Pescatarian

Fish and seafood yes, meat no — arguably the easiest diet in Japan.

Pescatarian heaven

If you eat fish and seafood but not meat, Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world. Sushi, sashimi, grilled and simmered fish, seafood donburi, tempura (seafood and vegetable) and much of izakaya cooking are naturally yours.

The few things to watch: ramen and gyoza usually contain pork, dashi is fish-based (fine for you, not for vegetarians), and mixed dishes like fried rice or hot pots can hide chicken or pork. Otherwise, order freely.

Use the filter for venues that shine for seafood, and the phrases below to dodge stray meat.

What to watch for in Japan

  • Pork in ramen broth, gyoza and chashu
  • Chicken or pork in fried rice, hot pots and mixed izakaya plates
  • Meat-based stocks in some simmered dishes

Useful phrases

  • 肉と鶏肉は食べませんが、魚介は大丈夫です。

    Niku to toriniku wa tabemasen ga, gyokai wa daijōbu desu.

    I don't eat meat or poultry, but seafood is fine.

Places we’ve confirmed

Tsukiji · Kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) · ¥¥

Kaisendon Marukita

Kaisendon with uni, toro and assorted seafood

A busy Tsukiji Outer Market kaisendon specialist offering around 30 seafood rice bowls made with fish bought daily at Toyosu — the raw-seafood-over-rice bowls are naturally pescatarian. Typically eaten with wheat-containing soy sauce, so not gluten-free unless you request/bring tamari.

  • Pescatarian
  • Casual
  • Solo

Tsukiji · Edomae sushi (est. 1889) · ¥¥¥

Tsukiji Sushisei Honten

Edomae nigiri sets and sashimi plates

A long-established (1889) Edomae sushi house in the Tsukiji Outer Market that stayed open after the market's relocation, serving classic nigiri sets and sashimi. As seafood-and-rice sushi it is naturally pescatarian; not gluten-free (soy sauce contains wheat).

  • Pescatarian
  • Casual
  • Business

Toyosu · Edomae sushi (omakase) · ¥¥¥

Daiwa Sushi

Omakase nigiri, known for premium tuna (maguro)

A famous Toyosu Market sushi counter (relocated from old Tsukiji) serving a chef's-selection omakase noted for its premium tuna. Pure seafood-and-rice sushi makes it naturally pescatarian; early market hours and not gluten-free (soy sauce contains wheat).

  • Pescatarian
  • Casual
  • Solo

Kagurazaka · Kaiseki (seasonal Japanese course) · ¥¥¥¥

Kagurazaka Ishikawa

Seasonal kaiseki course; signature truffle soba

A three-Michelin-star Kagurazaka kaiseki restaurant serving a seasonal omakase course. Kaiseki traditionally includes some meat/dashi, so a pescatarian (seafood, no-meat) menu must be requested in advance and confirmed directly. Not gluten-free.

  • Pescatarian
  • Anniversary
  • Business
  • Private room

Ginza · Edomae sushi (omakase) · ¥¥¥¥

Hakkoku

Aged-tuna nigiri course (~25 pieces)

An acclaimed Ginza Edomae sushi counter (chef Hiroyuki Sato) known for a nigiri-only course showcasing aged bluefin tuna. As pure seafood-and-rice sushi it is naturally pescatarian; not gluten-free (soy/vinegar). Cards only; reservations open about two months ahead.

  • Pescatarian
  • Anniversary
  • Date
  • Business

Ginza · Edomae tempura (seafood & vegetable) · ¥¥¥¥

Tempura Kondo

Julienned carrot kakiage and prawn / anago tempura

A two-Michelin-star Ginza tempura counter celebrated for exceptionally light frying and its signature julienned-carrot kakiage. Courses are built only on seafood and vegetables (no meat), making it naturally pescatarian; the wheat-flour batter means it is not gluten-free.

  • Pescatarian
  • Anniversary
  • Business

Kagurazaka · Unagi (eel) · ¥¥¥

Kagurazaka Shimakin

Charcoal-grilled unagi over rice (unaju)

A Kagurazaka eel house founded in 1869 that has glazed and charcoal-grilled unagi over rice for more than 150 years, a minute from Iidabashi Station.

  • Pescatarian
  • Anniversary
  • Business

Tsukiji · Kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) · ¥¥

Tsukiji Kanno

Assorted tuna seafood rice bowl

A no-frills counter in the Tsukiji Outer Market run by a fish wholesaler, piling market-fresh tuna and negitoro over rice from early morning.

  • Pescatarian
  • Solo
  • Casual

Okachimachi · Standing sushi (tachigui) · ¥¥

Maguro-bito Ueno

Tuna flight: akami, chutoro and otoro cut to order

A bustling standing sushi bar on the edge of Ameyoko where serious tuna cuts are sliced to order at pocket-money prices.

  • Pescatarian
  • Solo
  • Casual

Okachimachi · Unagi (eel) · ¥¥¥

Unagi Izuei Honten

Charcoal-grilled unaju in a sugar-free Edo-style sauce

An eel house dating back nine generations to the Edo period, serving Ueno's most storied unagi beside Shinobazu Pond.

  • Pescatarian
  • Anniversary
  • Business

Yurakucho · Seafood izakaya · ¥¥¥

Andy's Shin Hinomoto

Daily fresh sashimi platters from Toyosu Market

A legendary fish izakaya tucked beneath the Yurakucho railway arches since 1946, run by Brit-owner Andy who hand-picks the catch at Toyosu Market each dawn.

  • Pescatarian
  • Business
  • Casual
  • Date

Azabu · Unagi (grilled eel) · ¥¥¥¥

Nodaiwa Azabu-Iikura

Unaju — Edomae eel steamed then charcoal-grilled

A Michelin-starred eel house with over 200 years of history, where the fifth-generation master steams and charcoal-grills Edomae unagi to melt-in-the-mouth perfection.

  • Pescatarian
  • Anniversary
  • Business

Toyosu · Sushi (Edomae) · ¥¥¥

Sushi Dai

Omakase course of Edomae sushi (chef's choice)

The legendary 5 a.m. counter inside Toyosu Market where visitors queue for hours to watch a master build an omakase of the day's finest catch.

  • Pescatarian
  • Solo
  • Date

Iriya (Taito) · Halal Edo-style sushi · ¥¥¥

Asakusa Sushi Ken

Edomae nigiri course — soy sauce to fish, all halal-certified

Japan's first halal-certified sushi house, steps from Senso-ji, serving full Edomae nigiri — soy, fish and pickles all halal — with a second-floor prayer room built with the local mosque.

  • Halal
  • Pescatarian
  • Date
  • Anniversary

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