iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

At Maison & Objet #Paris to connect EU traders & journalists with #Japan wood pros for the Japanese Forestry Agency until Monday 🌳 DM me for press invites to film bent-woodware demos, touch 40+ artworks from Akita/Hakone/… and interview 1 of only 16 master craftsmen worldwide in English/French 🎤

"Welcome Home" banner at the entrance of the exhibition centre. In English, the event name means "Home & Object".

Map of this massive event at the entrance.

Inside Hall 6 (where I work), which extends far in all directions.

The master craftsman (centre) with his wife and son, behind objects he made (lunch boxes, cups, wine holder, matcha set box…) that you can see, touch, smell… on our booth N120/P119 (at the very end of Hall 6, on the right). To see him demo his crafts, 10:30-12:30 seems best.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

🧵1/ In #Tokyo now & tomorrow: Matsuri Japan festival inside Takanawa Gateway Convention Centre. Organised yearly by Happo-en. Kudos to the performers of the dragon dance from Nagasaki Prefecture; 10 intense minutes 🐉 matsuri-japan.happo-en.com/2026/ #祭 #龍踊り

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

End of my work at Japan Travel KK, 8 years meaningful beyond expectations, with farewell drinks hosted by leadership 🥂 From overcoming the covid crisis to launching/managing unique projects, I proudly contributed to economic inflows, rural revitalisation, local pride, and unforgettable memories ⛩️

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

🧵1/ I just touched 1,000s-year-old Antarctic ice 🧊 while exploring the interactive #Antarctica exhibition at #Tokyo Miraikan with a VR researcher friend and his family! Organized with #Japan National Institute of Polar Research, it covers 70 years of polar history in English & Japanese 👍🏻

Touching big blocks of Antarctic ice with my left hand.

Walls of bilingual explanations in English and Japanese, with drawings and photos.

Photo of me before the poster of the Antarctica exhibition at the entrance of the Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, literally translated as "Hall Of The Future").

Miraikan seen from an automated elevated train (Yurikamome line departing from Shimbashi station).

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

🍜 Back to life thanks to cold vegan #ramen inside Tokyo station at T's Tantan: Mexican spices whiff, salsa, crunchy tortilla chip, avocado, and veggie rainbow on bamboo-charcoal rice-based noodles. Squeeze the lemon over then taste 🍋 1,480 yen. #VeganJapan #VeganTokyo

Chopsticks over a plate of ramen, holding spicy black sesame mixed noodles, cold salsa style.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Great lunch with Japanese partners in Tokyo yesterday! I shared cross-cultural tips for their upcoming business trip to Paris and highly recommended Riuzen in Fukui (best sauce-based #vegan soba I ate in Japan in 21 years) 🥢 It felt good to be useful while discussing my next steps: job hunting…

Lunch set at Riuzen. Buckwheat noodles (top right) and 3 sauces: watershield and grated yam (centre), sesame (bottom left), and mushrooms and grated radish (top left).

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

🧵1/ I almost gave up! After 8 busy years, I unlocked an old dream & reached #SanIn to explore #Japanese creation myths (8-day holiday): Izanami's death, Orochi's beheading, Susanoo's sake & sword, Okuninushi's nation-building… ⛩️ Visit after Awaji (first island) but before Kashihara (first emperor) 🗾

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

I'm on holiday all July except 3 days including farewells 🏖️ Upcoming: vegan summer foods, Japan star festival, fun beach party by business partners (no heatwave, 29℃ = 84℉), exciting immersive exhibition with a VR researcher in Tokyo (feel a blizzard, touch Antarctica ice, see auroras)…

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Uncertainty settling in: a job switch, Hormuz affecting Tokyo groceries, and health issues around me. My 36 days of paid leave help me reset, reorganize online & offline, enjoy family touring Japan, and tick off dream goals. Would you guess I feel level, with renewed expectation & freedom?

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I discovered Ovgo Baker, a creative B Corp #VeganBakery, in Tokyo. Yuki Mizobuchi founded & named it with "Organic, Vegan, and Gluten-free as Options" in mind. Her team focused on sustainability and inclusion from the start 👍🏻 sebastien-duval.com/ovgo-baker/

sebastien-duval.com

Ovgo Baker - Sébastien Duval

I’ve eaten once at an Ovgo Baker bakery, while scouting for vegan tours. I’d recommend it for a short break or takeaway 🍪 Check this 100% vegan B Corp out! Ovgo Baker Edo Street Near Ningyocho mechani...

