Last week I went to Vegan Gourmet Festival in Tokyo's Kiba Koen.
There was a lot of stalls from all over Japan.
It was in the park so on open air but the weather was perfect
what created a very nice atmosphere to enjoy all food.
It was much bigger that vegan festivals I attended in Poland
but of course comparing to other western events it was probably small.
There was considerably a lot of people
(not only foreigners, more Japanese!)
but still considering the crowds in some Japanese events
it was not that popular.
It was very visibly that almost all people there
looked healthy, sporty.
I do not think that I even saw one obese person.
Here is one big difference comparing to West.
In Japan veganism is considered healthy.
In Poland when I say that I am vegan
everybody starts worrying about my protein insufficiency
(all this experts eating in McDonald's)
but in Japan people usually react with a response
about how healthy my lifestyle is.
The cause probably lies in the fact that soya, beans, tofu
are very popular here and the diet based on it is
considered as a nutritious meal.
I also attended vegan meet-ups group picnic
and talked with a Japanese girl
who lived in Australia.
She tries to turn into vegan
because of health benefits
and said that the conviction
that Japanese eat healthy is a myth.
They used to in the past, not anymore.
After going back from Australia and
looking at her parents meals she realized that
there is nothing about health in it.
With Alex my vegetarian friend.
She is American and said that her church
encourages people to go vegan/ vegetarian.
Church! When I compare it to Polish case...
Oh Poland you are so pitiful sometimes >.<
I ate a lot.
Lots of yummy food.
One interesting fact is that all food on the fest
was free from refined sugar.
And really you could feel eating it that
they did not use any sugar at all
not only refined one.
I ate lots of sweets
(crepe, donuts, dorayaki)
but felt really good.
I was full but no trace of this unpleasant taste in mouth
which I have after eating wagashi from kombini.
Once again it shows:
in Japan veganism and healthy lifestyle
are directly connected.
Matcha, azuki, chestnuts crepe.
Omg I would give everything to eat it again!
There were so many tastes.
Even with hijiki xD
It is a black seaweed
usually sold in black strips.
You have probably seen them
as they are popular in Japanese cuisine
but in donuts :D ?
Black burgers are famous in Japan.
They appear during Halloween etc.
Sometimes even in McDonald's.
But here is a vegan version <3
This kind of meat sticks are a popular street food in Japan.
For the first time I could eat it too.
It was such a strange feeling.
And this sausage was so convincing
that if it was not a vegan fest I would doubt if its vegan xD
I hate meat taste so it was probably my last time to eat even vegan one.
Chocolate ice cream, ice chocolate latte
and mango kakigÅri <3
So refreshing on this sunny day.
And for the end the festival's hit
Ballerina vegan dorayaki.
And it is not that they had hundred patterns
and I chose this one.
They had one and it was ballerina.
I am a lucky girl indeed.
Here are my shopping:
soya meat
(cheap 500 yens for three of them!)
and mayonnaise <3
For the end one more thing.
I said that in Japan veganism
is mostly about healthy
(usually as on this fest accompanied by yoga workshops)
but animal rights consciousness is also increasing.
On the festival there were representants of vegan society
and vegan projects.
They try to make lectures about animal rights
as well an introducing vegan food
to restaurants, canteens in schools and companies.
I also bought manga about animal rights
and the base of vegan diet.
Very easy but convincing.
Believe me very convincing.
I could not stop my tears...
I have to work hard on Japanese to be able to translate it.
