Japan's First VEGAN Convenience Store TOUR! 🌱 Asakusa, Tokyo

Japan opened its first vegan convenience store in Tokyo recently - complete with vegan fried chicken, bento, onigiri, desserts and more! Join us for a tour of the shop and a review of some of the foods!
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#Japan #veganjapan #japaneseconveniencestore

[@rielamarcellis]

Many shelves were empty or semi-empty, even if vegan is not super popular in Japan, this store must be with vegans, or is just the "new shop" effect, lol.

[@megantran19]

This definitely had old town general store vibes like in harvest moon lol

[@sharlainjapan]

Love that game😭❤️

[@xotoast]

Oh my god it doesssssss. Even the background music!

[@presea2000]

Love the game 💖

[@meepymoof]

I suddenly have a mighty need to plant some turnips.

[@muttmania]

So glad to see Japan getting more vegan options! T's Tantan is my favourite vegan place in Tokyo, best vegan ramen!

[@Sarah-eb9rz]

mutt T’s tantan is my favorite too!! I miss it a ton 😭😊

[@invisiblediner]

You in Iwate: "I'm running to the vegan convenience store". 13 hours later...."I'm home!" 😂 Seriously though it's a start. Happy to see one in Japan! 👍✌💕

[@tdk97]

I'm excited to see more of what Japan does with the vegan movement.

[@QuiteDecent]

Indeed

[@Lady-In-Red159]

Have you check out peacfulcousin he is a Japanis vegan , I realy love his videos 👌🤩👌🤩👌❤🍀🦋🙏

[@angelicavalencia8997]

Your vlogmas this year is an early christmas present 👍🎁 love them!

[@sharlainjapan]

Thank you so much for watching!! 🥰💐

[@SammieSpeaks]

This is so cool!! Tho I wish they had more ready prepared foods like regular convenience stores, maybe with time they will expand!

[@sharlainjapan]

I looked through other reviews of it online and saw some more bento and hotcase food pics so it looks like they were just sold out of them while we were there! Looks like there’s quite a decent selection if you get there early enough!

[@travismoore7849]

I like Black lentil curry. I even use taco seasoning and lentils for salads. Are spices for curries and taco salads rare in Japan?

[@TheIslingtongirl]

Anything that begins "Norm and I" is a sure win.

[@PopescuSorin]

is Norm her boyfriend?

[@TheIslingtongirl]

Of course I'm totally biased as they are both adorable, they are both Canadian, and I'm Canadian too lol But it's a fun bias. I'd definitely wanna hang with them if I went to Japan!

[@lalaonsixthh1809]

~As faaar as I know~ they're just friends but have known each other for a long time.

[@Momoko524]

@@PopescuSorin Pretty sure she's married but I have no idea who her husband is.

[@Momoko524]

@@rxchels Aw that's a shame =( I don't watch her videos that regularly so I didn't know.

[@webaker]

I was in Japan last week and hate that I didn't know about this place til I got home! But honestly, HappyCow was a lifesaver, and I had so much great vegan food -- it was fairly easy to find in the big cities.

[@reesemonster2478]

Every Vlogmas you make really puts me in the holiday mood when it doesn't feel like December. thank you for keeping up the vibes Sharla.

[@caki3020]

you and Norm should make videos together more often, i like the vibe :)

[@hafsazaman7073]

N: So you’re not into terry’s chocolate orange? S: oh f*** no Lmao same I hate orange chocolate

[@islablue2937]

if people in Japan assume your a tourist and speak to you in English do you just pretend you are, or do you answering Japanese

[@sharlainjapan]

Depends how good their English is, if they seem to be struggling I'll just talk to them in Japanese

[@edamame5540]

I was expecting more of the "ready-to-eat" food.

