Food Allergies in Japan

Having food allergies shouldn’t have to be stressful, even when travelling. Today let’s go over a little about how to navigate allergies during your trip.

Practice the Japanese

First, I recommend learning a few Japanese words and phrases concerning your allergies. Here’s a few helpful tips!

Learn About Japanese Food

Next, I recommend learning a little about Japanese food. Most meals include either rice or noodles, which are typically made from wheat flour.  Additionally, seafood can be a hard allergen to avoid, as dashi, or fish broth, is very common in traditional cuisine. It’s typically made from a broth of seaweed and fermented skipjack tuna or bonito. However, there are a lot of allergy-friendly restaurants in bigger cities, as food allergies are on the rise in Japan (following the trend of Western countries).

Inform Your Airline

Don’t forget to inform your airline of your allergies. Most airlines can accommodate for common allergens and can provide special food. There’s actually quite a few meal choices available on most aircraft today–just make sure to request in advance. I have a sensitivity to dairy and always request the dairy-free meal and have always been satisfied.

Carry an Allergy Card

Carry an allergy card or paper with you. This can state your allergies written out in Japanese so you don’t have to worry about communicating them. Just know that Japanese restaurants don’t usually cater to special requests, even though yours may be important. It’s not them trying to be rude–that’s just how things are done by the book here.

Pack Safe Snacks and Medications

Pack your safe snacks. Just to be sure, pack things you know are safe to snack on if you get worried about allergens. Note that you aren’t supposed to bring anything containing meat into the country–as well as a few other things. Check with your airline if you have any concerns.

Also, pack your medications. Always carry your necessary medications to protect yourself from any accidental exposure. For less than a month’s supply, typically no forms need to be filled out. However, make sure to check the prohibited list, which notes that anything containing stimulants such as Pseudoephedrine (Vicks inhalers, Sudafed, etc.) are notably not allowed.

Talk to Your Doctor

For any serious allergens, I recommend consulting with your doctor beforehand just to be safe. They can help you with any extra precautions you should take during your trip.

Just remember that preparation is everything! By following these steps, you shouldn’t have any trouble navigating your food allergies in Japan and can confidently enjoy your trip.