doris
Ask doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Ask doris
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
Search & filter all 3 schools Compare 3 schools in Tokyo

Premium International Schools in Tokyo, Japan

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

About international schools in Tokyo, Japan

Premium international schools in Tokyo mostly serve expatriate and internationally minded Japanese families and typically offer internationally recognised programmes such as the International Baccalaureate, British (IGCSE/A-Level) and American (US curriculum/AP), alongside a number of bilingual Japanese - English options. Instruction is usually delivered in English, with Japanese taught as a core language and other languages such as Mandarin, French or Spanish commonly available as additional language options. Fees are substantially higher than local public schools: expect annual tuition broadly in the region of ¥1.9 - 3.8 million for established international schools, plus one-off enrolment or capital levies and extra charges for transport, lunches and senior-year exam fees. Admissions can be competitive; some schools take applications year-round while others have fixed intake points and waiting lists, so begin enquiries 6 - 12 months before your move and be prepared to supply school reports, language assessments and documentation of parental communication ability in English where requested.

Compare 3 Premium international schools in Tokyo, Japan. Filter by curriculum, fees (average JPY 5,043,050), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 3 schools · avg fee JPY 5,043,050
Schools listed
3
Curricula
6
Average annual fee
JPY 5,043,050
Fee range
JPY 3,138,300 – 11,180,000
Most common curriculum
American Curriculum (2 schools)
Average school size
315 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Nishimachi International School
Oldest
Nishimachi International School (1949)
With boarding
1
Explore more — related searches, map view, upcoming events
Open Tokyo in map view

Related searches

Affordable SchoolsIB Curriculum

FAQs for Japan

What curricula will my child encounter and how do they differ?
You will commonly find the International Baccalaureate (continuum of PYP, MYP, DP), British programmes (Cambridge/IGCSE and A-levels) and American-style curricula (US standards and AP courses) across premium Tokyo schools; some schools blend these frameworks or offer pathway choices in secondary years. The IB emphasises inquiry, global contexts and a continuous K - 12 framework, British schools follow national curriculum standards leading to IGCSE/A-Level assessments, and American schools use grade-level standards with AP options in senior years - each has different assessment styles and university preparation implications.
How much should we budget for school costs in Tokyo?
Tuition at established international schools in Tokyo typically falls in the mid-millions of yen per year (commonly quoted ranges around ¥1.9 - 3.8 million), with some of the priciest campuses charging above that level. In addition to annual tuition most schools require a one-off enrolment or capital fee and you should budget for extras such as school buses, meals, uniforms, extra-curricular activities and senior-year exam fees, which can add materially to the total cost.
When should we apply and what does the admissions process usually involve?
Many premium schools publish fixed intake points (often at the start of the academic year) but some accept rolling applications; popular year groups can have long waiting lists, so families usually begin applications 6 - 12 months before their desired start date. Typical requirements include an application form and fee, recent school reports, English language assessments or interviews for the child, and sometimes evidence that a parent can communicate with the school in English; schools will also explain any waiting-list or deferred-entry policies.
What is the language of instruction and what support exists for non-native English speakers?
Most premium international schools teach primarily in English, while offering regular Japanese lessons and additional modern languages as part of the curriculum. Many schools run EAL/ESL programmes, entry assessments and small-group language support to help students who are not yet fluent in English, and bilingual schools specifically organise classes in both English and Japanese for longer-term proficiency goals.
What practical checks should we do when visiting schools in Tokyo?
Ask to see curriculum authorisations and accreditation (for example IB authorisation or recognised international accreditations), a sample programme of study for your child’s year group, recent senior-school assessment or university-placement information, and a breakdown of all fees and additional costs. Also review pastoral and learning-support arrangements, school transport routes and catchment-related logistics, and confirm entry points, waiting-list procedures and any language-proficiency expectations for parents or pupils.