[@Ravienon]

Really enjoying the vlogmaas!! 🙌🏻

[@sharlainjapan]

Thank you Joni~☺️🎄

[@hiyocrycry]

this is so cool! I wish we had more vegan convenient stores in europe😭

[@Start.a.curvolution]

I don't know where in Europe you are located but here in Northern Germany and at my family in UK it's very easy to get vegan stuff. In Germany even the smallest village with a supermarket has some vegan corner 😉 and there is at least one vegan restaurant in every city. Only in at my parents last trip in Bavaria it is hard to find someone stuff for my mother, but my mother is totally into fake meat/pork stuff for cooking, my husband and I cook without fake meat or pork, we use vegan milk and cream sometimes, but that's all

[@hiyocrycry]

Bettina Viola Barth so cool! I live in France, there is like those random soy steaks and vegan milk in the supermarket but if you want to have more special vegan food you have to travel to Paris (I’m in the suburbs) Still good tho cause few years ago there wasn’t any in supermarket :D

[@Start.a.curvolution]

@@hiyocrycry that's interesting. I lived in Paris In Bellevue for a few weeks in 2016 and it was really strange cause we couldn't find vegan ready to eat food or fake animal products at all, so we cooked a lot of rice and lenses and noodles with tomato sauce

[@sarahjane1354]

this made me strangely excited omg, it makes me excited that Japan is expanding its vegan world 🥺💗

[@lonestray989]

That vegan store has such a charm! Loving the variety of this year's vlogmas! Thank you for your hard work and time you're putting into this 😊

[@rinskydances93]

“So you’re not a terry’s orange chocolate fan?” “Oh fuck no those are gross” Hahaha one of Sharlas best moments

[@Nynke_K]

I love chocolate orange so much! And this reminded me that they're a Christmas thing in Norway, where I'll spend Christmas, so I hope I'll find some!

[@imolaunger]

No, they're so lovely! 🍫🍊

[@jamesfagan]

I lol’d so hard!!!!!

[@confusedalterego]

My mom is vegetarian and she came to visit me when I was studying abroad last year and I felt so bad while trying to find places to eat... you would think that a country that had a whole “I will not eat meat” phase thanks to Buddhism there would be a few more options... but we managed for the two weeks she visited. It would have been nice to have one of these conbini at the time though! I would have loved for her to try more Japanese-style foods

[@ffionwilding1962]

I totally get how your Mum feels, I'm a Vegetarian and the past two times i've visited Japan I felt the same! you'd think there would've been more options for Vegetarians, at least ones that weren't just snacks or non Japanese cuisine, given as you said the Buddhist cultural history. I suppose at least it's improving :)

[@_Seileach]

"I will not eat meat" was not a traditional Buddhism thing. It's to not eat meats that were killed and butchered specifically for them. When they were out asking for alms, they eat whatever people give them, it's not a choice. The veganism of the religion wasn't added until it was spread to China.

[@confusedalterego]

@@_Seileach you're right, it was not a traditional Buddhism thing and it wasn't 100% like that, I was just simplifying something I learned in a class. Didn't even consider the veganism aspect at all however, so thank you for the additional information and clarification :)

[@vermillionrot]

@@ffionwilding1962 Do you know sites like Happycow and Vegewel? They list a lot of food places. Of course everything isn't Japanese cuisine but it's good to find something 😄

[@ffionwilding1962]

Aleksandre L I did get the happy cow app for when I go back out to Tokyo! I’ll have a look at the other thank you! X

[@DramaQueenBiz]

So, in the middle of this Vegan-fest I was provided with an Arby's advert - (Arby's is an American food chain whose slogan is "we have meats"

[@SuperfanGirl86]

It's " We ave THE Meats" I find the irony funny, youtube is against vegan and the veggie lovers lol ( JK... I hope)

[@ABiteBetterbyEva]

The cheesecake actually looked like a German style cheesecake rather than a North American style one

[@kalim9853]

A Bite Better by Eva I agree. I Made several vegan cheesecakes and if you use tofu it turns out more dense. But if you want it to be more creamy you either need soy joghurt or very soft Tofu

[@Rose_from_UK]

I adore vegan meat balls. The best food at the Monet I love are Fry’s chicken nuggets and sausages. They are so addictive, and much healthier than the meat versions.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

Wow the amount of plastic Japan uses still surprises me every time!

