COSTA CUISINE
Where to Eat, Shop and Drink Coffee in Tokyo
Bettina, our resident foodie, offers her insider knowledge on plant based cuisine and takes us on a culinary journey as she travels the world in search of gastronomic inspiration
Vegan in Japan i
visited Japan with two wonderful clients for their creative project and I absolutely fell in love with the place. Japan might not strike you immediately as somewhere that would facilitate a plant-based diet, but it turns out, Tokyo at least, has more to offer vegans than plain rice and seaweed — it’s a trove of treats for vegans!
In fact, although Japanese culture is famed for its meat and seafood staples, it wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that red meat and dairy were introduced from the West. A traditional Japanese meal before then consisted of rice, beans, seaweed and vegetables, and a lot of traditional dishes can easily be made vegan friendly. Look out for ‘shojin ryori’, the mostly vegan diet followed by the Zen Buddhist monks. This is my guide bursting with tried and tested restaurant, coffee and shopping recommendations, which you can find on my Tokyo Map, too!
Know before you go: LANGUAGE: The official language in Tokyo and throughout Japan is Japanese. Although it’s respectful and nice to know how to say a minimum of ‘please’ and ‘thank-you’ in the local language wherever you visit, English is used widely in Tokyo, so you’ll be fine navigating your way around using solely English. The people speak a fair amount and road signs and travel info are usually accompanied by English translations. I recommend a translator app though!
MONEY: Currency: Japanese Yen ATMs: You’ll only find ATMs inside 7Eleven stores and post offices. Although Tokyo is quickly adapting to card usage, cash is still pretty much king in Japan, even with chains and big businesses, so be sure to always have some on you. Tokyo is one of the world’s most expensive cities, so be warned; money disappears here very quickly!
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EXTRA TIPS: Transport etiquette is taken seriously in Japan, particularly on the subway where phones must be on silent and calls cannot be taken. Public bins are super hard to find, but despite the lack of official trash disposal, littering is pretty much absent from the streets. Do what the locals do and keep your rubbish with you until you can throw it away at your hotel. Tipping isn’t expected or accepted. In fact, it’s actually considered by the Japanese to be rather rude, so keep your pennies for your own spending money.