Children not attending daycare can be left for free for up to 160 hours a month at facilities in the town
Hinode Town Kodomo Daredemo Tsuen (Open-Access Childcare) Program / Hinode Town
Hinode Town Kodomo Daredemo Tsuen (Open-Access Childcare) ProgramHinode Town6 months old to end of fiscal year at 3
Hourly care for children not attending daycare
At facilities in the townFreeUp to 160 hours a month (national 10 hours + Tokyo top-up of 150 hours)
- Facilities outside the town are in principle up to 10 hours a month
This program lets you use a daycare center or similar by the hour, regardless of whether the parents work. It started in April 2026. Hinode Town adds 150 hours using a Tokyo program to the national 10 hours a month (up to 160 hours a month), and makes the fee free. If you use a facility outside the town, in principle only the national 10 hours a month apply.
Nationality and residence status
The official page (checked in October 2026) sets no condition on nationality or residence status that we found. Eligibility follows the official conditions, not the language of this page; many programs require resident registration in the municipality.
Who is eligible
Children living in the town, from 6 months old until the end of the fiscal year in which they turn 3, who do not attend a licensed daycare center, certified center for early childhood education and care, or similar
Notes
Facilities are 5 daycare centers in the town and Hinode Kindergarten (ages 1–2).