International Schools in Japan
Compare 55 international schools in Japan. Filter by curriculum, fees (average JPY 1,221,626), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Edited by Aziza Francienne · B2C Marketing Manager
- Schools listed
- 55
- Curricula
- 26
- Average annual fee
- JPY 1,221,626
- Fee range
- JPY 25,000 – 3,242,000
More school facts
- Most common curriculum
- IB (PYP) (17 schools)
- Average school size
- 460 pupils
- Largest by enrolment
- NUCB International Junior and Senior High School
- Oldest
- St. Michael's International School (1946)
- With boarding
- 4
About international schools in Japan
International schools in Japan are a distinct sector that mainly teach in English and follow overseas curricula - commonly the International Baccalaureate, British (IGCSE/A-level) or American/AP pathways - alongside a smaller but growing number of bilingual Japanese - English programmes. Most are private and concentrated in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka and Kobe, where annual tuition is highest; in the capital a working benchmark for day-school tuition is roughly ¥2.0 - 3.8 million a year, with additional one-off enrolment or capital levies and termly charges for transport, lunches and exams. Many international schools follow a northern-hemisphere (August/September to June) calendar, though a minority align with Japan’s April school year; places often fill long before the intake, so families commonly plan applications 9 - 12 months ahead. Before committing, relocating parents should check a school’s curriculum continuity, language support, accreditation and whether the school is recognised under Japan’s education law, because that affects transcripts, re-entry to Japanese schools and some administrative procedures.
View by curriculum (7)
View by curriculum
23 international schools in Tokyo
See all 23 →4 international schools in Osaka
See all 4 →4 international schools in Kobe
See all 4 →4 international schools in Nagoya
See all 4 →3 international schools in Okinawa
See all 3 →2 international schools in Kyoto
See all 2 →2 international schools in Sapporo
See all 2 →2 international schools in Sendai
See all 2 →2 international schools in Hiroshima
See all 2 →2 international schools in Chikushino
See all 2 →1 international school in Nara
See all 1 →1 international school in Niseko
See all 1 →1 international school in Hokkaido
See all 1 →1 international school in Tsukuba
See all 1 →1 international school in Kofu
See all 1 →1 international school in Nagano
See all 1 →
1 international school in Matsumoto
See all 1 →Choosing an international school in Japan
Curricula
There are 55 international schools in Japan covering 26 curricula. The most widely offered are IB (PYP) (17), Japanese Curriculum (15), IB (DP) (11), IB (MYP) (10), Montessori Curriculum (9). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.
Fees & what they cover
Annual tuition across Japan runs from about JPY 25,000 to JPY 3,242,000, averaging roughly JPY 1,221,626. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.
Admissions & timing
Sought-after schools in Japan run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.
Boarding
4 of the 55 schools offer boarding — useful if you're relocating or want weekly or full boarding.
How doris stays impartial
doris lists every international school in Japan we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.