[@karinaharon3219]

Puts me off going to Japan.... I would lose it with all the plastic packaging

[@lolab.2916]

i’ve heard that they have a really good recycling system in Japan... but it’s still way too much plastic

[@karinaharon3219]

@@lolab.2916 Ye exactly way too much plastic, best thing is to reduce plastic packaging to begin with, rather than recycling

[@lofiCicada]

SCREW those chocolate Oranges!! Sorry Norm xD

[@perdomot]

Norm expresses his disappointment about the fake hemp brownie 6:31

[@janellkamm1717]

This makes me soooo happy! As my loves are compassionate veganism & JAPAN!!! Thank you for this -- I'm smiiiiitten : ) Keep up the good work Sharmeleon! ありがとうございました！！

[@CaldoDeJess]

Norm and Sharla!!! Yassss Team Canada. Come through 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@nobutaaaaaaaaa]

Terry’s chocolate oranges are tradition! It tastes better than those advent calendars xD Godiva FTW ❤️

[@ghostwriter6455]

HECK YEAH the duo is back :3 I always love the two of you working together! Keep your awesome work up guys!!! :D

[@dorcat2867]

I’m not vegan or vegetarian but the food looks so delicious, especially the chocolate cake and apple crumble

[@alanlee1355]

Neither am i but i would and do eat it all the same.

[@EnigmaDave]

I'm not vegan, but that food looked yummy, and you two scored the items pretty high!

[@rebeccas.2769]

I like watching you two on your adventures together 😊

[@alanlee1355]

Apple crumble doesn't have to be dry. I always have it with custard. Lovely.

[@Isabella1680]

omg, omg, omg !!!!!!! god, please shop still exist once this virus is over and I can travel to Japan T.T

[@Frozen_Bubbles]

Sharla found the perfect food testing partner xd

[@LadyGertie2012]

Frozen Bubbles are they dating yet?

[@Frozen_Bubbles]

@@LadyGertie2012 Let's hope :)

[@soju81]

One thing I appreciate about your videos is that you seem so authentic/sincere. Nothing seems forced. No overreacting like some other videos.

[@nellybeanz739]

My two favourite Canadians ❤🇨🇦

[@KolendoTV]

"Not the kind you were expecting" xD dead. So glad to be Canadian in today's world!

[@analennyja]

I love your vlogmas! Best way to count down for Christmas ❤

[@KittySingz]

Stop it with these types of videos, it makes me so hungry!!! 😭♥️ No but this is really cool. I hope they get more food-allergy friendly foods in japan too

[@xotoast]

It would be hard to go into that store and not buy everything to try!!

[@jules6259]

We make cashew 'cheese' cake at home. It doesnt taste like cheese cake, but still really good. I'd say it's still sweet with some tartness to it (no miso in it though 😂😂)

[@jewnie2372]

Norm is adorable, I'm glad he turned up for Vlogmas!

[@BigWinWinter]

The market by me which has that same vegan ham also has so many other vegan meats, including VEGAN SASHIMI TUNA, IT'S INSANE!

[@ssailormoon]

watching this before i leave for my last final exam of the semesterrr

[@sharlainjapan]

GOOD LUCK🙌🏻❤️

[@k.l.7782]

You got this, girl!! 💪

[@ssailormoon]

@@sharlainjapan thanks if I get a 90 I'll have a 4.0!

[@DinosourousRexx]

Congrats, you made it through the semester! 😊 I have a bunch of final projects due this week and finals next week 😭 Wish me luck!

[@sharlainjapan]

@@DinosourousRexx Good luck!!!

[@cookefamilyadventures1049]

I’m still convinced Sharla and Norm are soulmates

[@hannahlise9120]

What a cute store! I hope they do well! Glad Norm could join you 🥰

[@Dolleemixtures]

I tried being vegan here in Japan and just... Gave up 😭 I felt guilty but it was making me sick (I have some health issues so it was me. I only had time to sort out food and then after that I was just exhausted :/) BUT the only thing that I didn't have an issue with was making curry. Curry powder, stock (iherb)a little salt and sugar and then thickened with cornstarch slurry makes a banging curry sauce!! Really similar to roux curry. Honestly kudos to being able to stay vegan ❤ I hope that place does really well. A place not super far away got a vegan burger place and because it was kind of out of Osaka people weren't going and it closed 😞

[@secretssafewithme]

I won’t know what to do with myself when your vlogmas ends

[@Keirabug]

Dude orange and chocolate combos are CLASSIC! You almost can't go wrong! I'm shocked you think it's so gross lmao. Though im not a fan of those chocolate orange things, I'm a huge fan of the combo when its real orange.

