Long before the word “vegan” entered global consciousness, Japan had already nurtured a deep respect for plant-based eating. For centuries, monks in temples across the country practiced shojin ryori — a vegetarian cuisine born from Buddhist teachings that discouraged killing and valued balance in all living things. Meat became common only in the last 150 years. In essence, Japan’s culinary roots are still largely plant-centered, subtle, and seasonally attuned.
Asakusa, with its blend of ancient temples and modern tastes, is the perfect place to experience this quiet evolution — where tradition meets sustainability. Today, you’ll find everything from classic five pungent roots-free temple meals to innovative vegan burgers and desserts that rival any in the world.
Let’s explore the best vegan-friendly restaurants and cafes in Asakusa — not just where to eat, but how to feel the city’s soul through its food.
🍱 1. Bon (梵) — The Essence of Temple Cuisine
📍 1-2-11 Ryusen, Taito-ku
💰 ¥5,000–¥10,000
🔗 https://www.fuchabon.co.jp/english/english.html
All Vegan | five pungent roots-free | Reservation required (1 day ahead)
If there’s one place to understand Japan’s spiritual approach to food, it’s Bon. This long-established restaurant serves shojin ryori, the traditional Buddhist cuisine — entirely plant-based, free from five pungent roots (garlic, onion, leek, chive, asafoetida), and prepared with meticulous calm. Each course is an artwork: seasonal vegetables, tofu, sesame, and yuba arranged in harmony. Dining here feels less like eating and more like meditating. Perfect for travelers seeking both cultural depth and serenity.
🍛 2. Vegan Eat Tokyo — Casual & Clear-Label Dining
📍 1-22-5 Asakusa, Taito-ku
💰 ¥1,200–¥2,000
All Vegan | five pungent roots marked on menu
Bright, friendly, and approachable, Vegan Eat Tokyo is ideal for those who want variety without worrying about ingredients. The menu is extensive — Japanese curries, hamburg steaks, pasta, and even omurice — all fully vegan. What makes it special is its clear menu system: dishes that exclude five pungent roots are clearly marked, making it easy for Oriental vegan visitors to choose safely. No reservations are needed, and it’s open late into the evening, making it a go-to for casual dining after temple sightseeing.
🍰 3. Vegan Café PQ’s — Artistic Curry and Calm
📍 1-1-2 Ryusen, Taito-ku
💰 ¥1,000–¥2,000
All Vegan | Gluten-free options | five pungent roots-free upon request
Soft jazz, warm light, and an aroma of roasted spices — PQ’s feels like a secret hideaway in the heart of Asakusa. Their monthly vegan curry plate changes with the seasons and looks like a miniature landscape on a plate. Everything here is made in-house, from baked sweets to soy lattes, and many dishes are gluten-free. Ask politely, and the chef will prepare your meal without the five pungent roots — they understand Oriental vegan needs very well.
🥢 4.Marugoto Vegan Dining Asakusa — Pure, Kind, and 100% Japanese Vegan
📍 1-3-13 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
💰 ¥1,500–¥3,000
All Vegan | Gluten-free | five pungent roots-free | No additives
Located just a minute from Asakusa Station, Marugoto Vegan Dining offers fully plant-based, gluten-free, and additive-free meals in a calm, minimalist space.
Every dish — from soy-meat cutlets to brown-rice plates and seasonal desserts — is prepared gently, without any five pungent roots or chemical seasonings.
Staff are friendly and understand vegan and Oriental vegan requests well.
A great choice for travelers seeking a truly pure and modern Japanese vegan experience.
🥢 5. Gonpachi Asakusa Azumabashi — Riverside Elegance
📍 2-1-15 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku
💰 ¥2,000–¥4,000
Vegan options | five pungent roots-free on request
Overlooking the Sumida River, Gonpachi blends hospitality and flexibility. Its staff are well-trained to accommodate vegan and five pungent roots-free requests, offering tempura, soba, and tofu dishes tailored to your preference. The restaurant’s design — all wood and paper lanterns — channels Edo nostalgia, making it ideal for a refined dinner with a view of Tokyo Skytree.
