Moving to Kansai with Children: Schools and Where to Live

Moving to Kansai with children comes down to one decision that shapes the rest: which school. Housing, the commute and even which city you live in follow from it. This guide covers the main schools around Kobe and Osaka, the neighborhoods families usually choose, preschool for younger children, and the paperwork after you land.

How Kansai differs from Tokyo

The smaller number of schools means less choice, and a full grade at one school matters more. It also means the international community around each school is close-knit, and new families meet people quickly.

Around Kobe

Schools

• Canadian Academy on Rokko Island is the largest international school in Kansai, teaching from Pre-K to Grade 12 with the IB. It admits students during the year on a rolling basis when a grade has space, and has boarding.
• Marist Brothers International School in Suma, western Kobe, is a Catholic school from kindergarten to Grade 12, with an American curriculum and the IB Diploma.
• St. Michael's International School in central Kobe is a small Anglican primary school with a British curriculum, for ages 3 to 11.

See the best international schools in Kobe for a fuller comparison.

Where families live

• Rokko Island, in Higashinada, has the densest international community in Kobe. Canadian Academy is on the island, and younger children can walk to school. See the Rokko Island family guide.
• Higashinada on the mainland is close to the island by the Rokko Liner.
• Ashiya is a quiet, well-off residential city between Kobe and Osaka. Many Canadian Academy families live here.
• Nishinomiya is bigger, with a wider range of housing, and works for families with one parent in Osaka.
• Western Kobe, around Suma, is closer to Marist.

See Ashiya and Nishinomiya for international families and moving to Kobe with children.

Around Osaka

Schools

• Osaka YMCA International School in central Osaka teaches the full IB continuum, from the Primary Years Programme to the Diploma.
• Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin in Minoh, north of the city, teaches the IB PYP, MYP and Diploma and shares a campus with Senri International School of Kwansei Gakuin.

See the best international schools in Osaka and moving to Osaka with children.

Where families live

• Minoh, Toyonaka and Suita in northern Osaka are suburban, green and convenient for the Minoh campus.
• Central Osaka suits families who want city life and a short commute to the YMCA school.
• Kyoto: families living in Kyoto usually commute to Osaka schools or choose a Kyoto school. See international schools in Kyoto.

Living between the two cities and commuting across Kansai every day is tiring for young children. Most families pick one side. See Osaka vs Kobe international schools.

Children under school age

Preschool is a separate decision from school, and usually easier to arrange at short notice.

• At two, Canadian Academy points families to Peter Pan International Preschool on Rokko Island, about a ten-minute walk from its campus. Children aged two and three can attend from one day a week.
• At three, Canadian Academy's own early-childhood class starts, and Marist runs early years in Suma.
• Kinder Kids, an English nursery chain, has campuses in Suma and Nishinomiya.

No preschool guarantees a place at a later international school. Compare them in international preschools in Kobe. If both parents work full days, a Japanese licensed daycare may suit better; see hoikuen vs yochien.

The order to do things in

1. Contact schools first, six to twelve months ahead if you can. Ask about space in your child's grade.
2. Choose the neighborhood from the school. A 10-minute school run and a 40-minute one make a big difference to family life.
3. Visit if possible, both the school and the neighborhood at drop-off time.
4. Sort out preschool for younger children in the area you choose.
5. Sign the lease once the school place is confirmed.

Paperwork after you arrive

• Register your address at the city or ward office within 14 days of moving in.
• Apply for the child allowance (jidō teate) at the same office within 15 days. Months before you apply are not paid. See child allowance in Japan.
• Join health insurance: National Health Insurance at the ward office if your employer does not cover you.
• Find a pediatrician before you need one. See pediatric clinics in Japan.
• Bring vaccination records. The ward will help you match them to Japan's schedule. See the vaccination schedule for children.

The full list is in moving to Japan with children.

FAQ

Is Kobe or Osaka better for international families? Neither is better overall. Kobe, especially Rokko Island, has a concentrated international community around Canadian Academy. Osaka has more city life and two IB schools. Most families decide by where they will work and which school has space.

Do we need to live on Rokko Island for Canadian Academy? No. Families commute from Higashinada, Ashiya, Nishinomiya and further. Living on the island makes the daily routine easier, especially with young children.

How early should we contact international schools in Kansai? Six to twelve months before you arrive if you can. Canadian Academy also admits students during the year when a grade has space.

What English preschools are near Rokko Island? Peter Pan International Preschool on the island takes children from age two, and Canadian Academy's own classes start at three. Kinder Kids has campuses in Suma and Nishinomiya.

What do we have to do at the ward office? Register your address within 14 days, apply for the child allowance within 15 days, and join National Health Insurance if your employer does not cover you.