Compare Premium International Schools in Tokyo, Japan

Rugby School Japan

Instructs in English

Ages 11 - 18 years

Fees ¥4,500,000 - 5,500,000

Pupils 310

Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)

Rugby School Japan (RSJ) is a premier British international day and boarding school situated in the Kashiwanoha Smart City of Chiba Prefecture, located 30 minutes from central Tokyo via the Tsukuba Express Line. Serving a co-educational student body aged 11–18 (Years 7–13), RSJ delivers a rigorous British curriculum. This academic pathway leads to IGCSEs for Years 10–11 and A Levels for Years 12–13. Pupils are further challenged and supported through the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which facilitates independent, deep-dive research into specialised subjects of interest. The school is defined by its commitment to the development of "The Whole Person." Guided by the belief that social, recreational, and cultural engagement is essential to individual growth, RSJ provides a vast array of co-curricular enrichment. This includes professional-level programmes in music, drama, dance, coding, and debating, alongside elite sports clubs, outdoor education, and diverse academic and cultural societies. As it enters its third academic year with a thriving community of 300+ pupils, RSJ offers flexible residency options including Day, Weekly, and Full Boarding, fostering a global community within a state-of-the-art Japanese setting.

Location

Rugby School Japan is located in Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It sits within the Kashiwanoha Smart City education and innovation hub, near Chiba University, University of Tokyo and other academic institutions. The nearest rail link is Kashiwanoha Campus station on the Tsukuba Express line, about 30 minutes from central Tokyo by train, with the campus a short 3-minute walk from the station. The postal address is 6-2-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa City, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.

Stages

Year 7 through Year 13 (ages 11–18). The curriculum follows a British model with IGCSE in Years 10–11 and A-levels in Years 12–13.

Type

Rugby School Japan is a co-educational school offering both day and boarding options. It provides day school as well as full (7-day) boarding and weekly (5.5-day) boarding arrangements, with a house system and 6 boarding houses.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Pupils come from 25+ nationalities. The most represented nationality is Japanese (40%). The school has a strong international community and a substantial proportion of boarders (about 56% in 2025).

Additional learning support

RSJ operates a Personalised Learning (PL) department with SEND and EAL support, using Pupil Support Sheets and targeted interventions, and coordinating with external specialists as needed. Admission may be granted to pupils whose learning needs can be met within the mainstream programme with adjustments; RSJ does not offer dedicated SEN programmes.

Country affiliation

British international school in the Tokyo area.

Religious affiliation

No religious affiliation.

School day structure

The school runs 5.5 days a week, Monday to Saturday, with Saturday morning including enrichment activities. Both day and boarding pupils use the boarding houses, which are open from 7:00am and extend to the final co‑curricular and supervised homework sessions in the evening. Typical day pupils finish around 5:30pm after lessons and activities.

Bus service

RSJ does not operate a school bus service. Transport to/from school is not included in standard fees.

Application and one-time fees

- Application Fee: JPY 40,000 (payable on submission of the Open Apply application). The Application Fee is non‑refundable.
- Enrolment Fee: JPY 500,000 (payable on acceptance of an offer; required to secure the place). The Enrolment Fee is non‑refundable.
- School Development Fee (one‑time, payable on enrolment): JPY 500,000. This fee is non‑refundable. If joining in Autumn Term the full fee is payable; for Spring Term 67% is payable (33% waived); for Summer Term 33% is payable (67% waived).
- Facility Maintenance Fee (annual): JPY 500,000.

Tuition fees — annual and termly (per pupil)

- Year 7 (Day pupil) — Annual Tuition: JPY 4,500,000.
- Autumn Term: JPY 1,860,786
- Spring Term: JPY 1,488,537
- Summer Term: JPY 1,240,677

- Year 8 & Year 9 (Day pupils) — Annual Tuition: JPY 4,750,000.
- Autumn Term: JPY 1,964,163
- Spring Term: JPY 1,571,234
- Summer Term: JPY 1,309,604

- Year 10 & Year 11 (IGCSE, Day pupils) — Annual Tuition: JPY 5,300,000.
- Autumn Term: JPY 2,191,592
- Spring Term: JPY 1,753,166
- Summer Term: JPY 1,461,242

- Year 12 & Year 13 (A‑Level, Day pupils) — Annual Tuition: JPY 5,500,000.
- Autumn Term: JPY 2,274,294
- Spring Term: JPY 1,819,323
- Summer Term: JPY 1,516,383

- Termly payment option: parents may choose termly payments; termly fees carry a 2% surcharge relative to the annual fee (termly figures above already reflect the termly schedule). A 5% or 3% early‑payment discount is available when full annual tuition (and boarding fee, if applicable) is paid before specified deadlines.

