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🔴 Difficult — Extra CautionGluten-Free in Japan
Celiac Safety Guide & Restaurant Directories
Welcome to the ultimate celiac guide for traveling to Japan. Use our verified translations, celiac safety ratings, localized tips, and interactive directory below to eat out safely during your trip.
🗣️ Celiac Language Card Translation
"私はセリアック病です。グルテン、小麦、大麦、ライ麦を食べられません。醤油もダメです。"
Pronunciation: Watashi wa seriakku-byo desu. Wheat to soy sauce are not safe.
Show this to chefs, cooks, and waiters to explain that you cannot eat wheat, barley, rye, or cross-contaminated foods.
Gluten-Free Cities in Japan
Safe Local Foods
- ✓Plain sashimi (bring your own GF soy sauce)
- ✓Plain steamed rice
- ✓Yakitori (salted/shio, NOT sauce/tare)
- ✓Edamame
- ✓Tofu (plain, unsauced)
- ✓Onigiri (plain salted, check ingredients)
Watch Out For
- ✕Soy sauce (shoyu - contains wheat, in almost everything)
- ✕Tempura (wheat batter)
- ✕Ramen, udon & soba noodles (most soba contains wheat)
- ✕Miso soup (some use barley/wheat koji)
- ✕Katsu & breaded items
Celiac Safety & Dining Tips
- 1Celiac awareness is very low in Japan. Standard soy sauce contains wheat and is the biggest hidden risk.
- 2Always carry a printed Japanese celiac explanation card to show chefs.
- 3Pack gluten-free travel snacks and consider booking accommodation with a kitchen.
- 4Look up dedicated 100% gluten-free restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto ahead of time.
GF Availability
Very limited. Cross-contamination is highly likely in standard kitchens.
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