Eating (in and out) in Japan for a Vegetarian?

Just like the person above mentions, it is difficult. I found it was most difficult to eat true vegetarian, especially out in restaurant. Of course in the home, you can do your shopping and choose. To be fair, the quality of produce and fruits are really good.

When it comes to eating out, even if you can speak Japanese, asking if there is any meat products in the dishes can lead to different answers. The restaurants, especially chain stores follow the cooking directions with no deviations at all. If the menu does not give options, they will not accomodate your request to not include any meat. On top of that beef or chicken bullion cubes may be used. If you choose to eat fish you will be very happy.

Another issue, is the grill. Sometimes, oil and juices from the mean will flow onto the vegetarian dishes being prepared.

As far as foriegn foods, FBC is not the only source. Kaldi Coffee often has some good foriegn foods.

One more thing, the farther from Tokyo, the less international things become. Niigata, wow! It will be cold during the winter. Good luck

Unless you're eating in a restaurant that caters to vegetarians, you will find it very difficult to eat out. Where I live, every year we have vegans and vegetarians move in and after a few months they begin to eat fish because otherwise it is too difficult to eat out.

Pre-made meals that you can just pop in the oven are uncommon in Japan, and vegetarian ones even more so. You will need to order those from specialty places such as FBC. I would suggest bringing some vegetarian cookbooks with you or bookmarking some vegetarian cooking sites to use while you are here.