Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is a must-visit destination in Okayama. The traditional townscape is perfect for photo taking, the Japanese cultural experience and activities, and adoring the artworks in galleries and museums. But where to dine? Read on for the vegan or vegetarian-friendly restaurants you can enjoy with your non-vegetarian friends and families!
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter’s Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants and Accommodations
- Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
- Accommodations in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter With Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants
- Other Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Spots Around Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Tsubame Cafe (つばめ喫茶室)
You must have had a hamburger. But in Japan, instead of sandwiching a hamburger patty between two buns, the patty is commonly cooked as a main dish and eaten with rice. While a hamburger set menu can be found at most Teishoku restaurants that offer various set menus, most of the hamburger aren’t vegan. So, if you are keen to try a vegan hamburger in the Japanese way, visit Tsubame Cafe at Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. The staff is friendly, and the service is great!
Tsubame Cafe is a vegan restaurant that was renovated from a traditional storage. While it only has one set menu, the Veggie Hamburger Teishoku (ベジハンバーグ定食), you won’t regret dining here. All the vegetables and fruit used are sourced locally, ensuring the freshness of the ingredients. The set comes with plenty of side dishes, allowing you to taste the deliciousness of vegetables. The hamburger is also amazing. The vegan chicken karaage is another dish on the set menu that makes you crave more.
In addition to the lunch menu, you can also visit the cafe for vegan desserts. The cakes here are so phenomenal that you would doubt whether they really don’t contain any dairy and egg. The soy milk café au lait is also nice.
Tips:
☛ If you don’t eat pungent vegetables, such as garlic, let Tsubame Cafe know in advance. They can cater to it.
☛ Talk to the staff if you need more rice.
Tsubame Cafe’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Tsubame Cafe is open from 11:30 am to 4 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
- Kamadaya Tofu Restaurant is a 10-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station (倉敷駅).
sami (然味)
sami is a hidden restaurant renovated from a 100-year-old townhouse. It is where you can experience a luxurious meal in Kurashiki. The restaurant can cater to various dietary requirements if you inform them beforehand. Of course, turning their course menu vegan isn’t a problem.
Opened in December 2023, Sami specializes in an innovative fusion course menu cooked from seasonal ingredients from local producers. Each dish on the course menu is the perfect combination of Japanese and Western cuisine. Although it is located in the center of the bustling Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, it is a little tucked away and surrounded by tranquility.
Finding sami’s entrance can be tricky because it is at the end of the narrow alley between Yuurin-an (有鄰庵) and Bikandō (美観堂). Reinforcing the restaurant’s concept, sami has a stylish interior dotted with traditional elements. The comfortable dining space is created by the contrast of light from the window and the shadow unique to a Japanese house. You can choose from the table seats lit by pendant lights, counter seats overlooking the open kitchen, and semi-private rooms with a small garden view.
While dining at sami isn’t cheap, you get much more than at other places of this kind for what you pay for. The portion of each dish isn’t tiny, and the presentation is well-crafted. The most important thing is that the food that sami’s chef cooks tastes incredible. The service is top-notch, as one would expect. The staff will explain each dish thoroughly and ensure you feel like a valued customer.
Refer to HERE for sami’s menu.
Important: When you reserve, remember to request a vegan course menu. Please refer to sami’s website for reservation methods.
sami’s Business Hours and Access Information
- sami is open from Wednesday to Sunday
- 8 am to 10:30 am for breakfast (coming soon)
- 12 pm to 2 pm for lunch
- 6 pm to 9 pm for dinner
- The restaurant is a 13-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station (倉敷駅).
Boulangerie mugi（ブーランジェリームギ） and Cafe mugi（カフェムギ）
Boulangerie mugi is one of the best bakeries in Kurashiki. The bakery that blends into Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter’s traditional townscape is where you can stop by when you are running low on energy from walking. The freshly baked bread from the bakery will surely keep you going for your exploration. The bread baked from natural yeast is so delicious that there might be a queue when you get there. Opening at 7:30 in the morning, there usually won’t be many items left on the shelf if you only get there in the afternoon.
As soon as you step into the store, you will be greeted by the nice aroma of wheat. One of the reasons the bread at Boulangerie mugi smells and tastes amazingly has to be the ingredients used. Without using addictive and even animal fat, the wheat’s original flavor is brought out, and the resulting bread is fluffy with a moist texture.
On Boulangerie mugi’s second floor, there is a nicely decorated cafe space serving coffee and tea. So, if you are here for breakfast or need a rest, head upstairs, where you can eat the bread you purchased from the bakery. Sandwiches are also available, but they aren’t vegetarian.
Tip: You can also enjoy Boulangerie mugi’s bread at its sister cafe, Cafe Nature (4 shops away). The staff can heat the bread for you. In fact, it is the best way to enjoy breakfast at Cafe Nature as the portion of the morning soup set is small.
