With the end of many of the COVID-19 restrictions, life is returning to normal for people in Japan. Here in Fukuoka, summer festivals like the Hakata Gion Yamakasa and Kokura Wasshoi Hyakuman Festival were held in full force for the first time in three years. The trains, highways and buses are full of rejoicing tourists who feel free to take a real vacation for the first time in a long time. Domestic tourism is booming, and the weak yen and open borders are causing the number of foreign visitors to skyrocket. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) estimates that almost two million visitors from abroad came to Japan in May 2023, which is more than a 1000% increase from the previous year. This massive increase, of course, is due to the relaxation of strict border controls put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, border restrictions which kept tourists out of Japan for more than two years.

With the rapid rise of inbound tourism, many restaurants and cafés in Fukuoka are working to make the culinary experience in Japan more friendly to those with dietary restrictions. It has become easier in recent days for Muslims to find halal foods, and the number of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan items on the menus of many restaurants is increasing. In the past, foreign visitors bemoaned the difficulty of finding gluten-free and vegan friendly options in Japan, but things are changing. Not only is the number of foreign visitors increasing, more and more people in Japan are becoming familiar with these alternative lifestyles and even adopting the lifestyles themselves. It is believed that 5% of the Japanese population adheres to a vegetarian lifestyle, and 2% of those follow the stricter vegan diet. This is higher than the 1% global average. India has the highest percentage of vegans at 9% of the population, but vegans can be found in any country in the world. And they are coming to Japan. It is becoming clear that having vegetarian and vegan-friendly items on the menu benefits both inbound and domestic tourism.

Fukuoka city has established a partnership with various local restaurants, cafes and food stands to help promote a vegan-friendly environment in Fukuoka. I have been checking out these places for the last few months, and today I will introduce some food stands and cafes that offer vegan-friendly drinks and desserts.

Little Stand(Daimyo Area)

Located in the Daimyo area of Fukuoka, Little Stand is a small shop offering vegan options of their most popular menu items. Since there is no inside seating it is mainly a take-out shop, although there are a some tables and chairs set up outside for those who want to enjoy the scenery of Daimyo while enjoying Little Stand’s unique desserts and drinks.

The Bari Chai is perhaps the most popular menu item at Little Stand. Chai, which is the Hindu word for tea, has experienced a massive increase in popularity in Japan in recent days. There are many variations of chai, but the basic ingredients are tea, milk, spices and some kind of sweetener. The Bari Chai at Little Stand can be ordered vegan, in which soy milk in used in place of cow’s milk. It comes topped with an amazing homemade soy whipped cream. As a diehard whipped cream lover, I have tried various whipped creams all over the world, and I must say that this is one of the best I have ever tried.

But of course, you are going to want a little something sweet to munch on with the Soy Bari Chai. So how about trying Little Stand’s Vegan Oatmeal Waffle cookie? The soft and chewy cookie is the perfect match for the Soy Bari Chai, and not only is it vegan-friendly, it is also gluten free. It can be enjoyed for the very reasonable price of 280 yen.

This shop has great food and is in a convenient location, so if you are looking for great vegan options in Fukuoka, be sure to check it out!

Papa’s Puff Stand (Kego Area)

Papa’s Puff Stand is another food stand in central Fukuoka, this one located in the Kego area. It is famous for the Papa’s Waffle, a 20-centimeter chewy waffle available in six different flavors-plain, warabi mochi, green tea and red bean paste, raisin, sweet potato and basil and olive. All the waffles are made with rice flour, tapioca flour, and soy milk, and are free of the seven major allergens. If the 20-centimeter size is a bit much for you, the waffles can be ordered in half sizes.

Papa’s also offers a variety of vegan and gluten-free donuts. The donuts are available in plain, fig, and currants flavors. They also have a guilt-free ice cream made with soy milk, which can be enjoyed by those who are lactose intolerant. It is available in vanilla, rum raisin, and pistachio.

If you want to try some gluten and vegan-free sweets in some uniquely Japanese flavors, be sure to check out Papa’s!!

Gogatsu no Shima (Kego Area)

Also located in the Kego Area of Fukuoka is Gogatsu no Shima, a trendy café offering unique sweets and original drinks. The shop is mostly known for its natural homemade cinnamon rolls, but they do offer vegan menu items such as a variety of tarts and the Gateau Chocolat pictured here.

Vegan Gateau Chocolat 500 yen / lemon mint chai (non-vegan) 550 yen

Vegan Tarts 550 yen

This café is extremely popular, and when I went there was a considerable wait to get in. The menu items change daily, and popular items sell out fast, so it is definitely a good idea to get there early. Unfortunately, on the day I visited, the tarts were sold out, but I did get to try the amazing vegan Gateau Chocolat. It was moist and not too sweet and went perfectly with the lemon spice chai that I ordered.

The interior of the shop is beautiful, and many organic items and handmade dishes are for sale in the seating area of the café. I was particularly tempted by the variety of healthy nut butters available there.

Items for sale in the seating area of the café

Counter area

Although I don’t have any special dietary needs, I have friends who do, and I know the struggle they go through when they go out trying to find something that they can eat. Thanks to shops like Little Stand, Papa’s Puff Stand, and Gogatsu no Shima and the high quality, delicious foods they offer, Fukuoka is daily becoming a more vegan and gluten-free friendly city. And you don’t have to be vegan or gluten-free to enjoy these menu items, you just to have a sweet tooth and a love of good food.

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