Any suggestions for a vegetarian in these cities?

The last time I was in Japan I got by on a combination of hotel food, Buddhist temple food and junk food, plus the occasional western style restaurant. Many restaurants and food courts had plastic models of their offerings (hard for me to tell the ingredients) or menus in, of all things, Japanese.

I now have a card with "I eat no meat, fish ..." in Japanese, but I'm a bit hesitant to wander around showing the card to a bunch of restaurants.

http://www.bento.com/kansai/kf-veg.html
http://www.bento.com/r-veg.html

I was taken here: http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/550/restaurants.asp
by a Japanese friend a couple of years ago and enjoyed my meal very much. You may need to avoid a couple of condiments (such as bonito shavings - delicate and translucent, seems to flutter by itself), but on the whole you shouldn't have any problems eating a completely vegetarian/vegan meal here.
I remember following the rail tracks for a while before arriving at Sora no Niwa, try and find it on a map before you go. Wasn't particularly expensive either.

Some more suggestions here: http://club.nokia.co.jp/i/tfp/e/dbinx/ic-veg.html (DEAD LINK)

My (Japanese) husband has told me that the European Vegans and Vegetarians he knows often went to Yakiniku places. Although these restaurants/izakayas specialise in meat dishes (bits of chicken, etc.. are skewered on sticks and BBQd) they also cook vegetables and tofu in the same way. His friends usually felt more confident with yakiniku food than braving somewhere else where the food might be laced with Dashi.

In Kyoto I would check places near the Karasuma-Imadegawa crossing ( next to Doshisha University ). Of course there are two other major Unis in Kyoto but they are a bit more away from the central districts.

The curry rice joints can basically put in anything you want as long as they have it in store.

Please note - tofu restaurants can really be tough if you don't speak japanese. it is sometimes very hard to explain "vegetarian". i'd stick to italian/indian joints where you get vegetarian for sure.

Please note - tofu restaurants can really be tough if you don't speak japanese. it is sometimes very hard to explain "vegetarian". i'd stick to italian/indian joints where you get vegetarian for sure.

Perhaps if you don't get a chance to do any research first this might be the 'safest' approach. However, as the OP is aware of the difficulties and is making enquiries and investigating his options first, your suggestion to give up altogether on eating Japanese food is pretty depressing.

richarddd - I promise you'll be fine with the suggestion I gave you (but do take along your "I eat no meat, fish ..." card along with you.)
The tofu dish made at your table has absolutely no fish in it, you season it with soy sauce, sesame seeds, spring onion and ginger - just ask them to take away the the little pot of bonito shavings if they bring some.

The curry rice joints can basically put in anything you want as long as they have it in store.
But the curry is almost always made with pork stock (and if it isn't it should be!).

Being a pure vegetarian in Japan is quite a challenge. Then again, if you want to take it to the next level, you could try copying a former acquaintance of mine -- she was a pure vegetarian and she hated both rice and miso. :eek: Still don't know what on earth inspired her to come to Japan for 6 months, and she seemed to hate every minute of it... but then again, so would I if I had to subsist on her diet of guriin sarada and izakaya pizza for half a year. :eek: :eek:

And now that I'm done scaring you, I'll recommend conveyor belt sushi places which actually have a pretty good selection of non-fish items (veggies, pickles, tofu, egg, etc) and suggest you save up for a splurge here on your last night:

Daigo (醍醐 ). Atago 2-4-2 (nearest station Onarimon), tel. 3431-0811. The name means "essence of milk", a reference to the Buddha's highest teachings, and this restaurant aims for the highest standards of ''shōjin-ryori'' (精進料理 ), the purely vegetarian version of Japan's refined ''kaiseki'' cuisine. Located within the grounds of the Seishōji temple, all meals here are elaborate, ten-course affairs served in private rooms with a view of the lovely temple garden. With dinner courses priced at Y14,000 or Y18,000 per person (plus drinks, tax and service), the experience doesn't come cheap, but it just might be worth it for an unforgettable occasion -- and this is still only a third of what Ginza's ''kaiseki'' joints charge. Reservations obligatory. (from Wikitravel (http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Minato))

You could try a macrobiotic restaurant.....
They have them out here in country ;) , and I'm sure the trend came from the Big Smoke......I've heard that Isetan has one.

The lunchtime buffet in the basement of Crayon House in Omotesando used to be quite good (haven't been in a few years). Not everything is vegetarian but the signs are all clearly marked with pictures of pig, cow, vegetables, fish etc. so it's pretty clear. And for some reason their brown rice just tastes really good.

Any suggestions for a vegetarian in these cities?

The last time I was in Japan I got by on a combination of hotel food, Buddhist temple food and junk food, plus the occasional western style restaurant. Many restaurants and food courts had plastic models of their offerings (hard for me to tell the ingredients) or menus in, of all things, Japanese.

I now have a card with "I eat no meat, fish ..." in Japanese, but I'm a bit hesitant to wander around showing the card to a bunch of restaurants.

Are you a lacto-ovo vegetarian, vegan, or something else? Suggestions might depend on which of those you are.

Are you a lacto-ovo vegetarian, vegan, or something else? Suggestions might depend on which of those you are.Lacto-ovo.

As a data point, our last vacation was in Germany, where I mainly got by on Italian food.

Lacto-ovo.

As a data point, our last vacation was in Germany, where I mainly got by on Italian food.

If you like Italian food, you can use the same strategy in Japan, which has scads of Italian restaurants.

For gorging on pizza, there are many Shakey's with pizza buffet. I read that Shakey's is compelling its remaining USA locations to convert from buffets to off-the-menu-only. Hopefully that edict does not apply to Japan.

A few years ago, I ate a lot of individual pizzas at First Kitchen, a big fast food chain. They were only a buck or so at the time; I think it was an introductory special, though. First Kitchen also has fries with some interesting seasonings.

The cheese subs at Japanese Subways are similar to USA Subways, but with small differences in the veggies and bread.

Eating in regular restaurants can be tough. Stuff you don't want to eat is hidden away in things that look OK. Even tamago sushi can have stock with fish flakes.

For gorging on pizza, there are many Shakey's with pizza buffet. I read that Shakey's is compelling its remaining USA locations to convert from buffets to off-the-menu-only. Hopefully that edict does not apply to Japan.
Even in Japan the number of Shakey's offering buffets seems to be going down; most outlets in Tokyo only seem to offer all-you-can-eat during lunch. It's definitely an experience though, as you'll get the chance to sample things like corn pizza and canned fruit salad pizza (yes, with cheese!).

Found this website which looks quite useful:

http://www.vegietokyo.com/info4vegie/restaurant/index.html

There is a list here: http://www.vegietokyo.com/info4vegie/articles/article2.html with some suggestions which might prove helpful - however, convincing a restaurant in Japan to make vegetarian futomaki, chirashi sushi or gyoza could provide quite a challenge! The list is a guide, and is by no means comprehensive, focusing on Japanese food available in the USA.

