How to request vegetarian meals when booking a ryokan in English

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Last checked: 2026-09-12

The Japan Tourism Agency lists “I’d like vegetarian meals” among common ryokan guest requests. It also says that not all ryokan can accommodate all requests. Make your dietary request before booking where possible, and describe the foods and ingredients you cannot eat.

JNTO notes that “vegetarian” can be interpreted flexibly in Japan. It recommends specifying foods you cannot eat, including meat, seafood, animal products, dashi, and stocks.

What to tell the ryokan

Start with a short request, then list every relevant restriction rather than writing only “vegetarian.”

Copy-and-paste English template

Hello, I would like to request vegetarian meals for [number] guest(s) on [date].

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We do not eat meat or seafood. We also cannot eat dashi or other meat- or fish-based stocks. [Add: We do not eat eggs / dairy / any animal products.]

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Could you please let us know whether you can accommodate these requirements for dinner and breakfast?

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Thank you.

For a vegan request, you can state your requirements in full:

We are vegan and do not eat meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy products, dashi, or other animal-derived ingredients.

For a medical dietary need, provide the relevant ingredients and ask the ryokan whether it can accommodate the request.

Be specific about dashi, seafood, eggs and dairy

JNTO recommends specifying foods you cannot eat, including meat, seafood, animal products, dashi, and stocks. A property-specific ryokan FAQ also asks vegetarian guests to specify their dietary restrictions and ingredients they cannot consume.

Useful additions to your message include:

• “No meat or poultry.”
• “No fish or seafood.”
• “No dashi or fish stock.”
• “No eggs.”
• “No dairy products.”
• “No animal products.”

Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo’s FAQ identifies different vegetarian preferences, including lacto-ovo, lacto, ovo, and vegan. This is a useful reminder to state your own requirements clearly.

Ask before booking, not at check-in

The Japan Tourism Agency recommends making specific food requests in advance, preferably at least a few days before the stay. It states that meals are generally reserved with the room because meal preparation is required.

Japan Guide advises travellers to consult the ryokan in advance about dietary restrictions, especially at smaller establishments. JNTO also recommends notifying an establishment in advance for a set menu and using a written explanation or dietary card.

A property’s deadline may differ from general guidance. For example, Hoshino Resorts’ KAI Nagato says guests must apply for its vegetarian-meal offering after booking and by 16:00 five days in advance. This is a property-specific rule rather than a universal deadline.

Use the booking request field, then seek confirmation

Agoda provides an optional Special Requests field on the Room Details page during booking. Agoda says the request is sent directly to the hotel, is subject to availability, and is confirmed upon arrival. It also says further requests can be submitted through the self-service link in the post-booking confirmation email.

A special-request field is one communication channel. If the booking flow does not provide the answer you need, consult the ryokan in advance about your exact dietary requirements. Japan Guide notes that some ryokan cannot be reserved online in English, so direct contact may be a practical fallback.

Find ryokan and send your request

Agoda is one option for comparing ryokan listings. You can start with Agoda’s ryokan search page and use the Special Requests field where it is available. Confirm your dietary requirements with the property before relying on the request.

A simple booking checklist

1. Check whether dinner and breakfast are included in the room plan.

2. Send your dietary request before booking where possible.

3. State every relevant restriction, including dashi, seafood, eggs, dairy, and animal products where applicable.

4. Ask whether the request can be accommodated for dinner and breakfast.

5. Check the property’s stated deadline, if one is published.

6. Keep the property’s response with your booking details.

Who this approach suits

This approach is intended for vegetarian and vegan travellers booking a ryokan meal plan. It is also useful for travellers who need to communicate a more specific dietary pattern than a general vegetarian request. For medical dietary needs, ask the ryokan about your exact requirements in advance.

Methodology

This is a remote, research-based guide based on the cited official documentation and current published terms. We compared documented specifications, setup instructions, policies, and provider-specific qualifications. We did not physically test, purchase, install, activate, or use any product or service.

Sources consulted

• Japan Tourism Agency, “Questions for Ryokan? Look here!”
• Japan National Tourism Organization, “Vegetarian Japan”
• Japan Guide, “How to Stay at a Ryokan: Reservations”
• Kyoto Garden Ryokan Yachiyo FAQ
• Hoshino Resorts, KAI Nagato dining information
• Agoda Help Center special-request documentation