[@Anjel1e]

I put nutritional yeast on almost anything.

[@lilaelema3530]

I was searching for zero waste (grocery) stores in Japan (sustainable living), and I have found a couple in Tokyo -- but I won't be in Japan until the Fall of 2020. I was wondering if you could make a video about the accessibility since veganism and zero waste/sustainable living go hand-in-hand, and Japan is so big on single-use plastic. I never really comment, but I hope you see this Sharla! :)

[@AJJohnson-f2k]

Didn't tnis joint close down since the pandemic started?

[@AndyJapandy]

I'm not vegan, but that conbini looks interesting!

[@KitKatToeBeans]

Really cute that it’s a store yet there’s areas to eat AND to heat the food up 👍🏼

[@decemberclouds]

90% of what I like about terry's chocolate orange was getting it from my SO's grandparents and whacking them against the wall.

[@alphamike87]

I’d definitely try everything in that store, love the video Sharla, you and Norm are both awesome

[@KariHaruka]

I'm not even a vegan and I'm interested in trying this place out on my next visit to Asakusa.

[@rainreammer7875]

Am I the only one who thinks that they look really good together? 🤔 Love your vlogs Sharla!

[@Start.a.curvolution]

Wow, the store looks sooo cool and every love that they have an area to eat. It was so strange to hear that there are no spicy things in Japan cause I have an uncle who is vegetarian since the 80s and I always think of his vegan food when I was a child which was soo damn spicy 😅 he is kind of an old school vegan long time before there came a lot of vegan products in German supermarkets. So he has to make all instead of tofu by himself

[@zoof1306]

That's so cool! The facial expressions were lovely in this video lol

[@freakMasha]

I'm curious why butternut squash is rare to find in Japan? They don't grow it cause the soil is not right for it or supermarkets don't import variety of veggies? edit cause I'm commenting while watching the video: yay to nutritional yeast! I love love love that stuff and I'm not even vegan, it just taste so good especially when added to pumpkin soup for more cheesy taste! :D

[@esthervolkening3568]

Does it still excist? I was so excited watching this video (which was very helpful and entertaining btw) but I sadly can't find the store on google maps anymore even though I managed to find the address in some blog post 😢

[@sharlainjapan]

Think it closed down 😭

[@coffinsandcoffee8202]

I literally JUST read an article on this today and screenshotted a bunch of it.... Thankyou!!

[@mimo93maminon]

"You won't find spicy things in Japan". Meanwhile, during elementary school lunch, the curry 5 year olds eat is too spicy for me 😅

[@tarabooartarmy3654]

As a general rule, I don’t like chocolate with fruit or herbs. I can sort of eat chocolate covered cherries, but they’re way too sweet to eat more than one or two. I LOVE chocolate covered strawberries. I can’t stand chocolate and orange. And I’m one of the people who absolutely hates mint with chocolate, except York Peppermint Patties which remind me of childhood.

[@madeye0]

I was surprised you said it's hard to find spicy food in Japan, I spent this autumn in Sapporo, visited couple curry places there and all the curries were spicy as hell

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

94 percent? That’s a big percentage of Cacao! Wow they have a lot of vegan products. Nice they have it for vegans in Tokyo

[@FindecanorNotGmail]

I think it was just that type of bar, among several.

[@coolbmwdude]

My dream is to go to Japan with either friends or future girlfriend. And you are single handily the reason why I wish to visit there once, maybe even live there for some time. I’ve realized it’s not what it looks like in the anime’s, lol. It’s way better than I saw of it. Hopefully I could possibly meet you someday and you probably won’t ever see this but thank you for showing how good Japan really is. As a foreign yourself you made it seem so easy to fit in. And hopefully I would be able to too if I ever go there. :)

[@sharlainjapan]

I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying my videos!! Hope you get the chance to visit soon☺️🙌🏻💕

[@ambibambi6479]

This store’s existence will be a lifesaver for my trip to Tokyo

[@alphamike87]

That vegan ham looks like a weapon lol

[@Start.a.curvolution]

I can really imagine how this Cheesecake tastes cause we had a brilliant recipe several years ago with some great apple strudel toast soy yogurt but this yogurt is not available anymore. This vegan Cheesecake was really tasty but it wasn't Cheesecake 😅

[@anabelsama]

Do you still eat plant based?

