How to Choose and Apply to an International School in Japan

This is general guidance, not admissions advice. Requirements differ by school; check with each admissions office.

There is no single best international school in Japan, only the one that fits your child and your plans. Work through the questions below in order, and the shortlist usually becomes short quickly.

1. How long will you stay?

2. Which curriculum?

Check accreditation. Accreditation by bodies such as WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) or CIS (Council of International Schools) shows the school meets international standards, makes moving schools easier, and is one of the ways graduates qualify to apply to Japanese universities.

Know the school's status in Japan. Most international schools are not ordinary schools under Japan's School Education Act (so-called "Article 1" schools). For foreign children this rarely matters. For children with Japanese nationality, ask the school and your city how it affects compulsory education and later moves into the Japanese system.

3. English and Japanese

Ask each school:

• How much English is expected at entry, and how is it assessed?
• Is there English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, and for how long?
• How many hours a week of Japanese are taught, and at what levels, including for native speakers?
• How do they support children returning from abroad, or children who are losing their Japanese?

4. Location and commute

The commute often decides which school works. Test the route door to door at rush hour, both for drop-off and pickup, before you sign a lease, and check school bus routes. See the city guides for Tokyo, Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka.

5. The total cost

Tuition is only part of it. Ask for:

• tuition by grade, and how much it rises each year;
• application, enrollment and building or capital fees, some of them one-off;
• bus, lunch, uniform, devices, trips and activities;
• the currency and timing of payments, and whether an employer can pay directly.

If your child starts young, budget for ten years or more. See international school tuition in Japan.

6. Visit and ask

1. Is there space in our child's grade for our start date, and what is the waiting list like?
2. What English level do you expect, and how do you assess it?
3. Where do your graduates go to university?
4. How diverse are the students, and how long do families usually stay?
5. What is expected of parents?
6. What is not included in the fees?

Application checklist

Most international schools in Japan start the year in August or September, though a few follow the Japanese April calendar, and many accept students during the year when there is space. Popular grades fill early, so contact admissions as soon as a move is likely.

Starting with preschool

For young children, an English-language preschool can be a gentle start before applying, though it never guarantees a place. See international preschools in Kobe and when to start English preschool.

FAQ

How do I choose an international school in Japan? Start with how long you will stay and where your child may study later, then compare curriculum, accreditation, English and Japanese support, the commute and the total cost, and visit before you apply.

Is the IB better than an American or British curriculum? Not in general. The IB travels well between countries; American and British programs suit families heading to those systems.

Can international school graduates go to Japanese universities? Yes. Graduates of schools accredited by bodies such as WASC or CIS, and IB Diploma holders, can apply to Japanese universities, though each university sets its own requirements.

When should we apply? As soon as a move is likely. Most schools start in August or September, and popular grades fill months ahead.

What documents do international schools ask for? Usually the application form, school reports from the last two or three years, teacher references, passports, vaccination records and an English assessment.