International Schools
Best International Schools in Japan: A Parent's Guide
A national overview of international schools in Tokyo, Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kyoto, and beyond — curricula, costs, and how to compare.
The Standard Japan · Education
日本語Education in Japan
International Schools, Preschools, and Family Guides
A practical guide for international and Japanese families exploring international schools, English preschools, bilingual education, and family-friendly areas in Japan.
Featured Guides
International Schools
Best International Schools in Kobe: A Parent's Guide
Canadian Academy, Marist Brothers, St. Michael's — and preschool options for families in Kobe, Rokko Island, Ashiya, and Nishinomiya.
International Schools
Best International Schools in Nagoya: A Parent's Guide
Nagoya International School, Aichi International School, and NUCB International College — how Chubu families compare English-medium options.
International Schools
Best International Schools in Fukuoka: A Parent's Guide
Fukuoka International School in Momochi and Linden Hall in Dazaifu and Chikushino — how Kyushu families compare English-medium options.
Preschool
Best International Preschools in Kobe: What Parents Should Know
Peter Pan at age 2, CA PreK from age 3, Marist Early Years in Suma, and Kinder Kids campuses in Suma and Nishinomiya.
Preschool
Preschool Before Canadian Academy: What Parents Should Know
CA PreK starts at age 3 on 1 October. For two-year-olds, CA points to Peter Pan. Neither path guarantees a later seat.
Moving
Moving to Kobe with Children: International School and Preschool Guide
Best family areas, schools, preschools, and commute considerations for relocating to Kobe.
City Guide
International Education in Ashiya and Nishinomiya: Schools and Preschools
Why families in Ashiya and Nishinomiya commute to Kobe international schools — and preschool options worth comparing.
School Selection
Japan International School Tuition 2026: What Parents Pay
Published 2026–27 fees at Canadian Academy, ASIJ and St. Mary's, what a first year really costs, and the charges that never appear in the tuition line.
International Schools
Best English Schools in Kansai: International Schools in Kobe, Osaka, and Beyond
Canadian Academy, Marist Brothers, St. Michael's, Osaka YMCA — a neutral comparison of English-medium schools across Kansai for families.
Preschool
Peter Pan International Preschool Kobe: Our Visit Report
Our visit to Peter Pan on Rokko Island: the head teacher, the feel of the school, how attendance works and the CA link.
Moving
Moving to Kansai with Children: Schools and Where to Live
International schools in Kobe and Osaka, the neighborhoods families pick, preschool at two and three, and what to do before and after you arrive.
School Selection
Tokyo International School Admissions: Timeline, Documents, and What to Expect
When to apply to ASIJ, BST, Nishimachi, and other Tokyo international schools — documents, assessments, waitlists, and planning timeline.
City Guide
Where to Live in Tokyo for International School: Neighborhoods and Commute Guide
Minato, Setagaya, Chofu, Yokohama — how Tokyo families choose neighborhoods based on international school commutes and daily logistics.
City Guide
Osaka vs Kobe International Schools: How Families Choose
Canadian Academy and Marist in Kobe vs Osaka YMCA and OIS — curriculum, commute, community, and how Kansai families choose.
International Schools
International Schools in Kyoto: Options for Expat and Bilingual Families
Kyoto International School, commuting to Osaka schools, and what Kyoto-resident families should know about English-medium education.
International Schools
International Schools in Yokohama: A Parent's Guide for Greater Tokyo Families
Saint Maur, Yokohama International School, and other English-medium options — why Yokohama is a major international education hub south of Tokyo.
Moving
Returnee Children in Tokyo: School Options for Kikokushijo Families
International, Japanese, and bilingual paths for returnee (kikokushijo) children settling in Tokyo — language, grade placement, and school selection.
City Guide
Tokyo vs Kansai International Schools: Where Should Your Family Choose?
Comparing Tokyo and Kansai for international school families — school choice, cost, commute, lifestyle, and relocation decisions.
City Guide
Where to Live in Osaka for International School: Neighborhoods and Commute Guide
Toyonaka, Suita, central Osaka, and Kyoto-side areas — how families choose neighborhoods for OYIS, OISKG, and Senri commutes.
Preschool
Peter Pan vs Kinder Kids vs Shukugawa: Comparing International Preschools in Kobe and Hanshin
Peter Pan (age 2, from one day a week), named Kinder Kids campuses in Suma and Nishinomiya, and Shukugawa-area rooms.
Moving
Moving to Kobe on a Sports Contract: Schools for Your Kids
For players and coaches joining Kansai clubs: when to contact schools, how mid-year entry works, and where families with young children usually start.
