often join Facebook groups about Japan and ask how they can order vegan (or vegetarian) food at 'normal' Japanese restaurants. And the answer is: you don't. On the first page of my <a href="https://vegtravelguides.com/taiwan-guidebook" target="_blank">Vegan Travel Guide to Taiwan</a> I have a few sentences in Chinese which readers can show to staff at a regular restaurant to order vegan noodles. I don't have this in my <a href="https://vegtravelguides.com/japan-guidebook" target="_blank">Vegan Travel Guide to Japan</a> because it's simply not possible, even for Japanese or native speakers.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjak8I7X-PZgqcJygxzdpXI1v1uZ234eY6eiSi3Ba1D9uEh7BQPfhpV8uGA5Ucqk7z_AlgnvBxnAtxCn5h34MASK1RgfpoW850j-OCoe0IPdJG2WuoVfyzgjkW78itm992YJk3H52LEmE/s1600/bfast_dashi_flakes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjak8I7X-PZgqcJygxzdpXI1v1uZ234eY6eiSi3Ba1D9uEh7BQPfhpV8uGA5Ucqk7z_AlgnvBxnAtxCn5h34MASK1RgfpoW850j-OCoe0IPdJG2WuoVfyzgjkW78itm992YJk3H52LEmE/s400/bfast_dashi_flakes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The owner/cook at this pension (traditional rural accommodation) took great care to prepare me a vegan breakfast. Unfortunately, she inadvertently added <i>dashi </i>(fish) flakes to the soy sauce with the tofu (not visible in this photo). Even if arranged in advance as this was, it's rare to successfully order vegan food at non-vegan establishments. And for non-Japanese speakers who haven't given advanced notice, it's virtually impossible. </td></tr>
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<b>Especially Stay Away from Tofu and "Vegetable" Restaurants</b></div>
Japan has many restaurants dedicated to tofu, and these are often the first suggestions to vegans looking for food (especially by foreigners). Unfortunately, however, these are actually the worst restaurants to go to, as the stocks used (virtually) all contain fish products.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Coffee Shops</h2>
Starbucks and Tully's coffee stores offer soymilk. For more information, please see my post on <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/07/coffee-shops-in-japan.html" target="_blank">vegan options at coffee shops in Japan</a>.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Final Tip for Survival in Japan </h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Carry Bread</h3>
Virtually <b>all breads, including those sold at convenience stores, contains milk and/or egg products</b>. There are a few exceptions, generally specialty European bakeries (which will sell you the most expensive bread you'll buy in your life) and a few supermarkets, which often label whether their breads contain milk or egg products (for people with allergies).<br />
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Buy a loaf of bread from an organic shop (or order it online from <a href="http://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/08/outing-dinner-groceries-alishan-cafe.html" target="_blank">Alishan Organics / Tengu Natural Food</a>) and carry it with you (most bread in Japan isn't vegan). Please beware that many bakeries label allergens (including milk and egg) but may not include lard, so be sure to ask or buy imported bread from an organic shop with ingredients labelled in English (or German, as many breads here are). It will last anything from a few days (Tokyo in summer) to a week or longer (Hokkaido in winter). Hotel breakfasts (which usually only have white rice, salad and fresh or tinned fruit) often have a toaster oven and breads, so it's possible to carry in a few slices in a Ziplock bag and cook it in the oven yourself. They often even have jam to eat it with. A few slices of toast with jam goes a long way if you need to wait for cafes to open for lunch. This post is about survival, after all.</div>
Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-79086597671757504942013-07-19T07:20:00.001-07:002013-07-22T00:15:41.696-07:00Veg'n Events in Tokyo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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While it's not London or New York, Tokyo has a few events of interest to resident or travelling vegans.<br />
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The Tokyo Veg Festa (vegetarian festival) in October is the year's largest event, and it sees thousands of people visit dozens of stalls, most of which seem to do a roaring trade. Many organic and vegan restaurants and stores have stalls, and prices are generally good (I think lower than usual retain prices). I bought some Vegan Earth shoes while visiting the festival from Taiwan three years ago, and still wear them. All food served and sold is vegan (though it wouldn't hurt to check).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxvyLswatJ8SsgrHNwkgjt_z_qkENVX3CNYohdQL5Fu_8ei6QZDCwu6mJYWIJwtMnd1kCSF9__DjdEuc2BoTFLcoHFSnl6hI7x8gF6ppdhiPJXh4Mdk3KGtUghwL6YiKdGi9AmavkkB8/s1600/DSCF7653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxvyLswatJ8SsgrHNwkgjt_z_qkENVX3CNYohdQL5Fu_8ei6QZDCwu6mJYWIJwtMnd1kCSF9__DjdEuc2BoTFLcoHFSnl6hI7x8gF6ppdhiPJXh4Mdk3KGtUghwL6YiKdGi9AmavkkB8/s320/DSCF7653.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The annual Tokyo Veg Festa draws attracts thousands.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The Loving Hut seems to have a permanent long line.</td></tr>
