Japan

Vegan Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Vegetarian Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Best For: Tofu, vegetables, rice dishes, Buddhist temple cuisine
Challenging Because: Dashi (fish broth) is in many soups, sauces, and dressings

🥗 What to Eat

• Vegetarian-friendly: Vegetable tempura, soba noodles, vegetable sushi rolls
• Vegan-friendly: Shojin ryori (Buddhist temple cuisine), rice, pickled vegetables, tofu dishes

🚫 Watch Out For

• Dashi (fish broth) in soups, miso, sauces
• Egg in many sushi and baked goods

🗣️ Survival Phrases (Japanese)

• I am vegetarian: Watashi wa bejitarian desu
  (wah-TAH-shee wah beh-jee-TAH-ree-an dess)
• I am vegan: Watashi wa bīgan desu
  (wah-TAH-shee wah BEE-gahn dess)
• No meat: Niku wa tabemasen
  (nee-koo wah tah-BEH-mah-sen)
• No fish: Sakana wa tabemasen
  (sah-kah-nah wah tah-BEH-mah-sen)

🧭 Veggie Trip Tip

Look for “shojin ryori” restaurants or Buddhist temple meals for safe vegan options — ask about dashi in other dishes.