Wise and Revolut give you mid-market rates with transparent ~0.5% fees. Roughly ¥6,000 saved on a $1,500 trip. Order before you fly and you'll skip the counter queues entirely.
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Contents
⚡ The 30-second answer: Japan's vegetarian/vegan scene is evolving fast in big cities, but rural areas are still tough. Realistically, you'll spend ¥1,500–3,500 per meal, and with an 80% dining out + 20% cooking in split, plan on ¥5,000–8,000 per day. "Dashi" — Japan's foundational stock — is made from bonito flakes and kombu, so strict vegetarians and vegans need to ask every time. Your winning combo: the HappyCow app + a translation card + an Airbnb with a kitchen.
Quick reference
Value
Meal eating out
¥1,500–3,500
Daily food budget
¥5,000–8,000
Restaurant finder
HappyCow app
The dashi trap
Bonito flakes + kombu in nearly everything
Cook-in lodging
Airbnb with kitchen
Last verified
June 2026
The 30-second answer
The four pillars of veggie/vegan travel in Japan = restaurant scouting + translation + self-cooking + smart neighborhood choice.
💰 Budget by diet type (10 days, solo, food only)
Diet type
Daily food
10-day total
Lacto-ovo (eggs + dairy OK)
¥4,500–7,000
¥45,000–70,000
Strict vegetarian
¥5,500–8,000
¥55,000–80,000
Vegan (no eggs/dairy/fish)
¥6,000–9,000
¥60,000–90,000
Add gluten-free
+¥1,000–2,000/day
+¥10,000–20,000
Compared with the typical ¥3,000–5,000/day food budget, expect to spend 50–100% more on a plant-based trip.
Japanese food traps
Looks veggie, isn't
Miso soup = dashi (bonito) base
Tempura = egg in the batter
Soba / udon broth = dashi
Ramen = pork bone, chicken bone, or dried sardine stock
A: About 30% of the time, no. The concept of dashi as a non-veggie ingredient hasn't fully landed with Japanese vegetarians, so you have to confirm every time. A "vegan" label is generally safer.
Q: Is Kyoto's shojin ryori fully vegan?
A: It's vegan by default, but some temples use honey or eggs. Say upfront: "Strict vegan, no honey, no egg."
Q: What's safe at convenience stores?
A: Salt onigiri, baked sweet potato, cut fruit, nuts, soy milk, bananas, and the new plant-based meat products (always check the package).
Q: What about halal + vegan combos?
A: Many halal-certified spots also offer vegan dishes (the area around Tokyo Camii mosque is great). Middle Eastern places in Shinjuku often cover both.
Q: How do I find a place with a kitchen?
A: On Airbnb, filter for "kitchen," "fridge," and "microwave". Pick a legally registered minpaku (under Japan's vacation rental law). Stays of 5 nights or more often come with a big discount.
About this guide: Yen Finder Editorial / last verified 2026-06-07. Restaurant details are rough guidance and menus change. Confirm current dietary options on each restaurant's official site or via the HappyCow app.