The Best Vegan Cooking Classes in Japan

Japan is a country with a rich culinary tradition that extends far beyond sushi and sashimi. If you're visiting Japan, you’ll naturally want to experience as much of its unique food culture as possible. However, Japan is not the most vegan-friendly destination, and finding vegan versions of traditional dishes in restaurants can be tricky.

But don’t worry! There are plenty of opportunities to learn how to cook delicious vegan Japanese food yourself. Whether you want to master plant-based sushi, ramen, or Buddhist temple cuisine, these vegan cooking classes in Japan will be a highlight of your trip.

Vegan Cooking Classes in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto

1) AirKitchen Vegan Cooking Classes

📍 Location: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto
⏳ Duration: Typically 2–3 hours
💰 Price Range: $$
🔹 What You’ll Learn: Vegan versions of Japanese classics like sushi, ramen, gyoza, and more

AirKitchen is a platform that connects travelers with local hosts who offer home-based cooking classes. There are several vegan cooking classes available, each taught by experienced local chefs. These classes focus on plant-based versions of popular Japanese dishes and often include insights into Japanese culinary history and philosophy.

🔗 Check out vegan AirKitchen classes:

• Vegan-friendly AirKitchen classes in Tokyo

• Vegan and vegetarian friendly AirKitchen classes in Osaka

• Vegan and vegetarian AirKitchen classes in Kyoto

2) BentoYa Cooking

📍 Location: Tokyo, Yokohama, Gunma, Kyoto, Kobe
⏳ Duration: 2–3 hours
💰 Price Range: $$–$$$
🔹 What You’ll Learn: Traditional Japanese vegan cooking, including bento-making

BentoYa Cooking specializes in vegan Japanese cuisine, offering classes in multiple locations. Their workshops cover everything from everyday home-cooked meals to elaborate bento boxes. Instructors are experienced in plant-based cooking, ensuring an authentic yet fully vegan experience.

🔗 Book a class here: BentoYa Cooking

3) Aiko’s Vegan Cooking Class

📍 Location: Kanazawa
⏳ Duration: 3 hours
💰 Price Range: $ (Most budget-friendly!)
🔹 What You’ll Learn: Shojin Ryori, sushi, ramen, and more

If you’re planning to visit Kanazawa, this class should be at the top of your list! Aiko is a vegan chef with over 20 years of experience and recently opened her own restaurant. Her cooking classes are among the most affordable in Japan, yet offer an impressive depth of knowledge and hands-on learning.

Personal Experience: I had the chance to take this class myself, and I was blown away. We made an incredible Shojin Ryori meal from scratch, and I learned so much about Japanese ingredients and cooking techniques. If you're looking for an authentic yet budget-friendly class, this is it!

🔗 Learn more about Aiko’s classes: Aiko Cooking Classes

4) Cookly’s Buddhist Cuisine Class

📍 Location: Tokyo
⏳ Duration: 3 hours
💰 Price Range: $$
🔹 What You’ll Learn: Shojin Ryori (Buddhist Temple Cuisine)

Cookly is another platform offering cooking experiences across Japan. One of their standout vegan options is a Shojin Ryori class in Tokyo, which teaches you how to prepare traditional Buddhist meals—naturally vegan and deeply connected to Japanese Zen philosophy.

🔗 Book the class here: Shojin Cuisine in Tokyo

5) byFood Vegan Cooking Classes

📍 Location: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto etc.
⏳ Duration: Varies
💰 Price Range: $$–$$$
🔹 What You’ll Learn: Vegan versions of popular Japanese dishes, miso making or beautiful desserts

byFood offers a variety of cooking classes, and quite a few of them can accommodate vegans. If you choose a sweets class, you may need to double-check ingredients—red food coloring is sometimes cochineal.

🔗 Highly recommended vegan classes:

• Private Japanese Miso Making Workshop Near Tokyo Tower

• Customizable Vegetarian Washoku Home Cooking Class (Tokyo)

• Mochi Making Class in Tokyo

• Fun Nerikiri Wagashi Japanese Sweets Making Class in Tokyo

• See all byFood Vegan-friendly Cooking Classes

Tips for Booking a Vegan Cooking Class in Japan

✅ Let the instructor know about your dietary requirements: Some classes are not vegan by default. Let the instructor know in advance if you're vegan or have other dietary requirements, so they are prepared.
✅ Consider hands-on vs. demonstration classes: Some experiences are interactive, while others focus on watching and learning. Choose what suits you best.

Final Thoughts

These are just a few of the many vegan cooking classes available in Japan. Whether you're looking for a fun cultural experience, hoping to improve your plant-based cooking skills, or simply want to ensure you can enjoy Japanese cuisine without animal products, there’s a class for you.

Happy cooking! 🍜🥢