Another dish you can sometimes find is: Kijoyu Udon - Thick wheat Udon noodles seasoned with soya sauce instead of the usual fish based stock.

That looks very useful. Thanks!

Any suggestions for a vegetarian in these cities?

I now have a card with "I eat no meat, fish ..." in Japanese, but I'm a bit hesitant to wander around showing the card to a bunch of restaurants.

My wife and I are vegan and ate very well indeed in Kyoto. Besides the temple restaurants (which are truly excellent), we also did the "card trick" you describe above.

The other resource we used was the hotel conceirge. In my experience, the conceirge desks at Japanese hotels are very good indeed. Ours would call up the restaurant and while making our reservations, specify our dietary requirements (they even accomodated our minor allergies) in Japanese. There were times when we had completely customized 5 course meals prepared for us, and it did not cost us more than $50 for both of us to eat. Of course, I've also been hit with a $200 bill in Tokyo on my own for vegetarian food so I suggest that you discuss the amount you are willing to pay up front with the conceirge so that there are no misunderstandings!

As far as hole-in-the-wall places go, we ate very well at a place called "Bio-tei" in Kyoto.

It is not hard to be vegan in Kyoto, but you do have to plan out your meals in advance rather than just stopping at whatever restaurant happens to be nearby at lunchtime.

Any suggestions for a vegetarian in these cities?

The last time I was in Japan I got by on a combination of hotel food, Buddhist temple food and junk food, plus the occasional western style restaurant. Many restaurants and food courts had plastic models of their offerings (hard for me to tell the ingredients) or menus in, of all things, Japanese.

I now have a card with "I eat no meat, fish ..." in Japanese, but I'm a bit hesitant to wander around showing the card to a bunch of restaurants.


I don't know how much time you have, but an overnight trip to the Koyasan temple complex in the mountains southeast of Kyoto is a great jaunt for a vegetarian. You take trains through wonderful scenery, stay in one of a couple dozen temples that have accommodations like a mid-level ryokan, get up at dawn to hear the monks chant, and get two delicious and ample vegan meals.

Both Lonely Planet and Rough Guide explain how to make reservations in a temple.

Where are you staying, richarddd? I have a couple of ideas for you in Tokyo but it kind of depends on where would be convenient, and easy to navigate yourself to...

The current plan is near Shinjuku: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6414592&postcount=37

thanks

OK, I suggest this one:
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g763390/

It is a buffet resturant next to Tokyo station, so easy to get to if you are coming from Shinjuku. The map is here:
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g763390/map1.htm

I was impressed last time I went there with the wide variety of fresh fruit and veggies, although they do have some meat and fish out as well. Will be going there next Wednesday night with a customer, so will reply back on this thread with what was out on the spread. Lunch hours are 11am to 4pm, dinner is 5:30 to 11pm, either way it is Y2,500 for all you can eat.

There is another similar place this same customer took me to... as I recall it was in Ochanomizu. Let me see about getting those details too.

Edited to add:
After visiting again the other day, resturant described above is probably not going to be the best choice for you. While the veggie options are many, it is unclear about the make up of the sauces, etc. especiall as there are many meat and seafood items out as well.

After some research it seems that around Omotesando there lots of vegetarian resturants:

Crayon House (Tokyo, Osaka) - well known organic food
http://www.crayonhouse.co.jp/home/shop.html

Brown Rice - organic and macrobiotic fare, english info here:
http://www.brown.co.jp/english/index.html

Gaya - macrobiotic, with many locations in Tokyo
http://www.gaya.co.jp/

Chaya - macrobiotic, located in Shinjuku
http://www.chayam.jp/restaurant/index.html

Hope this helps.

I now have a card with "I eat no meat, fish ..." in Japanese, but I'm a bit hesitant to wander around showing the card to a bunch of restaurants.
Does anyone know where I can print something like this off the internet?

I did this using babelfish. Would it be accurate?

私は魚、鶏、肉、シーフードを食べない。

"I eat no fish, no chicken, no meat, no seafood."

In last week's Metropolis:

http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/recent/restaurants.asp

(Note : will probably only be visible on this link this week then will change as not recent next week :) ), so.....

Restaurant's own site:

www.vegancafe.jp

Today I had lunch at Pita The Great in Akasaka twin tower. Been going there for a dozen years. They have my favorite Tokyo sandwich Falafel in Very ^ Fresh Pita. This place is vegan. Open Mon-Fri 11-6ish.

Pita The Great is excellent.

I have some of my own suggestions - there's a number of Kosher places in Minato-ku (where the Chabad of Japan and the Tokyo JCC are located), and I know that their food is made to Kosher standards by the operators. Why is this important? Because it means that if you order the egg salad or other items, it won't have any meat/fish/fat in it. One place is called "Kosher Delica," and I believe it's located directly across from Temple University Japan. Their website is http://www.kosherdelica.com/. I can't find the other place, but it's also right there - if you walk around the block, you'll see a sign that says "Kosher Deli."

Good Honest Grub - There's one of these in Ebisu and one in Harajuku. Review in Metropolis - Harajuku Branch (http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/580/restaurants.asp)

Metropolis also lists some other pita shops here (http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyofooddrinksarchive349/338/tokyofooddrinksinc.htm) - but it seems to be kind of an ancient link. You might want to call and confirm that any of the places are still open.

HappyCow (http://www.happycow.net/asia/japan/) lists some restaurants that are vegetarian. There's also the TOKYO Vegetarian Guide (http://www.vegietokyo.com/), although it hasn't been updated recently.

BTW: i just realized that the thread was started in 2006.

BTW2: Daigo uses fish stock, so be careful.

I have some of my own suggestions - there's a number of Kosher places in Minato-ku (where the Chabad of Japan and the Tokyo JCC are located), and I know that their food is made to Kosher standards by the operators. Why is this important? Because it means that if you order the egg salad or other items, it won't have any meat/fish/fat in it.

In my strict Kosher Baba's kitchen, fat and meat or milk and fat were not mutually exclusive!

Yes, that is quite accurate.

I did this using babelfish. Would it be accurate?

私は魚、鶏、肉、シーフードを食べない。

"I eat no fish, no chicken, no meat, no seafood."

Yes, that is quite accurate.

I've always handed out my own cards out (or asked for my own dietary requirements) with an apologetic "sumimasen" - sue me mass en(d) - as well as with a respectful nod of the head.

It will make your request a little more polite and 'human'.

A heartfelt 'arigatou gozaimasu' (a polite way to say thank you) also works wonders
- Arrid Gateaux God same as

sue me mass en(d) -
- Arrid Gateaux God same as
Language butcher :p !

Language butcher :p !

Not everyone speaks beautiful Spanish and can trip off their a,i,u,e,os fluidly ;).

