To alleviate this burden, children’s centers and similar facilities have started offering a new service.
This place, filled with the cheerful voices of children, is an after-school club in Sapporo.
At lunchtime, the staff brought in… boxed lunches.
This service, launched for the summer vacation period, provides lunch for children using the facility.
The menu changes daily, with boxed lunches priced at 470 yen and rice bowls at 430 yen.
Orders can be placed up to three days in advance, and lunches are available on weekdays.
(Child) “It’s delicious!”
The service was introduced to reduce the burden on parents.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 68.7% of households with children have both parents working.
A survey of 800 mothers with children aged 3 to early elementary school found that over 85% felt burdened by meal preparation during long holidays.
Parents using the lunch service at the children’s center shared their thoughts:
(Parent) “Just having the lunches prepared for us reduces the stress of balancing work and childcare. It’s a huge help.”
(Parent) “Since I work, I usually buy lunches, but this gives me extra time in the morning.”
Other initiatives are also emerging to ease meal preparation.
A restaurant in Assabu Town, southern Hokkaido, was preparing side dishes designed to be simply placed on noodles.
These were delivered to a local certified childcare center.
Every Monday and Wednesday, parents can purchase ready-made side dishes during evening pickup hours.
A meal for a parent and child costs 550 yen.
The convenience of simply picking up from the fridge is another appealing feature.
(Parent) “It’s so easy—just grab it during pickup and take it home. It gives me more time with my child.”
To help families spend more quality time together, meal support services are expanding across Hokkaido.