[@WillWilsonthesafetyguy]

Thank you! I was starting to feel like I was the only one who *hates* those revolting chocolate oranges. What's worse is the reaction I get whenever I tell people I think they're horrible; like *I'm* the weird one! Honestly, putting orange and chocolate together is akin to putting pickles and chocolate together. Why the fuck would you ever do that??

[@Dinckelburg]

What are you even saying right now?

[@alanlee1355]

Orange chocolate is great. Lost some points on that one sharla. 😄

[@3lmodfz]

I wish vegan meat wasn't predominantly soya or wheat based, because I can't eat either of those things :(

[@sunium]

Pea protein based veg meats are a good alternative!

[@theblanketstealer]

omg i'm squealing!! lol can't wait to visit Japan again so i can go to this place and support it!!! i've been vegan for almost 7 years now and vegan food in Japan is soooo good

[@christinepease890]

so Happy to see Norm with you again, and really happy that the new Vrgan store is a hit with you, that crumble looked so yummy, popping over to norms video, Have a beautiful day Sharla x x

[@firepantheress9576]

It's so great to see you and Norm. Those sweets looks quite yummy. Cheesecake is always a win win

[@EponaKenshin]

My favorite thing is citrus-y desserts xD I love any dessert with orange in it

[@VeganLiving247]

This is so cool! I can hope that more places in Japan gets stores like this! I visited Japan a couple weeks ago and it’s definitely pretty hard to get vegan snacks. I ate a bunch of mixed nuts, and the Calbee salted chips haha! Both tasty but would have loved more options.

[@caprinicole7932]

This was so fun to watch , I hope they keep it around and expand lol

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Japan is so technologically advanced, they can make vegan chicken and vegan ham

[@lynda.grace.14]

They make it in Canada, too. Have for years. It just costs a lot of money as there isn't a huge demand. Buddhist restaurants in Vancouver were doing it in the 1970s!

[@viviantai6931]

So eager to watch your vid, that there aren't enough comments to read!!! Luv u Sharla~~

[@icepriestess]

I really struggled when I was in Japan finding vegetarian food, especially as most savory things seemed to have oster sauce in it. So love seeing videos showing other options. Hopefully I'll get back to Japan one day and be able to try all these new options

[@tazviolin]

That’s a really nice store!

[@crazywaterbaby1]

Thank you for filming this! I’ve been vegan for 2 years & Japan is top of my travel bucket list! 🌱

[@JadeCanada237]

Can you find gluten free packaged foods in Japan or is something they just don't think about? (just saw the brownie was gf)

[@Mintyholic]

I love those chocolate oranges >.>

[@sarahfernandes1621]

Sharla and norm make such good content together. Wish I could share a meal with norm. He seems soo lovely!

[@melboitoe]

Norms adorable!

[@christinaiscurious6774]

I had to pause the video to comment... THANK YOU! Terry's chocolate orange is the devil's food, chocolate and orange just do not go together at all for me lol

[@Mitochondria744]

Yes! Vegan store pops up and buys a feast. I like your style lol❤

[@leahlemieux]

you found NUTRITIONAL YEAST in Tokyo!? That is awesome!!!!!

[@seylamoon]

I love Terry’s 😁

[@swish043]

I wish I was in Japan right now. I would support the heck out of this store! I was pescatarian last time I went and it was STILL difficult to eat out unless I wanted grilled fish, rice, and miso soup every single meal.

[@sashavonkirsch4948]

Thanks! That shop is good for allergies too) my boy allergic to milk . eggs and gluten and soy. So rice milk will be very nice and some ice ream and curry too!)))

[@TheNaomeister]

I think what's amazing is just how much variety there already is in products! I know it's been a movement for a while, it's great to see so much new stuff and so much variety coming out!