Anyway, the Japanase are just as guilty:

Hota imo ijuruna ('scruffily' - Hota imo iju'na - I think the guy was from the North)

to say "What time is it now?"

is an original and a classic

Copied and pasted here for reference purposes:
Popular, don't know. But the best vegetarian meal I've ever had, period, was here: http://www.shiba-daigo.com/en-about.html

Tofuya Ukai (note - wheelchair friendly, English language menu available)

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fg20070615rs.html

http://www.ukai.co.jp/shiba/index.html

Location: 4-4-13 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku tel: (03) 3436-1028

Open: Daily 11 a.m.- 10 p.m (last order 8 p.m.)

Nearest station: Akabanebashi (Oedo Line) and Kamiyacho (Hibiya Line)

Looks gorgeous and affordable (May be best to contact them in advance if requesting a fully vegetarian/vegan menu - the article says that they can provide entirely vegetarian fare, but also mentions that the in-house speciality, Tosui tofu, is laced with dashi. Apparantly this place has proved very popular so you should probably make an advance reservation anyway)

(The Ukai Tei will be opening in Omotesando this November - I'm guessing Ukai is doing well in the weddings and banquets market)

Pita The Great is excellent.

I have some of my own suggestions - there's a number of Kosher places in Minato-ku (where the Chabad of Japan and the Tokyo JCC are located), and I know that their food is made to Kosher standards by the operators. Why is this important? Because it means that if you order the egg salad or other items, it won't have any meat/fish/fat in it. One place is called "Kosher Delica," and I believe it's located directly across from Temple University Japan. Their website is http://www.kosherdelica.com/. I can't find the other place, but it's also right there - if you walk around the block, you'll see a sign that says "Kosher Deli."

Good Honest Grub - There's one of these in Ebisu and one in Harajuku. Review in Metropolis - Harajuku Branch (http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/580/restaurants.asp)


I've been meaning to go to Pita the Great since 1992, but haven't gotten around to it. I've eaten at David's Deli (I think it is the one you mention above around the corner from the Delica, not quite "around the corner" but not too far), and the falafel and other stuff is very good, Israeli-style. They even have them Israeli pickles which are fundamental to a good falafel. It is owned by an Israeli, but it is not Kosher.

The Delica is kind of a hit and miss, it is run by a lunatic fringe of the Chabad, who believe the messiah has already come and gone, so watch out for a bit of proselitizing with your schnitzel. Besides, they don't have any falafel, and their menu is very limited. Opening and closing hours are also random and based on the mood of the guys running it.

The GHG in Harajuku is a goner.

I posted this recently:Chez Tomo (http://www.chez-tomo.com/T1.htm) Shirokane 5-15-5 (Food photos here (http://torutoru.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2007/04/post_31aa.html)) Lunch: 4 courses ¥2,890 - Dinner: 6 courses ¥5,780 - Organic Vegetable menu: 5 courses ¥5,780 (bottle of wine ¥5k)They seem to be pretty serious about their organic vegetables.

Unfortunately, I don't actually know if their Organic Vegetable Menu is vegetarian or not, but if you contacted them with a request, they might be able to cater for you.
(If anyone finds out, I'd be grateful if you could post back)

It's in an area just South of the Shuto Expressway (between Shirokanedai and Hiroo stations - or about 800metres East of the Westin)

The suggestions you've received are good ones, but you might also need some help navigating typical Japanese restaurants. Chances are you'll end up dining "on-the-fly" anyway.

How about cold soba noodles? It's simple and suitable even for vegans.

Certain types of donburi (rice bowls) are OK, although you might have to ask them to avoid daishi or bonito flakes. The safer ones are probably tamago donburi (egg), nanohana donburi (vegetable), natto donburi (fermented soybeans), agedashi tofu donburi (fried tofu), and perhaps a couple others.

Kaiten-zushi (conveyor sushi) restaurants are a good choice, yes, I agree. You can choose exactly what you want, and there are vegetarian selections at most.

I'd like to exapnd on the suggestions above

Soba noodles - are ALWAYS served with a broth prepared with dashi, either on the side (mori or zaru soba) or as part of a soup.

Vegetarians, and even vegans, might have better luck with Udon noodles as it is possible to find these served only with soy sauce (some kinds of Bukkake Udon, Kiyoju Udon & Shioyu Udon).
This is especially easy to do in the Kansai area (where you can pick and choose what you'll have at the counter before paying). Try and find 'Sanuki Udon' which are freshly hand made - see post #40.
Udon is made with just flour, salt, water and a lot of elbow grease (and yet it has the elasticity of pasta made with egg)

--------
Tamago (egg or omelet)
Omelets are usually mixed up with a little dashi. Beware of this supposedly vegetarian sushi option.

------------
Donburi
I've personally never seen a purely vegetarian donburi from a regular shop/restaurant in Japan. a Tamago Don will likely have been made with a little dashi broth, even agedashi-dofu is almost invariably made with dashi.

But you can make your own quite easily by going to the basement of a department store to the cooked food section and choosing a portion of cooked rice and grilled vegetables or vegetable tempura to go on top. Be careful about the large sachet of liquid they will probably include with your tempura as this also is made with dashi.

------------
Natto
Natto is your friend! (He make reek of BO a bit and have a touch of halitosis, but he is your friend nonetheless!)

---------
Sorry I can't be more positive.

Soba noodles - are ALWAYS served with a broth prepared with dashi, either on the side (mori or zaru soba) or as part of a soup.

Yes, but I was specifically referring to cold soba noodles, which do not come in a broth. Enjoy them with wasabi, for example.

Yes, but I was specifically referring to cold soba noodles, which do not come in a broth. Enjoy them with wasabi, for example.
That's the Mori and Zaru soba varieties (cold with broth on the side). I love soba and try and frequent places where the buckwheat has been freshly milled and the soba made by hand. But the accompanying broth does play a huge part in this dish and I don't know how you could ask them not to serve it (having it served in a bowl and not touching so it is thrown away goes against vegetarianism as I know it - but everyone is different). I'd suggest someone buys a packet of soba and try it at home - say with soy sauce and wasabi - to see if this would be acceptable - it certainly wouldn't be to my taste.
(Note - for those serious about their vitamins - much of the soba's watersoluble B vitamins dissolve into the cooking water - you can ask for a pot of this water, it's called soba yu. Usually you mix it with what remains of the dashi broth and drink it. You may want to try it as it is or mixd with soy sauce/wasabi. You could feasibly use it to make your own vegan dipping sauce to 'wetten' up the soba)

There actually might be more appetising ways to eat soba without the dashi stock. Some places serve soba in more 'unconventional' ways, such as soba sushi.

Here are a couple of suggestions of places where one might be able to find a suitable soba dish. Unfortunately, I have no first hand experience of either

Takemura
1-19 Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku (03-3251-2328)
The soba sushi here consists of nori seeweed wrapped around soba strands (which presumably are then dipped in soya sauce) and
Yamakake soba - with grated mountain yam served over cold soba (although you might still get a bowl of dashi on the side). The yam is kind of like a slimy mush. You can probably season this with soy sauce. This would be my top suggestion for trying vegetarian soba (vegans may need to ask for it without egg as some restaurants include a raw one).
It's sometimes called Tororo Soba.
I've only eaten a Tororo Soba dishes with mountain yam hot - these come in a dashi broth. So try and make enquiries to make sure what you're getting will fit the description above as it might have the same name.
It should look something this - yamakake soba (http://www.naniwa-okina.co.jp/images/yamakake_m.jpg) or like this tororo soba - cold (http://www.suzuten.jp/recommend/shinanoya.html) - the jug in both photos contains dashi.

