Happy Buddha smoothies: a vegan’s heaven in Shimoda

There are many committed super high-quality food and beverage creators in Japan. Natuko from Happy Buddha in Shimoda is definitely one of them. She is a creator of vegan smoothies and the owner of Happy Buddha. However, getting to Happy Buddha is not that convenient. You need to take the express train ‘Odoriko’ from Tokyo to Shimoda, which takes 2 ½ hours, and then a local bus which would take you there. There are several rental car shops in front of the Shimoda station. If you are planning to stay in Shimoda, which offers some hidden nature gems and small local stunning beaches not easily reached by public transport, renting a car might be the best option to go around!

Shimoda is famous for its beautiful white-sand beaches and highly transparent sea. Shimoda and its surrounding little towns are relaxing and super atmospheric. Happy Buddha is very close to Irita beach, and the shop is filled with happy beach vibes, especially in the summer season. There are often customers in swimsuits. Happy Buddha’s smoothies surprise you first with their amazing looks and second with their incredible taste. Once you taste them, your concept of smoothie in your mind will absolutely change.

Happy Buddha’s vegan smoothies

Happy Buddha's vegan smoothies opened six years ago. It is located just a few minutes' walk away from the local Irita beach. Many customers are from overseas, and the place is also very popular among locals. You can take away your order or relax at a decked eat-in space surrounded by a hidden little garden.

There were no set menus, and all orders were customer’s choices when the shop started. Currently, during the high season from around June to August, the shop is way to busy, so there are no custom order smoothies available. However, there are plenty of different varieties of smoothies to choose from. Peach, Nashi pear and basil smoothies are some of the most popular smoothies in the current menu. Each smoothie differs on appearance, depending on how the owner, Natuko, prepares them for each customer! The gorgeous color gradation of Happy Buddha’s smoothies is breathtaking and perfect for an Instagram shot. Happy Buddha’s raw cakes and ice-creams look amazing and taste incredibly yummy too.  

Special local ingredients 

Happy Buddha’s vegan smoothies are made by the committed owner & creator, Natuko. The ingredients in the smoothies are all organic or of low pesticide local seasonal produce, like peaches, mangos, Nashi pears, strawberries, blueberries, and citrus fruits. Since last year, she also started to include homegrown passion fruit on the menu. As it is a 100% vegan smoothie shop, Happy Buddha’s smoothies use maple syrup, dates, or agave syrup for sweetening. Non-dairy milk options with chia-seeds add delightful uniqueness to the taste.  The water used is also sourced very carefully. It is an underground natural pure water coming from local onsen areas.

The soulmate smoothie

One of the most popular smoothies on the menu is called ‘soulmate smoothie’ and is made of strawberries, blueberries, and a nuts cashew base. ‘Soulmate smoothie’ got named after a girl who came to the shop and ordered a smoothie that would bring her luck and a boyfriend! Natuko came up with the recipe on the spot, and after the girl drank the same smoothie three times, she got a boyfriend. What a cute incident to inspire the menu! This creamy berries plus nuts cashew smoothie has been a great hit option among the Happy Buddha vegan smoothies, and it is recommended to all berry lovers: especially to people looking for a partner.

If you are in Shimoda, do not miss this hidden vegan paradise. Happy Buddha’s vegan smoothies will spice up your visit to Shimoda and make you smile with their amazing instagrammable appearance and healthy mouth-watering experience. Enjoy!

Happy Buddha, Shimoda

284 Kisami, Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0028, Japan