Boarding fees — annual and termly

- Full (7‑day) Boarding — Annual Boarding Fee: JPY 3,200,000.
- Autumn Term: JPY 1,323,226
- Spring Term: JPY 1,058,515
- Summer Term: JPY 882,259

- Weekly (5‑day) Boarding — Annual Boarding Fee: JPY 2,900,000.
- Autumn Term: JPY 1,199,173
- Spring Term: JPY 959,279
- Summer Term: JPY 799,548

- Boarding fees are charged either annually or termly (termly option subject to the 2% surcharge). Boarding fees include lodging, tutoring and supervision outside lessons, room cleaning, linen changes and laundry.

Meal fees

- Meal charges are billed independently of tuition and boarding and are invoiced termly. Sample term meal fees published for the prior year are as follows (meal fees are published annually and billed separately):
- Day pupils: Autumn JPY 93,380 · Spring JPY 67,620 · Summer JPY 69,000
- Weekly boarders: Autumn JPY 251,720 · Spring JPY 182,280 · Summer JPY 186,000
- Full boarders: Autumn JPY 336,980 · Spring JPY 244,020 · Summer JPY 249,000

What is included and excluded from tuition/boarding fees

- Included (examples): academic tuition, academic resources, curriculum trips within Japan, events and sports fixtures within Japan, tutorial sessions, supervision outside lessons. Boarding fees include lodging, room cleaning, laundry and related boarding services.
- Excluded (examples): school uniform costs, English as an Additional Language (EAL) fees, Special Education Needs (SEN) support fees (where applicable), transport to/from school, school trips outside Japan, laptop computers and other personal electronic devices, certain externally provided co‑curricular activities and examinations. Some optional external programmes and vendors charge separately.

Sibling fee remission

- Sibling remissions apply to the eldest child as follows (remissions apply to tuition and boarding fees where indicated):
- 5% remission when one other sibling is enrolled (2 children total).
- 15% remission when two other siblings are enrolled (3 children total).
- 30% remission when three other siblings are enrolled (4 children total).
- Scholars and recipients of other financial aid are not eligible for this remission.

Boarding Arrangements

RSJ offers day pupils, weekly boarders (5.5 days) and full boarders (7 days). Full boarders reside in purpose-built boarding houses with access to facilities seven days a week. Weekly boarders stay overnight Monday to Saturday morning and leave the campus by Saturday lunchtime. Every pupil belongs to a House, led by a Housemaster or Housemistress with a core House team providing pastoral and academic support; boarding life includes a weekend activity program.

Uniform Requirement

All pupils must wear the mandatory RSJ uniform before their first day; uniform items can be purchased directly from Tombow or by appointment at RSJ's school shop. If uniform items are out of stock or delayed, pupils may borrow uniform or wear appropriate alternatives; if items are missing for reasons other than stock/delivery, RSJ may purchase them on the pupil's behalf and bill the family.

Food Options

All meals are served in the Dining Hall. Breakfast is served 7:00–8:00am, lunch 12:30–1:30pm, and supper 5:30–6:45pm, with snacks available in boarding houses during breaks. At mealtimes there is a choice of nutritious options, including European, Asian and vegetarian dishes, alongside salad, soup and dessert.

House System

Each RSJ pupil belongs to a House, creating a community across day pupils, weekly boarders and full boarders. The House system is led by a Housemaster or Housemistress with a core House team and tutors, and provides pastoral care, social opportunities and cross-year collaboration.

Governance and Ownership

RSJ is a school corporation established under Japan's Private Schools Act and accredited by the Governor of Chiba Prefecture. It operates as part of Rugby School Global and is developed in partnership with Clarence Education Asia.

Curriculum

Rugby School Japan follows a British international curriculum for pupils aged 11–18, structured as Years 7–9 (Lower School), Years 10–11 IGCSEs, and Years 12–13 A levels, with an EPQ available in the Sixth Form. The curriculum is delivered in English. Lower School (Years 7–9) offers a broad, balanced programme including Mathematics, English, History, Geography, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), and there will also be an emphasis on lessons in the creative arts such as Music, Art and Drama as well as lessons in Design Technology.