Boulangerie mugi’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Boulangerie mugi is open from 7:30 am to 5 pm.
- The bakery is a 10-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station (倉敷駅).
CUORE Kurashiki (CUORE倉敷)
CUORE Kurashiki is a fancy hostel that has a bar cafe attached. While the bar isn’t completely vegan/vegetarian, they have a vegan menu or can exclude ingredients you can’t eat from a certain dish, including pungent plants such as garlic. Close to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, it is a great place to stop by for lunch or dinner when you visit the city’s most popular tourist destination. As the hostel has many foreign guests, the staff speaks English, so you shouldn’t experience any issues when communicating your dietary requirements.
The food and drinks at CUORE are phenomenal, and the portion is good, too! Because it is also treated as the hostel’s living room, the cafe bar has a homey vibe. There are sofa seats and table seats for you to choose from. If you aren’t too shy, strike up a casual conversation with the staff or other customers. They are all friendly, you can surely have an amazing time here.
If you aren’t in a rush, spend a night at CUORE Kurashiki. Unlike most hostels, each of CUORE’s rooms is decorated differently, and they aren’t super small like most Japanese hotels in the city center! The common facilities, such as shower rooms, are cleanly maintained, giving you a pleasant experience. Shampoo, conditioner, and body soup are available for free. A toothbrush, skincare set, body sponge, and razor are provided for a small charge.
Note there are no stairs in the building. Climbing stairs can be tiring if your room is on the second or third floor.
CUORE Kurashiki’s Restaurant’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Bar CUORE is open from
- 7 am to 9 am (for hostel guests only)
- 11 am to 2 pm for lunch
- 5 pm to 12 am for dinner
- The last order is at 11:30 pm.
- 11 am to 12 am for cafe menu
- CUORE Kurashiki is a 10-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station (倉敷駅).
- From Ōhara Museum Of Art (大原美術館), it is a 2-minute walk.
Ryōri Ryokan Tsurugata (料理旅館 鶴形)
Staying in a traditional ryokan is on many international tourists’ bucket lists. Kurashiki, a town that retains a traditional atmosphere, is a good destination to do so. If you are unsure which one to stay at, consider Ryōri Ryokan Tsurugata. The traditional inn located along the Kurashiki River was a wealthy merchant’s residence completed in 1744. Many folk crafts are used to decorate the traditional architecture, making it a great place to experience Japan’s history and the gorgeous traditional elements.
Ryōri Ryokan Tsurugata was opened in 1970 after transforming an oil wholesaler’s complex into a traditional inn filled with a tranquil vibe and Japanese-style decor, such as stone lanterns. It is the second oldest house in the area. The pine in the courtyard is even older than the ryokan. Aged over 400 years, the tree is the oldest in Kurashiki.
Although Ryōri Ryokan Tsurugata is located in the bustling Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, the guest rooms are at the back of the complex. Hence, the noise from the main street won’t disturb your stay.
Note that Ryōri Ryokan Tsurugata only has Japanese-style guestrooms. While it is not equipped with Western-style beds, the futon beds are comfortable enough in many cases.
Tip: If the staff have free time, they might be able to show you the building filled with history, even if you aren’t a ryokan guest.
Dining at Ryōri Ryokan Tsurugata
In addition to the history and customer service, Ryōri Ryokan Tsurugata is also proud of its food. Not only do the dishes vary with the season, but guests staying multiple nights are served a different dish every day. Living up to its fame, dinner is served in your room, allowing you to experience the hospitality befitting a ryokan in Japan.
Moreover, when the Heisei Emperor of Japan and his wife visited Ibara City (井原市) in Okayama, Tsurugata was requested to prepare their bento boxes despite the distance!
You can also enjoy lunch at Ryōri Ryokan Tsurugata. The Vegetable Tempura Inaniwa Udon Set (野菜天婦羅盛り&稲庭うどん) at Restaurant Tsurugata (お食事処 鶴形) can be served vegan. Whilst communication with the staff in English shouldn’t be a problem, if you want to learn the Japanese phrases useful for vegans and vegetarians, we have summarised some phrases for you HERE (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
- Restaurant Tsurugata is open from 11 am to 2 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
- If Monday is a public holiday, it will close on the next business day instead.
How to Get to Ryōri Ryokan Tsurugata
All you need to do is get off at JR Kurashiki Station (倉敷駅), follow the Google Maps, and you will be there in 10 to 15 minutes!
Check out our recommended route HERE that differs from the Google Map suggested route to experience the local atmosphere (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
Taku Okonomiyaki & Curry (広島お好み焼 -カレー TAKU)
Heard of Okonomiyaki? It is a Japanese savory pancake containing a variety of ingredients of your choice. The term “okonomiyaki” translates to “as you like” in English!