🍕 6. Shochikuen Café — Gluten-Free Vegan Comfort
📍 2-7-6 Nishi-Asakusa, Taito-ku
💰 ¥1,000–¥2,000
All Vegan | Gluten-free | likely five pungent roots-free
Tucked near the tool street of Kappabashi, this small café is a cozy stop for a quick, healthy bite. The Yuba-Egg Burger is particularly beloved — soft rice buns, soy-based “egg,” and a touch of Japanese salt. Everything is 100% vegan and gluten-free, including their mini pizzas and cakes. A perfect afternoon stop during your Asakusa wanderings.
🍷 7. Vegan Izakaya NoWhere — Nighttime for Plant Lovers
📍 1-8-2 Mukojima, Sumida-ku
💰 ¥2,000–¥3,000
All Vegan | some five pungent roots-free dishes
Most vegan spots in Asakusa close early, but NoWhere stays open into the night. This rare all-vegan izakaya serves skewers, rice bowls, and sake-friendly plates — proof that vegan dining can be as lively and social as any Tokyo tavern. The owner is warm and welcoming; ask about dishes that are made without the five pungent roots if you follow that dietary path.
🍓 8. Hato-ya Vegan Fruit Sandwich — Sweet Simplicity
📍 2-3-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku
💰 ¥600–¥1,000
All Vegan | Take-out only
Bright, cheerful, and photogenic, Hato-ya offers fruit sandwiches layered with soy whipped cream and seasonal Japanese fruits. A perfect takeout treat between temple visits. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a small bench nearby to enjoy it while watching the flow of Nakamise Street.
🍕 9. Eat-Alley Asakusa — International Flavors
📍 1-16-9 Asakusa, Taito-ku
💰 ¥1,000–¥2,000
Vegan & Gluten-Free options
This modern food court offers vegan menus upon request (English available). Expect Western-style dishes — salads, pizzas, and pastas — more global than Japanese in flavor. If you’re traveling with non-vegan friends, it’s a good compromise spot, though the aroma of cheese fills the air. Staff can confirm both vegan and five pungent roots-free options.
🍛 10. CoCo Ichibanya (Tobu Asakusa Branch)
📍 1-3-2 Hanakawado, Taito-ku
💰 ¥800–¥1,200
Vegan option: Vegetable Curry
The dependable Japanese curry chain offers a plant-based curry option in nearly all branches, including Asakusa. Simple, comforting, and easy to customize. While not five pungent roots-free, it’s one of the easiest vegan meals to find anywhere in Tokyo.
🍜 11. Oedo Asakusa Ramen Tooryanse — Comfort in Simplicity
📍 1-20-9 Asakusa, Taito-ku
💰 ¥1,000–¥1,300
Vegan options available
Amid the bustling streets, Tooryanse offers a quiet bowl of plant-based ramen. Their “Vegetarian Salt Ramen” is made without dairy or eggs — just clean, simple flavors that let the broth speak for itself. It’s a humble dish, but that humility feels perfectly in tune with Asakusa’s old-town spirit.
🚴 Experience Asakusa the Slow, Sustainable Way
After a satisfying vegan meal, take a slow ride through the old town — not by car, but by rickshaw. These human-powered carriages, guided by passionate local drivers, weave through quiet lanes and temple grounds, offering stories that connect food, faith, and history.
👉 Recommended experience: Asakusa Rickshaw Tour (Book on Klook)
Eco-friendly, personal, and poetic — the perfect end to a day spent rediscovering Japan’s plant-based roots.
🌸 Final Thoughts
Veganism in Japan isn’t an imported trend — it’s a quiet return to something ancient. Asakusa embodies this return beautifully: from the disciplined harmony of Bon to the cozy warmth of PQ’s and the creative modernity of Vegan Eat Tokyo. Every dish here tells the same story — of compassion, simplicity, and connection.
So walk slowly, eat gently, and let Asakusa remind you that kindness — like good food — begins from within.