10 Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants on the Michinoku Coastal Trail 🌱

The Michinoku Coastal Trail is known for its culinary delights. Ample restaurants offer delicious seafood and meat-based dishes - but for those who prefer plant-based meals, there is also a small but growing number of establishments offering vegan and vegetarian options too.

Here’s a list of restaurants, cafes, and eateries offering vegan and vegetarian-friendly options along the trail (in no particular order).

Note: it’s always best to book ahead and let the restaurant know of any dietary requiremenrts in advance!

1. Sunsunkan Lodge, MINAMI-SANRIKU

A former school building in Minamisanriku Town turned into accommodation, this place has been serving vegan, vegetarian, and halal dishes for nearly 30 years, catering to foreign visitors' needs. Popular with vegetarians, the facility offers creatively prepared Shojin Italian cuisine using local ingredients. The facility, renovated from an old school, is a unique experience for both Japanese and foreign guests. *Reservation required.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XrJujXqxcHkjYkeP7

2. Chariot, SHIOGAMA

Popular organic, all-vegan restaurant with a sea view. Serves creative vegan course meals with a pleasant plate presentation. They also have takeout pizza, muffins, and more.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kftUCajYZLeCzh5G8

3. Yahataya, ISHINOMAKI CITY

Damaged by the 2011 tsunami but now back in full swing. Serves meat, vegan options available, using local ingredients. Has one vegetarian set meal (teishoku).

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yJw5MZmSNMs2gtAD7

4. Sankairi, KUJI CITY

Serves meat, but vegan options available. Mamebu soup that can be made vegan with vegetable soup stock. Also offers grilled tofu, burdock root, deep-fried tofu, shimeji mushrooms, kanpyo, and dumplings with walnuts and brown sugar.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gEjwbqfuhyFg4nMv9

5. Asian Cafe Aimaki, MINAMI-SANRIKU

A highly popular authentic Thai restaurant, attracting visitors even from Kanto and Kansai regions. The owner-chef, with extensive experience in local hotels in Thailand, prepares dishes using local ingredients. They also cater to vegetarian needs. The vegetarian menu (bean curry) can be ordered with a reservation the day before.If you want to enjoy a vegetarian menu course, please book a week in advance.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ekyJkH7tZQkyUphz5

6. Izakaya Rip-off 居酒屋ぼったくり, SENDAI (East)

Serves meat, vegan options available. Pub and kitchen offering Japanese food, mainly fish. The kitchen sources seasonal vegetables, and makes miso and sweet koji (fermented rice liquid) in-house. Uses the sweet koji in both a vegan curry miso ramen and vegan soy sauce tsukemen - ask for them.

Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/utoZjAATxFZFqQRv8

7. Dashiro, SENDAI (Central)

Authentic vegan ramen. It offers fish, meat, and vegetable soup bases and homemade noodles. The vegan broth combines over 10 vegetables and Sendai miso for rich flavors. This is not really on the trail, but given that some people will likely travel through Sendai, I thought I would include this.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LKDZUKur8E8S5Ru29

8. Route227’s Cafe TOHOKU, SENDAI (Central)

Cafe showcasing cuisine from Tohoku’s 227 cities, towns, and villages, offering meat, vegan and veg options. One popular vegan choice is the cafe’s peperoncino and mushroom pasta. Vegan options are clearly marked with a "V." They also have lacto-ovo vegetarian choices like ice cream, tiramisu, and crepes. Likewise, this is not really on the trail, but given that some people will likely travel through Sendai, I thought I would include this.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EtVoN4FJNGrjGotJ6

9. Matsuzen, HACHINOHE

Sake house and restaurant located a few minutes from Hachinohe train station. Serves meat, but vegan options available. Offers one vegetarian version of Hachinohe's "senbei jiru" option which is a 2-person portion pot with vegetable broth base (appears to be vegan - but do check). Will open for lunch by reservation only.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yjCd7XoCSLCP6HFHA

10. Sanriku Gelato, KAMAISHI

Local gelato shop offering a few vegan options too.

Website: https://kamaishi-dmc.com/sanriku-gelato/

*Side note: Indian/Nepali restaurants - often found in cities and towns in Japan's rural areas - can also be great options to find vegetarian meals too.
Bon apetit!