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.
The Standard Japan · Tokyo Education
Tokyo Education Guide for International Families
International schools, preschools, childcare, and family guides for Tokyo and greater Tokyo
Our guides for families comparing international schools, bilingual education and family services in Tokyo, written to read before you book school visits.
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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.
All Tokyo & Japan family guides
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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 Japan with Children: Practical Checklist (2026)
A practical checklist for families relocating to Japan: admin, childcare, healthcare, and school planning.
FAQ
- What are the best international schools in Tokyo for expat families?
- Tokyo's most prominent international schools include ASIJ (American curriculum), BST (British), Nishimachi International School, and Seisen International School. The best fit depends on curriculum preference, commute zone, and language goals. Verify availability and admissions directly with each school.
- How does childcare (hoikuen) work in Tokyo for working parents?
- Hoikuen (認可保育園) places in Tokyo are municipal and allocated by points based on working hours and family situation. Applications open in autumn for April enrollment. Waiting lists are common in central wards. The ward office (区役所) handles applications; start researching 6–12 months before you need care.
- Can I use AI to research Tokyo international schools?
- AI tools are useful for orientation — comparing curricula, understanding the system, and generating questions. Always verify fees, enrollment openings, and admissions requirements directly with each school's official website and admissions office.
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.
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