NPO The Japan Association for Language Teaching

Not sure what to do or where to eat while attending JALT2025 in Tokyo? We’ve got you covered! JALT member Joseph Dias has put together a curated list of recommended restaurants and activities, all conveniently located near the conference venue. See below for the list or use the Google Maps app above.

🌱 = vegan/vegetarian-friendly

Click to go to a section:

• Restaurants and Cafés Near the Conference Venue
• Things to Do in Tokyo

Click here for on-site eating options put together by our Conference Site Chair, Forrest Nelson:

• Eating options at the conference site

Restaurants and Cafés Near the Conference Venue

Right by Sangubashi Station (nearest)

Himalaya Curry: A cozy Nepalese spot
Los Reyes Magos: Spanish cuisine with a good reputation
Sando Sando: Italian cuisine with Shimane ingredients and beyond
LIFE Son: An Italian café with a leafy terrace
Karaagenihonichi: Specializes in karaage teishoku
Boulangerie La Saison: A bakery offering fresh bread, pastries, sandwiches

Within a 10-min walk 🌱

Alishan Park: Vegetarian/vegan café with burgers, curry, sweets
Vaji Spice: A dog-friendly Indian restaurant serving curries, chai. and vegan thali
365 Days: Amazing variety of high quality baked goods
Little Nap Coffee Stand: A compact coffee stand near Yoyogi Park with drinks, snacks and cakes, and ice cream
Verve Coffee Roasters: Great coffee with occasional vegan sweets, outdoor seating area
Fun Ice: Homemade gelato in front of Yoyogi Park with some vegan options

Note: Besides the shopping street nearest the conference venue (Sangubashi), there are three additional shōtengai within a 20-min walk: a colorful one leading to Yoyogi Uehara Station (Odakyu/ Chiyoda), another near Yoyogi Hachiman Station (Odakyu), and one that hosts many more shops and popular eateries called the Kamiyama shopping district, which stretches from Inokashira Dori to Dogenzaka.

Yoyogi Hachiman Area (10-15 min walk)

The Nuts Exchange: Vegan café with nut-based drinks 🌱
Nata de Cristiano: For Portuguese custard tarts
Podunk: A seafood izakaya
Seijo Ishii: A supermarket with bentos

Yoyogi Uehara Area

La Pita de Maison Cinquantecinq: Falafel restaurant 🌱 (Reservations required)

Kamiyama Shopping Street (20 min walk)

Pignon: French-Moroccan bistro
Los Barbados: African cuisine with live music

Shibuya and Shinjuku Stations 🌱

Nataraj Milan (Shibuya): Vegetarian Indian with many vegan options
Ain Soph Journey (Shinjuku) : Vegan dishes and sweets (reservations recommended)
800° Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria (Shinjuku): Great pizzas, vegan options
marbre vegan (Shinjuku): Vegan sandwiches, cakes, coffee
Falafel Brothers (Shibuya): For vegan falafels
Izakaya Masaka (Shibuya): A vegan izakaya
Plant More (Shinjuku): For healthy Mediterranean food

Omotesando / Jingumae / Harajuku area 🌱

Vegan Bistro Jangara: Varied vegan menu (burgers, ramen, salads, gyoza)
Tokyu Plaza Harajuku HARAKADO Food floors (5th–7th): Falafel Brothers (fully vegan) and a Bánh mì shop with vegan options (Corner of Omotesando and Meiji Dori)
Guzman y Gomez (Laforet Harajuku): Casual Mexican, vegetarian and vegan options
Mr. Farmer Omotesando: Completely vegan menu and healthy dishes
Brown Rice Tokyo Omotesando: Small selection of vegan set meals and desserts

Things to Do in Tokyo

Parks and Shrines

Yoyogi Park: Relaxing walks; Shibuya Festival (Nov 1-2)
Meiji Jingu Shrine: Grand Festival + Chrysanthemum Festival (Nov 1-3)
Shinjuku Gyoen: Chrysanthemum Exhibition begins during the conference weekend

Exhibitions and Museums

Nezu Museum (Omotesando): Tales of Ise exhibition from Nov 1
Mori Art Museum (Roppongi Hills): Sou Fujimoto architecture exhibit (ends Nov 9)
National Art Center Tokyo (Nogizaka): Prism of the Real exhibition (1989-2010 art)

Other recommendations

Aoyama Gakuin University Festival (Oct 31 – Nov 2): Food stalls, student performances, lively atmosphere

Tokyo Opera City (Hatsudai, 15 min walk): Restaurants, an art gallery, and the NTT InterCommunication Center (interactive museum)

Pilgrimage to Tokyo Toilet Project site: Visit some of the 17 redesigned public toilets that are distributed around Shibuya. Designed with the help of 16 creators from around the world, they have become a major tourist attraction after being featured in the Wim Wenders film “Perfect Days.” Two of the toilets closest to the conference venue are the most popular of all; the walls are transparent until one locks the door and they turn opaque. Link for more information: https://tokyotoilet.jp/en/

Mori Building Digital Art Museum’s teamLab Borderless: Impressive project mapping offers an immersive experience. (Azabudai Hills, 10 min walk from Roppongi Station) Official site: https://www.teamlab.art/e/tokyo/

Note: This is a curated list of recommendations generously shared by a JALT member. Please note that JALT is not affiliated with or partnered with any of the businesses or organizations mentioned.

On-site Eating Options

Enjoy a changing lineup of delicious lunch trucks from 11:30–14:00 at the Central Plaza!

Link to site: https://www.w-tokyodo.com/neostall/space/lunch/?lunch=国立オリンピック記念青少年総合センター

Oct 31: Merci Lapin – Seasonal vegetable bentos (¥1,000–1,300); Bistro Bon – Beef, pork, or chicken steak (¥850–1,100).

Nov 1: ASOVIVA – Roast pork bowls, sandwiches & taco rice (¥750–950); Menya Michi – Ramen varieties like shoyu & spicy (¥800–1,000).

Nov 2: Anne & May – Hashed beef rice & doughnuts (¥350–900); Rough Orange – Cutlet, beef onion, meat salsa, and herb chicken rice (¥700–800).
Fresh, fast, and flavorful meals to brighten your conference days!

This guide was last updated on 26th October 2025.