Preschool
Childcare and Schools for Doctors' Families in Kobe
For families with one or two doctors: childcare that fits hospital hours, English preschool or daycare, and international or Japanese school.
School Selection
IB vs American vs British Curriculum at Tokyo International Schools
How IB, American, and British curricula differ at Tokyo schools — ASIJ, BST, Nishimachi, TIS — and university pathway implications.
International Schools
The American School in Japan (ASIJ): A Guide for Parents
ASIJ in Tokyo: two campuses, the American curriculum with AP, 2026–27 fees and how admissions work.
School Selection
US Student Visa Rules 2026: What Parents Need to Know
The F-1 visa steps from Japan and what changed in 2025–26: public social media, interviews for all, the $250 fee.
International Schools
Nishimachi International School Tokyo: Bilingual Education Guide for Parents
What parents should know about Nishimachi — bilingual Japanese/English education, location, admissions, and comparison with ASIJ and BST.
International Schools
St. Michael's International School Kobe: A Parent's Guide
St. Michael's in central Kobe — curriculum, community, admissions, and comparison with Canadian Academy and Marist Brothers.
Preschool
When to Start English Preschool in Japan: Is Age 2 Too Late?
Best age for English immersion in Japan — daily preschool vs eikaiwa, and what Kobe and Tokyo families do in practice.
Preschool
International School Summer Programs in Japan: A Parent's Guide
Summer camps at ASIJ, Canadian Academy, BST, and Kobe preschools — what to book, when, and how families use summers strategically.
School Selection
Japanese Language Support at International Schools in Japan: What Parents Need to Know
How ASIJ, Canadian Academy, BST, and other schools structure Japanese (JSL / native tracks) — and what to ask before enrolling.
Moving
Moving to Osaka with Children: The Family Relocation Guide
Where to live, which schools to research, and how Kansai families combine Osaka and Kobe — a practical relocation guide.
School Selection
Where International School Graduates in Japan Go to University
US, UK, Japanese, and global university destinations from ASIJ, Canadian Academy, BST, and other Japan international schools.
International School Guides
Compare international schools across Japan by city, curriculum, and family needs.
International Schools
Best International Schools in Japan: A Parent's Guide
A national overview of international schools in Tokyo, Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kyoto, and beyond — curricula, costs, and how to compare.
International Schools
Best International Schools in Tokyo: A Parent's Guide
ASIJ, BST, Nishimachi, Seisen, and more — how Tokyo's international school market compares for expat and Japanese families.
International Schools
Best International Schools in Kobe: A Parent's Guide
Canadian Academy, Marist Brothers, St. Michael's — and preschool options for families in Kobe, Rokko Island, Ashiya, and Nishinomiya.
International Schools
Best International Schools in Osaka: A Parent's Guide
Osaka YMCA, OISKG, Senri — and how Kansai families compare Osaka with nearby Kobe options.
International Schools
Best International Schools in Nagoya: A Parent's Guide
Nagoya International School, Aichi International School, and NUCB International College — how Chubu families compare English-medium options.
International Schools
Best International Schools in Fukuoka: A Parent's Guide
Fukuoka International School in Momochi and Linden Hall in Dazaifu and Chikushino — how Kyushu families compare English-medium options.
International Schools
Visiting Canadian Academy Kobe: What Parents Should Ask
How Canadian Academy tours work, what to prepare, the questions worth asking, what to look at on the day, and how admissions runs afterwards.
International Schools
Best English Schools in Kansai: International Schools in Kobe, Osaka, and Beyond
Canadian Academy, Marist Brothers, St. Michael's, Osaka YMCA — a neutral comparison of English-medium schools across Kansai for families.
International Schools
Marist Brothers International School Kobe: A Parent's Guide
What parents should know about Marist Brothers International School in Kobe — curriculum, community, admissions, and how it compares to Canadian Academy.
International Schools
International Schools in Kyoto: Options for Expat and Bilingual Families
Kyoto International School, commuting to Osaka schools, and what Kyoto-resident families should know about English-medium education.
International Schools
International Schools in Yokohama: A Parent's Guide for Greater Tokyo Families
Saint Maur, Yokohama International School, and other English-medium options — why Yokohama is a major international education hub south of Tokyo.
International Schools
The American School in Japan (ASIJ): A Guide for Parents
ASIJ in Tokyo: two campuses, the American curriculum with AP, 2026–27 fees and how admissions work.
International Schools
St. Mary's International School Tokyo: A Guide for Parents
St. Mary's in Setagaya: a Catholic boys' school from kindergarten to Grade 12 with the IB Diploma, fees and admissions.
