Japan with extreme dietary restrictions?

[Holidayseeker2026]

Celebrating a milestone anniversary in March 2026 and we've always wanted to go to Japan. However, I have a lot of dietary restrictions including gluten, dairy and nuts (ranging from mild allergy to epi pen usage) - as you can imagine it's difficult to dine out so we usually do self-catering in English speaking countries!

Does anyone have any experience of holidaying in Japan in terms of food offerings? Do restaurants mind 1) speaking English (as much as I would love to learn the basics) and 2) understand allergies like we do in the UK. Can I realistically survive for 7-10 days eating in the local restaurants. Tokyo would be where we would spend most time.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I did Japan as a strict vegetarian, travelling with someone with a nut and sesame allergy. It's restrictive but not impossible.

They have statutory allergen labelling of packaged food similar to here, but with a different list of allergens. But as PP said it's in Japanese, and like most writing on packaging the bit you need to know is usually unreasonably small and printed in a fold.

The collective culture means that adapting menu items or ordering off menu aren't really done. But there is also a strong culture of politeness and hospitality, which means they will do their best to help (although also means that if they can't help it can be hard for them to say so - see para on timing of requests below).

Phone translation apps are useful, but not infallible - they often struggle with non-Roman alphabets and you can't rely on them being correct.

Get one of the printed allergy cards above, or similar, so you are certain of a reliable translation of your needs and so staff can take it to the kitchen for discussion.

When going anywhere to eat present the card at the door, before you sit down. At this point the etiquette rules allow a 'no' if they are unable cater to your needs. Once you are sitting down you are guest, 'no' becomes rude, and it can get difficult.

It's an amazing country, so a visit is well worth some slightly odd meal combinations.

When going anywhere to eat present the card at the door, before you sit down. At this point the etiquette rules allow a 'no' if they are unable cater to your needs. Once you are sitting down you are guest, 'no' becomes rude, and it can get difficult

That's very useful. I'm storing that one way in case I ever get the chance to go