And

Senda, 4-4-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Open 11am-10:30pm daily
The review I saw was:
"All manner of men (noodles) can be found here—everything from thick white udon to flat kishimen—but the one you're looking for is the kurumi soba. Served with a ground walnut dipping sauce, this is a tasty alternative to the regular tsuyu based on dashi (bonito-flavored stock). Also on the menu are soba with grated daikon, yamaimo (mountain potato) and mountain vegetable tempura."

I don't know if the walnut dipping sauce at Senda has dashi though.


Much as I love soba, I would still recommend Sanuki Udon with soy sauce over Mori or Zaru soba without the dashi broth.

Gaya - macrobiotic, with many locations in Tokyo
http://www.gaya.co.jp/ This came up in another thread: Had a great (100% vegitarian!) meal tonight at Gaya though, that's a true find of a restaurant. hamburgler - do you know which of then you went to?

Hanamaru Udon have branches in Tokyo

http://www.hanamaruudon.com/menu/index.html

Many of the options come with dashi, but there are a few that don't. You should be able to buy unadorned udon here and dress it with soy sauce at the table, Additional items you might want to try are grated daikon, spring onions, sesame seeds and wakame seeweed. Beware of adding bonito flakes at the serve yourself section, they are complimentary.

Amongst the menu options there is one called しょうゆ (Shioyu) with a soy sauce base. The menu also shows options served in water.

Some of the tempura items will be vegetarian, as will some of the rice balls. The tofu and boiled vegetables will have been cooked in a dashi stock.

(removed dead link)

A few Tokyo branches:
東京都品川区上大崎2-15-17 Kami-Osaki 2-15-17 (Meguro Station) Map (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%93%81%E5%B7%9D%E5 %8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E5%A4%A7%E5%B4%8E2-15-17&ie=UTF8&z=17&iwloc=addr&om=1)
東京都港区新橋１丁目３番地 Under the railtracks just North of Shimbashi Station Map (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%AF%E5%8C%BA%E6 %96%B0%E6%A9%8B%EF%BC%91%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE%EF%BC%9 3%E7%95%AA%E5%9C%B0+&ie=UTF8&z=17&iwloc=addr&om=1)
東京都渋谷区宇田川町２－１渋谷ホームズＢ１ＦUdagawacho 2-1, Shibuya Ho-muzu (Homes) B1 - Map (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5 %8C%BA%E5%AE%87%E7%94%B0%E5%B7%9D%E7%94%BA%EF%BC%9 2%EF%BC%8D%EF%BC%91%E6%B8%8B&ie=UTF8&ll=35.660931,139.701473&spn=0.007043,0.013368&z=17&iwloc=addr&om=1) Shibuya Station
東京都渋谷区神宮前１－１６－６ Jingumae 1-16-6 (Harajuku station) Map (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5 %8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%8 D%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%96%EF%BC%8D%EF%BC%96-6&ie=UTF8&ll=35.670227,139.703034&spn=0.003412,0.006968&z=18&iwloc=addr&om=1)

There's quite a few more in Tokyo, a list in Japanese here:
http://www.hanamaruudon.com/shop/shop_area.html#03


And an Udon recommendation here: http://www.vegietokyo.com/info4vegie/restaurant/r_udondedesuke.html

This came up in another thread: hamburgler - do you know which of then you went to?

I went to the Yoyogi-Uehara Gaya, as I do quite frequently as it's just a few minutes from my place. Always a good time and they really do have a bunch of vegetarian options. They haven't had an English menu for about the last six months as they revamped their Japanese menu, but they said maybe end of this week to have one again. It really doesn't matter though as all the specials are on the counter and so you can look and point. They have great English speaking staff too.

Definitely try the tofu fried "chicken" though -- it's really great!

I went to the Yoyogi-Uehara Gaya, .......(SNIP).......
Definitely try the tofu fried "chicken" though -- it's really great! I think I will, thanks!

東京都渋谷区西原3-11-6杉本ビルＢ１Ｆ
Nishihara 3-11-6 (B1)

I am here in Kyoto and staying in downtown. I yesterday happened to goto the kitchen of the hotel and all i could get is TARA potato fried.

Can anybody suggest me anything vegetarian in downtown Kyoto ?

Your answer is greatly appreciated.

I am here in Kyoto and staying in downtown. I yesterday happened to goto the kitchen of the hotel and all i could get is TARA potato fried.

Can anybody suggest me anything vegetarian in downtown Kyoto ?

Your answer is greatly appreciated.


I hope this helps:
http://www.happycow.net/asia/japan/kyoto/index.html

And don't forget the Udon self service restaurants if you just want an inexpensive snack. There are many of these in the Kansai region.

You should be able to order Udon noodles without any dashi broth or sauce and can add soy sauce yourself once you're at your table. Other dishes generally available at these places are vegetable tempura, rice balls/onigiris, as well as extras such as grated daikon, wakame seewead and natto which can be mixed into your udon.

Vegetarian friendly restaurants suggested by bento.com here: http://www.bento.com/kansai/kf-veg.html

I wish I could help more ... like as in tell you exactly where this place is ...but there's a fabulous tofu and veggie restaurant in Kyoto. It's on a really popular walking street (several shops and restaurants and no vehicles that I recall) and a little before it makes a turn. It's very serene ... in a lovely garden. I had maybe an eight-course meal and spent most of the afternoon there. Like I said, I wish I could tell you more about where it is - I do remember it said tofu on the sign - but maybe your hotel will know it based on my oh-so-terrific (not) description.

There are several temple stay options with veggie food in northern Kyoto. Apart from that, please check Imadegawa street just west of Doshisha University for a very varied food scene. It has a certain Berkeley type flair...The department store basement food(ie) courts on Shijo should also be interesting.

I wish I could help more ... like as in tell you exactly where this place is ...but there's a fabulous tofu and veggie restaurant in Kyoto. It's on a really popular walking street (several shops and restaurants and no vehicles that I recall) and a little before it makes a turn. It's very serene ... in a lovely garden. I had maybe an eight-course meal and spent most of the afternoon there. Like I said, I wish I could tell you more about where it is - I do remember it said tofu on the sign - but maybe your hotel will know it based on my oh-so-terrific (not) description.

Sounds like Okutan, in Sannenzaka, the old-style street with steps that runs between kyomizuderazaka and nenenomichi. One of my favorites, and I don't say that lightly. Much better than TARA fried potato, whatever that is.

