School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free (a substitute cost for children who bring a packed lunch)
Completely Free School Lunch (City Elementary and Junior High Schools) and Machida City School Lunch Substitute Cost Subsidy / Machida City
Completely Free School Lunch (City Elementary and Junior High Schools) and Machida City School Lunch Substitute Cost SubsidyMachida CityCity elementary and junior high schools
School lunch at city elementary and junior high schools is free
School lunch feeFreeFrom January 2025
- Children who bring a packed lunch get a substitute cost of the per-meal price × number of meals
From January 2025, Machida City made school lunch completely free at city elementary and junior high schools. For parents of children who cannot eat school lunch because of food allergies, illness, or religious reasons and bring a packed lunch, the city subsidizes the per-meal lunch price (as of January 2026, ¥290 for lower elementary grades to ¥390 for junior high school students) multiplied by the number of meals. For children attending schools other than city schools (national, private, and similar), please contact the city.
SIMULATOR
How much, by the number of days you brought a packed lunch?
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
Students enrolled in Machida City elementary and junior high schools (excluding cases where parents pay nothing because of public assistance, school expense assistance, or similar)
Notes
If you apply for the substitute cost subsidy by May 31, it is granted from April of that fiscal year. For FY2026, applications by March 11, 2027 are granted for April onward.Contact: School Education Department, Health and School Lunch Division 042-724-2177