Japanese is taught in two streams - one for first-language learners and one focusing on Japanese as a foreign language - to prepare for the Japanese IGCSE in Years 10–11.

In Years 10–11 students pursue IGCSEs across a wide range of subjects, including a Japanese IGCSE; in Years 12–13 the Sixth Form offers A levels (typically three subjects, with the option to take four), externally assessed at the end of Year 13, and may include the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ); examination boards include Cambridge, AQA, OxfordAQA and Pearson Edexcel.

Co-curricular life is integral, with basketball, football, and other sports, drama, music, debating, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

Student Teacher Ratio

5:1

Exam Results

2024/25 IGCSE results:
- 31% of grades were awarded at A/9+8
- 59% of grades were awarded at A–A/9–7
2024/25 A-Level results
- 25% of grades were awarded at A
- 56% of grades were awarded at A-A

Prominent Alumni

Notable graduates from this school

Dolly Alderton

British author and screenwriter

Ella Mills

British food writer and founder of Deliciously Ella

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

RSJ places wellbeing at the heart of education and supports social and emotional learning (SEL) through a structured pastoral framework and PSHE curriculum. Assemblies, tutor groups, and wellbeing activities reinforce values such as kindness, respect, and positive relationships. The school runs whole school Wellbeing Days and uses Lea Waters' Visible Wellbeing framework, with six domains (strengths, emotional management, attention and awareness, relationships, coping, and habits and goals) to guide activities and reflection. The pastoral framework includes a bilingual Designated Safeguarding Lead team, house-based pastoral staff, and tutor-led support across year groups. Staff training and ongoing evaluation of pupil wellbeing are integrated into school life.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

RSJ provides SEN and EAL support within a whole-school approach. The Additional Needs Policy defines SEN and EAL and describes a graduated approach to support. Levels of support include Additional Academic Support, SEN Support, and EAL Support, with progress reviewed by the Personalised Learning Department and tutors. On entry, pupils are baseline-screened for language and learning needs, and information is shared with staff to tailor support. The policy emphasizes collaboration with parents and health professionals, and documents processes for assessment, targets, and review. RSJ is not described as a separate specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

RSJ recognises English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners and provides appropriate support under its Additional Needs framework. Pupils are screened on entry to establish baseline English language proficiency. Support may include Personalised Learning lessons delivered during or outside curriculum time, depending on need. Progress and targets are reviewed regularly by the Personalised Learning Department in collaboration with parents. The policy indicates that EAL support is available to pupils who meet admission criteria and require language support.

Mental Wellbeing

RSJ aims to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for all pupils through universal and targeted approaches.

The Pupil Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy identifies leadership by the Deputy Principal (Pastoral), the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and the boarding Housemaster/mistresses (HMs), and requires concern reporting via CPOMS.

The school provides a trained counselling psychologist offering bilingual sessions and regular drop-in appointments; confidentiality is maintained with safeguarding exceptions.

Teaching about mental health is included in the PSHE curriculum (Personal, Social, Health Education), with signposting to internal and external support.

In addition, the School is a member of the online platform The Wellbeing Hub and uses this train and support staff, pupils and parents in topics on mental health and wellbeing.

Parents are supported with resources and guidance, and referrals to health professionals are coordinated with staff.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and the welfare of pupils are paramount at RSJ. The Safeguarding Policy outlines roles, responsibilities, and a safeguarding committee led by the Designated Safeguarding Lead with deputy leads and health centre involvement. It references UK guidance (Keeping Children Safe in Education) and Japanese legislation, and requires staff training and adherence to reporting procedures. The policy covers a wide range of safeguarding issues, including child protection, reporting concerns, and wellbeing planning linked to education. RSJ integrates safeguarding with wellbeing and mental health provisions to ensure a safe school environment.

