The 9 Best International Schools in Tokyo (2026)

American-style schools such as the American School in Japan offer a college preparatory program. The British School in Tokyo builds on the National Curriculum for England and adds the IB Diploma in the senior years. IB schools such as Tokyo International School, Aoba-Japan, Seisen and K. International School Tokyo use IB programmes, in some cases from kindergarten. Choose by where your child may continue, since each school's own site sets out its exact pathway.

MEXT describes Article 1 schools as schools operating under Article 1 of Japan's School Education Act. It also says that most schools for foreign students are miscellaneous schools or unauthorized facilities, so most international schools are outside that category. Ask a school how it is classified and what that means for your child, for example for entry to Japanese universities, and confirm the details with MEXT or the university.

Yes. MEXT's Guide for foreign students to start school says public elementary and junior high schools accept foreign children free of charge if they wish to enter them, with the same education as Japanese students. Families register at their local municipal office. Children usually enter elementary school in the April after their sixth birthday, and the guide is available on the MEXT site.

Apply as early as you can, since many schools have limited places in entry grades, and some offer rolling admission when space is available. Each school sets its own deadlines, assessments and age cut-offs, and these change each year. Tokyo International School, for example, publishes an August 31 birthday cut-off, and Nishimachi lists dates for kindergarten and Grade 1 to 9 applications on its important dates page.

Fees vary widely by school and grade and change every year. This guide does not list or compare them. Check each school's own tuition and fees page for current figures, and ask what is charged on top of tuition, such as application, enrollment, bus and building fees.