Breads, cakes, and pastries—who doesn’t love them? They’re definitely the way to my heart. But for vegans or those with dairy allergies, strolling past a bakery window can feel a bit disheartening when you see delicious treats you can’t enjoy.
Finding vegan pastries in Tokyo might seem challenging when even a simple loaf of bread contains dairy or eggs. Luckily Tokyo has seen a surge in vegan bakeries and plant-based cafes in recent years so you can indulge without worry.
Curious about where to satisfy your bakery cravings in Tokyo? Keep reading- you won’t want to miss out on these gems!
1. Sunday Vegan
V/ VO: 100% Vegan
Top Pick: Cream donut
Located near Kichijoji Station, take a peaceful stroll to the park, and make sure to stop along Sunday Vegan on your way. This small cafe bakery has a range of plant-based goodies: ring donuts, cream donuts, muffins, and scones. They’re also one of the cafes that serve coffee with alternative milks.
Their selection is on the smaller side compared to some of the other bakeries and cafes but, It’s worth the visit if you’re in this direction. During the summer, you can even grab an affogato, espresso over ice cream. A perfect caffeinated sweet treat to cool down in the Japanese humid heat.
Location: Kichijoji | Instagram
2. Universal Bakes and Cafe
V/ VO: 100% Vegan
Top Pick: Curry pan
Universal Bakes and Cafe is a fully vegan bakery and cafe with two locations in Tokyo. Curry pan, doughnuts, and cinnamon swirls are just some of the highlights.
Given my love for sweet treats, I invariably pick them. However, Universal Bakes and Cafe is one of the few places that offer just as many savoury vegan options as well as sweet ones, so make the most of it and grab yourself a curry pan (or any other savoury option) I promise you won’t regret it!
Location: Nicome, Daita | Instagram
3. Te Cor Gentil
V/ VO: 100% Vegan
Top Pick: Pizza bread or matcha donut
Tucked down an unassuming street, you’ll find Te Cor Gentil, a fully vegan bakery in Tokyo with incredible pastries, breads and sweet treats. With a selection of delicious treats you’d typically find in Japanese bakeries, you certainly won’t feel like you’re missing out if you come here.
Try Japanese classics like yakisoba bread or matcha and red bean donuts – look out for their seasonal baked goods too. Seating is limited here but on a quiet day, you could enjoy the baked goods on the bench inside or there’s some seating outside the bakery too.
Location:Azabujuban | Instagram
4. Morethan Bakery
V/ VO: Vegan Options but 100% vegan on Sundays
Top Pick: French toast
Located on the first floor of The Knot Hotel, Morethan Bakery is a vegan-friendly gem in Tokyo. From Monday to Saturday, you’ll find that roughly half of their delicious baked goods are plant-based, offering plenty of options to satisfy your craving.
But the real magic happens on Sundays when Morethan Bakery transforms its entire selection to 100% vegan delights! Collaborating with Sunday Vegan and Universal Bakes and Cafe, it’s one of the largest vegan bakery selections in Tokyo.
I visited on a Sunday morning (highly recommend going early to avoid a 20-minute wait) and was blown away by the variety. From rustic loaves to potato butter rolls and cinnamon Danish, the options were almost overwhelming – in the best way possible. Honestly, I just wanted to try everything, I had the classic case of my eyes being bigger than my tummy!
Location: Shinjuku | Instagram
5. Maison Landemaine
V/ VO: Vegan Options
Top Pick: Melon pan
Tucked away in the food court on floor B1F of Iseran Shinjuku Mall, you’ll find Maison Landemaine, a French bakery and patisserie offering vegan melon pan.
While their vegan selection is limited (I only spotted two options during my visit) the plant-based melon pan from Maison Landemaine is worth seeking out. Made from a soft brioche bun encased in a crispy cookie outer layer, it’s absolutely delicious. If you fancy a savoury option, they had a mini burger in a sesame bun filled with soy meat and some veggies.
Location: Shinjuku
6. The Little Bakery Tokyo
V/ VO: Vegan Options
Top Pick: California Strawberry Lemonade
The Little Bakery Tokyo is a cute, western-style cafe bakery in Shibuya, offering a selection of vegan donuts provided by their sister company, Good Town Doughnuts. Once you enter the cafe, you’ll be greeted by a display case filled with tempting options, with the bottom shelf typically reserved for their vegan offerings.
From classic flavours like cinnamon sugar to toasted coconut, and even something unique like Kyoto Uji matcha, there are so many different flavours to try – there were eight when I visited. If you’re exploring Harajuku or Shibuya, I highly recommend stopping by to try Good Town Doughnuts. It’s easily one of the best spots for vegan donuts in Tokyo!
Location: Shibuya | Instagram
7. Marbre Vegan
V/ VO: 100% Vegan
Top Pick: Strawberry Shortcake
Marbre Vegan is a charming cafe opposite Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious selection of gluten-free and vegan cakes in Tokyo. Don’t miss out on Japanese classics like the Strawberry Shortcake or chestnut cream cake – the lemon roll and tiramisu and pretty incredible too!
With such a tempting variety, you might find yourself wanting to take some treats home. Marbre Vegan also offers whole cakes, making it an ideal choice if you have a birthday or special occasion coming up!
Location: Shinjuku | Instagram
FAQ: Buying bread in Japan
Why is bread not vegan in Japan?
The most common bread you’ll find throughout Japan is Shokupan, a soft, slightly sweet white bread typically made with ingredients like milk, butter, and egg, therefore not vegan-friendly.
What kind of bread can you get in the supermarket?
Shokupan is available in both supermarkets and convenience stores, available in a bag of 4 to 8 slices, as well as sweetbreads like melon pan – but once again, not vegan.
Can you get vegan bread in supermarkets and convenience stores?
Unfortunately, the short answer is no. Almost all breads in Japan contain milk and or dairy products. However, you may find some options in Aeon, a natural food store or an international supermarket.
Many supermarkets have attached bakeries, where you might find French baguettes that are often vegan-friendly. Still, it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients before buying.
Where to get vegan bread in Japan?
If you’re living in Japan, investing in a breadmaker is something I would highly recommend. It’s really worth the investment- we use ours multiple times a week and not only does it make yummy loaves but makes our home smell amazing!
Other options include ordering online, going into your local bakery and looking at the ingredients, or visiting specific places in Tokyo, such as those on this list!
