Written by Alina Teodorescu

Just a recap of the new vegan options released this month in Japan (Tokyo)😃Did life here go FROM ‘Oh no! Nowhere I can eat!’ TO ‘damn, too many places, I’ve got to stop cooking and get out and try them’ ?? 🌱🌱 #thefutureisvegan

Written by Becky Scott 

 

Myoko Forest Lodge is in a great location, close to many ski resorts, hot springs and shrines, and approximately an 8 minute drive from Myokokogen station.

 

It offers comfortable modern Japanese décor rooms, some with an en-suite bathroom and others with a shared bathroom. Some rooms are shared rooms with bunk beds. There is also an ofuro bath which they will personally prepare in the evening if requested. It’s a private hot tub with showers inside – (like a mini onsen style) – a big square bath with a jet, with local Epsom aromatherapy salts in. There are two separate bathrooms, one with a bath for one person and the other for two people. 

 

Downstairs is a very comfortable and cosy living-relaxation space with a full bar, shared dining table, fireplace and cosy couches.

                                                                                                  

Breakfast is served from 7:00 – 9:00. Continental breakfast is included within the room price, or you can opt to have a cooked breakfast at an additional cost. Cooked breakfast was scrambled tofu on toast (local black rice bread) with avocado and seasonal vegetables.

 

The evening meal can be arranged at a time which suits you at an additional cost. There is a menu to choose from and this may change over time depending on what is locally available. Currently they offer a shiitake veggie burger, pasta, pizza and vegetable dishes. Also on offer were organic vegan wine and local beers.

 

The owners are from Australia and understand veganism very well. They are more than happy to adapt anything to suit the individual’s needs or allergies.

 

The lodge is scheduled to be open all year round (please check the website for updates.) Not only is it good for the winter season, it also makes a great place to visit during spring and summertime, with many outdoor activities in the area.

 

They provide a great amount of local tourist information and are happy to help you book and arrange tours, activities or lessons. Be sure to mention vegan food as a request upon booking.

 

Overall, staying here is a very relaxing and personable experience with great food.

 

• Central location
• Value for money
• Personable experience
• Home-cooked vegan food
• English speaking and western friendly
• Discount offered certain times of the year
• Locally sourced fresh fruit, vegetables and bread

 

Direct website: https://myokoforestlodge.mydirectstay.com/

 

Instagram: @myoko_forest_lodge  #myoko_forest_lodge

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyokoForestLodge/

 

AirKitchen is a Tokyo-based startup that offers vegan cooking classes in locals’ homes across Japan. The service is similar to Airbnb, enabling Japanese hosts to register their home-cooking classes that users can then book online. Being vegan should not detract from your experience of Japanese culture and cuisine, and you can learn how to make vegan ramen, sushi, shojin ryori, and more through airKitchen!

 

No Japanese language ability is needed, as all hosts speak some degree of English. AirKitchen experiences go beyond just cooking, but also sharing an intimate cultural exchange experience with your Japanese host – if you’re not Japanese, of course. Plus, you’ll gain Japanese vegan cooking skills and knowledge to bring home with you!

 

 

How to Book an airKitchen Cooking Class

1. Browse class listings near you on the airKitchen website. You can filter for vegan and vegetarian classes, or use the search function to find veg-friendly classes.
2. When you find a class you’re interested in, send a booking request to the host through the website.
3. Once the host accepts your booking request, they will meet you at the train station closest to them or at their home on the reservation date.
4. During the class, you’ll learn how to cook their specialty and then enjoy the meal together!

 

▼Tokyo vegan cooking classes: https://airkitchen.me/list/tokyo/vegan.php

▼Osaka vegetarian cooking classes (many vegan-friendly): https://airkitchen.me/list/osaka/category/vegetarian/

▼Kyoto vegetarian cooking classes (many vegan-friendly): https://airkitchen.me/list/kyoto/category/vegetarian/

airKitchen website: https://airkitchen.me/

 

Sofie, from Sweden, wrote about her airKitchen vegan omurice cooking class:

“Cooking with Naoki was very fun! We met up at the nearest station and walked for about 10 minutes to Naoki’s home, a traditional Japanese apartment, where we felt very welcome. Naoki is definitely a generous host. Naoki didn’t speak english and we knew next to no Japanese, but thanks to Akiko, who joined us, we were able to have a lot of fun cooking and have great conversations. We learned a lot of interesting things about vegan cooking and being vegan in Japan. It was fun comparing to how it is in our own country, Sweden. After cooking, some of Naoki’s friends joined us for dinner. All in all it was a very warm and fulfilling experience. Thank you very much!”