Tempura Asakusa SAKURA, a tempura restaurant located a minute walk from Asakusa, Tokyo, has made all the meals it serves gluten-free and Muslim-friendly with halal certification in order to meet the diverse dietary needs of foreign visitors to Japan.
We have perfected our own recipes with particular attention to ingredient selection and cooking methods for the increasing number of foreign visitors to Japan in recent years (approximately 35 million by 2024 [Japan Tourism Agency]).
This has resulted in a healthy and crispy tempura that not only accommodates diversity, but also tastes better than ever.
In addition to the existing menu, the new “Wagyu Sirloin and Vegetable Tempura Omakase Course” and “Wagyu Sirloin Zetsuyu Tendon” are also gluten-free and Muslim-friendly, allowing customers to enjoy authentic tempura safely.
This new menu is designed for people with diverse food cultures and health-conscious people, and aims to contribute to solving issues in inbound tourism as it combines Japanese food culture, such as wagyu beef and tempura, with diversity.
Current Situation and Issues of Food Diversity in Japan
Number of foreign visitors to Japan
1. Current Situation and Issues of Food Diversity in Japan
In recent years, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan (inbound tourists) has been increasing annually.
According to the latest statistics from the Japan Tourism Agency, approximately 35 million foreign tourists visited Japan in 2024, marking a significant recovery and growth in the tourism industry post-pandemic【Japan Tourism Agency 2024 Report】.
However, along with this increase, several issues such as overtourism, language barriers, and cultural understanding, including manners, have emerged.
Among these, the infrastructure to accommodate diverse dietary needs remains insufficient, presenting the following problems:
Lack of Halal Options
There are insufficient halal-certified dining options for Muslim travelers, causing significant anxiety about finding suitable meals.
Limited Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, and Vegan Options
Restaurants offering gluten-free options for travelers with gluten allergies or health-conscious diets, as well as vegetarian and vegan options, are limited. This restricts dining choices and often results in inconvenience for travelers.
Addressing these issues is essential for Japan to attract more inbound tourists. This is particularly critical in the field of Japanese cuisine, where adaptation has been notably slow.
Initiatives by Tempura Asakusa SAKURA
Tempura Asakusa SAKURA has implemented the following initiatives to meet the diverse dietary needs of inbound tourists, particularly under the mission of “providing delicious Japanese cuisine that is also accommodating to diverse dietary needs”:
Gluten-Free
All our menu items are gluten-free.
By using rice flour for the tempura batter, we ensure a safe dining experience for customers with wheat allergies and those who are health-conscious.
All Meals are Halal and Muslim-Friendly
All meals are halal-friendly, using halal-certified ingredients and cooking methods that comply with halal standards. This ensures that Muslim customers can enjoy their meals with peace of mind.※
Vegetarian Menu Options
We offer a special vegetable course for vegetarians, featuring tempura made from seasonal vegetables to enjoy the natural flavors of the ingredients.
English Support
All staff are capable of communicating in both English and Japanese.
These initiatives allow us to cater to diverse dietary needs and language barriers, providing a safe and enjoyable dining experience for all our customers.
In fact, our customer base is roughly equally divided between Japanese customers, general inbound tourists, and those specifically seeking diverse dietary options.
Without compromising taste, we strive to provide “delicious tempura that Japanese people enjoy and want to eat again,” while accommodating diverse dietary needs.
Introduction of the New Menu ‘Halal Wagyu Sirloin Tempura Bowl’
Tempura Asakusa SAKURA is proud to introduce two new menu items: the ‘Wagyu Sirloin and Vegetable Tempura Omakase Course’ and the ‘Luxury Wagyu Sirloin Tempura Bowl.’
These new items are also gluten-free and halal-friendly, using the finest wagyu sirloin to ensure satisfaction for both Japanese and international customers.
The ‘Wagyu Sirloin and Vegetable Tempura Omakase Course’ allows customers to enjoy freshly fried vegetable and wagyu tempura, along with marbled wagyu meat sushi.
The ‘Luxury Wagyu Sirloin Tempura Bowl’ offers the rich flavor of wagyu beef and the crispy texture of tempura, with the added option of enjoying it with condiments and broth in a style similar to eel hitsumabushi.
Tempura Asakusa SAKURA will continue to develop menus that meet diverse dietary needs, aiming to provide safe, delicious meals for all our customers.
⚫︎ Tempura Asakusa SAKURA
2-18-16 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo, THE CITY Asakusa Kaminarimon 7F
Google Maps for location and actual reviews.
※Halal certification pending. Expected to be obtained by August.