International Schools
Nishimachi International School Tokyo: Bilingual Education Guide for Parents
What parents should know about Nishimachi — bilingual Japanese/English education, location, admissions, and comparison with ASIJ and BST.
International Schools
St. Michael's International School Kobe: A Parent's Guide
St. Michael's in central Kobe — curriculum, community, admissions, and comparison with Canadian Academy and Marist Brothers.
Preschool & Early Education
English preschools, bilingual programs, and early pathways before international school.
Preschool
Best International Preschools in Kobe: What Parents Should Know
Peter Pan at age 2, CA PreK from age 3, Marist Early Years in Suma, and Kinder Kids campuses in Suma and Nishinomiya.
Preschool
Kobe Preschools We Visited: Peter Pan, Kinder Kids and More
We visited Peter Pan, Kinder Kids and two Shukugawa and Nishinomiya schools, and compared them in person.
Preschool
Preschool Before Canadian Academy: What Parents Should Know
CA PreK starts at age 3 on 1 October. For two-year-olds, CA points to Peter Pan. Neither path guarantees a later seat.
Preschool
English Preschool vs English Conversation School
Daily English exposure vs weekly lessons — what matters for young children.
Preschool
Peter Pan International Preschool Kobe: Our Visit Report
Our visit to Peter Pan on Rokko Island: the head teacher, the feel of the school, how attendance works and the CA link.
Preschool
Peter Pan vs Kinder Kids vs Shukugawa: Comparing International Preschools in Kobe and Hanshin
Peter Pan (age 2, from one day a week), named Kinder Kids campuses in Suma and Nishinomiya, and Shukugawa-area rooms.
Preschool
Childcare and Schools for Doctors' Families in Kobe
For families with one or two doctors: childcare that fits hospital hours, English preschool or daycare, and international or Japanese school.
Preschool
When to Start English Preschool in Japan: Is Age 2 Too Late?
Best age for English immersion in Japan — daily preschool vs eikaiwa, and what Kobe and Tokyo families do in practice.
Preschool
International School Summer Programs in Japan: A Parent's Guide
Summer camps at ASIJ, Canadian Academy, BST, and Kobe preschools — what to book, when, and how families use summers strategically.
City Guides: Tokyo, Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka
Location-specific guides for families comparing Tokyo, Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and other education hubs.
City Guide
Rokko Island Family Guide: Schools, Preschools, and Living
Why international families choose Rokko Island — schools, preschools, parks, and daily life.
City Guide
International Education in Ashiya and Nishinomiya: Schools and Preschools
Why families in Ashiya and Nishinomiya commute to Kobe international schools — and preschool options worth comparing.
City Guide
Education for Medical and Professional Families in Kobe
How dual-career medical and professional households in Kansai approach international school, Japanese school, and English preschool decisions.
City Guide
Where to Live in Tokyo for International School: Neighborhoods and Commute Guide
Minato, Setagaya, Chofu, Yokohama — how Tokyo families choose neighborhoods based on international school commutes and daily logistics.
City Guide
Osaka vs Kobe International Schools: How Families Choose
Canadian Academy and Marist in Kobe vs Osaka YMCA and OIS — curriculum, commute, community, and how Kansai families choose.
City Guide
Tokyo vs Kansai International Schools: Where Should Your Family Choose?
Comparing Tokyo and Kansai for international school families — school choice, cost, commute, lifestyle, and relocation decisions.
City Guide
Where to Live in Osaka for International School: Neighborhoods and Commute Guide
Toyonaka, Suita, central Osaka, and Kyoto-side areas — how families choose neighborhoods for OYIS, OISKG, and Senri commutes.
Moving to Japan with Children
Practical guides for relocating families — schools, neighborhoods, and daily life.
Moving
Moving to Kobe with Children: International School and Preschool Guide
Best family areas, schools, preschools, and commute considerations for relocating to Kobe.
Moving
Returnee Children in Kansai: Choosing Schools in Kobe and Osaka
School options for kikokushijo families settling in Kobe, Ashiya, or Osaka — international, Japanese, and hybrid paths.
Moving
Moving to Japan with Children: Practical Checklist (2026)
A practical checklist for families relocating to Japan: admin, childcare, healthcare, and school planning.
Moving
Hoikuen vs Yochien in Japan: Daycare vs Kindergarten (2026)
A parent-friendly comparison: hours, purpose, costs, and how families choose childcare in Japan.
Moving
Pediatric Clinics in Japan: How Families Use Healthcare (2026)
How pediatric clinics work in Japan: what to bring, after-hours options, and what to verify locally.
