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.
The Standard Japan · Kobe Education
Kobe & Kansai Education Guide
International schools, English preschools, and family guides for Kobe, Rokko Island, Ashiya, and Nishinomiya
Our guides for families comparing international schools and English preschools in Kobe, Ashiya and Nishinomiya, written to read before you book school visits.
International schools in Kobe and Kansai
Six schools take most of the enquiries from families in Kobe, Ashiya and Nishinomiya. The practical differences are not curriculum badges — they are how far the school is from where you live, and how many years it can keep your child before you have to move them again.
| School | Area | Year groups | Curriculum | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Academy The default for Rokko Island families, and the only Kobe school on this list that takes a child from PreK to university application without a transfer. Its age is not a curriculum claim — check the current IB continuum on a visit. | Rokko Island, Higashinada-ku, Kobe | PreK – Grade 12 | IB World School; accredited by CIS, WASC and JCIS | 1913 |
| Marist Brothers International School Also a full 3–18 run, but in Suma on the western side of the city. From Ashiya or Nishinomiya that is a materially longer commute than Rokko Island — time it at the hour your child would actually travel. | Chimori-cho, Suma-ku, Kobe | Early Years – Grade 12 (ages 3–18) | IB PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme | 1951 |
| NLCS Kobe Opened August 2025 as part of the NLCS group (UK, Korea, UAE, Singapore). A day and boarding senior school is planned for 2028 in the Rokko mountains. Enrolling now means betting on a school that has not yet graduated anyone — worth it for some families, but name it as the risk it is. | Rokko Island, Kobe | Grade 1 – Grade 6, expanding through Grade 8 | British independent-school model; pursuing IB continuum accreditation | 2025 |
| St. Michael's International School Primary only — it ends at Year 6. That is not a flaw, but it means you need a secondary plan before you enrol, not after. Families typically move on to Canadian Academy, Marist, or a school outside Kobe. | Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe | Early Years (age 3) – Year 6 | British: IEYC and International Primary Curriculum; COBIS and CIS accredited | 1946 |
| Ascot International School Japan The Cambridge alternative to an all-IB shortlist, with boarding for secondary students. Kita-ku is inland and well north of the Ashiya–Nishinomiya belt, so treat it as a boarding or relocation option rather than a daily commute. | Kanokodai-minamimachi, Kita-ku, Kobe | Nursery – Grade 13 | Cambridge International (K–13) | 2018 |
| Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin The main Osaka-side comparison. It shares a campus with Senri International School, whose students follow the Japanese national curriculum — an unusual setup that suits families who want their child inside a Japanese-curriculum community rather than apart from one. | Onohara-nishi, Minoh City, Osaka | Kindergarten – Grade 12 | IB PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme | — |
Canadian Academy
- Area
- Rokko Island, Higashinada-ku, Kobe
- Year groups
- PreK – Grade 12
- Curriculum
- IB World School; accredited by CIS, WASC and JCIS
- Since
- 1913
The default for Rokko Island families, and the only Kobe school on this list that takes a child from PreK to university application without a transfer. Its age is not a curriculum claim — check the current IB continuum on a visit.
Marist Brothers International School
- Area
- Chimori-cho, Suma-ku, Kobe
- Year groups
- Early Years – Grade 12 (ages 3–18)
- Curriculum
- IB PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme
- Since
- 1951
Also a full 3–18 run, but in Suma on the western side of the city. From Ashiya or Nishinomiya that is a materially longer commute than Rokko Island — time it at the hour your child would actually travel.
NLCS Kobe
- Area
- Rokko Island, Kobe
- Year groups
- Grade 1 – Grade 6, expanding through Grade 8
- Curriculum
- British independent-school model; pursuing IB continuum accreditation
- Since
- 2025
Opened August 2025 as part of the NLCS group (UK, Korea, UAE, Singapore). A day and boarding senior school is planned for 2028 in the Rokko mountains. Enrolling now means betting on a school that has not yet graduated anyone — worth it for some families, but name it as the risk it is.
St. Michael's International School
- Area
- Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe
- Year groups
- Early Years (age 3) – Year 6
- Curriculum
- British: IEYC and International Primary Curriculum; COBIS and CIS accredited
- Since
- 1946
Primary only — it ends at Year 6. That is not a flaw, but it means you need a secondary plan before you enrol, not after. Families typically move on to Canadian Academy, Marist, or a school outside Kobe.
Ascot International School Japan
- Area
- Kanokodai-minamimachi, Kita-ku, Kobe
- Year groups
- Nursery – Grade 13
- Curriculum
- Cambridge International (K–13)
- Since
- 2018
The Cambridge alternative to an all-IB shortlist, with boarding for secondary students. Kita-ku is inland and well north of the Ashiya–Nishinomiya belt, so treat it as a boarding or relocation option rather than a daily commute.
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin
- Area
- Onohara-nishi, Minoh City, Osaka
- Year groups
- Kindergarten – Grade 12
- Curriculum
- IB PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme
- Since
- —
The main Osaka-side comparison. It shares a campus with Senri International School, whose students follow the Japanese national curriculum — an unusual setup that suits families who want their child inside a Japanese-curriculum community rather than apart from one.
