Ranking
What is compared: The FY2026 (April 2026–March 2027) amount a municipality pays per child attending a national, private or similar junior high school, in place of the free school lunch at municipal schools that the child cannot receive. Besides subsidies paid as an amount equivalent to school lunch fees, it also includes support payments and gift vouchers given, even if not labeled as lunch fees, to children not at municipal schools in line with the free lunch at municipal schools Unit: yen/year
How we compare, and notes
The figures were checked on each municipality's official page around October 11, 2026. "See notes" marks places where the official page has not caught up with the latest revision, or where different conditions make a like-for-like comparison impossible; details are in each municipality's entry. Kodaira City not yet covered. Before applying, always check the official page.
Details and sources
1Minato City¥88,000/yearChecked on official page
For each child of junior high school age attending a school other than a city school, ¥32,000 for May 1, ¥32,000 for October 1 and ¥24,000 for January 1 of the following year are paid (¥88,000/year). For elementary school age, it is ¥27,200, ¥27,200 and ¥20,400 (¥74,800/year). Application information for FY2026 is sent in early November.
2Shinjuku City¥87,000/yearChecked on official page
As an amount equivalent to city school lunch fees, the city pays junior high students at private and similar schools ¥29,000 three times a year (¥87,000/year), and elementary students ¥23,000 three times a year (¥69,000/year).
3Suginami City¥82,500/yearChecked on official page
A benefit equivalent to school lunch fees of ¥7,500/month for junior high students and ¥6,500/month for elementary students attending national, private or similar schools is paid. It covers 11 months excluding August, so it is ¥82,500/year for junior high students (¥71,500/year for elementary students).
4Bunkyo City¥80,400/yearChecked on official page
The city pays an amount equivalent to school lunch fees, in 2 payments a year, to children attending elementary and junior high schools other than city schools. The FY2026 monthly rate is ¥6,700 for junior high, which is ¥80,400 for 12 months (elementary is ¥5,600–¥6,300/month). Children who bring a packed lunch are also eligible. Applications for the first half of the year open on November 12, 2026.
5Chiyoda City¥80,000 worth (gift vouchers for shops in the city)Checked on official page
In line with free school lunch and materials at city schools, each child attending a national, metropolitan, private or similar elementary or junior high school receives ¥80,000 worth of PayPay gift vouchers usable at city-designated bookshops, stationery shops, restaurants and more (Chiyoda BRIDGE). It is not labeled as lunch fees and is not cash. FY2026 applications closed on September 30. The vouchers can be used until March 31, 2027.
6Nishitokyo City¥77,880/yearChecked on official page
Under the city's own program extending free school lunch at city elementary and junior high schools, children attending private or national junior high schools receive up to 11 months of ¥7,080/month (¥77,880/year). For elementary children, it is ¥62,040–¥69,630/year. The city's page does not mention any income condition.
7Mizuho Town¥72,050/year (junior high)Checked on official page
Children attending national, public or private junior high schools other than town schools receive a benefit equal to the town junior high school lunch rate (¥400 per day) × the number of days lunch was eaten. The maximum is ¥72,050/year. For elementary children, the maximum is ¥58,465–¥62,920/year depending on grade.
8Sumida City¥60,000 (support payment)Checked on official page
As support for children's growth and a measure against rising prices, the city pays ¥60,000 per junior high student and ¥50,000 per elementary student attending private, national or similar schools. It is not labeled as lunch fees, but children at metropolitan schools, and children receiving the actual cost of school lunch through school attendance encouragement programs, are not eligible. Application forms are sent to eligible families by the end of October.
9Nerima City¥47,400 (from October)Checked on official page
Using national and Tokyo subsidies, from October 2026 the city pays an amount equivalent to school lunch fees of ¥7,900/month for junior high students and ¥6,400/month for elementary students to children attending private elementary and junior high schools and similar (including national and international schools). Because FY2026 starts from October, calculated from the monthly amount for the 6 months from October to March, it is ¥47,400 for junior high students. Applications are planned from January 2027, with payment from late March.
−Adachi CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Arakawa CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Chuo CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Edogawa City¥400/meal (junior high)See notes
The city pays children attending private elementary and junior high schools and similar an amount equivalent to city school lunch fees (¥400 per meal for junior high, ¥315–¥355 for elementary), according to the number of months enrolled and the standard number of lunches at city schools. The number of lunches per year is not published, so an annual amount cannot be given.
−Itabashi CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools. Children attending special needs schools receive a subsidy equivalent to lunch fees.
−Katsushika CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools. Children enrolled at national or similar special needs schools who hold a secondary enrollment at a city school and receive school lunch there get a subsidy.