I am very close to Shijo-Karasuma Bus stop to be exact. Any more input is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

The lunchtime buffet in the basement of Crayon House in Omotesando used to be quite good (haven't been in a few years). Not everything is vegetarian but the signs are all clearly marked with pictures of pig, cow, vegetables, fish etc. so it's pretty clear. And for some reason their brown rice just tastes really good.

I went to Crayon House yesterday for their daily lunch buffet (11:00-14:00, 1,260 yen), and I was quite underwhelmed. First of all, the selection was hardly extensive, and on top of that, 3 of the dishes had meat or seafood. Even the miso soup has fish stock. (I overlooked the fish stock and had a bowl of the miso soup, which was quite ordinary.) All I could have, besides the miso soup, was a salad, cold tofu, bitter melon stir fry (with tofu), brown rice topped with some slimy potato paste that was interesting, and barley tea. All the veggies were of the cheapest varieties. No fruits or dessert.

I had high hopes for this and had thought the price was a bargain, considering the high price for veggies in this town, but I left disappointed and hungry. This is the type of place that gives vegetarian cuisine a bad name. However, it was quite crowded and full of young parents with children, probably because the Crayon House building has a children bookstore & toystore upstairs.

On a different note, I came across Chaya at Isetan in Shinjuku, and they have a (macrobiotic) veggie (vegan?) prix fixe menu for around 4,650 yen and will look forward to trying that out next month. Any current reviews of this place?

Also, at the President Hotel in Aoyama, their lobby has an Italian restaurant called Orta (I think), which specializes in organic veggies. They have a vegan prix fixe (5 courses + tea & dessert) for 6,800 yen. I'm tempted to try it but think it is overpriced. Can't find any review of it so far online (in English, at least). Any opinions on this place?

Yaoya no Nikai (http://www.bento.com/kansai/rev/7006.html) in Nishiki Market is fantastic - a single set lunch for Y2100, which varies every day according to what's fresh. The web page says reservations are recommended, but we just stopped by and put our names on the list for a seating about 20 minutes later.

Sounds like Okutan, in Sannenzaka, the old-style street with steps that runs between kyomizuderazaka and nenenomichi. One of my favorites, and I don't say that lightly. Much better than TARA fried potato, whatever that is.

Yes, that's it. Thank you.

Yaoya no Nikai (http://www.bento.com/kansai/rev/7006.html) in Nishiki Market is fantastic - a single set lunch for Y2100, which varies every day according to what's fresh. The web page says reservations are recommended, but we just stopped by and put our names on the list for a seating about 20 minutes later.

I've eaten here and would not recommend this restaurant for someone who does not eat fish on a drop in basis. The article says it might be possible to request a vegetarian meal in advance - if you don't speak Japanese your concierge might be able to arrange this for you.

If any of you decide to join the masses of Korean and Chinese tourists around here (FUK) at the moment, I offer this macrobiotic restaurant. Full on vegetarian with no dairy used to boot.......

Offering the service lunch for about 800 Yen.


http://www.manna-k.com/

On a different note, I came across Chaya at Isetan in Shinjuku, and they have a (macrobiotic) veggie (vegan?) prix fixe menu for around 4,650 yen and will look forward to trying that out next month. Any current reviews of this place?

Quite famous, talked about in another thread. Try the mille feuille (SP) if they still make it........

In Kyoto I would check places near the Karasuma-Imadegawa crossing ( next to Doshisha University ). Of course there are two other major Unis in Kyoto but they are a bit more away from the central districts.

The curry rice joints can basically put in anything you want as long as they have it in store.

I was told that commercial curry sauces contain tallow. This may no longer be true (I was told this some 30 years ago), but be aware.

I was told that commercial curry sauces contain tallow. This may no longer be true (I was told this some 30 years ago), but be aware.

Traditionally curry spices have been fried in clarified butter or ghee (pardon the spelling) then vegetables are added......(in India curries). As you point out , Japanese curry is more a cross between tomato based/beef stock gravies, than traditional curries from South Asia.

Found this website which looks quite useful:

http://www.vegietokyo.com/info4vegie/restaurant/index.html

There is a list here: http://www.vegietokyo.com/info4vegie/articles/article2.html with some suggestions which might prove helpful - however, convincing a restaurant in Japan to make vegetarian futomaki, chirashi sushi or gyoza could provide quite a challenge! The list is a guide, and is by no means comprehensive, focusing on Japanese food available in the USA.

Another dish you can sometimes find is: Kijoyu Udon - Thick wheat Udon noodles seasoned with soya sauce instead of the usual fish based stock.

I am not a vegetarian, but still wants a good meatless meal once in a while. Very useful web link, THANKS.
Like the OP, I am trying to look for similar info for Osaka and Kyoto for casual dining once in a while, vegetarian style!

I hope this helps:
http://www.happycow.net/asia/japan/kyoto/index.html

Thanks for the link!

In Osaka, you must check out Common Cafe, which is a space used by many different young entrepreneurs who get a night to turn it into their own cafe, shop, or entertainment venue, depending on the schedule. It's a really wonderful place and I love the neighborhood. See here (http://www.talkin-about.com/cafe/). It is near the Nakazakicho subway exit.

I have eaten at "Cafe Millet" and it is at least vegetarian. IIRC there were vegan options too. Here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/64628212@N00/1270374559/in/photostream/) is a picture of the sign to look for and here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/64628212@N00/1271241866/in/photostream/) is a picture of my meal. I hate ketchup but otherwise it was yummy.

I'd like to plug for this restaurant in Kamiyacho...

http://www.vaou.com/viewRestaurant.do?objectId=245

the lunch buffet at 1100 yen is probably the best value lunch in central tokyo. its crowded, therefore go before 12 or after 1330.

I came across Chaya at Isetan in Shinjuku, and they have a (macrobiotic) veggie (vegan?) prix fixe menu for around 4,650 yen and will look forward to trying that out next month. Any current reviews of this place?

I went to Chaya this weekend and had their vegan menu (set menu "A") and was quite impressed. It comprised of an amuse-bouche, a soup, starter, a couple of main dishes, brown rice or bread, your choice of dessert, and a drink (tea, coffee, rice/soy milk). The quality was high, and the quantity was sufficient. Good value. I'd definitely go back.

They also have a set menu "B" that includes seafood and is a bit more expensive (around 5300 yen), as well as a 'special dinner menu' that has 2 fewer courses (with a choice of starter and main dish) and is cheaper at around 3700 yen. You can also order a la carte.

I went to Chaya this weekend and had their vegan menu (set menu "A") and was quite impressed. It comprised of an amuse-bouche, a soup, starter, a couple of main dishes, brown rice or bread, your choice of dessert, and a drink (tea, coffee, rice/soy milk). The quality was high, and the quantity was sufficient. Good value. I'd definitely go back.

They also have a set menu "B" that includes seafood and is a bit more expensive (around 5300 yen), as well as a 'special dinner menu' that has 2 fewer courses (with a choice of starter and main dish) and is cheaper at around 3700 yen. You can also order a la carte.