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Almost as good is the Earth Day Festival in April, which also features a lot of vegetarian (and organic) food.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQsheZUNT8A51GuzVp2ZagTaUEZNOaBwvDorat6dUrsudAM38Q9EdAh963UFOVAD1a5GdEnr4e0EPqzQyYsArBBKxobbAGRbl_3_mVsgVxHdcxVzB3SZSBhqXH9qIZCZybRkZJfZPqVk/s1600/DSCF6844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQsheZUNT8A51GuzVp2ZagTaUEZNOaBwvDorat6dUrsudAM38Q9EdAh963UFOVAD1a5GdEnr4e0EPqzQyYsArBBKxobbAGRbl_3_mVsgVxHdcxVzB3SZSBhqXH9qIZCZybRkZJfZPqVk/s320/DSCF6844.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earth Day 2012</td></tr>
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A distant third is the 'Eco Life' festival (June), which from my experience in 2013 was worth passing by for a meal from the Loving Hut, but not for much else.<br />
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The annual anti-fur march (also in October) draws a few hundred people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM9g5qMngQWw_FS6AowKK-7Vn5xTXcOdZr6VQnITWr-F-lcQTyrE6rTLjKFSs25I5KGakgL5IqeQXukW8Nmd1lDrbPOde9KhmSP4kGBG9aFlY607EKUnjkO2MOuobKUnPfhuA4AETmuw/s1600/DSCF7308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM9g5qMngQWw_FS6AowKK-7Vn5xTXcOdZr6VQnITWr-F-lcQTyrE6rTLjKFSs25I5KGakgL5IqeQXukW8Nmd1lDrbPOde9KhmSP4kGBG9aFlY607EKUnjkO2MOuobKUnPfhuA4AETmuw/s320/DSCF7308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The 2012 Anti-fur march is about to depart for a 1.5-hour walk through the nearby fashion districts. </td></tr>
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All three festivals are held opposite NHK Hall, on the edge of Yoyogi Park. The anti-fur march also leaves from the same location.<br />
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<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004e1ddee452ea6f9f6f&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.660992,139.697857&spn=0.019177,0.018239&z=15&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Vegetarian Festival Location</a> in a larger map</small>
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Whether visiting or living in Tokyo, it's well worth going to a <a href="http://www.meetup.com/vegan-389/" target="_blank">vegan meetup</a>, especially the monthly Pink Cow buffets. The food is excellent (usually my best meal of the month), and it's a good chance to meet veg-minded and English-speaking (but not usually vegetarian) Japanese, and an eclectic mix of foreigners. Note that the majority of people there are not veg'n, and some don't even 'get it', not that this matters: it's great to see so many people enjoying a vegan meal. On one of my first meetups, after introducing myself to a resident foreigner in Tokyo as we cued up for the buffet, I mentioned that I was from New Zealand and he quickly told me how much he loved NZ because the fly fishing was so good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I'm yet to master the fine Japanese art of making food *look* good on my plate, but this meal at the monthly Pink Cow vegan meetups is usually my best meal of the month.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">It's not just the trains: this Yokohama anti-fur march - walkable from my apartment - was due to start at 1PM.</td></tr>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-58681459277389455072013-07-19T06:55:00.004-07:002021-02-28T22:54:46.510-08:00Coffee Shops in Japan (updated March 2021)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Updated March 2021</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you want anything other than black coffee, then head to Starbucks, Tully’s or Doutor. Even though Japan is probably the last place on Earth you’d expect your soy order to be confused, just to be extra careful the cashier staff give a ‘soy’ card to the customer, which is returned to the barrister upon collection of the drink. At Starbucks there is a (vegan) Soy Latte as a separate menu item, and at both cafes, other drinks such as Matcha (Japanese tea) lattes can be made with soymilk for an additional ¥50. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like most white sugar used in Japan, the sugar used in drinks is probably processed using bone char. Starbucks recently confirmed that their sugar is processed with chitosan, a substance obtained from crustaceans which is widely used in the food industry (including being sprayed on bananas) and in many industrial applications. