Question 1

How do I manage kosher food in Japan❓

Accepted Answer

⚠️ Keeping kosher in Japan requires advance planning. With a little preparation before your trip, you can travel comfortably and keep kosher throughout your stay.📌 To avoid difficulties finding kosher food during your trip, we recommend:✅ Bring basic food supplies from home.In general, you may bring most packaged processed foods into Japan. However, there are restrictions on meat, meat products, fish, fruits, vegetables, and certain agricultural products.✅ Prepare simple meals yourself.Omelettes, shakshuka, soup, mashed potatoes, pasta, and similar dishes are easy to make. A little preparation goes a long way. You can order a small electric pot for your hotel in advance (for example, through Amazon Japan) and buy inexpensive cooking utensils at Daiso or Seria.✅ Choose natural, unprocessed foods whenever possible.✅ Order kosher meals from Chabad House in advance, according to your travel itinerary.✅ If needed, you can find imported kosher products in certain stores or order them through Amazon Japan.📌 See also: "Which kosher products can I buy in stores in Japan?"📖 Why is advance planning important?Many travelers assume they will find kosher products in Japan just as they do in Europe or the United States. After arriving, they quickly discover that the situation is very different.The main reasons are:Japan is an island nation, so most food is produced for the local market, with very little import of Western food products.The Japanese diet is based mainly on traditional Japanese cuisine, so even large supermarkets rarely carry Western products with kosher certification.Every region has its own local foods and products. A kosher item found in one area may not be available elsewhere.Japan's Jewish community is very small, and the kosher market is even smaller. As a result, demand is extremely limited, and most kosher-certified products made in Japan are exported rather than sold locally.Even foods that appear simple may contain non-kosher ingredients, such as fish stock (dashi), animal fats, and other ingredients.

Question 2

Where can I eat kosher Japanese food in Kyoto❓

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can reserve a kosher Japanese Omakase meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kyoto.⚠️ Important: The restaurant itself is not kosher.The kosher meals are prepared in a separate kosher kitchen, under the supervision of Chabad Kyoto, and are served at the restaurant.📌 Due to the special preparation required for the kosher meals, they are available for groups of at least 5 guests and must be reserved at least one week in advance.📌 When making your reservation, please specify that you would like the Kosher Meal.Restaurant website: https://tankuma.jp/en/ReservationsShort video about the experience

Question 3

Where can I buy kosher products in Kyoto❓

Accepted Answer

There are several stores in Kyoto that sell imported products from the United States and Europe, where you can sometimes find kosher-certified products (mainly snacks, chocolates, and dry goods):COS Store, with a large selection of Kirkland (Costco) products.Kaldi Coffee chainYamaya chainGyomu Super chainYou can also find a wide variety of kosher-certified products on a dedicated website, with online ordering and delivery throughout Japan. – Click here to order.⚠️ Important to know:These are not kosher stores, so you will need to look for the kosher-certified products among the other items on the shelves.Product availability changes regularly, so you should not rely on finding the same product on a future visit.Sometimes you may find products imported from the United States or Europe without a kosher symbol on the packaging, because the manufacturer uses special packaging for the Japanese market. In such cases, it is recommended to check the kosher organization's website or app to confirm that the product is still certified.📱 You can also use barcode scanning apps to check whether a product is kosher.

Question 4

Is there an up-to-date list of kosher products available in Japan❓

Accepted Answer

At this time, there is no official, up-to-date list of kosher products available for purchase in stores throughout Japan.The main reason is that most kosher-certified products manufactured in Japan are intended for export or for the food industry, and are not sold on supermarket shelves. In addition, a product that is available in one store may not necessarily be available in another region of Japan.📌 For an explanation of why it is difficult to find kosher products in Japan and how to prepare before your trip, see the question: "How do I manage kosher food in Japan?"📌 For information about basic products that can be purchased in stores in Japan, see the question: "Which kosher products can I buy in stores in Japan?"

Question 5

Which kosher products can I buy in stores in Japan❓

Accepted Answer

In general, it is recommended to rely on natural or basic unprocessed foods, such as:Eggs (white eggs are recommended, as blood spots are less common).Uncooked rice.Pre-cooked rice, which is ready after a few minutes in the microwave. Make sure to choose a variety without added flavors or ingredients.Egg-free pasta (from Italy).Sugar and salt.Fresh fruits and vegetables.Coffee without milk at Starbucks.Fish – for a detailed explanation, see the question: "Is it permitted to buy raw fish in Japan?"⚠️ It is recommended not to rely on processed foods, even if they appear simple. Many products in Japan contain animal-derived ingredients, fish extracts, or other non-kosher ingredients.📌 For information about imported kosher-certified products and ordering from Amazon Japan, see the question: "Where can I buy kosher products in Kyoto?"

Question 6

Are there vegetarian restaurants in Kyoto that are suitable for kosher-observant travelers❓

Accepted Answer

There are vegetarian restaurants in Kyoto, but it is important to know that in Japan, the definition of "vegetarian" does not always match the standards commonly accepted in the West.In many cases:Noodle soups (dashi) are made with fish-based broth.Sauces and seasonings may contain meat or seafood ingredients.Even foods such as rice, bread, and other "simple" dishes may contain animal-derived additives.⚠️ Therefore, kosher-observant travelers are advised to be cautious and not rely solely on the label "vegetarian" without carefully checking the ingredients.