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I savoured a flabbergasting vegan carrot cake gooey cookie at Ovgo Baker Edo Street in Tokyo, just after fasting for my free annual health check 🥕 This big 3D dessert with crinkled exterior was delicately crisp and surprisingly spicy 🍪 Go test if you can identify its hidden ingredients! #VeganTokyo

Vegan carrot cake gooey cookie with the interior of Ovgo Baker Edo Street bakery in the background. This 3D dessert has a brown crinkled exterior and a white creamy top.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I just savoured a seasonal gluten-free vegan "yuzu jasmine cookie" takeaway from Ovgo Baker Edo Street in Tokyo 🍋 This large golden snack blending yuzu peels and jasmine tea leaves has a botanical whiff and is delicately crispy 🍪 Wholesome & unique! #VeganJapan #VeganTokyo

Golden vegan yuzu jasmine cookie on a plate at my home, beside my finger to understand its size.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Never eaten before: vegan mentaiko (明太子)! Komeda Is Higashi-Ginza's rare plant-based mentaiko cream pasta was delicious 🍝 Go taste this Japanese savoury spicy red dish with a unique popping texture (originally fish eggs)… 🌶️ Creative & surprising #VeganTokyo #VeganJapan 👍

Plant-based mentaiko cream pasta at Komeda Is Higashi-Ginza. The yellow creamy pasta is topped with red vegan mentaiko and dark-green stripes of nori seaweed. A tree is visible in the background.

Empty plate: my first vegan mentaiko cream pasta was delicious!

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Looking for a 100% vegan spot in Tokyo? Komeda Is Higashi-Ginza is open from 07:00 to 22:00 near the Kabuki-za theatre 🎭 It's super convenient for any meal, from breakfast to dinner 🌿 Check it out! #VeganRestaurant sebastien-duval.com/komeda-is-hi...

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Komeda Is Higashi-Ginza - Sébastien Duval

I’ve eaten at Komeda Is Higashi-Ginza restaurant many times while guiding vegan friends/journalists/influencers/…, while waiting for nearby meetings, while spending the night at a hotel to catch an ea...

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

A real treat after guiding 11 days, transferring from KIX to Tokyo home: my usual Vegan Paitan Spicy Ramen at Ramen Kiou under Shin-Osaka Station 🍜 You'd love its sumptuous soup 🌶️🌶️! Bowl emptied; no better proof 🙂 Appeasing & energising, quick slurpers, 1680 yen… #VeganOsaka #VeganJapan

Noodles held by chopsticks above an orange broth with a floating slice of vegan meat.

Menu describing the dish in Japanese & English.

Policy of the restaurant: separate cookware for vegan dishes, etc.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

🧵1/ 20~30 March: I'm guiding & storytelling for 21 #vegan gourmets from France, Mexico & USA across blooming Japanese countryside 🌸 Suruga, Minobu, Kaga-onsen… A community concept with ZERO metropolis visits 🗾 Proud to make #JapanTravel more inclusive, revitalising and transformational 💚 #VeganJapan

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

🧵1/ In #Tokyo at the Edo Shogun Roads kick-off ceremony by #Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The insight now isn't the new website but a strategic shift from "point" destinations to "linear", cross-regional slow journeys 🔖 greatertokyo.jp #JapanTravel

Welcome in English & Japanese by the Director of Kanto District Transport Bureau.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

T's Tantan Tokyo Station never misses 🍜 I just disappeared a seasonal Sakura Vegan Tonkotsu Ramen 😋 Deliciously creamy with spicy crispy toppings and a sweet potato monaka 🌸 Clearing the bowl is the ultimate review 🥣 1,450 yen. Next time: vegan mentaiko rice? #VeganRamen #VeganTokyo #VeganJapan

Cherry-blossoms-colored vegan tonkotsu ramen: yellow broth, open monaka shaped like cherry blossoms containing a yellow sweet potato paste, vegan grilled meat, black-wood-ear mushrooms, green leaves, and pink ramen in chopsticks.

