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Food Allergy

Japan uses many ingredients that may trigger allergies. Here's how to stay safe.

Medical costs in Japan can be very high. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance before your trip.

Key allergen labels

Japan requires labeling for 8 allergens: wheat (小麦), buckwheat (そば), eggs (卵), milk (乳), peanuts (落花生), shrimp (えび), crab (かに), and walnuts (くるみ). Additional 20 items are recommended to be labeled.

At restaurants

Show the allergy card to restaurant staff. Do not assume dishes are allergy-free — always confirm. Japanese cuisine heavily uses soy sauce (大豆 soy), sesame (ごま), and fish-based stocks (だし).

Hidden allergens in Japan

Dashi (だし) broth often contains fish. Miso soup may contain shellfish. Many sauces contain wheat. Be especially careful with ramen, udon, and tempura.

🏷️ Japan Allergen Labels

EnglishJapaneseRequired

Wheat小麦 (komugi)✓ Required

Buckwheat (soba)そば (soba)✓ Required

Egg卵 (tamago)✓ Required

Milk / Dairy乳 (nyuu)✓ Required

Peanut落花生 (rakkasei)✓ Required

Shrimpえび (ebi)✓ Required

Crabかに (kani)✓ Required

Walnutくるみ (kurumi)✓ Required

Soy / Soybean大豆 (daizu)Recommended

Sesameごま (goma)Recommended

Salmon / Fishさけ・魚 (sakana)Recommended

Shellfish貝類 (kairui)Recommended

AlmondアーモンドRecommended

Chicken鶏肉 (toriniku)Recommended

🗣️ Useful Phrases

I am allergic to

私は _____ アレルギーです。

Does this contain _____?

これには _____ が含まれていますか？

I carry an EpiPen. If I collapse, please call 119.

エピペンを携帯しています。倒れたら119番を呼んでください。

💡 Tip: Allergy Card

Print or save an allergy card in Japanese to show at restaurants. Apps like "Allergen Checker" can help translate ingredient lists.

Protect Yourself with Travel Insurance

Medical costs in Japan can be very high. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance before your trip.

Get Coverage Now →

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