When cooking becomes a chore in Japan

If you live in Japan and cook regularly, the results of a recent survey by R&G Co., Ltd might hit a little too close to home. They asked 500 people when cooking feels the most tiring, and their answers feel pretty universal, irrespective of whether you're Japanese or a foreigner living here.

It's not always all smiles in the kitchen! Image created via Canva

The number one moment people dread cooking is when they're tired (relatable), with nearly 30% saying exhaustion makes even simple meals feel like a huge chore. Next came the mental load of not knowing what to cook, feeling unwell, starting late at night, or being rushed for time. For anyone juggling work, family, and life admin, that "what should I make tonight?" spiral feels very real.

Interestingly, the hardest part of cooking wasn't actually cooking. Almost half of respondents said menu planning was the worst step, followed by food prep, cleaning up, and grocery shopping. It turns out the invisible work, deciding, budgeting, and prepping, is more draining than frying or boiling anything.

So how do people cope? The top tip was prepping meals in advance. Frozen foods, bulk cooking, pre-cut veggies, and delivery services also ranked high. Basically, fewer decisions, fewer trips to the store, and less washing up.

I think it's a good reminder that we're allowed to lean on shortcuts and systems, and it's important to make peace with the fact that not every meal has to be Instagram-worthy to be a win.

If you cook most of your meals at home here, what is the hardest part of it to you?