Do you know if they have any cheaper options at lunch times?

Do you know if they have any cheaper options at lunch times?

I didn't ask for their lunch menu and so don't know if they have set menus for lunch, but they probably do, to be competitive with the other restaurants on the floor. In any case, you can order a la carte.

Macrobiotic curry lunch sets for under 1,000yen (from 600yen up) at

http://www.little-maman.jp/

Queen’s Isetan, Floor 3
Atré Shinagawa (at Shinagawa Station)
2-18-1 Minato Minami, Shinagawa-ku.
Tel: 03-5462-1551. Open daily 10am-8pm.

Options include a soup, curry, brown rice, veg and piece of focaccia(sp?) bread set
And a cutlet, tofu, grilled vegetables and brown rice set (680yen)

Other foods available include vegan ice cream (350yen) and vegan cheesecake or moonroll (380yen)

It's part of a macrobiotic deli, so this should be a safe place to be adventurous.

Seem to be associated with this Macrobiotic mail order company:
http://mamans.jp/

No meat, fish, egg, dairy products, refined sugar, chemical additives, preservatives, artificial colourings nor Genetically Modified ingredients are used here.

Food photos;
http://tanyan.at.webry.info/200607/article_13.html
http://tanyan.at.webry.info/200604/article_5.html (Take out option)

Maman Macrobiotic Bento meals (photo of example (http://saklog.blog.ocn.ne.jp/saklog/2007/03/post_97e8.html)) can be bought at the following stores;

Natural House Aoyama shop:
Closest station/Ginza Line and Hanzoumon Line Omotesando Station B4

&

Natural House Shimo-Kitazawa shop:
Closest station/Odakyu line and Keio Inogashira Line Shimo-Kitazawa station West Exit

www.naturalhouse.co.jp

---------------------------

and also at

Queens Isetan Shirokane Takanawa shop:
Closest station/Toei Mita Line and Nanboku Line, Shirokane Takanawa Station
Shirokane 1-17-2

http://www.queens.jp/shops/tokyo/15_shirogane.html

Look for a concession called 'Little Maman Corner' at these stores.

Maman Macrobiotic Bento meals can be bought at the following stores;

Natural House Aoyama shop:
Closest station/Ginza Line and Hanzoumon Line Omotesando Station B4


Yes, thanks LapLap. I bought their 880 yen bento at the Nature House Aoyama a couple of weeks ago. It comprised of about 9 items, all of tiny portions, cold, and a bit on the ordinary side. Pretty good for lunch, but not enough for dinner.

Merleau Pannonica (designer's page (http://www.syplos.com/works/Pannonica.html))

(Meguro Ward) Aobadai 2-10-11 Saijo Mt. space 1F
Tel: 03-3464-0100 - MAP (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%92%E5%8C%BA%E9%9D%92%E8%91%89%E5 %8F%B02-10-11&ie=UTF8&ll=35.647271,139.697149&spn=0.008736,0.014291&z=16&om=1)
open:18:00 - 22:30

Articles with photos:
http://powerlife.exblog.jp/5305368/
http://nishioya.exblog.jp/5812104/
http://tomoslohas.blog16.fc2.com/blog-category-5.html (top 6 photos)
http://macrobiotic.at.webry.info/200604/article_25.html

Vegetable dinner course is around ¥4,300
(There may be Sunday Brunch at ¥1,600 to ¥3,000, not sure)

Only seats 17, so best to reserve in advance - don't expect fast service

It's also possible to walk here from Shibuya Station (approx 15 mins) Map showing restaurant in relation to Shibuya Station (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%92%E5%8C%BA%E9%9D%92%E8%91%89%E5 %8F%B02-10-11&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=35.653617,139.700947&spn=0.013948,0.027659&z=16&iwloc=addr)

---------------
I saw this article:
http://www.childrenofthecarrot.info/level2/kansai_scene_review.html
Although I wouldn't doubt that this place can offer vegetarian food, it's probably best not to assume that everything on the menu is vegetarian.

Can anyone recommend an upscale Japanese vegetarian other than Ukai? I was taken there once and the experience left me tofu-intolerant. A have a visiting friend who is persistently and annoyingly vege- rather than pesce-tarian and have no idea where to take him apart from to Italian restaurants. Seems a shame as he is schlepping half way across the world. I may just take him to Kujira-ya and tell him it's soy.

Base Cafe
http://www.organic-base.com/topic/index.htm

MAP (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E6%AD%A6%E8%94%B5%E9%87%8E%E5%B8%82%E5%90%89%E7 %A5%A5%E5%AF%BA%E5%8D%97%E7%94%BA1-6-7-3%EF%BC%A6&ie=UTF8&z=16&om=1) - Kichijoji Station

Haven't seen this in any English websites, opened March 2007.

----
Kichijoji (http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyominifeaturestories/303/tokyominifeaturestoriesinc.htm) seems to be a really good place to go for Vegetarian Cafes and quirky restaurants.

It's on the Chuo Line West of Shinjuku and a visit to Takao Mountain could be combined with a stop here.

Monk's Foods - http://www.bento.com/rev/0966.html

Soybean Farm - http://www.bento.com/rev/1113.html

not vegetarian, but there's a Thai Approved place for Thai cuisine place here: http://www.peppermintcafe.com/

Can anyone recommend an upscale Japanese vegetarian other than Ukai? I was taken there once and the experience left me tofu-intolerant.

A kaiseki style Shojin ryori meal would be the quintessential upscale Japanese veggie dinner. There are a couple of Shojin Ryori places listed in this thread and on the linked sites.

The only one that I have been to myself is "Bon," near Iriya station. I found it to be a great experience. But I think its unsuitable for tofu intolerant people - I think you're likely to get some tofu and yuba in a shojin ryori meal...

When you say "tofu intolerant" are you talking about an allergy?

When you say "tofu intolerant" are you talking about an allergy?

No. I just can't stand the stuff in large quantities. I still haven't recovered from the "tofu soup" they served me at Ukai.

Merleau Pannonica (designer's page (http://www.syplos.com/works/Pannonica.html))

(Meguro Ward) Aobadai 2-10-11 Saijo Mt. space 1F
Tel: 03-3464-0100 - MAP (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%92%E5%8C%BA%E9%9D%92%E8%91%89%E5 %8F%B02-10-11&ie=UTF8&ll=35.647271,139.697149&spn=0.008736,0.014291&z=16&om=1)
open:18:00 - 22:30

Articles with photos:
http://powerlife.exblog.jp/5305368/
http://nishioya.exblog.jp/5812104/
http://tomoslohas.blog16.fc2.com/blog-category-5.html (top 6 photos)
http://macrobiotic.at.webry.info/200604/article_25.html

Vegetable dinner course is around ¥4,300
(There may be Sunday Brunch at ¥1,600 to ¥3,000, not sure)

Only seats 17, so best to reserve in advance - don't expect fast service

It's also possible to walk here from Shibuya Station (approx 15 mins) Map showing restaurant in relation to Shibuya Station (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%92%E5%8C%BA%E9%9D%92%E8%91%89%E5 %8F%B02-10-11&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=35.653617,139.700947&spn=0.013948,0.027659&z=16&iwloc=addr)

This looks interesting. I'll have to check it out. Is it vegan? (I hope not, as I love dessert, and vegan desserts are generally not that great.)