Nursery and preschool: babies to age 6
Ordered by the youngest age each one accepts, which is the question most families arrive with. Two of these take infants; the English-immersion preschools start at 2 or 3.
| School | Area | Takes children from | Curriculum | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shukugawa Preschool The genuine infant option here: it takes babies from 57 days, which none of the English-immersion preschools below do. Being ninka-gai means it sits outside the municipal hoikuen allocation, so it does not depend on your ward points. | Fukaya-cho, Nishinomiya | From 57 days old to age 5 | Unlicensed nursery (ninka-gai hoikuen) | 1979 |
| Kinder Kids International School The one with a campus near almost everyone — five in Hyogo alone, and transfers between campuses are possible, which matters if a move is likely. Takes children from 6 months, so it bridges nursery and preschool in one place. | Hyogo campuses: Ashiya, Nishinomiya, Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi, Takarazuka, Kobe Seaside (Suma-ku) | From 6 months | English immersion, Japanese-run | — |
| Peter Pan International Preschool Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00, five minutes on foot from Island Center station — the same island as Canadian Academy and NLCS Kobe. The school states on its own site that it supports progression to Canadian Academy; read that as support, not as a place. No preschool can guarantee an international school seat. | Rokko Island, Higashinada-ku, Kobe | From age 2; one day a week upward | Montessori method, English as the working language | — |
| Tokyo International School Shukugawa Kindergarten Short day — classes run roughly 09:15 to 14:00, so it does not cover a full working day on its own and most families pair it with afterschool or care. The afterschool track continuing to Grade 4 is useful if your child enters a Japanese elementary school but you want the English kept up. | Kikutani-cho, Nishinomiya | Kindergarten ages 3–5; afterschool to Grade 4 | Inquiry-based English immersion (TISKG programme) | 2016 |
Shukugawa Preschool
- Area
- Fukaya-cho, Nishinomiya
- Takes children from
- From 57 days old to age 5
- Curriculum
- Unlicensed nursery (ninka-gai hoikuen)
- Since
- 1979
The genuine infant option here: it takes babies from 57 days, which none of the English-immersion preschools below do. Being ninka-gai means it sits outside the municipal hoikuen allocation, so it does not depend on your ward points.
Kinder Kids International School
- Area
- Hyogo campuses: Ashiya, Nishinomiya, Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi, Takarazuka, Kobe Seaside (Suma-ku)
- Takes children from
- From 6 months
- Curriculum
- English immersion, Japanese-run
- Since
- —
The one with a campus near almost everyone — five in Hyogo alone, and transfers between campuses are possible, which matters if a move is likely. Takes children from 6 months, so it bridges nursery and preschool in one place.
Peter Pan International Preschool
- Area
- Rokko Island, Higashinada-ku, Kobe
- Takes children from
- From age 2; one day a week upward
- Curriculum
- Montessori method, English as the working language
- Since
- —
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00, five minutes on foot from Island Center station — the same island as Canadian Academy and NLCS Kobe. The school states on its own site that it supports progression to Canadian Academy; read that as support, not as a place. No preschool can guarantee an international school seat.
Tokyo International School Shukugawa Kindergarten
- Area
- Kikutani-cho, Nishinomiya
- Takes children from
- Kindergarten ages 3–5; afterschool to Grade 4
- Curriculum
- Inquiry-based English immersion (TISKG programme)
- Since
- 2016
Short day — classes run roughly 09:15 to 14:00, so it does not cover a full working day on its own and most families pair it with afterschool or care. The afterschool track continuing to Grade 4 is useful if your child enters a Japanese elementary school but you want the English kept up.
Year groups, intake ages and locations above were read from each school's own website on 2026-09-28. Admissions terms change every cycle — confirm on the official site and on a visit before you act on anything here. We do not charge schools to appear on this page.
Start here
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
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
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.
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.
All Kobe & Kansai guides
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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
Rokko Island Family Guide: Schools, Preschools, and Living
Why international families choose Rokko Island — schools, preschools, parks, 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
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.
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.
School Selection
International School vs Japanese School in Japan
Language, curriculum, cost, culture, and university pathways — a balanced comparison for parents.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
FAQ
- What are the best international schools in Kobe for families in Ashiya and Nishinomiya?
- Families often compare Canadian Academy on Rokko Island, Marist Brothers International School, and St. Michael's International School, along with preschool options before applying. The best fit depends on commute, curriculum, and language goals.
- Where do affluent Kobe families send children for English preschool?
- Many compare English-speaking preschools in Rokko Island and Higashinada, including options such as Peter Pan International Preschool, alongside Japanese hoikuen or yochien depending on long-term plans.
- Can I trust AI answers about Kobe international schools?
- Use AI for orientation, then confirm fees, availability, and admissions on each school's official website and through visits.
Stay current
Admissions details change. We will tell you when.
Fees, application windows and year-group availability move every cycle, and schools rarely announce it loudly. One email when something in these guides changes, plus new guides as they publish.
No schools pay to appear in these guides. Unsubscribe whenever you like.