Winding Roads & Never Ending Tales

Family trips, wrong turns and the places we still talk about.

Japan with an Indian Vegetarian Family: Food, Budget and Travel Questions

on

Once Japan was decided, the usual planning started. Where do we stay, how do we move with all the bags, and most importantly, what are we going to eat? We figured out quite a bit before going. Baaki wahan jaake seekha.

We travelled as a family of three and ate eggs and dairy. So our food choices will not suit every vegetarian or vegan diet.

Food and the airport bus: where we struggled

USJ: we planned the rides better than the food. Vegetarian choices were limited where we looked, and we ended up relying on fries and desserts. A proper meal needed more thought. Our USJ experience.

Airport transfer: I misread the bus schedule and we missed our booked departure. A taxi got us there in time, thankfully. Check the pickup, departure time, airport and terminal together, and keep some room for a backup. How the final day unfolded.

In this article
Shinkansen train alongside a station platform
From our May 2026 Japan journey: the Shinkansen to Osaka.

Travelled in May 2026. Part 5 of our Japan family travelogue. Prices, menus and ticket rules can change.

Vegetarian food in Japan: what actually worked for us

HappyCow, Google Maps and the camera translator on our phones were all useful. We would look for food along the day's route rather than wait until everyone was hungry. Still did not get it right every day, as our USJ lunch showed.

The tricky part is often the stock or sauce. A dish can look meat-free and still contain fish or meat extracts. Dashi is not always fish-based: kombu and shiitake versions exist, while others contain bonito or other fish. Ask what is in the broth, seasoning and toppings, rather than relying only on the word “vegetarian.” JNTO's vegetarian guide and its explanation of dashi are useful starting points.

7-Eleven and FamilyMart helped a lot with early mornings. Egg sandwiches became a regular purchase, along with snacks and fruit. But do read the ingredients on the particular item. An onigiri, noodle cup or sandwich is not automatically vegetarian, and sauces, stock, cooking fat or gelatin can change what is suitable. Our egg sandwiches and dairy desserts were not vegan food.

Amara near Skytree was useful for an Indian meal. Vegan Uzu after teamLab came at exactly the right time when we were tired and hungry. The host at Third Rock Cafe helped us in Kamakura, and Engine Ramen in Kyoto was one of our favourites. These were our meals in May 2026; check the current menu and ingredients for your own visit.

For egg-free, vegan, Jain or no-onion/no-garlic requirements, prepare a separate dietary explanation. Our family's food choices will not automatically suit those restrictions.

How much did our Japan family trip cost?

We spent roughly INR 10 lakh for the three of us. Flights were around INR 1.5 lakh for the family. I do not have an itemised breakdown to give you, so these are approximate amounts.

We moved through several cities, visited the big attractions and chose to stay at Fantasy Springs Hotel. That was a splurge. Another family making different hotel and park choices could spend quite differently.

I would work out flights, hotel nights, trains, tickets and food separately for your dates, then leave room for shopping and things going wrong. I can share our overall figure, but not a made-up daily budget.

Japan travel FAQ for Indian vegetarian families

Can an Indian vegetarian family manage Japan independently?

Yes, we managed it. Mostly public transport, plus a guided coastal tour from Kyoto. Food took more searching than the sightseeing. Save a few suitable places near your route and explain your actual restrictions; we ate eggs and dairy, which made some choices easier for us.

How many days do you need for a first Japan trip?

Sixteen days gave us room for the cities, mountains and parks, though I still packed too much into a few days. For a shorter trip I would take places out, not try to do this same route faster. We were tired enough as it was.

Is the JR Pass worth it for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?

Compare the actual long-distance journeys within the pass's validity period with individual fares. Do not buy it simply because the trip is two weeks long. Check official JR Pass prices and train conditions, including additional requirements for Nozomi or Mizuho. This is a calculation for your route, not a universal yes or no.

Can you use Suica everywhere in Japan?

No. It is useful on many participating urban services and at participating shops, but it is not an unlimited pass or a substitute for every train reservation. Physical Welcome Suica has a 28-day validity period and unused balance is not refundable. Check JR East's current conditions and each rural operator. Our Kamikochi ticket note is a particularly useful exception.

Should we bring cash, cards and an eSIM?

Carry a payment backup rather than depending on one method. JNTO advises keeping yen available; acceptance varies by location. See its travel FAQ. Our eSIMs were useful, but compatibility and setup depend on the device and provider. Keep offline copies of bookings and test your connection before leaving the airport.

How do you manage suitcases on a multi-city Japan trip?

Sending the big bags from Kyoto to Tokyo was a good decision. We carried a smaller bag for the stops in between and were glad of it. Check with the receiving hotel and the carrier about acceptance and delivery time, and keep what you need with you. For the Shinkansen, check the operator's luggage-size and reservation rules before booking seats. the operator's baggage reservation rules

Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea with an 11-year-old?

We liked both, but DisneySea would be our pick from this trip. Fantasy Springs and the harbour show were wonderful. Disneyland had Beauty and the Beast, familiar characters and Star Tours, so we were happy we had time for that too. It depends on what your family enjoys; I would not choose only by the child's age.

Is Fantasy Springs Hotel necessary for DisneySea?

No, you do not have to stay at Fantasy Springs Hotel to enjoy the trip. We chose it for the setting and convenience. Compare the full cost and check the exact benefits before booking; the room, park admission and paid ride access are separate things.

Is Hakone worth a day trip if Mount Fuji is hidden?

We enjoyed Hakone even though Fuji never appeared. There were mountain trains, the volcanic area and Lake Ashi to keep us occupied. It was a long day from Tokyo, though, and we were hurrying for the return bus in the evening. Check the weather and services, and have a food plan.

What would we change if we went again?

Fewer things in one day, better meal planning and a properly checked airport transfer! I would still go to Kamakura and the theme parks. And I would keep more time for Matsumoto; that was the place we were sorry to leave.

Planning your own trip? Leave a question below with your travel month, number of days, children's ages and dietary needs. Tell me which part is proving difficult, and I can share what worked for our family. Please keep passport, booking and payment details out of public comments.

Comments

Post a Comment