On Monday, I had a nice salad bar dinner at the Sizzler located at Shinjuku's Mitsui Building, next to Royal Host, not far from Hilton and the old Century Hyatt, which is in process of rebranding or turning into something else? First I went to the other Mitsui Building near Nishi-Shinjuku subway station, but luckily the hostess at the Bellini Cafe there told me where the Sizzler was.

The salad bar buffet costs 2,180 yen, and it is a better version of the US and Bangkok ones. Interesting beverages (including sweet & sour plum iced tea), desserts (chocolate fountain, soft ice cream, almond tofu, chocolate mousse, aloe with strawberry yogurt), and decent breads. Lots of fresh produce, and even some fresh fruits (yummy pineapple, pear, & grapefruit slices, plus lichees). The soups are supposedly non-veggie, with meat stock. Some of the deli salads have meat or stock, as do the couple of hot dishes. But overall, there were more than enough to feed the hungriest vegetarian.

I even enjoyed the food better there than at the Park Hyatt New York Grill Sunday brunch, which costs over 3 times and doesn't even have any fresh fruit in the appetizer/dessert buffet lineup. OK, so they give you one glass of good champagne.

The Sizzler was very busy, and the manager seemed stressed and overworked and reluctant to answer my questions about which dishes were veggie-friendly. He kept disappearing and leaving me alone, but I wouldn't give up, and he finally checked and came back to tell me what dishes to avoid. He wasn't rude, but by Japanese standards, he did not provide good service.

By the time we left at 8pm, there was a queue to get in.

I think there are 2 other Sizzlers in Tokyo: Aqua City in Daiba and Tokyo Dome Hotel in Suidobashi. Any others? Do they all basically have the same salad bar?

On Monday, I had a nice salad bar dinner at the Sizzler located at Shinjuku's Mitsui Building, next to Royal Host, not far from Hilton and the old Century Hyatt, which is in process of rebranding or turning into something else? First I went to the other Mitsui Building near Nishi-Shinjuku subway station, but luckily the hostess at the Bellini Cafe there told me where the Sizzler was.

The salad bar buffet costs 2,180 yen, and it is a better version of the US and Bangkok ones. Interesting beverages (including sweet & sour plum iced tea), desserts (chocolate fountain, soft ice cream, almond tofu, chocolate mousse, aloe with strawberry yogurt), and decent breads. Lots of fresh produce, and even some fresh fruits (yummy pineapple, pear, & grapefruit slices, plus lichees). The soups are supposedly non-veggie, with meat stock. Some of the deli salads have meat or stock, as do the couple of hot dishes. But overall, there were more than enough to feed the hungriest vegetarian.

I even enjoyed the food better there than at the Park Hyatt New York Grill Sunday brunch, which costs over 3 times and doesn't even have any fresh fruit in the appetizer/dessert buffet lineup. OK, so they give you one glass of good champagne.

The Sizzler was very busy, and the manager seemed stressed and overworked and reluctant to answer my questions about which dishes were veggie-friendly. He kept disappearing and leaving me alone, but I wouldn't give up, and he finally checked and came back to tell me what dishes to avoid. He wasn't rude, but by Japanese standards, he did not provide good service.

By the time we left at 8pm, there was a queue to get in.

I think there are 2 other Sizzlers in Tokyo: Aqua City in Daiba and Tokyo Dome Hotel in Suidobashi. Any others? Do they all basically have the same salad bar?

http://www.royal.co.jp/co/en/business/restaurant/index.html

It would seem there are 8 Sizzlers in Japan which are run by Royal Holdings (aka Royal Host).

While reading Japan Newbie, I saw that the first post this morning dealt with the Vegetarian Festival, held in Kyoto October 21 at Okazaki Park in front of Heian Shrine.

According to the poster, the website (http://www.vegetarianfestival.jp/) lists a number of Japanese vegetarian restaurants and green NGO's (http://www.vegetarianfestival.jp/newpage16.html) in Japan.

Tofuya Ukai (note - wheelchair friendly, English language menu available)

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fg20070615rs.html

http://www.ukai.co.jp/shiba/index.html

Location: 4-4-13 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku tel: (03) 3436-1028

Open: Daily 11 a.m.- 10 p.m (last order 8 p.m.)

Nearest station: Akabanebashi (Oedo Line) and Kamiyacho (Hibiya Line)

Looks gorgeous and affordable (May be best to contact them in advance if requesting a fully vegetarian/vegan menu - the article says that they can provide entirely vegetarian fare, but also mentions that the in-house speciality, Tosui tofu, is laced with dashi. Apparantly this place has proved very popular so you should probably make an advance reservation anyway)

(The Ukai Tei will be opening in Omotesando this November - I'm guessing Ukai is doing well in the weddings and banquets market)

Was there for lunch today. Most excellent (worth the Michelin 1-star it got). All they have is tofu set lunches (and dinners). Lunch starts at 5,500 yen, so cheap it isn't. But you get a full kaiseki 8-course meal in a lovely room overlooking a neat garden, with excellent service. Their tofu creations (agedengaku, mochi, tosui) are the highlights, but it is not vegetarian. The sets come with sashimi and/or yakizakana, and there is plenty of fish (and chicken) throughout. I guess you could ask for a special menu as LapLap suggests.

And forget the new Ukai-tei in Omotesando. It's a steakhouse! Looks good, though, would like to try it sometime.

A couple of options to consider in Tokyo:

Brown Rice Cafe (http://www.brown.co.jp/english/index.html)
(off Omotesando between Omotesando and Meiji Jingu stations) - vegetarian cafe.

Pure Cafe (http://www.aveda.co.jp/tokyo/cafe/default.asp) (near Omotesando station) - vegetarian cafe.

Cucina Tokionese Cozima (http://www.tokionese.com/) - Kotto douri. This is an excellent Italian restaurant. If you call them in advance and tell them you are vegetarian, they can put together an excellent menu for you.

There is a very nice Japanese restaurant in Ebisu called Yume No Iori. They will also make a vegetarian menu if you let them know in advance. If you PM me I can send you the contact numbers.

I stumbled across this recently
http://mykoreankitchen.com/2007/05/29/spicy-sweet-and-vinegary-noodles-bibim-guksu/
Gave it a try and have to say it's the most delicious way I've come across of enjoying soba noodles without dashi(fish).

I did make a small change the second time around - for the sauce instead of using
2 tbsp gochujang (Korean Pepper Paste - cheap and lasts for months)

I used 1 tbsp gochujang and 1 tbsp miso. Both of us preferred it this way.

You can be quite free and easy with the accompanying vegetables - once you have the sauce right it makes little difference.