A completely empty ramen bowl! Plus a smaller one just keeping a bit of oil from the toppings.

Poster of the Sakura Vegan Tonkotsu Ramen with a stunning photo.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

🧵1/ Great vibes at 2026 #JapanTravel Forum! Now at #Tokyo American Club for panels, awards, networking… Grateful to Shiitake Creative for the invite as #JapanTravelAwards press to celebrate inclusive, sustainable, and remarkable tourism 🗾

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Useful networking, free trip subsidies… at San’in Discovery Night, by San’in Tourism Organization, in #Tokyo. Next: follow up with officials, #Shimane & #Tottori promoters, travel agents, and guides for PDFs, French market bids, 2026 plans… Grateful to MC/consultant Alexander Stankov for his invite!

The president of San'in Tourism Organization during his opening speech.

MC Alexander Stankov introducing local areas: San'in Kaigan, Oki islands, Mount Mitoku, Lake Nakaumi & Shinji, Mount Daisen, and Oku-Izumo.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Before riding my train back home from Tokyo station, I ate again at Mr Farmer Tokyo Midtown Hibiya restaurant. Its big vegan green salad was tasty: avocado, green beans, broccoli, cucumber, lime, sprouts, and mixed leaves with Genovese dressing 🥗 Next time, vegan cake too? English OK. #VeganTokyo

Vegan green salad on my table, with avocado, green beans, broccoli, cucumber, lime, sprouts, mixed leaves, and Genovese dressing visible.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Hiking near Mount Takao, I discovered Takao Veg Stand restaurant, open from 08:00. Cooked before my eyes, its vegan mushroom sandwich was fine: focaccia, shimeji, eryngii, caramelized onions, tomato/cashew/almond paste… Next time: vegan chili beans 🥪 Friendly Japanese chef, English OK 👨‍🍳 #VeganTokyo

Vegan mushroom sandwich in my hand, with focaccia, shimeji, eryngii, caramelized onions, and lettuce visible.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

🧵1/ Inspired at Happo-en Next 2026 Summit while scouting for #JapanTravel upcoming #MICE events: bold rebranding & #Tokyo renewal (weddings ➡️ cultural infrastructure for 100-year business), discussion with the CEO and managers of new vegan-friendly venues in #Kyoto & #Fukuoka (shrine! EN/FR staff!)…

Me in the lobby. The golden wall behind me is made from wooden parts assembled without nails, and represents a Japanese landscape with trees and a house.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

🧵1/ Off to #Aichi for 2 days, meeting #MICE unique venue managers, scouting for #JapanTravel upcoming events… Timely: this №1 industrial region of Japan will host the 2026 #AsianGames. I'm grateful to #Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau for its invitation following discussions at 2025 Tourism Expo!

Me beside a giant Pikachu dressed up as train station staff. Ready to ride our high-speed train from Tokyo.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

🧵1/ In #Tokushima on a 2-day #MonitorTour with a cycling professional to evaluate a #umeshu (plum liqueur) tour: annual festival, producers, liqueurs, juices, stories… I did consulting 3+ times in this prefecture but I discover #Misato. I'm grateful to Anabuki Travel for their trust! #JapanTravel

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

🍜 Smiling again after a farewell thanks to seasonal vegan comfort food at Tokyo Station T's Tantan: mala 5-spice soy sauce #ramen. Noodle choice: wheat, konjac or rice (taken for a change). Burdock root topping, date vinegar (!)… A maze of tastes, truly AMAZING in a good way! #VeganJapan #VeganTokyo

Chopsticks holding rice-based noodles above a bowl of mala 5-spice soy sauce ramen.

