Miyajima and Hatsukaichi Expand Vegan Dining Options in Second Year of Local Initiative

New plant-based dishes added across Miyajima, in the Miyajima-guchi ferry terminal, and the wider Hatsukaichi area.

Miyajima and the neighboring city of Hatsukaichi continue to broaden their appeal to domestic and international visitors with the announcement of a second wave of vegan-friendly dining options.

The latest additions represent the results of the second year of collaboration between our parent company JizoHat K.K., and Hatsukaichi City officials to promote more diverse and inclusive food choices on the island of Miyajima and in the surrounding area.

From family-run seaside cafés to retro-style bars and ferry terminal takeaways, the growing number of participating establishments reflects a shared commitment to welcoming travelers with diverse dietary needs.

New vegan options on Miyajima

On the island of Miyajima itself, several local establishments have added new vegan dishes to their menus.

A longtime favorite near Itsukushima Shrine has introduced a clearly labeled vegan katsu curry, making ordering easier and giving plant-based diners the opportunity to enjoy a classic Japanese comfort food, in addition to its plant-based noodle dishes, made with konbu seaweed broth, available on request.

Vegan curry, which busy restaurants find relatively easy to add to their menus, is definitely a theme. A garden café tucked away from the busy shopping street has added a vegan curry to its dinner menu, to go alongside its vegan-friendly beer selection, while a second-floor restaurant known for its hearty local set meals now offers simple vegan set options, which include a vegan curry made with soy mince.

Persuading restaurants in places like Miyajima that are attempting to keep up with the continuing surge in visitor numbers to address the needs of visitors who are unable or choose not to eat animal products requirements can be a challenge, says JizoHat’s Paul Walsh, but he hope that these small steps will both make it easier of plant-based customers to enjoy their time on Miyajima more fully and serve as a starting point for expanded options in the future.

Miyajima-guchi ferry terminal evolving into a plant-based dining hub

The Etto mall at the Miyajima-guchi ferry terminal is increasingly becoming a convenient stop for vegan travelers. Two additional businesses, in addition to the existing restaurants, joined this year in offering vegan-friendly items.

Visitors can now pick up oat milk matcha lattes, traditional matcha sweets, animal-free rice ball wraps developed by a historic Hiroshima food producer, and other portable options perfect for enjoying on the ferry or once on the island.

Expanding Choices on the Mainland

Beyond the island, Hatsukaichi continues to see growth in vegan-friendly dining.

A retro-inspired café-bar near Hatsukaichi Station has added multiple plant-based pasta dishes and salads to its menu, alongside a vegan-friendly drinks selection. A neighborhood okonomiyaki restaurant now offers vegan fried noodles and fried rice, and a seaside resort restaurant west of Miyajima-guchi serves a colorful vegetable curry in its main dining space.

Together, these additions create more flexibility for visitors staying overnight in the area or exploring beyond Miyajima’s main sights.

Building on last year’s momentum

This second batch of participating restaurants builds on last year’s published list of vegan-accommodating establishments in Miyajima and Hatsukaichi.

The ongoing collaboration with city officials demonstrates a sustained effort to make the region more accessible and welcoming to a diverse range of travelers. At a recent tasting event, participating restaurants sampled each other’s dishes and shared tips on balancing the expansion of vegan-friendly menus with operational challenges and the risk of food waste.

Our updated Vegan Dining on Miyajima and Hatsukaichi feature provides detailed information about each restaurant, including specific vegan menu items and ordering tips. Readers can also revisit last year’s guide for a comprehensive overview of plant-based dining options across the area.

As Miyajima continues to attract visitors from around the world, JizoHat is confident these initiatives will enable more travelers to fully enjoy the region’s food culture without compromise.

Read our updated feature, including detailed menu information, on vegan-friendly restaurants in Miyajima and Hatsukaichi here.