VEGAN GUIDE · KYOTO

Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Kyoto

Updated 2026.11.01 Reviewed by the Japan Eat Guide editorial team

Kyoto has a long tradition of shojin ryori, the Buddhist temple cuisine made without meat or fish, and a growing number of dedicated vegan restaurants. This guide covers four places whose official websites confirm that they do not use animal ingredients: a vegan ramen restaurant with a Michelin Green Star, an all-vegan restaurant near Shijo-Kawaramachi, a cafe serving set meals and sweets near Kawaramachi, and the shojin ryori restaurant run by Tenryu-ji temple in Arashiyama.

A Michelin Green Star: Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto

Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto opened in 2020 in the Goshominami area of Nakagyo-ku. A teamLab artwork is projected on the wall, and guests eat at black tables arranged around it. According to its official site, it received the world’s first Michelin Green Star in the ramen category along with a Bib Gourmand, and its Japanese site says it has now held the Green Star for two years in a row and the Bib Gourmand for five in the Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka 2026.

Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto

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BUDGET: ¥6,000+
AREA: Kawaramachi
HOURS: Lunch 12:00-14:45 (last entry 13:30); Dinner 17:30-22:15 (last entry 21:00); no fixed closing day

The price listed on the official site is for the UZU Signature Course (8,800 yen), where you choose between two ramen: Soy Sauce & Fermented Mugwort or Spicy Miso & Sake Kasu. The broth is a 12-hour cold brew of Rausu kombu, Japanese shiitake and vegetables. Lunch is 12:00 to 2:45 PM (last entry 1:30 PM) and dinner 5:30 to 10:15 PM (last entry 9:00 PM), with no fixed closing day. Guests with reservations are seated first, cash is not accepted, and children aged 6 and under are not allowed.

100% Vegan Near Shijo-Kawaramachi: AIN SOPH. Journey Kyoto

AIN SOPH. Journey Kyoto, on Shinkyogoku-dori just north of Shijo, states on its official site that every item is 100% vegan, made only from plant-based ingredients with no meat, fish, dairy or eggs. The menu includes the gluten-free Heavenly Vegan Pancake (2,550 yen), the Ripple Cheese Burger (2,280 yen with fries) and the gluten-free Uji Matcha Gateau (1,480 yen).

AIN SOPH. Journey Kyoto

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BUDGET: ¥1,000–3,000
AREA: Kawaramachi
HOURS: 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM (last order 3:00 PM); dinner 5:00 - 9:00 PM (last order 8:00 PM) on some days only; no fixed closing day

It is open from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM (last order 3:00 PM), with dinner (5:00 to 9:00 PM) on some days only. It has no fixed closing day, and because hours can change by the day, the official site recommends checking Google Maps or Instagram before you go. Table reservations are online only.

mumokuteki cafe KYOTO is on the second floor of the Human Forum Building. Its official site says it uses absolutely no animal-derived ingredients, and no eggs, dairy, refined sugar, meat, fish or chemical seasonings. The menu centers on set meals (gozen) such as the Tofu Hamburger Set (1,800 yen), plus sweets like tiramisu (950 yen) and soy milk soft serve (650 yen).

mumokuteki cafe KYOTO

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BUDGET: ¥1,000–3,000
AREA: Kawaramachi
HOURS: 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM (last order 7:00 PM); closed Wednesdays

It is a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station (subway) and Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu). It is open from 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM (last order 7:00 PM), closed on Wednesdays. There are English and Chinese menus, and credit cards and PayPay are accepted.

Temple Cuisine in Arashiyama: Shigetsu at Tenryu-ji

Shigetsu is the shojin ryori restaurant run directly by Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage temple in Arashiyama. Its official site describes shojin ryori as cooking that uses no animal ingredients at all, based mainly on vegetables, mountain vegetables, wild plants and seaweed.

Shigetsu at Tenryu-ji

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BUDGET: ¥3,000–6,000
AREA: Arashiyama
HOURS: 11:00-14:00; closed Thursdays

There are three courses: Yuki (one soup and five dishes) for 3,800 yen, Tsuki (one soup and six dishes) for 6,500 yen and Hana (one soup and seven dishes) for 9,000 yen, each plus a 500 yen garden admission fee. Yuki must be reserved at least two days ahead; Tsuki and Hana are for two or more people and must be reserved at least three days ahead. It is open from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and closed on Thursdays.

Which to choose

For a special meal, the ramen course at Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto. Reservations get priority, and cash is not accepted.
For a casual meal while shopping around Shijo-Kawaramachi, AIN SOPH. Journey Kyoto or mumokuteki cafe KYOTO. If you want to eat in the evening, mumokuteki cafe KYOTO is open until 8:00 PM.
If you want an English menu, mumokuteki cafe KYOTO, whose official site says it has English and Chinese menus.
For traditional temple cuisine on an Arashiyama day trip, Shigetsu at Tenryu-ji. Book two to three days ahead.

Before you go

This guide is based on each restaurant’s official website, not on visits by our editors. Menus, hours and ingredients can change, so if your diet affects whether you can eat somewhere, check with the restaurant before you go.
mumokuteki cafe KYOTO notes on its official site that its gluten-free dishes are not made in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. Check with the staff if you have allergies.
AIN SOPH. Journey Kyoto and Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto have no fixed closing day, so it is worth checking the latest opening days before you set out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kyoto easy for vegetarians and vegans?

Kyoto has a tradition of shojin ryori, temple cuisine made without meat or fish, as well as dedicated vegan restaurants. This guide covers four places whose official websites confirm they do not use animal ingredients.

Is shojin ryori the same as vegan?

Shojin ryori is Buddhist temple cuisine. Shigetsu at Tenryu-ji says on its official site that its shojin ryori uses no animal ingredients at all, which meets the vegan standard, although the temple describes it as shojin ryori rather than using the word vegan.

Can I eat vegan ramen in Kyoto?

Yes, at Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto in Goshominami. The price listed on its official site is for the UZU Signature Course (8,800 yen), with a choice of two ramen: Soy Sauce & Fermented Mugwort or Spicy Miso & Sake Kasu. Reservations get priority, and cash is not accepted.

Which restaurants have an English menu?

mumokuteki cafe KYOTO says on its official site that it has English and Chinese menus. We could not confirm English menus for the other three on their official sites.

Do I need a reservation?

At Shigetsu at Tenryu-ji, the Yuki course must be reserved two days ahead, and the Tsuki and Hana courses (two or more people) three days ahead. Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto gives priority to reservations. AIN SOPH. Journey Kyoto and mumokuteki cafe KYOTO take table reservations online.

Should I check dietary information myself?

Yes. Menus and ingredients can change, and kitchens may be shared. If you have strict dietary needs or allergies, always check with the restaurant directly.

Quick Answer

For a special meal, try the ramen course at Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto, which holds a Michelin Green Star (reservations get priority; no cash). For something casual near Shijo-Kawaramachi, go to the 100% vegan AIN SOPH. Journey Kyoto, or mumokuteki cafe KYOTO, which has an English menu and is open until 8 PM. On an Arashiyama day trip, book the temple cuisine at Shigetsu at Tenryu-ji.