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Osaka Half-Dragon @osakahalfdragon.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Daruma, the round wooden dolls, are spirits of victory and success, and the principal spirit of Katsuoji Temple in the mountains of Osaka Prefecture Katsuoji is also an EXCELLENT place to view Japan's fiery autumn leaves! #JapanTravel #Osaka #autumn #Katsuoji #Japaneseculture #Japan #autumnleaves

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Osaka Half-Dragon @osakahalfdragon.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

The Chikatsu Asuka Museum has a fascinating collection of artifacts from Japan's ancient Kofun (burial mounds) period. Here is a small sample of the 1,400+ year old items that may be exhibited when the museum reopens after refurbishment next April #archeologymuseum #近つ飛鳥博物館 #chikatsuasukamuseum

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

🧵1/ In #Fukushima on a 2-day #PressTour with 15 journalists & influencers to witness then inform about its #Innovation Coast initiative! One of the world's largest renewable-energy-driven hydrogen facility, muscle suits, rice-based resins… I'm grateful to Jarman International for the invite! #Japan

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Asucome Macrobiotic Gohan Café Meguru's owners prepared our lunch with love from newly harvested rice and vegetables picked hours ago at their organic farm. Almost art: delicate carrot tempura. Even their sweet potato tart was homemade. In Asuka near #Archaeoastronomy sites. #VeganJapan #VeganAsuka

With Macrobiotic Gohan Café Meguru staff.

Carrot tempura. The young orange core is wrapped in its leaves.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

High-quality #JapaneseCulture snapshot, #Kyoto Gion Corner 1-hour show lets you see 7 arts 🎭 My favourite #bunraku puppet theatre, bugaku imperial dance, geisha dance, concert of koto (national instrument of Japan), ikebana, kyogen… It's cheap but book early! No photos/videos allowed. #JapanTravel

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Amazed at my first bite 🤯 This well-toasted vegan bagel (hummus, mushrooms, pink peppercorns) at Cafe Ausgang in #Kyoto might be my best ever 🥯 The room is unique & beautiful, and the music creates a peaceful, magic bubble. Coffee was good too ☕ A must-taste spot! #VeganKyoto #JapanTravel

My bagel, with stained glass in the background.

Ancient seats in the foreground, wall with strained glass beyond.

Room with outdoor view. The stained-glass butterflies above the window feel almost alive!

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

A pleasure of late walks in #Kyoto is seeing the illuminated lanterns of Yasaka Shinto Shrine (free, in Maruyama Park). The names on the lanterns are donors’. #八坂神社 #JapanTravel

Main structure of Yasaka shrine at night, with many yellow lanterns lit up, admired by surrounding travellers.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Inclusive & tasty lunch in #Kyoto at Nishiki Market Alley By Moon And Back 🍜 Japanese Curry #VeganRamen, #GlutenFree rice noodle option, wagyu soy #ramen… Great for travel agencies: English-speaking Japanese owner (tattooed), many seats (new ➡️ not packed), cooking visible counter-side… 👍🏻 #VeganKyoto

Me (centre) with the owner (right) at the entrance.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Back to #Kyoto Engine Ramen to introduce real #ramen to a French traveller! I savoured #VeganRamen "Kyoto Beaning" + extra noodles; he got the standard one + extra mushrooms. His verdict: excellent, broth in France is nowhere as good! Will he move here to enjoy more real #JapaneseFood? 🙂 #VeganKyoto

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

🧵1/ Exceptional #vegan & #GlutenFree lunch at Grains (Miho's Kitchen) in Nagoya with red miso soup, unagi-don eel on rice (first time I tried vegan eel ✨), karaage fried chicken (taste close to the real thing + soft chicken texture), matcha or chocolate doughnuts… 😋 #VeganNagoya #VeganJapan

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

🧵1/ Guiding an exciting 12-day #archaeoastronomy tour in the Japanese countryside for a special interest group: 11 French & Belgian travellers who explored ancient civilizations in Egypt, Mexico, Peru… and extend their deep world journey led by Deïmian. #HistoryTour #JapanTravel

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

🧵1/ Another 1-day test #HistoryTour for #Osaka Prefecture ✔️ To elevate experiences at its uniquely-specialized Museum of Yayoi Culture and 600,000㎡ Ikegami-Sone archaeological site, I gathered 17 travellers & residents from 9 countries who attended for free then provided insights & recommendations.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

On my way to #Hokkaido for 4 days of #AdventureTravel: hiking, cycling, canoeing, rafting, hot springs, stargazing, prehistoric graves… Sub-zero forecasts means losing 12℃! Consulting for a #JapanTravel colleague's project supported by #Chitose city Tourism & #Sports Department.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

My #washoku business trip to #Shizuoka started with another great exhibition: www.washoku-shizuoka.jp till 14 December. Huge vegetables, mushrooms, seaweed (60 of 1,500 types nationwide edible), bacteria & fungi for fermentation, dashi… + a #tea rolling activity with an American apprentice 🍵

Me with a wall of huge radishes. Real sizes!

