Recommendations: Tokyo // Japan
The mega city with with mega secret vegan scene. Full of creative bakeries, macrobiotic feasts and interesting produce. Tokyo can be a challenging place to consciously travel within, with it’s sky scrapers, chaos and unavoidable plastic. Luckily our founder, Lauren Lovatt, spent many months in the Japanese capital lifting the lid on how to experience Tokyo in a more sustainable way.
Written and reviewed by Plant Academy Founder Lauren Lovatt
MY ULTIMATE FAVOURITE
Seasonal Organic Natural is the most beautiful concept in the City created by passionate female chef Yukiko Tsutsumi. Serving a stunning lunch set (this is a traditional offer with lots of bowls of different elements). You can choose the Vegan option and taste her home made ferments and seasonal creations presenting with bright and beautiful produce in a creative way.
LET’S DO BRUNCH #1
Like many cities the best time to get plant based food is in the day! There is a huge selection to choose from especially for brunch. Brown Rice, by Niels Yard Remedies, is a tranquil cafe right in the central more creative part of town, serving a seasonal set but this time either with a steamed vegetable set or curry as well as nicely put together drinks and desserts.
LET’S DO BRUNCH #2
Another option for something more westernised is Parklet managed by a Californian pastry Duo. They do really really good bread and a chilli avocado toast as well as homemade nut butter and fruit toast. In the area you can also visit vegan baker Ovgo, check out K5 for a coffee or walk across the river to cafe Tarot which is another vegan place.
Chaya Macrobiotic is a slightly under the radar place that does their own products as well as lunch and dinner. They have the set course menus as well as things like vegan sushi, curry and really good cakes. Most importantly it is an organic place with Japanese style food in comfortable surroundings.
SOMETHING SWEET
For the most delicious patisserie made from plant based ingredients check out Premium Sow. A very cute shop in Ebisu, which is also a good area for wandering around with vintage shops and street food.
Another hidden gem is the nuts exchange, their macadamia based drinks and cakes are defiantly worth a visit if you are in the area.
COOL COFFEE
The are crazy amounts of coffee sops in Tokyo’s I would argue it’s actually easier to get a coffee than a decent matcha in the capital, so this maybe the hardest one to pick. My favourites were Coffee county and Koffee Mameya.
EXPERIENTIAL MATCHA
As above it’s surprisingly not that easy to find a good matcha and by good I mean not loaded with sugar or funny milk but authentic and delicious. I would often frequent the Hama-rikyu Gardens and head to their gorgeous teahouse set in the middle of a very tranquil lake. You take off your shoes and order matcha either with or without a little Nerikiri sweets (made of rice flour, sugar and beans) and bask in the sunshine enjoying this incredible drink.
VEGAN DINING
I found it a little challenge to find decent places in the evening, Mostly because you have to book sometimes months ahead and to find organic, vegan and potentially gluten free offers is pretty challenging here. I would have loved to eat at MAZ if I had been more organised but the best I found that fit my criteria was Revive Kitchen in Ginza, It’s pretty hard to find (like most places hidden in malls in Tokyo!!) But once you do that have an inviting menu using well sourced ingredients, all plant based and with a good choice. Try their ’tasting’ menu to get inspired. I also enjoyed Locale again using seasonal ingredients but within a fun experience where you can see the chef cooking, drink natural wine and connect with other diners.
EXPLORING ALONE
Universal Bakes has two bakeries one with a cafe. I loved to go to yoga at Ignite then walk over to their cafe to have any of their delicious vegan sweet and savoury bakes and sometimes swing over to the other site to grab a cake for another day. Their baking is really delicious and creative merging traditional recipes with seasonal ingredients and more modern twists.
Also Alishan Organics is a welcoming plant based cafe and shop that also does events, try their cakes, drinks and lunches to get your dose of veggies.
CROWD PLEASER
Alchemy has recently come to the newly opened Azabudai hills. This established concept from Bali is bringing fresh salads, raw chocolates, tasty cakes, pancakes and hot options. You can create your own salad bowls here with many options to suit and mood. While there you can also explore
FILL YOUR FRIDGE
At The Farmers Market at UNU is a must - find lots of organic produce and vegan goodies as well as delicious vegan Ramen by @tokyo.vegan.ramen.centre. After don’t miss So Tarte for really yummy vegan and gluten free fruit tarts, like most places in Tokyo there is offers a HUGE queues so always be prepared to make time to wait or get a takeaway if you patience won’t cut it.
FILL YOUR FRIDGE
This bakery needs it’s own category as MoreThan does special vegan Sundays with the most incredible array of vegan bakes, I went here so many times to try different things and the stand out’s are their roasted vegetable sandwich which where they add a candied nut butter among the savoury fillings. I also love their filled bunds with miso vegetables, as well as literally any of their sweet treats.
BAKERIES GALORE
Another bakery worth mentioning is Te Cor Gentil which is a fully vegan bakeries with super indulgent treats, from pistachio croissants to cream puffs and melting in the muddle chocolate cakes, it’s worth trying if you are in the area.
SHOP LOCAL
Urban Grocery is FILLED with conscious plant-based products, from home made cakes to artisan misos and international products. I loved this store for discovering small scale makers doing things in a sustainable way.
SLEEP
I often went for Section L which for me was a welcome a home from home with colourful rooms, mini kitchen and everything I could have needed for a long stay. If budget was no option I would stay at TRUNK or the brand new JANU Tokyo, which I would have loved to visit! I also tried out mid range option Tsuki in the Ginza area which is has nicely curated traditntal touches and cypress wood baths in the rooms.