(NB - lots of soba's B vitamins leach out when boiling - you may want to try and catch some in a bowl when straining and use it to make miso soup or something similar)

---
for my own reference
A Tofu-ya on the outskirts of Tokyo
http://tofu-araiya.com/
Minami-Yukigaya 2-11-19 , Ota-ku

I discovered this excellent veggie place on one of the websites mentioned in this thread, I believe.

Sai Shoku Ken Bi:
www.daisho-kikaku.com

They serve dinner buffets on Thur & Fri nights (17:30-21:00) for 2,000 yen. It's a very good spread, with lots of soy meats (skewers, etc.), potstickers, tempura, vegetables, a few hot dishes, good rice (2 types), soup, curry, stew, pickled veggies, a couple of Western style cakes, Japanese dessert (kanten, sweet red beans), sliced fruit (1 kind). Definitely all vegetarian. Not sure if it's vegan, but probably so. It's become my favorite place.

They serve similar lunch buffet daily 11:30-15:00 (1,200 yen M-F, 1,500 yen weekends). All buffet prices are cheaper for primary school children.

They also have set menu for dinner (except Thu & Fri, when it's buffet night) 17:30-21:00 at 5,000 yen, and you can choose between Chinese, Japanese or Western style courses.

I've only tried their dinner buffets so can't comment on their 3 set menus.

The decor is nothing fancy or stylish, more like a cafeteria but peaceful and brightly lit. It's never that crowded on Thu or Fri nights.

It's a 2-min walk from the JR Okubo station on the Sobu/Chuo line, one stop past the Shinjuku station. Not that easy to find the first time, as it's set back inside a compound on a small street, with a gate in front, followed by a few parking spaces and a big Buddha statue. I don't know if it's a part of a religious or educational complex, as there seems to be classrooms, meeting rooms, or maybe offices in the same quarters. On Thur or Fri nights, the 3 or 4 parking spaces are never taken, so you can even park for free.

BTW, their name "sai shoku ken bi" in kanji is written as vegetables (or dishes) eat health beauty. My Japanese teacher told me it's a pun and wrote down the alternate kanji (with the same pronunciation in Japanese) which is a Chinese expression describing a woman who possesses both beauty and talent. Very clever. And the food is always delicious!

I forgot to mention they also sell a variety of soy meats (frozen & dried), vegan soy sauces, instant noodles, drinks, lucky charms, etc.

This tofu restaurant has been suggested in egullet, and when poking around I noticed that it advertises a special vegetarian menu.

http://www.norenkai.net/english/shop/sasanoyuki/index.html

http://www.sasanoyuki.com/ (Japanese)

MAP (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5 %8C%BA%E6%A0%B9%E5%B2%B82-15-10&sll=35.723024,139.779063&sspn=0.006759,0.013915&ie=UTF8&ll=35.723042,139.779203&spn=0.006759,0.013915&z=17&iwloc=addr) - the nearest station is Uguisudani (1 stop North of Ueno on the Yamanote line)

Lunch menus from ¥2,000

----
And here's a link with recommendations I hadn't seen before
http://veg.tokyogigguide.com/vegfriendly.html

Just came back from a highly-anticipated dinner at Daigo but sadly have to report that I was highly disappointed. I had the ume course at 15,000 yen (there are 2 more options at 17k & 19k yen, and all these prices are before tax, service and drinks), and the presumably high quality ingredients notwithstanding, the whole meal pales in comparison to any of the shojin-ryori meals I've had in Kyoto (adjacent to temples). Those meals were a lot more intricate, interesting and tasty, a veritable feast for the eyes and palate. The Daigo meal, in comparison, was prosaic at best and in fact left my mouth with an unpleasant after taste. The private (interior) room, while tastefully decorated, did not look out to anything interesting and did not have tatami mats on the floor. Service was good but not outstanding.

By the way, I told them not to use dashi when I first made the reservation. Normally they do use dashi, so vegetarians beware!

Just came back from a highly-anticipated dinner at Daigo but sadly have to report that I was highly disappointed. I had the ume course at 15,000 yen (there are 2 more options at 17k & 19k yen, and all these prices are before tax, service and drinks), and the presumably high quality ingredients notwithstanding, the whole meal pales in comparison to any of the shojin-ryori meals I've had in Kyoto (adjacent to temples). Those meals were a lot more intricate, interesting and tasty, a veritable feast for the eyes and palate. The Daigo meal, in comparison, was prosaic at best and in fact left my mouth with an unpleasant after taste. The private (interior) room, while tastefully decorated, did not look out to anything interesting and did not have tatami mats on the floor. Service was good but not outstanding.

By the way, I told them not to use dashi when I first made the reservation. Normally they do use dashi, so vegetarians beware!

That is disappointing to hear. The times I've been there, it has been A+ in every way, as good or better as the best I've had in Kyoto. And the rooms always have had tatami mats.

Maybe it is the fact that they didn't use dashi, big umami factor there.

I've not seen it myself, but a book was published last year (billingual) with reviews and maps of vegan restaurants in Kanto and Kansai

"Children of the Carrot"
http://www.childrenofthecarrot.info/index.html

If you buy it, check this page: http://www.childrenofthecarrot.info/updates.html for updates.

They're also hoping for any leads: http://www.childrenofthecarrot.info/volunteer.html

I've not been yet, but the Tokyo Sanuki Club near Azabu Juban station has (in their words) "been chosen as Sanuki Embassy for the successful appeal of Kagawa"

What I guess this means is that the Sanuki Udon here is approved by Kagawa and one of the club's functions is to promote the Kagawa region in Shikoku.

http://www.sanuki-club.com/English/top_english.htm

The place has a restaurant, garden, and a range of accommodation options (all reasonable) including Japanese tatami rooms.

It should be quite simple to ask for your udon to order here, selecting a range of toppings that do not include fish.

(I'll ammend this post with a first hand report in a few weeks time)

We were walking by the Meguro Station last night and saw the shuttle bus for the Sheraton Miyako Hotel (which, by the way, is celebrating their 1st anniversary under Starwood). On a whim, we hopped on and ended up having an excellent macrobiotic vegetarian 6-course set menu at their Cafe California. This set menu changes monthly. The October version is:

lily root fondant & carrot mousse
potato & pumpkin veloute
gratin of onion, mushroom, lotus root & tofu
mille feuille of eggplant, spinach, fresh gluten with bell pepper sauce
risotto with black sesame and wasabi
grape granite and compote with coconut jelly
coffee or tea

6,300 yen (including the 5% tax) +10% service

Excellent, delicious meal with high quality ingredients and simple but expert preparation. The quantity was smallish, typical Japanese portions, and bread was not served, so we finished the meal satisfied but not stuffed.

The service was excellent. Parking is free for 4 hours with 3000+ yen bill (or 2 hours if 1000+ yen).

The hotel is in between the Shirokane dai & Shirokane takanawa subway stops. Free shuttle bus to/from Meguro Station.

I wish I had discovered this place months ago!