On the 5th, it was announced that expenses for school trips, forest schools, and other activities at municipal elementary and middle schools will be made free starting in fiscal year 2025. There will be no income restrictions, making it the first time among the 23 wards to cover all students. This marks a step forward in reducing educational costs for families raising children.

The free school trips will apply to all third-year middle school students attending municipal middle schools, approximately 2,900 children. Typically, these trips last three days and two nights, with destinations such as Kyoto, Nara, and Nagasaki. The estimated cost per student is around ¥80,000, and the ward has allocated approximately ¥232 million in its initial budget for fiscal year 2025.

Other activities to be made free include: a two-night, three-day seaside school trip for fifth graders (previously costing around ¥3,000 per student), a forest school trip for sixth graders (around ¥2,800), and a mobile classroom trip for second-year middle school students (around ¥8,800). The total budget for these is estimated at ¥49 million.

A major reason behind the move is the rising cost of school trips.

Previously, parents had to pay around ¥60,000–70,000 per child for school trips. However, due to inflation and increasing costs, expenses for accommodations and transportation have risen. With the existing budget, it became difficult to maintain the same quality of trips, making cost increases unavoidable. To ensure all students can participate regardless of their family’s financial situation, the decision was made to cover the full cost with public funds.

The same day, the ward also announced that starting next fiscal year, some expenses for supplementary materials—such as tests, workbooks, and experimental learning materials—will also be made free. In 2022, it became the first among the 23 wards to fully eliminate fees for municipal elementary and middle schools. At a press conference, the ward mayor stated, “We hope these efforts will make it easier for families to raise children and encourage more people to consider living in the ward.”

This ward is not the only one covering school trip costs with public funds.

Starting this fiscal year, all 10 municipal middle schools in…

Kyoto

Kyoto, once the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, is renowned for its rich history, traditional culture, and well-preserved temples, shrines, and gardens. As a center of Japanese arts, religion, and politics for over a millennium, it is home to iconic sites like Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Kiyomizu-dera. Today, Kyoto remains a symbol of Japan’s cultural heritage, blending ancient traditions with modern life.

Nara

Nara, located in Japan’s Kansai region, was the country’s first permanent capital (710–784 CE) and is renowned for its well-preserved ancient temples and shrines. The city is home to landmarks like Todai-ji, which houses the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), and Nara Park, where sacred deer roam freely. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nara reflects Japan’s early Buddhist art and architecture, showcasing its deep cultural and historical significance.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a historic port city on Japan’s Kyushu Island, known for its role as a key trading hub with Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. It became tragically famous as the second city hit by an atomic bomb on August 9, 1945, during World War II, leading to widespread devastation. Today, Nagasaki is a symbol of peace and resilience, home to memorials like the Nagasaki Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, while also showcasing a unique blend of Japanese and foreign influences in its culture and architecture.