Travel with me to Japan.

Day 1 in Yokohama: Dogs, Silk, and Gluten-Free Wins

Yokohama has a way of easing you into Japan—big-city energy, waterfront breezes, and little surprises around every corner. Day one of my trip delivered exactly that: an unexpected dog festival (yes, really) followed by a deep-dive into Yokohama’s silk history. And, because I travel with coeliac in mind, it also meant starting my “Japan GF game plan” from the very first meal.

Morning: First Impressions + A Quick Gluten-Free Game Plan

Landing in a new country with coeliac disease always comes with a mental checklist:

- Where can I eat safely?

- How do I explain cross-contamination clearly?

- What’s my backup plan if I can’t find anything?

So before I even got too adventurous, I did what I always do on day one: keep it simple, stay observant, and build confidence. Convenience stores can be tricky for gluten-free in Japan (soy sauce and wheat pop up everywhere), so I leaned into “naturally gluten-free” thinking—plain fruit, simple dairy, and anything clearly labeled that didn’t set off alarm bells.

Tip I’m using this trip: I keep a short Japanese coeliac explanation ready to show (and I ask about **shoyu/soy sauce**, **mugi/barley**, and shared fryers).

Late Morning: Stumbling Into a Dog Festival

Some travel moments you can’t plan—and honestly, those are often the best ones.

Wandering around Yokohama, I suddenly found myself in the middle of a dog festival: stalls, happy chaos, tiny outfits, proud owners, and that contagious “everyone is here for joy” vibe. It was the kind of scene that makes you slow down and just watch for a while.

There were dogs of every shape and size—some strutting like they owned the place, others looking mildly confused but still along for the ride. It felt very Yokohama: modern, community-focused, and effortlessly fun.

**Travel note:** If you’re jet-lagged, a lively outdoor event like this is perfect—low pressure, lots to see, and you can dip in and out as your energy allows.

Lunch: Gluten-Free on the Go (Without the Stress)

Day one isn’t the day I gamble with complicated meals. I aim for:

- simple ingredients

- minimal sauces

- clear communication

If you’re gluten-free in Japan, a big early lesson is that “looks safe” doesn’t always mean “is safe.” Dressings, marinades, and soups often contain wheat. Even some “plain” things can be seasoned with soy sauce.

**My day-one approach:** choose the safest option available, ask questions where I can, and keep snacks on hand so I’m never forced into a risky choice when I’m hungry.

Afternoon: Yokohama Silk Museum (A Beautiful Slice of History)

After the festival energy, the Silk Museum was a complete shift—quiet, detailed, and surprisingly moving.

Yokohama’s connection to silk is a huge part of its story, and the museum does a great job of showing how silk shaped trade, fashion, and industry. It’s one of those places where you walk in thinking, “This will be interesting,” and walk out realizing you’ve learned something that changes how you see the city.

Highlights for me were the craftsmanship and the sheer patience behind the process—how something so delicate can come from such a complex chain of work. It also made me think about my own world at The Wild Crumb: the value of careful ingredients, the importance of process, and how “small details” are often what make something truly special.

**If you go:** give yourself time to read the displays slowly. It’s not a rush-through museum—it’s a linger-and-notice museum.

What I Learned on Day One (GF + Travel Edition)

A few takeaways I’m carrying into the rest of the trip:

- **Start simple.** Day one is for settling in, not testing your luck.

- **Ask about soy sauce early and often.** It’s the sneaky one.

- **Have backups.** Snacks = freedom.

- **Say yes to the unexpected.** A dog festival wasn’t on my itinerary, but it’s now one of my favourite memories so far.

Up Next

Day one in Yokohama gave me a perfect mix: lighthearted fun, meaningful history, and a steady start to gluten-free travel in Japan. Next, I’m keen to explore more neighbourhoods, find a few reliable GF-friendly spots, and keep collecting those “only in Japan” moments.

If you’re gluten-free and travelling Japan too, I’d love to know: what’s your go-to safe meal when you’re in a new city?