If you're an avid vegan traveler, you're likely familiar with HappyCow, an app for Android and iOS that lists all nearby vegan, vegetarian, and veg-friendly spots complete with photos, directions, and reviews. If Shibuya's on your list of spots to visit, you’ll notice that HappyCow's map of Tokyo boasts a generous amount of vegan spots in the area, if not the most in the city. Variety is also a major plus for vegan fare in Shibuya, with spots ranging from juice cafes to casual dining, to macrobiotic meals and upscale vegan Italian food.
Brown Rice Cafe
One of the best vegan meals I had in Tokyo was at Brown Rice Cafe. Their menu offers macrobiotic cookery with set meals of brown rice and a collection of side dishes and miso soup. Also offers coffee, teas, and wine. Vegan Japanese style dining in a calm atmosphere. Located behind Neal’s Yard (you have to enter the store to get to it) or, if coming from the other side of the street, tucked away behind a corner, you'll see a sign indicating its location.
Open: Mon-Sun 11:30am-11:00pm (5-1-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 〒150-0001, ph: 03-5778-5416)
Restaurant 8ablish
A slower-paced sit-down restaurant, Restaurant 8ablish serves upscale Italian and Mediterranean vegan cuisine. Opened in September 2015 by Purecafe and described by many as a vegan haven in Tokyo. They also offer vegan ice cream for dessert or takeaway and English menus are available.
Open: Mon 11am-11:30pm, Wed-Sun 11am-11:30pm (5-10-17 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, 〒107-0062, ph: 03-6805-0597)
Sky High
A small juice cafe, Sky High has several locations across Tokyo, including Shinjuku and Hiroo, and offers cold press juices, smoothies, raw sweets, and raw vegan food. The juice is organic and always freshly made to a high quality, using green vegetables, red beets, and fresh fruit. Seating is very limited, so if it’s grab-and-go you’re after, Sky High’s a convenient choice. Staff are friendly and speak English while delivery is also available.
Open: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 12pm-5pm (2-3-4 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, 〒150-0002, ph: 03-6427-2717)
Sunshine Juice
Run by juice specialists, Sunshine Juice boasts some majorly trendy and hip vibes. Ingredients for the juices and smoothies are always organic and mainly domestically sourced, with no extra unnecessarily frills added to the mix—just straight up, healthy juices and smoothies. The staff are exceptionally friendly, (even after I’d managed to spill some water and knock over a chair) and English menus are available.
Open: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-7pm (1-5-8 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, 〒150-0013, ph: 03-6277-3122)
