Even Japanese Prison Food Is Healthy And Delicious

When you think of prison food, you probably don't think of food that's delicious, nutritious or filling. Prison food in America is often thought of as part of the overall punishment: very low-quality, unappetizing by nature, served in a noisy canteen and destined to be eaten in the shortest possible amount of time. What about Japanese prison food? In Japan, the incarceration and recidivism rate is low — a scant 47 per 100,000 — leaving more resources for well-balanced meals that keep prisoners healthy, positive and focused on reforming their choices.

Incarcerated people in Japan eat whole grain barley mixed with rice, a variety of low-fat vegetable dishes, miso soup and nutrient-rich natural protein like whole grilled fish — fare that ONLY In JAPAN host and Japanese culture master John Daub says he'd eat every day. Head over to Abashiri prison in Hokkaido, where visitors can enjoy (yes, enjoy) the exact same meals served to prisoners in a nearby interactive museum.