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Most major coffee shop chains (including Starbucks and Tully’s) offer free Wifi, but many smaller coffee shops don’t. </div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Starbucks (<span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-size: 15.4px;">🐖</span>)</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This card is given at the counter and returned upon receiving the drink - a sure way to know that you're soy drink really is. </td></tr></tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In early 2020 Starbucks trialled almond milk and oat milk, but these have been discontinued in all except a few special stores. While this could change with the growing number of vegans and health-conscious people avoiding dairy products, the hot chocolate mixture itself still contains dairy, but most staff don’t know this and will happily make a “soy hot chocolate” (with dairy in the mix) if asked. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-43795523933846383482013-07-19T06:49:00.000-07:002017-09-24T01:26:00.382-07:00Vegan Groceries in Tokyo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you live here, sooner or later you'll want to stock up your kitchen<span style="font-size: small;">. I <span style="font-size: small;">really miss<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Jasons from Taiwan<span style="font-size: small;">, and remember commen<span style="font-size: small;">ting to people that while Hsi<span style="font-size: small;">nchu<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>wasn't the most happening place on Earth, I was fortunate to b<span style="font-size: small;">e able to buy<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>cr<span style="font-size: small;">uelty-free products, marmite (a New Zealand spread) and a whole<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>asso<span style="font-size: small;">r<span style="font-size: small;">tment <span style="font-size: small;">of other western groceries <span style="font-size: small;">at one shop a few minutes scooter<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>ride <span style="font-size: small;">from where I <span style="font-size: small;">lived.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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When I first arrived in Japan, I really struggled to find food, and basically lived from <a href="http://www.veganessentials.com/">Veganessentials</a>. On one hand, it's a ridiculous waste of resources having grains grown in one part of the world, shipped to the US to me made into instant burger mixes and the like, and then flown over to me in Japan to mix with water and fry up after work. On the other hand, it's supporting a good, all-vegan business, and sometimes ordering online from the US can be cheaper than buying the same products off the shelf in Tokyo (who may well just order them online themselves). I still order from the a lot, but not as much as when I first arrived here. I find their snack foods (energy bars etc) to be critical in surviving here in Japan, and carry them with me virtually everywhere.<br />
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However I will recommend three shops, though there are plenty more I haven't tried yet. First, <a href="http://www.naturalmart.jp/" target="_blank">Natural Mart</a> (<a href="http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=11633" target="_blank">Happycow</a>) are tiny, well-stocked organic/natural foods restaurant and well worth a visit.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">vegan products from Natural Mart, Hiroo</td></tr>
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For a shop more like Jasons (in Taiwan), which sells a great range of vegan products, including Indian food and even Scheese (soy cheese from the UK) go to <a href="http://www.national-azabu.com/" target="_blank">National Azuba</a> in Hiroo (walking distance from Natural Mart).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">groceries from National Azuba, Roppongi </td></tr>
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Very close to Natural Mart and National Azuba is Island Veggie, a vegetarian hawaiian cafe which specialises in Acaia Berry products, including smoothies and breakfast foods. It also serves a range of burgers and a few other basic items. Items with milk are clearly labelled 'LV' (lacto-veg). Many items contain honey, so if you don't eat it its important to tell them when you order. It's worth going here while in Hiroo to stock up on groceries. To find it, go to Hiroo Station, take Exit 2, walk around the corner and keep going until you see a starbucks opposite (on the right). Then take the small lane to your left, and it's a few steps down on the left.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A burger and fries: a typical delicious Island Veggie meal.</td></tr>
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Naturalmart, National Azabu and Island Veggie are all a few minutes walk from Hiroo Station.</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="320" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004e23fc6a8a2459b6a6&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.650313,139.722179&spn=0.00279,0.005364&z=17&output=embed" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
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<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210651358324936961719.0004e23fc6a8a2459b6a6&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.650313,139.722179&spn=0.00279,0.005364&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Hiroo Japan Vegan</a> in a larger map</small></div>