Question 7

Is kosher milk available in Japan❓

Accepted Answer

At this time, there is no fresh cow's milk in Japan that is sold with kosher certification.📌 The Sages prohibited milk milked without Jewish supervision out of concern that non-kosher milk might be mixed into it.📌 Rabbi Moshe Feinstein permitted regular milk in countries with strong and effective government supervision.In Japan, as in many other countries, the government sets mandatory standards, but the primary responsibility for meeting those standards rests with the manufacturers. The regulatory system is different from the one on which Rabbi Moshe Feinstein based his ruling. Therefore, at Chabad Kyoto, we do not recommend relying on local milk.A well-known example: In 2000, more than 14,000 people became ill (and one person died) after consuming contaminated milk produced by Snow Brand-one of the most serious food safety incidents in Japan. Even today, contamination incidents involving milk and dairy products occasionally occur.Therefore, at Chabad Kyoto, we do not recommend relying on local milk as kosher.📌 A practical solution: OU-certified almond milk and OU-certified oat milk are available at Chabad House.

Question 8

Is it permitted to buy raw fish in Japan❓

Accepted Answer

You may buy raw fish at fish stores, but please pay attention to the following:⚠️ Make sure the fish is kosher.It is recommended that the fish has scales, or at least skin that allows the species to be clearly identified.There are opinions that salmon can be identified as kosher by the color of its flesh, even without seeing the scales. Everyone should follow the guidance of their own rabbi.⚠️ Pay attention to the knife and cutting surface.If the fish was cut with a knife or on a cutting board that may also have been used for non-kosher fish, and their kosher status is unknown, a thin layer should be removed from the cut surface before use. or just scraping and washing. see how in the video in the link.📌 It is recommended to buy a whole fish, or ask the seller to cut it in front of you.📌 For a list of kosher fish names in Japanese, see the question: "Is there a list of kosher fish names in Japanese?"

Question 9

Is there a list of kosher fish names in Japanese❓

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have prepared a basic list of the most common kosher fish in Japan, including their names in Japanese and English.The list also includes non-kosher fish to help you identify them while shopping.Kosher fish鯵アジ                         Aji (mackerel)アユ                              Ayu (Trout)ボニト                          Bonito (tuna)鯔ボラ                          Bora (Mullet)鰤ブリ                          Buri (older yellowtail)ハマチ                          Hamachi (young yellowtail)いなだ                          Inada (v.young yellowtail)コハダ                          Kohada (gizzard shad)白マグロ                      Shiro Maguro (albacore tuna)秋刀魚さんま             Sanma (Mackerel Pike)鮭しゃけ                      Shake (salmon)なま鮭                          Namazake (salmon)しおざけ                      Shiozake (salmon)鱸すずき                      Suzuki (seabass)鯛たい                          Tai (snapper)鱈たら                          Tara (Haddock/Cod)白身の魚                      Shiromi-no sakana (whitefish)鮃ひらめ                      Hirame (flounder, Halibut, or Turbot)鰹かつお                      Katsuo (tuna)鰈かれい                      Karei(flounder)鯉こい                          Koi (Carp)虹鱒にじます             Nijimasu (rainbow trout)鱒ます                          Masu (freshwater trout)イクラ                          Ikura (salmon eggs) Non-kosher fish:鮟鱇　あんこう         Anko (Monkfish)鮟肝　あんきも         Ankimo (monkfish liver)カジキマグロ             Kajiki Maguro (Swordfish) careful,      this looks a lot like Tuna!蛤　はまぐり             Hamaguri (Clams)浅蜊　あさり             Asari    (Clams)ホタテ                          Hotate-gai (scallops)鯨                                   Kujira (whale)鰻　うなぎ                  Unagi (Eel)海胆　うに                  uni (Sea Urchin)穴子                               Anago (Eel)蟹　かに                      Kani   (Crab)蛸　たこ                      Tako    (Octopus)烏賊　いか                  Ika (Squid)カキ                               Kaki (Oysters)海老　えび                  Ebi (shrimp)

Question 10

Is kosher Wagyu or Kobe beef available in Japan❓

Accepted Answer

No, there is currently no kosher Wagyu or Kobe beef available in Japan.Wagyu is a breed of Japanese cattle, while Kobe Beef is a premium brand based on a specific breeding and grading system.Japan's beef industry is geared entirely toward the domestic and conventional international markets, rather than the kosher market.📖 The main reason kosher Wagyu is not available is economic and industrial.In kosher slaughter, certain parts of the animal cannot be used as kosher meat (such as portions requiring nikkur), so the entire animal cannot be utilized for the kosher market.In most countries, the non-kosher portions are sold to the general market, making the business model economically viable.In Japan, however, the beef industry operates under strict grading standards and production methods. Once an animal undergoes kosher slaughter—and especially the kosher salting process—the meat no longer meets the Japanese premium standards. As a result, introducing kosher slaughter would significantly reduce the value of the meat from the producer's perspective, without a complementary market for the remaining portions.📌 As a result, there is currently no economic incentive in Japan to establish kosher slaughter for Wagyu, and certainly not for Kobe Beef.

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FAQ - Chabad Kyoto