Food & Drink
Breakfast
On tour, morning meals are nearly always in our accommodation. In traditional inns, a Japanese breakfast is the norm and usually consists of some or all the following; grilled fish, vegetables, miso soup, tofu, an egg dish, salad, rice, fruit and green tea plus one or more other tasty morsels. Occasionally in traditional inns and nearly always in hotels, western-style breakfasts are available. This usually consists of some or all the following; bacon, sausages, salad, bread, jam, cereals, soup and yoghurt. Coffee and English-style tea are usually available in both traditional and hotel accommodation.
Breakfast is invariably included in your tour.
Lunch
Lunch is either in restaurants or with food bought to eat as a picnic at a interesting spot en route.
Lunch is sometimes included in your tour. Please see your tour itinerary for details and expect to pay between JPY700 to JPY1,500 per person for lunches not provided.
Dinner
Dinner is almost always included in your tour and is Japanese cuisine. These meals comprise many dishes and usually include raw and cooked fish, meat, vegetables, tofu, miso soup, salad, pickles and rice plus many other mouthwatering dishes.
Specific Dietary Needs
In Japan, specific dietary requirements such as vegetarianism, kosher food, and a number of food related allergies and problems, such as coeliac disease, are not widely understood nor catered for. Consequently, we cannot guarantee to provide meals catering to individual diets. Specifically, Walk Japan is unable to provide strict vegetarian or vegan meals. This is because almost all stock (the base for soups and sauces) contains meat or fish products, and vegetables, if prepared as tempura, are fried in the same oil as meat and fish. Aside from this limitation, we endeavour to cater wherever possible to individual requirements and most of our accommodation is usually able to provide one or two alternative dishes. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary needs.
Contrary to some commonly held ideas about Japan, the concept of vegetarianism does not really exist in the country outside of Buddhist temples. However, Japanese meals are usually made up of a large variety of dishes and many of these are suitable for all but strict vegetarians and vegans.
Soy sauce, which in Japan always includes wheat, is an ingredient common to many dishes in Japan. Consequently, there may be a limit to how many dishes can be altered for those who require a gluten-free diet.
If you have specific dietary needs we suggest you bring other food items to help supplement your meals.
While travelling during the day it is not usually necessary to carry more than water, a snack and personal effects. Shops, vending machines, and kiosks, which are found in most places we visit, provide for many immediate needs including drinks, snacks, cosmetics and clothing.
Tap water is nearly always drinkable; your Tour Leader will advise.