Moving
Child Allowance in Japan (Kodomo Teate): What Families Should Know (2026)
Orientation to Japan’s child allowance: eligibility basics, when to apply, and what to confirm locally.
Moving
Vaccination Schedule for Children in Japan: Family Guide (2026)
Routine vaccines, boshi techo records, and what to confirm with your pediatric clinic.
Moving
Moving to Kansai with Children: Schools and Where to Live
International schools in Kobe and Osaka, the neighborhoods families pick, preschool at two and three, and what to do before and after you arrive.
Moving
Returnee Children in Tokyo: School Options for Kikokushijo Families
International, Japanese, and bilingual paths for returnee (kikokushijo) children settling in Tokyo — language, grade placement, and school selection.
Moving
Moving to Kobe on a Sports Contract: Schools for Your Kids
For players and coaches joining Kansai clubs: when to contact schools, how mid-year entry works, and where families with young children usually start.
Moving
Moving to Osaka with Children: The Family Relocation Guide
Where to live, which schools to research, and how Kansai families combine Osaka and Kobe — a practical relocation guide.
School Selection Tips
How to compare curricula, languages, costs, and long-term pathways.
School Selection
International School vs Japanese School in Japan
Language, curriculum, cost, culture, and university pathways — a balanced comparison for parents.
School Selection
How to Choose an International School in Japan
Age, curriculum, commute, language needs, and questions to ask before you apply.
School Selection
Japan International School Tuition 2026: What Parents Pay
Published 2026–27 fees at Canadian Academy, ASIJ and St. Mary's, what a first year really costs, and the charges that never appear in the tuition line.
School Selection
Canadian Academy Admissions Timeline (Kobe): When to Start (2026)
A parent-friendly planning guide: when to contact admissions, tours, documents, and decision points (always verify with CA).
School Selection
IB vs American Curriculum at Kobe International Schools: What Parents Should Know
How IB, American, and other curricula differ at Kobe schools — and what it means for university pathways.
School Selection
Tokyo International School Admissions: Timeline, Documents, and What to Expect
When to apply to ASIJ, BST, Nishimachi, and other Tokyo international schools — documents, assessments, waitlists, and planning timeline.
School Selection
IB vs American vs British Curriculum at Tokyo International Schools
How IB, American, and British curricula differ at Tokyo schools — ASIJ, BST, Nishimachi, TIS — and university pathway implications.
School Selection
US Student Visa Rules 2026: What Parents Need to Know
The F-1 visa steps from Japan and what changed in 2025–26: public social media, interviews for all, the $250 fee.
School Selection
Japanese Language Support at International Schools in Japan: What Parents Need to Know
How ASIJ, Canadian Academy, BST, and other schools structure Japanese (JSL / native tracks) — and what to ask before enrolling.
School Selection
Where International School Graduates in Japan Go to University
US, UK, Japanese, and global university destinations from ASIJ, Canadian Academy, BST, and other Japan international schools.
Kobe & Kansai hub
All guides for Kobe, Rokko Island, Ashiya, and Nishinomiya in one place.
View Kobe & Kansai guides →Start with Kobe & Kansai
Many families begin with preschool and school options in Kobe, Rokko Island, Ashiya, and Nishinomiya — then compare Osaka and Tokyo.
Best international preschools in Kobe →FAQ
- What are the best international schools in Japan?
- Japan has international schools in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. The best choice depends on your child’s age, curriculum preference (IB, American, British, Canadian), commute, and language needs — not a single national ranking.
- What is the best international preschool in Kobe?
- The best international preschool in Kobe depends on your location, your child’s age, and whether you want full English immersion or a gentler introduction. Families in Rokko Island, Ashiya, and Nishinomiya often compare English-speaking preschool options alongside future international school plans.
- How do I choose between international school and Japanese school?
- Consider language goals, curriculum, cost, university pathways, and your child’s social environment. Many families use preschool or elementary transitions as a softer first step before committing to a long-term pathway.
- Is Kobe good for international families?
- Kobe is known for a smaller, community-focused international school market, with areas such as Rokko Island popular among expat families. Canadian Academy, Marist Brothers International School, and St. Michael’s International School are among the well-known options.
- What should affluent families in Ashiya and Nishinomiya consider for international education?
- Many families commute to international schools in Kobe or Osaka, compare Japanese private schools, and evaluate English preschool options in Rokko Island based on commute, total fees, and bilingual goals — not income alone.
Stay current
Admissions details change. We will tell you when.
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This section provides neutral, parent-focused information. Admissions, fees, and programs change — always confirm details on each school’s official website.