Plant Based Eating at a Ryokan in Japan (Traditional Japanese Inn)
By Molly Patrick
Aug 24, 2019,
After a walk around the ryokan, we robed up in a traditional japanese bathing robe called a yukata. We were ready to hit the Onsen!
BLISS. Pure fucking bliss.
The spring water was hot and the air was fresh and cool. I could hear the river down the hill and the trees blowing in the breeze. This photo captures me in a pure state of joy.
As a side note, most Onsens in Japan do not allow you in if you have tattoos. This one did allow it, but if you find yourself at one that does not and you happen to have a tattoo, you can cover them up with bandages (depending on how many you have).
Back in our room, after our hot bath it was time for dinner. Dinner is served in your room while you wear your yukata. We were expecting a regular dinner.
We had no idea we were about to be served an 11-course meal! I called ahead before we arrived at the ryokan and requested that all of my food be plant based. They were happy to accommodate my request.
Let’s start with the first course. You might have a lot of questions about this meal. I don’t have answers for you. There was definitely some cucumber on my plate. The rest, I am not sure. It was some rice and a bunch of fresh local veggies. Whatever it was it was delicious.
Courses two and three were an amazing clear broth with a dumpling and some sea vegetables that were brand new to me.
Course four was some fresh steamed veggies and a tahini sauce that was INSANE. So good!
Courses five and six were some kind of savory veggie pancake wizardry and a baked eggplant with a miso glaze.
Courses seven and eight were shiitake mushrooms, lotus root and tofu skin in an orgasmic glazy broth and edible flower and leaf tempura. I’ve eaten some exotic shit, but this might have taken the cake.
Courses nine and ten were pickled veggies and the best miso soup I have ever had. There was also white rice which I did not eat because by this point my tummy was a solid 5 months pregnant.
The last course was some fresh fruit for dessert. Mango, peeled grapes and watermelon. Yes, they PEELED my grapes.
By the end of our meal I felt high on life and totally stuffed. I had never experienced such an array of food presented to me with such love and care. Luanne was ready to pass out from the whole experience. Her tummy was also 5 months pregnant.
After dinner, these two lovely women cleared our room and made our beds.
It was time for sweet sleep.
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Oh, this is my favorite blog post you’ve ever written. Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience!
I visited a much simpler one in northern Japan in Nikko about 30 years ago, a drop in the bucket compared to their age. Breathtaking and other worldly begin to describe the experience. Mine was much simpler, meal wise, and the onsen was much much smaller. Each guest reserved their time. Honestly I did not experience the onsen because the water was not changed in between guests and no chlorine is used obviously. My germaphobia just wouldn’t allow it. I remember eating breakfast there but having noodles in town for dinner. I think there must be a wide offering of ryokans. Still, one of the most amazing trips of my life. Fiji was 2nd. So awesome to hear your travel stories and wonderful pictures. In the ho hum in and out of the day it reminds me there is more, I was once more (different?), and it’s still out there for me (once my kids are grown and move out!) Thank you for sharing the beautiful window into your journey!
Looks like I just added something to my bucket list! Absolutely breathtaking. Thank you for sharing your experience and the link to the ryokan! ❤️
Great review and photos. I learned something completely new. Thank you from Hawai’i Island.
Thank you SO much for this wonderful (and thorough) description of your stay! When we get to Japan, this is now absolutely on our list!!
You are most welcome!
I highly recommend it.
xo
Molly
Thank you for sharing your Japanese travel experience?
I wonder if we can get an 11 course Japanese meal plan because all the food looks amazing?
The thought has crossed my mind!
I second that!
Incredibly educational and most beautiful. Many thanks once again for taking the time to share. xo
I lived in Japan for 3 years and had the opportunity to experience several wonderful onsens. This post brought back so many wonderful memories. Natsukashii, as they say in Japanese (a word that refers to the feeling of having fond memories of the past). ❤️
Molly, I LOVED reading this post and seeing all of your beautiful photos! Wow!! My husband and I are headed to Osaka in October. It’s our first time to Japan, and to Asia in general. We will be taking a train South to the Kii peninsula where we will hike the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage (bucket list!). Each night of our 6 day journey we are booked in a different ryokan or guest house. I cant wait!! I don’t expect them to be quite as fancy as this one and although we requested Vegan we are not sure how that will turn out (part of the adventure) but we know it will be similar with the tatami mats, futons, multi course meals, robes and an Onsen. I can’t wait!!! I’ll blog about it for sure.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts.
That’s so rad! I would love to hear about your trip when you return home.