There are two styles of Okonomiyaki – Hiroshima style and Osaka style. Here at Taku, they offer Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, which includes noodles that the Osaka style doesn’t have (which is what we love about it as we are all big eaters!).
The vegetarian okonomiyaki at Taku with noodles is 803 yen. You get to choose from either yakisoba noodles or udon noodles.
When you order, don’t forget to remember the following:
☛Yasaitamasoba okonomiyaki 野菜玉そば for vegetable okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodle
☛Yasaitamaudon okonomiyaki 野菜玉うどん for vegetable okonomiyaki with udon noodle
☛Yasaitama okonomiyaki 野菜玉 for vegetable okonomiyaki without noodles
You can also add the below toppings with extra charges:
- Rice cake, corn, udon noodles, soba noodles, or cabbage: 110 yen
- Cheese and kimchi (it should be noted that seafood may be added into the seasoning during the fermentation process): 220 yen
Click HERE for the restaurant’s menu in Japanese. If you need help with the translation, contact us HERE!
Important: as yummy as the curry looks on the menu, unfortunately, we have confirmed with the restaurant that the curry contains animal ingredients (even the ones containing only vegetable toppings). On the other hand, we couldn’t confirm whether the okonomiyaki sauce is vegan.
Taku Okonomiyaki & Curry’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Taku Okonomiyaki & Curry is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30 to 14:30 and 17:30 to 22:00.
- The last order is taken at 9 pm.
- On Sundays and public holidays, it opens from 11:30 am to 3 pm and 5:30 pm to 9 pm.
- The last order is taken at 8 pm.
- CUORE Kurashiki is a 15-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station (倉敷駅).
Kamadaya Tofu Restaurant (とうふ料理 鎌田屋)
Kamadaya makes all of its soybean products in-house. The restaurant is budget-friendly, and the taste is impeccable! We have reviews showing that even big meat eaters love the restaurant! Click HERE for photos of what you can expect from there. The menu is, unfortunately, in Japanese, so if you require some assistance, please contact us HERE, and we will get back to you (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
However, please note that it has been confirmed by the restaurant that the broth contains bonito. So if you are strict with your diet, it will be hard for you to find anything to eat there.
Kamadaya Tofu Restaurant’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Kamadaya Tofu Restaurant is open from 11 am to 3 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.
- If Monday falls on a public holiday, it will close on the next business day.
- Kamadaya Tofu Restaurant is a 15 to 20-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station (倉敷駅).
Other Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Spots Around Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
- Café Nature (カフェナチュール)
- An organic vegan cafe near Boulangerie mugi (ブーランジェリームギ). The cafe is where you can bring in bread purchased from the bakery.
- As it opens at 7:30 am, it is a great spot to have breakfast if you spend a night in Kurashiki, especially with its well-brewed coffee.
- Because organic ingredients are used, the food’s portion is smaller than many people would expect.
- Note that some people find the pasta here salty. The curry rice and soup might be a better option.
- Haremokemo Kurashiki Main Store (はれもけも 美観地区本店)
- A gluten-free cookie/biscuit shop in Kurashiki that sells many vegan sweets. The cookie maker also uses as many locally grown ingredients as possible. Other locally famous sweets, such as cheesecake and the happy pudding from Yuurin-an, are also sold here.
- Don’t think of the cookies here as the ones you can get elsewhere. The chocolate cookie, for example, is almost like a brownie-like biscuit!
- The staff here is extremely friendly and helpful.
- Yūnagi (ゆうなぎ倉敷本店)
- A Japanese restaurant that has a couple of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
- If you like eggplants, the grilled eggplant is nice.
- Note that the price isn’t budget-friendly for what you get.
- Taiwan Tenshin-bō (台湾点心房)
- If you plan to spend a night near Kurashiki Station, you can visit Taiwan Tenshin-bō for dinner. While the Taiwanese restaurant on Kurashiki Ario’s 1st floor doesn’t have a dedicated vegan/vegetarian menu, you can ask the chef to specially prepare vegetarian/vegan fried rice or stir-fried vegetables for you.
- Kyū-Hondō-tei (古民家バル 旧本藤邸)
- For a fancier and more unique dining experience, Kyū-Hondō-tei west of Kurashiki Station is a nice spot. The Italian Restaurant is inside a traditional Japanese house. The layout of the traditional house is ingeniously used to create a modern space.
- The restaurant has a couple of vegan/vegetarian options. Please check with the staff upon arrival for what is plant-based.
- If the tofu cheese is still available when you get there, order it. It is very nice!
- The service at Kyū-Hondō-tei, provided by the friendly staff, is good.
Explore Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Now you know where to get your 3 meals sorted, it is now time to discover what you can do at the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. The old township has a lot to offer, and you can easily spend a day here!
For more information, refer to our article on Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter!
