An American mom named Moriah, who relocated to Okinawa, Japan with her family, recently shared the strict rules she follows when packing her son’s bento box lunch for his Japanese school. Moriah moved to Japan in January 2024 and has been documenting her life abroad, including her experiences with her son’s school lunches.
In a TikTok video that garnered over 4.5 million views, Moriah explained that bento boxes are a cultural staple in Japan, symbolizing a mother’s love through the effort put into the meal’s presentation. Although she only has to prepare bento boxes twice a month since her son is usually provided lunch at school, she acknowledged the pressure some mothers face to create intricate and aesthetically pleasing lunches every day.
Moriah highlighted the school’s emphasis on healthy eating, listing prohibited items such as chips, cookies, crackers, gummies, and any form of candy. Teachers check the lunchboxes to ensure compliance, sometimes removing unauthorized items. Moriah shared an incident where a small cookie she packed for her son was removed by the school staff.
Despite the stringent rules, Moriah appreciates the focus on healthy eating, noting that her son has never eaten better. She aims to make lunches that her son will enjoy while embracing the opportunity to immerse herself in Japanese culture. Commenters on her video admired her impressive bento box skills and the cultural emphasis on healthy eating in Japanese schools.
