Tokyo Vegefood Festa 2017

This was my first time experiencing a vegan food festival and despite the rain, it was fun. The food was delicious and I had peace of mind that it was vegan. This event marked the introduction to the community of vegans in Tokyo and at this event in particular. It was great to see the concept of veganism and how it was interpreted and practiced in the lives of Japanese people. Even now, veganism is a new concept to most Japanese, but I hope that in the future veganism will continue to become commonplace globally.  

I did buy some products from the stalls at the festival (and might have gone overboard, but I love supporting small businesses). Talking to the people who made the food or ran the stands was quite inspirational and I could really tell they cared about what they made, even when I couldn’t entirely understand what they were saying in Japanese. It was a great experience and the food was amazing. Going to vegan food festivals like this encourages people to think about how food is more than just sustenance for our bodies. Food production, agriculture, and the environment all play a role in getting food from the farm to the table. Being able to go to any supermarket in the states and buy produce, instant foods, and frozen foods makes it easy for us to forget the long and arduous process that it takes to get the vegetables, prepare them for cooking and consumption, etc. The commodity chain is far more complicated than many of us realize. The realization of the amount of energy and people involved in the production of food can be lost in our efficiency-valued, fast-paced, modern day lives. 

At this point I was just starting to compile a list of vegan or vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo and the surrounding area. As a traveler and foodie, I love exploring the veganized cuisines of each place I go to. I did read an article about how healthy food is typically Western and doesn’t make enough of an effort to include other cultures. I found that this realization also can apply to vegan cuisine. A major reason that makes people hesitate when considering adopting veganism into their lives is the anxiety it can cause in social situations where families come together to eat meals. In many cultures, (I’m not that knowledgeable about mealtime practices outside of Chinese culture but I do know that these characteristics are found among cultures across the globe) sharing dishes at the table in a manner that involves participation from all dining members is how meals are eaten. However, being vegan can prevent one from participating, dividing people quite literally by requiring separate dishes or even an individual meal set apart from the others. By veganizing dishes unique to one’s culture, it’s possible not only to extend inclusivity to all, but to introduce this way of living as accessible.