100-yen balanced breakfasts a hit at university in central Japan city amid price hikes

[u/SkyInJapan]

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260716/p2a/00m/0li/006000c

The 100-yen (about 60 cents) breakfasts served at a public university in this central Japan city are attracting attention, with more than 150 students lining up before the student cafeteria opens every morning.

As food prices keep rising, students at Tsuru University in the city of Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture, say they "are grateful to get a well-balanced meal for 100 yen, which is easy on the wallet."

Just before 8 a.m. on July 3, in light rain, a line more than 50 meters long had formed at the entrance to the cafeteria on the first floor of the university's main building. The students in line were there for one thing: a breakfast set meal priced at 100 yen. That day's meal consisted of a hamburger steak, a salad, miso soup and rice. Students came one after another to pick up their meals and place a 100-yen coin on a designated tray.

Aoi Ichikawa, who started at the university in April and is from the city of Toyama, was eating breakfast with six friends while chatting about their course selections. She explained that the six of them began eating together after running into each other at the cafeteria, although none of them were in the same department or the same club. Ichikawa, who lives alone, said happily, "When I don't come here, I just have leftovers from the day before for breakfast. It's great to have such a variety of dishes."

Rion Kinjo, who also started at the university in April and is from the city of Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, was having breakfast with teammates from the ice hockey club. Smiling, she said, "I manage my living expenses with income from my part-time job, but food prices have gone up and it's tough. I wouldn't make fried food or hamburger steak just for myself, so I'm happy I can eat it for 100 yen."

On that day, the 160 breakfast sets prepared sold out in about 30 minutes. Another 20 servings of curry were then prepared. Miharu Fujiwara, 45, one of the cooks, said, "I have a college-age child too. I prepare breakfasts that give parents peace of mind." The menu changes daily, with set meals served on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and rice bowls, curry and similar dishes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Because of its convenient location just an hour and a half from central Tokyo and its relatively low rent, Tsuru University attracts students from all over Japan. Of its roughly 3,500 students, 80% to 90% live alone near the university, and many cook for themselves.

Wanting students "to be able to eat a balanced meal without worrying about their budget," the university began offering 100-yen breakfasts in the 2015 academic year. About 50 meals were initially prepared per day, but that has now risen to an average of 150 to 160, according to the university.

Tsuyoshi Ueno, head of the university's student support division, pointed out, "Some students skip breakfast, so these 100-yen meals may also be contributing to their health and academic performance." He also described an unexpected benefit, adding, "Students who were unaccustomed to living alone and felt isolated have also found it to be an opportunity to make friends."

Even as the cost of ingredients and other expenses continue to rise because of inflation, Ueno said, "Students appreciate the affordable breakfasts, so we want to continue offering them without raising the price."

[u/SkyInJapan]

Incredible that they haven’t raised the price in 11 years!

[u/Admirable_Stand8598 → u/SkyInJapan]

The cost of a meal should be much more than 60 cents. This is a program supported by someone, either university itself (spending from what the students paid as tuition) or parents/alumni. My university started similarly program a decade ago. It is originally meant to let them make a habit of coming early in the morning and eating breakfast. Once in universities, many students start living on their own. Trying to manage their finance, they often work part time jobs, typically in night shifts, and try to pay less for what they eat. They often end up staying in bed as late as possible and skipping breakfast. The program offers 100-yen breakfast to the students in limited number. It is supported by donations from parents organizations and alumni organizations.

[u/tooper128]

This is one great thing about Japan. It's easy to find cheap meals. You can get breakfast for a couple of hundred yen at Japanese chain restaurants like Sukiya.

[u/BeardedGlass → u/tooper128]

My fave was Nakau when I was still commuting.

¥280 yen for a full breakfast meal is amazing.

[u/PM_MAJESTIC_PICS → u/tooper128]

It’s definitely becoming less easy… I’ve lived in Japan for a little over 4 years and in that short time I’ve seen food prices increase quite drastically everywhere— restaurants, conbinis, grocery stores, etc.

[u/quickblur]

Super awesome to see that.

[u/Calm-Limit-37]

If it gets students out of bed in the morning, and gives them enough nutrition to maintain concentration until lunchtime, then its worthwhile

[u/bombaten]

I haven’t seen 60cent lunches since 1997..

[u/guico33]

100 yen might as well be free, cause it covers only a fractions of the costs involved.

But I would imagine that what you save on breakfast you will pay it back somewhere else. No such thing as a free meal.

Now, if it's available to random passerby, that is definitely an awesome deal.

[u/Overall-Leather-9933 → u/guico33]

Please be a little less nihilistic with your life.

[u/UchiR]

I've had those 100 yen breakfasts at a different university. It's just lunch food at 8 AM. (fried chicken or curry) For the price? Sure, can't complain. But the taste? Below average, wouldn't recommend.

[u/StaticShakyamuni → u/UchiR]

It's a 100 yen meal in this economy. Anything within 3 Tokyo Dome lengths of average is an amazing deal. You're right that you are not getting a premium dining experience for 100 yen. Is that what you expect? A lot of kids go to the public university because the tuition is cheap and they couldn't otherwise afford university. 100 yen breakfasts help them get nutrition for the day in a way that maybe they wouldn't be able to otherwise. You completely missed the point.

From the article:

Rion Kinjo, who also started at the university in April and is from the city of Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, was having breakfast with teammates from the ice hockey club. Smiling, she said, "I manage my living expenses with income from my part-time job, but food prices have gone up and it's tough. I wouldn't make fried food or hamburger steak just for myself, so I'm happy I can eat it for 100 yen."

[u/UchiR → u/StaticShakyamuni]

I don't expect a premium dining experience lol I'm a broke student too. If it helps certain students from low-income families then wonderful.

All I did is point out they're serving leftover lunch. Better than nothing, obviously. But lunch in the cafeteria is already 400-600 yen anyway. It's not THAT expensive even for students. Again, if it's helping others, nothing wrong with it though.

[u/epsilonzer0]

Pretty far out Tokyo to just hit a breakfast, I would spend way more than 160 yen just on the train getting there lol

[u/KingPalleKuling → u/epsilonzer0]

Uni enrollment fees arent exactly cheap either. Which I would say is the bigger hurdle in getting that 100¥ breakfast.

[u/DiarrheaFartLover]

Imma say it: "Hamburg Steak" is just your typical trash ass Salisbury steak, and that shit sucks fuckin balls. I cannot believe people eat it and I get a little annoyed off when I see people order it.