It sounds like an amazing trip you have planned!
xo
Molly
Molly,
I really enjoyed reading your post this afternoon. It brought back many memories of my life in Japan. I lived there for about five years. I did a lot of traveling while there. Your photos brought back my memories of life experiences in this unique culture. I miss the onsen and the quaint ryokan experiences with my friends.
That was outstanding! What a wonderful gift to give yourself. Thank you for sharing the experience.
Thank you so much for sharing. Your photos are gorgeous and I’m glad you and Luanne treated yourselves!
Oh Molly, Thank you so much for your post. I’m planning a trip to Japan next year to visit my birthplace as we left when I was very young. I am now going to add a stay at a ryokan for a day or two…and definitely looking forward to onsens. When you were in the SF Bay Area, did you ever go to Osento’s on Valencia Street? Miss that place. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your experience and photos with us! I’m adding a ryokan stay to my bucket list. I have a luggage question for you. You you mind saying the brands of the backpacks on the bench in the next to last photo?
Yay! I highly recommend it.
The blue backpacks are Granite Gear. They are awesome.
Beth, the backpacks on the bench are from Lululemon. The blue luggage on the ground are by Granite Gear.
Thank you Luanne and Molly!
Thankyou for helping me relive my recent most beautiful experience at Hoeiso Ryoken in Hakone, just outside of Tokyo. Just after that visit my Japanese trip blew apart when my granddaughter decided to make an early and rocky entry into the world and I had to abandon my travel and return home to Australia. As things started to settle down I have drawn on my wonderful experience at the traditional inn and truly believe it something everyone should try. True simplicity in its finest form.
Staying at a ryokan is on my bucket list so I loved this! The food looked fantastic (the onsen too).
I bet that the umami tofu dressing for veg was shira-ae – tofu mixed with sesame and some miso. Nutritious and tasty and works with most veg.
Ah! The beauty of traditional Japan. I lived there in the 70s for thee years as a child. I never knew about these inns.
I was fortunate enough to experience a Japanese home, so simple and compact. We were bathed and then soaked on a deep hot tub. Eating at the low tables and sleeping on futon laid on tatami mats. I feel so blessed.
I don’t know if I’ll ever go back, but if I do this will be on my list.
Thanks for sharing.
Oh MY—I could just feel the PEACE coming thru just reading about your experience! And, Yes, I love to sleep on Futons on the floor….Thank you for a wonderful HEAVENLY post!!!!! I love ALL of you!!!
I have stayed in many ryokans and was in one this past spring. It was nestled under Mt Fuji and the hot spring came right to our room. This brought back wonderful memories, so thank you ❣️ The pictures were lovely as well of the beautiful gardens Japanese people design. So happy you could experience one!
We run a vegan bed and breakfast in Kyoto and are always being asked by our guests for recommendations for other vegan friendly accommodation. Thanks for the info. Very nicely presented too. It’s great that more traditional Ryokan are realising the opportunity to cater to plant based travellers. Might have to get away to this one ourselves for a special occasion! Cheers
Just reading this was Zen, like a little mini-vacation! Amazing and beautiful place.
I lived in Korea for six years and took several trips to Japan. Going to an onsen or jimjilbang (the Korean bathhouses) was one of my favorite things to do. I so miss going for a soak followed by a full body scrub. I had the opportunity to do temple stays in both countries. I loved the temple stays for many reasons, but the food was high on the list. It’s generally all vegan.
Wow, just wow. When you see what all was included the price seems reasonable.
That’s what I thought too especially when we had no idea it included an 11 course meal!! We just thought it was a room, a hot spring, dinner and breakfast. The dinner alone was worth $250 in any decent restaurant. After we experienced that, we thought the price was super fair.
Exquisite! Simply exquisite…I could use a stay at a Ryokan in the worst way right about now. The closest I will get is a spa over on Vancouver Island…solo, just to unwind for a day or two. (My husband has had two surgeries back to back and I the care giver). Thanks for sharing this. ???
Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories, of ryokkans and nonsense, on a trip to Japan more than 30 years ago. I remember the delicacy and beauty of the food and the tofu and the breakfasts, and the experience of wonder and peace,
Domo arigato,
Lightstream
PS Could you share the name and location of the ryokan? Does anyone know in Hokkaido to recommemd?
The link to the Ryokan is above in the post at the top 🙂
Loved hearing the comment about the peeled grapes!
Ages ago, my Dad told me I would know a man loved me, if he was willing to peel my grapes for me!!
So they must love you two there!!
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely adventure – the pictures are stunning!
Awesome!!!!!
I cannot get over this food, let alone the entire experience! Absolutely stunning from start to finish. Thanks so much for sharing; I love adding new things to my bucket list!