常Anytime
These experiences run all year and have no fixed date.
Food
アインソフ ジャーニー 京都店
AIN SOPH. Journey Kyoto is the Kyoto branch of a vegan restaurant chain designed from the start for international customers. The menu is fully available in English, covering hearty burgers, pancakes, and Japanese-inspired dishes, all plant-based. With polished service and a central location, foreign visitors face no barriers at all. A dependable vegan stop for any Kyoto itinerary. Seasonal limited menus keep regulars coming back throughout the year.
Lunch approx. ¥1,000; dinner approx. ¥2,000
English OK
Food
ファラフェルガーデン
Falafel Garden is run by an Israeli owner fluent in English, with a picture menu that makes ordering effortless. Popular with Kyoto University students and foreigners alike, it serves generous falafel plates and wraps at student-friendly prices. An affordable vegetarian option when you want a change of pace from Japanese food. The generous portions at student-friendly prices keep the university crowd loyal.
Falafel from ¥420; lunch plate about ¥1,400
English OK
Food
Hobodo Cafe is a small husband-and-wife shop serving thoughtful vegan lunches and homemade sweets, with some English spoken and an English menu available. Open Friday to Sunday from 11:30 to 16:00, it has the intimate feel of eating in someone's home. Business days can be irregular, so checking Instagram in advance is wise. The homemade desserts, when available, are worth saving room for.
Vegan set meal ¥1,600
English OK
Food
泉仙 大慈院店（大徳寺）
Izusen Daiji-in, set within the sprawling Daitoku-ji Zen temple complex in northern Kyoto, serves refined shojin-ryori in a tranquil temple setting. An English menu is available, though the official website is mainly in Japanese. Advance reservations are all it takes, and foreign guests are welcomed without issue. The surrounding temple precincts, with their famous gardens, reward an unhurried visit. The serene moss gardens of Daitoku-ji are worth exploring before or after the meal.
Lunch about ¥3,000–4,000
English OK
Markets
京都ビーガングルメ祭り
The Kyoto Vegan Gourmet Festival offers free admission with more than a dozen vegan stalls serving everything from burgers to traditional Japanese sweets, and foreigners can walk right in. It is a festive, tasting-menu-style way to sample Kyoto's plant-based scene in one place. Ingredient labels are in Japanese, so knowing basic ingredient terms or going with a knowledgeable companion helps.
Free entry
English OK
Food
mumokuteki cafe&foods 京都店
Mumokuteki Cafe & Foods in Kyoto offers an English menu that clearly marks whether fish stock is used in each dish — a rare and welcome clarity for vegetarian diners in Japan. Staff speak basic English, so foreigners can walk right in with confidence. With its stylish interior and thoughtful plant-based menu, it is a reliable choice for vegetarian and vegan travelers exploring central Kyoto.
Lunch set about ¥1,000–1,500; dinner about ¥1,000–1,500 per person
English OK
Food
musubi cafe 嵐山店
musubi cafe in Arashiyama offers an English menu and fully vegan desserts, including gluten-free options, alongside its wholesome lunches. With a runner-friendly cafe atmosphere and riverside location, foreign visitors are warmly welcomed. The vegan lunch is popular, so reserving ahead is recommended, especially on weekends. After lunch, the riverside paths of Arashiyama invite a leisurely stroll. The riverside setting and friendly staff make it a delightful Arashiyama break.
Lunch set approx. ¥1,250–1,700; dessert extra
English OK
Food
篩月（天龍寺）
Shigetsu is a core shojin-ryori, or Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, restaurant on the Arashiyama tourist route, set within the grounds of Tenryu-ji Temple. Tables can be booked in English via Klook and Savor Japan, and foreign visitors are welcomed. The refined multi-course meals showcase seasonal Kyoto vegetables at their best. Note that the temple garden requires a separate 500-yen viewing fee.
Three set meals: Yuki ¥3,800 (5 dishes), Tsuki ¥6,500 (6 dishes), Hana ¥9,000 (7 dishes). Garden entry ¥500 extra; no service charge. Book 2 days ahead (Yuki) or 3 days ahead for 2+ guests (Tsuki, Hana).
English OK
Food
Veg Out（鴨川沿いヴィーガンカフェ）
Veg Out is a pilgrimage-worthy vegan cafe by the river, beloved by Kyoto's plant-based community for its creative cakes and hearty plates. Some English is spoken, walk-ins are welcome, and the desserts often sell out — going early in the day is wise. With its relaxed riverside atmosphere, it is a cozy stop for vegan travelers exploring the city. The riverside location makes it a pleasant stop on a Kamo River walk.
Meal set approx. ¥1,500; breakfast/dessert around ¥500–1,000
English OK
Food
Moon & Back is a small vegan ramen bar in Nakagyo Ward, popular with foreign tourists who often line up outside its narrow storefront. Language support is evidenced only by foreign-language reviews — including reports of celebrity visits as of 2025 — and an English menu has not been verified. Arrive with patience and a translation app, and you will be rewarded with a solid bowl.
Open year-round (dates not listed — see source page for details)
English OK
Food
豆禅（マメゼン / TowZen）
Vegan Ramen Towzen, affectionately known as Towzen, offers an English menu with a questionnaire-style ordering system: choose from six options covering noodles, soup richness, and toppings. Staff English is limited, but foreign guests are warmly welcomed. The signature soy-milk ramen is rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying — a Kyoto vegan classic that even non-vegans enjoy. The rich, creamy broth surprises first-timers who expect vegan ramen to taste light.
English OK
Food
然 松鶴
Vegan Ramen ZEN SHOKAKU requires reservations for its rich plant-based ramen. English service has not been verified, so checking foreign-language reviews or HappyCow for recent visitor reports is advisable before adding it to a visitor-facing list. For committed vegan ramen seekers, it remains a name worth watching. Checking recent reviews remains the best way to gauge the current experience. Its growing reputation among vegan travelers keeps it on the radar.
Food
ヴィーガン寿司専門店 Vegan Sushi Kyoto
Vegan Sushi Kyoto brings plant-based creativity to the sushi counter, with English-speaking staff and a welcoming attitude toward foreign visitors, who can walk right in. The colorful vegetable nigiri and rolls make for great photos as well as great eating. Note that lunch service has limited hours, so checking Instagram for closing days before visiting is recommended. The colorful vegetable nigiri are as photogenic as they are delicious.
English OK