Why Are There No Breakfast Restaurants in Japan Despite the Importance of Breakfast?
Nutrition experts assert that breakfast is essential, especially for those who lead busy lives and work late into the night. The importance of breakfast increases with the demands of modern life.
During sleep, our bodies continue to expend energy. After a long night of 6-8 hours, the body tends to become dehydrated and requires nutritional replenishment. Breakfast provides a timely boost of energy, allowing us to start the day in a more dynamic way.
Travelers to Japan often find it puzzling that breakfast spots are hard to come by in the mornings. Is it true that Japanese people do not place importance on breakfast, or that they simply don’t eat it?
Reasons Behind the Lack of Breakfast Restaurants in Japan
If you think that the absence of breakfast restaurants in Japan is due to a lack of demand for breakfast, you are mistaken. The reality is quite the opposite: they value breakfast immensely. The Japanese pay great attention to maintaining their health and highly regard the impact of diet on well-being. For them, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
So why are there no breakfast restaurants in Japan? The answer lies in their unique working habits. Japanese people often work late and frequently engage in overtime. Even when leaving the office, they may not head straight home but instead visit izakayas (Japanese pubs) or attend social gatherings with bosses and colleagues—events that are often work-related. Consequently, for most families, breakfast is the only time during the day when everyone can sit down together to enjoy a home-cooked meal and cherish family time.
Japanese people value breakfast and often enjoy it with family at home.
As a result, they particularly cherish breakfast and aim to create the best environment to enjoy it with loved ones at home. Japanese homemakers often wake up very early to prepare breakfast for their families. Their traditional breakfast typically includes a fruit beverage along with three simple dishes: miso soup, protein (often fish or meat), a vegetarian dish, and soy products. These are all homemade items, making them hard to find in restaurants.
In summary, the vast majority of Japanese people eat home-cooked breakfasts, which is why there are virtually no breakfast establishments in the country. Most restaurants and eateries open around 11 AM.
In addition to supply and demand, the high cost of real estate is another reason why breakfast restaurants are scarce in Japan. The country has limited space, and rent for commercial properties is incredibly expensive, making it challenging for breakfast businesses to turn a significant profit. Although they could benefit from fast-moving capital, the actual profits often remain modest when facing expenses such as rent, utilities, labor, and other costs.
If you’re looking to have breakfast in Japan but can’t cook for yourself, you can consider visiting the following places:
- Cafés, where you can typically find a “morning set” that includes toast, sandwiches, or sausage sandwiches with a drink.
- Fast food outlets selling gyudon (beef rice bowl), soba noodles, udon noodles, and hamburgers.
- Family restaurants: Many in the Family Restaurant chain offer breakfast meals.
- Restaurants in large hotels (smaller hotels usually serve breakfast only for guests).
- Convenience stores: Ideal for singles or those with no time to prepare breakfast, offering quick meals like bread, onigiri (rice balls), and various snacks.
