Japan is the king of SCHOOL LUNCHES and in this episode, I find the answer to why -- while eating a lot of Japanese school food. ★ Watch the latest episode on Japanese Prison Food: https://youtu.be/S2UBy8bkgyE School lunches in Japan are world famous for being super healthy and delicious. With extremely low childhood obesity rates, many have turned to Japan for solutions to feed their school aged kids in the cafeteria. But that's part of the answer. Japanese elementary school kids don't even eat in a cafeteria. They eat in the classroom ー with the teacher. It is not possible to eat inside a Japanese elementary school (if you're a tourist) but there is a place in Tokyo where you can try nearly everything. Japanese parents take their preschool kids here to try it as well as older people coming back for a taste of nostalgia. This magical place is called KYUSHOKU TOBAN (給食当番 ) and it's a place where you can not only try some of Japan's regional school foods from all over the country, you can also do it in an elementary school classroom! The 2nd floor is a near exact replication. If you've ever wanted to be an exchange student in Japan -- or return to 5th grade, here's your chance. Unique Japanese School Lunch MENU Items: ★ AGEPAN: Fried baked bun covered in sugar and kinako (or other toppings like cinnamon or cocoa) ★ SOFTMEN: A special noodle served only in schools. It comes wrapped in plastic and should be dipped in meat sauce or stew. ★ WHALE: This was served in schools a long time ago because whale was more available and much cheaper than beef, chicken or pork. Today, it's no longer served in school but you can try some at izakayas around Tokyo and here at this restaurant. Whale is rarely eaten these days since the price of other fish and meats is significantly cheaper. WHY ARE JAPANESE SCHOOL LUNCHES SO AMAZING? The program is highly regulated with calorie intake and nutritional value set for each scheduled meal. Ingredients are usually local and meals are prepared from scratch. There are no cafeterias in Japanese elementary schools. (They exist in high schools.) Kids eat their lunches in the classroom with the teacher. They learn about nutrition and food responsibility in a hands on setting. Milk is served with every meal. All students eat the same meal. If a student hates an item, they have to stay and finish it. Parents pay monthly for the school lunches, about $40 to $60 a month. The Japanese School Lunch program started in 1954. After World War 2, resources were scarce and the government tried to make sure every child had a balanced meal. Before World War 2, kids brought their own bento. The usual school food back then was the NORIBEN, rice, bonito fish flakes and roasted seaweed on a metal lunch box. Milk was a luxury item and there were few vegetables. Japanese to English Explaination: KYUSHOKU = School Lunch OISHI = Delicious KIRAI = hate (something) OKAWARI = a second helping / refill URL: KYUSHOKU TOBAN (給食当番 ) https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131101/13037171/ Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/FtmkxHPg3xz Open 11:30 to 14:00 / 18:00 to 23:00 Closed on Sundays Special thank you to Misato from the Let's Play Japan channel & Mr. Seiichi, my 96 year old neighbor. Note: THIS VIDEO IS NOT CREATIVE COMMONS. STANDARD YOUTUBE LICENSE. PERMISSION REQUIRED TO USE THIS VIDEO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ONLY in JAPAN is a registered trademark. Music Credit: Evening Melodrama by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200049 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ This show has been created and produced by John Daub ジョン・ドーブ. He's been living and working in Japan for over 18 years and regularly reports on TV for Japan's International Channel.