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<small><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Warning</span></b> </span></small><br />
<small><span style="font-size: small;">I previously recommended Natural House, from which I used to buy soy yoghurts. I have since learned, to my disgust, that these Soyafarm soy yoghurts I've been eating two years contain gelatine. This was a 'natural' soy yoghurt with a live culture, so I didn't even think to check for it. One can never be too careful in Japan!!</span> </small><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">Not Vegan: Soyafarm soy yoghurt contains GELATIN!</span></td></tr>
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3986230843543302380.post-11248688014556523732013-07-19T06:40:00.003-07:002023-03-15T00:13:00.896-07:00Welcome to Japan Vegan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Updated March 2023, as Japan re-opens to foreign travellers after three years of border closures. <br />
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I started this blog a decade ago as a "sister-blog" to my main blog about <a href="http://www.vegantaiwan.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">vegan life in Taiwan</a>. At that time, I was living in Yokohama (near Tokyo), and I wanted to provide some basic starting information for vegans travelling to or living in Japan.<br />
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A lot has happened since then. Firstly, Japan has become much more vegan-friendly. While even then Tokyo and Kyoto had some excellent vegan restaurants, and monthly vegan meetups at the Pink Cow, the vegan community would never have dreamed that vegan meals would be introduced to Japanese convenience stores.<br />
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Secondly, Facebook has all but killed the blogosphere. Most people, especially Millennials, now join Facebook groups to find information rather than using Google. And the platform is so much more interactive than blogs that few people 'follow' them anymore. Nevertheless, some vegans do still google information (it's certainly faster) so I try to keep an up-to-date summary of <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/07/vegan-restaurants-in-tokyo.html" target="_blank">vegan restaurants in Tokyo</a> and <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2015/02/vegan-restaurants-in-kyoto.html" target="_blank">Kyoto</a>, and also <a href="https://japanvegan.blogspot.com/2013/07/vegan-survival-in-japan.html" target="_blank">vegan food options at convenience stores</a>.<br /><br />
Yet despite the rise of Facebook groups and smartphone apps, I've always been saddened by how many vegans (and vegetarians) struggle in Japan, and how a disturbingly large number of would-be vegans 'compromise' because they find it too difficult, mostly by eating products made with fish at 'normal' restaurants in Japan. And it's not that they can't find food: Tokyo and Kyoto have some of the best vegan restaurants in Asia, and Happycow works brilliantly in Japan, thanks to the large numbers of foreign tourists and a strong vegan community which keep it up to date. It's more that vegans (and vegetarians) just don't know how to visit the tourist attractions and restaurants together, usually due to a lack of planning. Furthermore, most travellers (vegan and otherwise) struggle with the public transport system in Japan (as I did when I first arrived), and many just don't know the best places to visit. So, this inspired me to write the <a href="https://vegtravelguides.com/japan-guidebook" target="_blank">Japan Vegan Travel Guide</a>, which I finished in early 2020 and have fully updated for the re-opening of Japan to foreign tourists in 2023. Like regular travel guides, it covers all aspects of travel, including tourist attractions, vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants, public transport, and everything I can think of a vegan traveller to Japan wanting or needing to know. I hope that with this guidebook vegans (and vegetarians) can visit all the best tourist attractions and their choice of vegan restaurants, with a minimum of planning and effort, and get the most out of their trip to Japan. I also hope that by connecting vegan businesses (which struggle at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic) with tourists who often just don't know where to find them or how to fit them into their itineraries, I can help to support the rise of veganism in Japan.<br />
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For more information about the Japan Vegan Travel Guide, please see this video.<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="348" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5d-bZGWJBf8" width="556" youtube-src-id="5d-bZGWJBf8"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Nippon Irashaimashite (Welcome to Japan)! <br />
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Jessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05829181876089847615noreply@blogger.com2