Vegetarian

[Matt W]

Hi,

I am going to be in Japan for a year starting at the end of September. I am a vegetarian meaning no meat (which includes fish), and I am wondering how to explain that to:
1. people offering me food
2. at restaurants
so that I can find out if there is meat in the food, and if so, how I can politely refuse so that they will understand it is because I am a vegetarian and therefore can't eat it, not because I don't think they're a good cook or something.
My Japanese friend told me she doesn't think everyone knows bejitarian, or why you'd be one, or that it means no fish either.
I know niku nuki and niku nashi, and niku no kawari ni, but if anyone has any other ideas, or you think you could make a lesson of this situation, it would be much appreciated.