School lunch at city-run elementary and junior high schools is completely free (from April 2023)
Free School Lunch at City-Run Elementary and Junior High Schools / Setagaya City
Free School Lunch at City-Run Elementary and Junior High SchoolsSetagaya CityCity-run elementary and junior high schoolsNo income limit
School lunch at city-run elementary and junior high schools is completely free
School lunch feeFreeNo application or payment procedure needed
- The city also pays the price increase from April 2026
For all students attending Setagaya City-run elementary and junior high schools (about 50,000), the city pays the full school lunch fee and makes parents' cost zero. It started in April 2023, has no income limit, and needs no application or payment procedure. From April 2026, in response to rising food prices, the price was revised to the previous school lunch price plus the equivalent of 13%. The city also pays the extra amount, so zero cost for parents continues. The city's subsidy covers only city-run elementary and junior high schools.
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
All students at city-run elementary and junior high schools (about 50,000)
Notes
Revised price per meal (before → after): lower elementary ¥313 → ¥354, middle elementary ¥349 → ¥395, upper elementary ¥377 → ¥427, junior high (own-school / parent-child cooking system) ¥432 → ¥489, junior high (shared kitchen system) ¥401 → ¥454.
Details of the revision: https://www.city.setagaya.lg.jp/02056/1959.html
For financial support when attending schools other than city-run schools, school expense assistance is a separate program: https://www.city.setagaya.lg.jp/02046/3112.html