Japan + Celiac Disease = Manageable?

[Myles]

I've always wanted to live in Japan my whole life. However, now I am trying to make that dream into a reality. What I wanted to ask is...now that I have Celiac Disease...can anyone tell me they live comfortably with it in Japan?

[missy'smom]

I lived in Japan prior to gluten-free and visited after gluten-free. There was someone who came on the board quite a while back and said that they were living there-somewhat permanently I believe- and just ate at home and worked with simple, fresh ingredients for the most part. That's also what I did when I visited. We ate out once but my husband, who is Japanese and has knowledge of cooking, did his homework, called ahead and asked some questions. The same rules to eating gluten-free apply there and it isn't necessarily easier. People rely on alot of products these days and don't have knowledge about what's in their food. Soy sauce is in so many things. I make Japanese food from scratch(because that's the only way I can eat it), the old way somtimes, at home but my Japanese friends don't know how-they use mixes and products. I actually taught my Japanese friend a few things. It's kind of funny to see an American who knows more about Japanese cooking than a Japanese person! There is a company that carries allergen-free products and ships only in-country. I've used them, you do need some Japanese skills or someone to help with the ordering as I believe it's in Japanese only. There is also a Foreign Buyers Club which imports things. They sell some of the gluten-free brands that we are familiar with and services are in English. I got my Thanksgiving turkey through them. In Japan, as someone with food intolerances, you have bentos on your side. It is a way of life there and sometimes an art form. I took them with me when I was visiting and out of the house during the day. If you are single, you also have the markets on your side. Small portions/packages/amounts of things are sold everywhere to cater to smaller families or singles and also because people shop more often and want things to be fresh, as well as the fact that they don't have the space to store bulk. You don't have to buy a huge bunch of veggies or pack of meat that will force you to eat the same thing all week! If you like rice, fish and veg. and don't mind simple meals(not that this is all that you can have), you'll do well. You may also be able to find a "safe"shop that sells the traditional mochi sweets and that could be your sweet fix.

I hope that your dream will come true. Japan is a wonderful place IMHO! Part of me still lives there.