Food Services
Lunch-Time
HJIS Food Services Department is committed to providing all students and staff with nutritious, well-balanced meals in a welcoming environment. We believe that introducing good and healthy food to children of all ages, always keeping in mind that the food they eat supports a healthy lifestyle.
At HJIS we try to provide a choice of high-quality, inclusive, nutritious and well-balanced food to meet our students` needs throughout the day and throughout life. Horizon Japan International School standards are built on those healthy advancements and ensure that kids are only offered tasty and nutritious foods during the school day. Eating a variety of foods can help prevent diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. For vegetarians and students with different sensitivities, there are regularly updated vegetarian meals and special cooking utensils.
The HJIS Lunch Committee
A BETTER LUNCH FOR EVERYONE
HJIS works together with the PTA through a dedicated Lunch Committee. The committee reviews the lunch service, discusses opportunities for improvement, and helps communicate feedback to Cezars’ Kitchen.
Student voice is an important part of this process. The committee helps ensure that students’ experiences, preferences, and suggestions are heard and considered.
Food is divided into six groups
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Vegetables and Fruit
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Grain Products
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Milk and Alternatives
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Meat and Alternatives
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Mixed Dishes
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Miscellaneous Items
Eating many different foods helps maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet that provides adequate nutrition. At HJIS, Cezar’s Kitchen provides students at least three different food groups, so that they are eating a more healthy balanced meal.
Fresh and Nutritious
HJIS Lunch menu is prepared under the supervision of Cezars’ Kitchen nutritionists. The meals have to fulfill the nutritional needs of children on a daily basis.
Lunch From Home
The school lunch program is optional. Students may bring a packed lunch from home instead.
Microwaves are available in the cafeteria for students who need to heat their food. Vegetarian options are also regularly available through the school lunch program. Families should contact the school regarding allergies or individual dietary requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions.
As you move through the admissions process, you may have questions. Here we’ve answered the most common ones to help make your experience with Horizon Japan International School clear, smooth, and reassuring.
1. What lunch options are available at Horizon Japan International School?
Students at HJIS can choose between the school’s optional hot lunch program and a packed lunch brought from home.
Students at Horizon Japan International School can choose between the school’s hot lunch program and bringing a packed lunch from home. The school lunch program is optional, allowing families to select the arrangement that best suits their child’s dietary needs, preferences, and daily routine.
Hot lunches are provided by Cezars’ Kitchen, an established food-service provider working with schools and international communities in Japan. Menus are prepared under the supervision of Cezars’ Kitchen nutritionists and are designed to offer students varied, nutritious, and well-balanced meals during the school day. Families can review the current lunch plans and monthly menus on the HJIS Food Services page.
Students who bring lunch from home may use the microwaves available in the school cafeteria when they need to heat their food.
2. How does HJIS work with Cezars’ Kitchen to provide school lunches?
HJIS works with Cezars’ Kitchen to provide hot school lunches for students. Cezars’ Kitchen prepares the meals and develops menus with attention to variety, nutritional balance, and the needs of school-aged children.
HJIS regularly publishes separate menus for Kindergarten and Grades 1–12 so families can see what is being served. Lunch orders are normally arranged in advance according to the current term’s lunch plan, ordering process, and applicable deadlines.
The partnership is also supported through ongoing communication and feedback. HJIS works with Cezars’ Kitchen, students, and families to review the lunch experience and identify practical opportunities for improvement. The school does not describe the meals as organic unless this can be formally confirmed.
3. How does the HJIS Lunch Committee help improve the lunch service?
HJIS has a dedicated Lunch Committee involving representatives from the school and the PTA. The committee is devoted to improving the overall lunch experience and helping ensure that the perspectives of students and families are considered.
Student voice is an important part of the committee’s work. Feedback about menus, food preferences, variety, portions, and the lunchtime experience can be discussed with the school and Cezars’ Kitchen. This creates a structured way for students to be heard and for appropriate suggestions to be considered.
The committee supports an ongoing process of listening, reviewing, and improving. While not every individual preference can always be accommodated, the aim is to make informed improvements that benefit the wider HJIS community and make lunchtime a positive part of the school day.
4. How does HJIS support vegetarian students, dietary needs, and food brought from home?
Vegetarian meal options are regularly included in the school lunch program. Families should review the current menus carefully and inform the school of allergies, medical dietary requirements, religious considerations, sensitivities, or other important food restrictions before ordering.
As individual dietary requirements differ, families should contact the school directly to confirm what options or arrangements may be available. HJIS should not describe meals as allergen-free or guarantee protection from cross-contact unless this has been formally confirmed by Cezars’ Kitchen.
Families may also choose to send a packed lunch from home each day. Microwaves are available in the cafeteria for students who need to heat their food. This gives families additional flexibility when a student has particular dietary requirements or simply prefers a home-prepared meal.
Other Frequently Asked Questions:
5. What curriculum does HJIS follow?
Horizon Japan International School (HJIS) is an IB Continuum World School, offering internationally recognized programmes from early learning through high school.
The IB curriculum focuses on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and global perspectives to prepare students for future academic pathways.
8. Are there after-school activities available for students?
Horizon Japan International School (HJIS) in Yokohama offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and enrichment programmes. These activities are designed to support students’ personal development, interests, and social growth beyond the classroom, and are available across different age groups.
6. What language is used for teaching at HJIS?
English is the primary language of instruction at Horizon Japan International School (HJIS). Students develop strong English communication skills within a diverse and international environment.
Japanese is supported across all grade levels, with instruction tailored to each student’s ability. In secondary school, students also have the opportunity to study Spanish as part of the curriculum.
9. Is transportation available for students at Horizon Japan International School?
Horizon Japan International School (HJIS) in Yokohama provides school transportation options for families in Yokohama and surrounding areas.
Routes and availability may vary, so families are encouraged to contact the admissions team for details.
7. Does HJIS offer support for students new to English?
Students who are developing their English are supported through structured programmes at Horizon Japan International School (HJIS) in Yokohama. This includes English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, helping students build confidence and access the curriculum effectively.
In addition, HJIS provides broader learning support tailored to individual needs.
10. What kind of school community can families expect at Horizon?
The community at Horizon Japan International School in Yokohama is diverse, welcoming, and internationally minded. Students and families from many cultural backgrounds come together, creating an environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged to grow.