Dark green leaves on a warm table during a tea rolling experience

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

A real treat after guiding all day long, just before riding a shinkansen back home: Vegan Paitan Spicy Ramen at Ramen Kiou under Shin-Osaka station. The sumptuous soup with lightest spice level 1 was quite spicy, and the clients were quiet. Appeasing & energising. #VeganRamen #VeganOsaka #VeganJapan

Chopsticks holding ramen noodles above a well-filled bowl topped with alternative meat

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Just guided 4 Mexican ladies at #Osaka #WorldExpo: closed USA Pavilion (government shutdown), 1-hour queue for the fun China Pavilion, Pokémon photos for kids, cooling on seats at the Nordic Pavillion, vegan Attiéké Salad with concert at the African restaurant, awe at Pasona's Pavilion… Ends Monday!

Astro Boy and the Monkey King at the China Pavilion

Panda at the China Pavilion (hugged & photographed)

Vegan Attiéké Salad at the African restaurant

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Guiding one last time at the World Expo, I could taste #vegan takoyaki in Osaka! Invented here a century ago, the grilled octopus balls were reinvented cruelty-free with mushrooms by "Vegan & Gluten-free Osaka" restaurant. Served super hot so be careful not to burn yourself! #VeganOsaka #VeganJapan

Set of 10 vegan takoyaki balls topped with vegan mayonnaise, plus miso soup in the background.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Guiding and culinary adventures led me to the restaurant Mercy #Vegan Factory in Osaka. I loved the incredible deep-fried cauliflower with sweet & sour sauce 🥦 The matcha pudding was nice too 👍🏻 English-speaking staff & outdoor seating (rare in Japan) ✔️ A must-try; bookmarked! #VeganOsaka #VeganJapan

Deep-fried cauliflower set with konjac, tofu, soup, rice… and a bonus matcha pudding.

Deep-fried cauliflower sprinkled with golden sesame in a sweet & sour sauce.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

25-28 September near #Nagoya — Annual #TourismExpoJapan introduces #Japan & world destinations to pros (25-26) then the general public, at #Aichi Sky Expo for the first time. I’m excited to meet local managers and #Japan officials on behalf of our company #JapanTravel. www.t-expo.jp/en

t-expo.jp

Tourism EXPO Japan

The world's largest promotion field JATA Tourism EXPO Japan. As a comprehensive tourism event to lead the worldwide tourism, various industries will gather together based on Tourism. This page shows c...

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

I just lunched in #HanedaAirport at Diversity Diner HND. Menu by an award-winning chef, diverse vegan food, no refined sugar, no pungent roots. The curry udon noodles satisfied me 🍜 Before security checks, English orders, card payments, many seats, plugs… #VeganTravel #VeganJapan #VeganTokyo

Bowl of udon thick noodles in a brown curry soup, with cauliflower, tomato, corn, green beans… Electric plugs to recharge your phone in the background.

Counter seats in front of Japanese cute or traditional decorations. Small-scale castle of Edo (now called Tokyo) on the left.

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

🧵1/ Starting 6 days in #Nansatsu to develop #CulturalTourism, #GreenTourism and #FoodTourism that would intrigue you, with a colleague and officials from 4 #Kagoshima cities 🗾 Unique with sand hot springs, #Japan biggest tea production, local Loch Ness monster, a #HistoryTour about forced kamikaze…

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

I just enjoyed 4 days in #Minobu (Buddhism) and #Gotemba (Mt Fuji hotel) to develop #JapanTravel despite 34℃, rain and #WorkLifeBalance off. Vegan meals OK everywhere! Now readying for 6-day consulting in #Nansatsu from tomorrow: sand hot spring, №1 tea, forced kamikaze… Read daily updates 🗓️

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Edit x Seven Fuji #Gotemba hotel fits #RomanticTravel: huge #MountFuji in front of rooms with balconies, private sauna & bath for two… and #FamilyTravel: 4 big beds in my room! My business trip yesterday/today is rainy so check the glorious sunny view at editxseven.com/fujigotemba/

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