Shōjin ryōri

Shōjin ryōri is a traditional vegan Buddhist cuisine that adheres to religious precepts by avoiding the use of meat, fish, and other animal-derived ingredients. Instead, it primarily features vegetables, grains, legumes, seaweed, and wild plants.

Takaozan's Shōjin ryōri

Mount Takao’s Yakuōin Temple has long been known as a sacred site of Shugendō, where yamabushi (mountain ascetics) have trained for centuries. Based on the belief that “all things—the creatures and plants of the mountain, ourselves, the wind and rain, and even the mountain itself—are manifestations of the Buddha,” shōjin ryōri (devotional Buddhist cuisine) is prepared with utmost care to make the most of each ingredient and avoid waste. However, its significance goes beyond how it is cooked. Before the meal reaches our table, it is the culmination of countless interactions between nature and human hands. As we partake in it, we are invited to show respect for all life, reflect on all the people and forces involved, and eat with deep gratitude in our hearts.