−Kita CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Koto CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Meguro CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Nakano CityNo FY2026 informationSee notes
In FY2025, as the "Private School Parent Support Benefit", ¥78,000 was paid to junior high students and ¥64,000 to elementary students attending private and similar schools (city newsletter, November 20, 2025 issue). The FY2025 information page has already been removed, and the city's website has no FY2026 information.
−Ota CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Setagaya CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Shibuya CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Shinagawa CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools. Children attending the elementary and junior high divisions of special needs schools receive subsidies such as an amount equivalent to lunch fees under a separate program (no income limit).
−Taito CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Toshima CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools. Children attending special needs schools receive a subsidy equivalent to city school lunch fees.
−Akiruno CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. There is no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending schools other than city schools (except for households eligible for school expense assistance).
−Akishima CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free, but the city's school lunch page has no information on a lunch subsidy for children attending national, private or similar schools.
−Chofu CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Fuchu CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free, paid by public funds, since October 2023 for the time being. The city's official website has no information on a lunch subsidy or alternative support for children attending schools other than city schools (national, private, etc.).
−Fussa CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been fully paid by public funds since April 2024. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private schools.
−Hachioji CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary, junior high and compulsory education schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a lunch subsidy or alternative support for children attending schools other than city schools (national, private, etc.).
−Hamura CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free (children who bring packed lunches receive an amount equivalent to lunch fees). There is no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending schools other than city schools.
−Higashikurume CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since January 2025. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Higashimurayama CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
According to the city's information (updated June 2025), school lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since January 2025. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private schools.
−Higashiyamato CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since January 2025. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private schools.
−Hino CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been paid by public funds since January 2025. The city's official website has no information on a lunch subsidy or alternative support for children attending schools other than city schools (national, private, etc.).
−Hinode TownNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at town elementary and junior high schools is free. There is no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending schools other than town schools.
−Hinohara VillageSubsidy for children attending elementary and junior high schools outside the village (not stated whether private schools are included)See notes
According to the village's list of subsidy programs, school lunch fees for children attending elementary and junior high schools outside the village are subsidized up to the village's school lunch fee (¥7,081/month for junior high). The village collects lunch fees for 11 months, April to February, so it is ¥77,891/year. The village's page does not say whether private and national schools are included or what the annual maximum is.
−Inagi CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
For FY2026 (until March 2027), school lunch fees at city elementary and junior high schools are fully subsidized using national and Tokyo subsidies and other funds, and parents pay ¥0. The city's official website has no information on a lunch subsidy or alternative support for children attending schools other than city schools (national, private, etc.).
−Kiyose CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since October 2024 and continues in FY2026. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private schools.
−Koganei CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since January 2025, but the city's school lunch page has no information on a lunch subsidy for children attending national, private or similar schools.
−Kokubunji CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since September 2024, but there is no information on a lunch subsidy for children attending national, private or similar schools. Children at city schools who cannot eat school lunch because of food allergies or similar receive a subsidy equivalent to lunch fees.
−Komae CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools.
−Kunitachi CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since January 2025, but the city's page has no information on a lunch subsidy for children attending national, private or similar schools.
−Machida CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since January 2025. The city's official website has no information on a lunch subsidy or alternative support for children attending schools other than city schools (national, private, etc.).
−Mitaka CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since April 2024. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools (the alternative cost subsidy for children who bring a packed lunch also does not cover private schools).
−Musashimurayama CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free. The city's official website has no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending national or private schools.
−Musashino CityNo FY2026 information yetSee notes
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools has been free since FY2024. For children attending national or private elementary and junior high schools, a ¥10,000 digital gift per child was given in FY2025 as a temporary benefit against rising prices, but there is no FY2026 information yet.
−Okutama TownNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at elementary and junior high schools in the town is free. There is no information on a subsidy equivalent to school lunch fees for children attending schools outside the town (private, etc.).
−Ome City¥61,050/year in FY2025 (FY2026 not posted)See notes
There is a city program started in FY2025 that pays elementary and junior high students at private and similar schools a benefit equivalent to city school lunch fees, with no income limit. In FY2025, it was ¥5,550/month for junior high students (up to ¥61,050/year) and ¥4,500/month for elementary students (up to ¥49,500/year). The city's page (updated December 2025) only covers FY2025 and does not state the FY2026 amount, so it is not ranked in this topic, which compares FY2026 amounts.
−Tachikawa CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free with no income limit, but the city's school lunch page has no information on a lunch subsidy for children attending national, private or similar schools.
−Tama CityNoneNo program (checked on official page)
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free in FY2026, continuing from FY2025. The city's official website has no information on a lunch subsidy or alternative support for children attending schools other than city schools (national, private, etc.).