Best International Schools in Fukuoka: A Parent's Guide (2026)

Fukuoka is Kyushu's assignment city: a compact centre, a close airport, and a short international-school list. Most relocating families start with Fukuoka International School in Momochi. Linden Hall, in Dazaifu and Chikushino, is a different operator and a different structure — English-immersion elementary plus a Japanese Article 1 high school with an IB Diploma course, not a second copy of FIS.

National context: Best international schools in Japan

Table of Contents

• Fukuoka's school market
• Fukuoka International School (FIS)
• Linden Hall School
• Commute and where to live
• How Fukuoka compares
• Comparison table
• FAQ

Fukuoka's School Market

You are choosing among a few programmes, not ranking a dozen flagships. Confirm grade vacancy, English entry level, Japanese language track, bus routes, and this year's fee sheet on the school site.

Fukuoka International School (FIS)

FIS is the English-medium IB day school most international postings in the city are built around: ages 3–18, Early Years through Grade 5, Grades 6–8, and Grades 9–12, with IB Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programme.

The school is an independent non-profit, incorporated in Japan, and accredited as a school juridical person (gakko hojin) and by WASC, per its governance page. The Council of International Schools recorded FIS accreditation on 10 June 2026.

Address: 3-18-50 Momochi, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka 814-0006. Tel +81-92-841-7601

Official site: fis.ed.jp

Linden Hall School

Linden Hall is run by the Tsuzuki Education Group. It is not a Momochi neighbour of FIS, and the elementary and high school are different campuses.

Elementary (Dazaifu): the English site describes six years of English immersion, with a Japanese–English bilingual programme and Japanese culture classes. Address: 6-16-58 Gojo, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka 818-0125. Tel 092-918-0111. Site: en.lindenhall.ed.jp/elementary

High school (Chikushino): established in 2010 as an Article 1 school. The school states it was recognised as an IB World School on 4 October 2013. Most subjects other than Japanese are taught in English. Students later choose an IB Diploma course or a TI course — this is not an IB PYP–MYP–DP day school like FIS. Address: 3-10-1 Futsukaichi-kita, Chikushino City, Fukuoka 818-0056. Tel 092-929-4558. Nearest station on the school's access notes: Nishitetsu Futsukaichi, about nine minutes on foot. Site: en.lindenhall.ed.jp/highschool

Plan the elementary years and the high-school years separately.

Commute and Where to Live

Momochi (FIS) is in Sawara-ku, west of Tenjin, near the dome and the beach. Dazaifu and Chikushino are south of the city.

A Hakata or Tenjin apartment that suits work can be a long run to either campus. Time the trip at school start, including a subway-to-bus change if you use one. Fukuoka Airport is close to the city centre; that does not make every school close to the airport.

How Fukuoka Compares

If the next posting may be Tokyo or Kansai, ask how records transfer. See how to choose an international school in Japan.

Comparison Table

FAQ

What international schools are in Fukuoka? Fukuoka International School in Momochi is the main English-medium IB day school. Linden Hall has an elementary campus in Dazaifu and a high school in Chikushino.

Is Fukuoka International School an IB school? Yes. FIS states it is an IB World School offering PYP, MYP, and DP for ages 3–18. Confirm current authorisation on fis.ed.jp.

Is Linden Hall the same as FIS? No. Different operators, different cities in Fukuoka Prefecture, different programmes. Linden Hall's IB is a high-school diploma course, not a PYP–MYP–DP continuum. Do not treat them as interchangeable waitlist insurance.

Where should we live? Near the campus you will actually use. Momochi / Sawara for FIS; Dazaifu or Chikushino for Linden Hall. Test rush-hour travel before you lease.

How do fees compare with Tokyo? Ask each school for this year's total cost. Do not copy a national range onto Fukuoka.