Are There Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants Around Kawaguchiko?

“I’m finally on vacation, but I can’t find anywhere I can eat.”

The Kawaguchiko and Fuji Five Lakes area is known for local specialties such as hoto noodles and Yoshida udon, but dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants are still relatively limited. That said, there are some good options if you know where to look, including cafés centered on plant-based ingredients and traditional Japanese cafés offering vegan meals.

If you want a fully plant-based meal, “Vegetable Kitchen cafe Kawaguchiko” and “natural food cafe CON BRIO” are good options. If you would like to enjoy a Japanese-style vegan lunch, “Kominka Nakamura” is also worth considering. If you would like the vegan jubako meal at Kominka Nakamura, it is best to make a reservation by the day before your visit.

Vegetarian and Vegan-Friendly Restaurants

Vegetable Kitchen cafe Kawaguchiko

This relatively new restaurant opened in July 2025 near Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater. It is the permanent restaurant location of “Veg Lake Kurochan Shokudo,” which previously operated mainly at events around the Kawaguchiko area.
The restaurant uses plenty of seasonal vegetables grown locally in Yamanashi and serves enzyme brown rice as its staple grain. Its menu focuses on vegetarian and vegan dishes made entirely from plant-based ingredients, without meat or fish.

Kominka Nakamura

Kominka Nakamura is a café located along the approach to Kawaguchi Asama Shrine. It occupies a traditional Japanese house more than 150 years old that has historical connections to the “Oshi,” religious guides and hosts who supported pilgrims visiting Mount Fuji.
Guests can enjoy their meal in a traditional atmosphere with views of Mount Fuji beyond a Japanese garden.

One of the café’s signature offerings is its “jubako lunch,” featuring local ingredients and typically costing around ¥3,500. A vegan version called the “Kominka Omotenashi Jubako” is also available and is listed as a Vegan-certified menu item under Yamanashi Prefecture’s “Yamanashi Food Diversity Certification” program.
The café recommends making a reservation by the previous day if you definitely want the vegan jubako. If you are only visiting for drinks or desserts, it is generally easier to visit without a reservation.

Fully cashless payment only — cash is not accepted
The attached shop provides information about tax-free shopping. Please note that this is separate from whether meals are eligible for tax exemption, so check directly with the café for details
A coworking space is also available on the second floor

⚠️ You will not be able to pay if you only have cash, so make sure to bring a credit card, electronic payment method, or other supported cashless option.

natural food cafe CON BRIO

Located in Fujiyoshida City, a short trip from Kawaguchiko, natural food cafe CON BRIO is a macrobiotic-style café that originally began as a jazz café.
Photos of jazz musicians and a piano decorate the interior, making it popular with music lovers as well. Its signature dish is the “Jimijimi Set Meal,” which includes five or six different side dishes. The café states that its meals and sweets are made from 100% plant-based natural ingredients.

Opening hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the last lunch order at 2:00 p.m. The café is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. As schedules may change, we recommend checking before your visit.
If you have dietary restrictions such as gluten intolerance, the café asks guests to contact them by the previous day. However, some requests may not be possible depending on the specific dietary requirement.

Indian and Nepalese Restaurants Are Another Option

There are also several Indian and Nepalese restaurants around Kawaguchiko Station, including restaurants such as “Indian Restaurant Ganges River Kawaguchiko.”
Vegetable curries, dal curry, chana masala, and similar dishes can be relatively easy choices for vegetarian travelers.

⚠️ However, these restaurants do not necessarily state officially that they offer vegetarian or vegan meals. Some dishes may contain butter, ghee, or other dairy products.
Even if a dish is described as “vegetarian,” it may not meet strict vegan requirements. If you need a completely vegan meal, we recommend clearly explaining your requirements to the staff, for example:
“Vegan, please.”
“No dairy, no ghee.”

Important Tips for Reservations and Dining

Make Reservations for Vegan Meals When Possible

For the vegan jubako at Kominka Nakamura, making a reservation by the previous day is recommended. CON BRIO also recommends advance reservations for lunch and adjusts the amount of food it prepares based on reservations, so some dishes may sell out.
If you have additional dietary restrictions such as gluten intolerance, contact the restaurant by the previous day whenever possible.

Clearly Explain the Difference Between Vegetarian and Vegan

At Japanese restaurants, definitions of “vegetarian” can vary. Depending on the restaurant, eggs, dairy products, or fish-based dashi stock may still be included in dishes described as vegetarian.
If you follow a strict diet, clearly explain your requirements when making a reservation or ordering. For example:
“No eggs or dairy products.”
“No fish or fish-based dashi.”

Use a Translation App

Some small cafés may not have English menus. International visitors may find it helpful to have a translation app ready so they can confirm ingredients and communicate dietary requirements more easily.

Check Payment Methods in Advance

Some restaurants, such as Kominka Nakamura, are completely cashless, while others may accept cash only. Check available payment methods before your visit whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are there vegan restaurants in Kawaguchiko?
Kominka Nakamura offers a vegan “Kominka Omotenashi Jubako,” while Vegetable Kitchen cafe Kawaguchiko serves dishes made entirely from plant-based ingredients. However, menus may change, so we recommend checking the latest information before visiting.

Q. Are there restaurants I can visit without a reservation?
Vegetable Kitchen cafe Kawaguchiko provides reservation and inquiry information on its official website. We have not confirmed that reservations are mandatory, but contacting the restaurant in advance may be helpful if you are concerned about availability.
At Kominka Nakamura, reservations are generally not necessary if you are only having drinks or desserts. However, if you would like the vegan jubako meal, making a reservation by the previous day is recommended.

Q. Are gluten-free meals available?
natural food cafe CON BRIO asks guests with dietary restrictions such as gluten intolerance to contact the café by the previous day. However, some requests may not be possible depending on the details.
The level of accommodation varies by restaurant, so if you have a strict dietary restriction, we recommend contacting the restaurant directly before your visit.