History

Rugby School Japan (RSJ) was founded in 2023 as Rugby School's second international school in its 450‑year history, following Rugby School Thailand. It is Greater Tokyo's first British boarding school and is based in Kashiwanoha Smart City, about 30 minutes from central Tokyo. The school is a partnership between the Rugby School Group and Clarence Education Asia (CEA), combining Rugby's heritage with a Japanese‑based pathway for students aged 11 to 18. RSJ operates a six‑house pastoral system—School House, Rupert Brooke, Tudor, Sheriff, Southfield, and Town—to anchor community life and lifelong friendships. Since opening, RSJ has drawn pupils from 26+ nationalities and plans to reach 500 pupils by 2027 with a full capacity of 780; its first leavers have progressed to universities including UCL, King's College London, McGill, Edinburgh, Hong Kong University, and Waseda.

Community

RSJ supports an 11–18 community drawn from 30+ nationalities, with about 56% of pupils boarding. The house system anchors pastoral life, building long‑term friendships within a shared culture. The co‑curricular program includes 70+ enrichment activities, spanning sport, arts, and service, and is designed to extend learning beyond the classroom. Community life is reinforced by events such as School Assembly, Sports Day, and other school gatherings; for example, Year 13 leavers are celebrated as they move into higher education, and inter-house and Derby Day gatherings with other British schools in Japan reflect the school's sport and community spirit.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

RSJ engages families through a formal Parent Forum. In February 2025, more than 40 parents attended the forum to discuss six key areas of school life, providing constructive feedback to shape future initiatives. The forum highlighted a desire for more accessible information about school events and for stronger parent connections; in response, RSJ has launched Classlist to connect parents and improve communications, and to host additional informal parent events on campus. This demonstrates an active, structured channel for parent input alongside ongoing school communications.

Facilities Overview

Rugby School Japan sits on a Garden Campus in Kashiwanoha Smart City, featuring twelve green spaces around a central green courtyard, with around 300 existing trees preserved and more planted. The campus combines heritage and contemporary design and hosts a range of modern academic and co-curricular spaces. Core academic facilities include science rooms, visual art studios and a gallery, design & technology rooms, a medical centre, a lecture theatre, a library and reading rooms, plus a Sixth-form Centre. Co-curricular and creative facilities include a Blackbox theatre, a Harlequin floor Dance Studio, music rooms and recording studios. The sports complex includes a 25m indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, rugby and soccer pitches, tennis courts and multi-purpose courts, along with a dining hall and common rooms.

Sports Facilities

The campus includes a 25m indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, rugby and soccer pitches, tennis courts and multi-purpose courts.

Academic Facilities

Science labs, visual art studios and gallery, design and technology studios, medical centre, lecture theatre, library and reading rooms, Sixth-form Centre.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Blackbox theatre, Harlequin-floor dance studio, debate room, music rooms and recording studios.

Academic & Intellectual

RSJ offers an extensive programme of academic enrichment beyond the classroom. Pupils participate in national and international competitions and benefit from collaborations with universities that bring regular lectures and visiting speakers to campus. A broad range of societies supports learning across subjects, encouraging deeper exploration and interdisciplinary thinking. Departmental visits and external collaborations are used to challenge pupils and broaden their intellectual horizons.

Arts & Creative

RSJ places strong emphasis on the creative arts as part of a holistic education. The campus houses facilities including a Black Box theatre, a Music Centre and dedicated Art studios to support performing and visual arts. The co-curricular programme includes music, drama and dance opportunities, with pupils able to perform in events and exhibitions. Creative arts are integrated with the wider curriculum to develop confidence, collaboration and creativity.

Cultural & Language

Rugby School Japan celebrates a vibrant and diverse student body representing over 25 nationalities. In 2026, the school launched its inaugural Global Day, an annual highlight that fosters cultural appreciation and inspires inclusive global perspectives. While English is the primary language of instruction and community life, pupils are encouraged to broaden their horizons through dedicated language programs in Chinese, German, French, and Japanese.

Social & Hobbies

RSJ offers a vibrant array of co-curricular clubs and societies, including debating, financial investment clubs and ecological clubs. A House system underpins pupil life, providing leadership opportunities and a sense of belonging across year groups. Boarding and day pupils have access to activities in the evenings and on weekends, fostering social engagement and a balanced school experience.

Community & Service

The Rugby School Japan Enrichment Programme integrates community engagement and service directly into the student experience. Through partnerships with local and international organisations—including the Kashiwa Exchange Society, United World Schools, and the Postcard Collective—pupils move beyond theoretical learning into active social participation. Many initiatives, such as Profit with Purpose and the Sustainability Society, are student-led to prioritise leadership, project management, and a sense of ownership. Practical activities ranging from the School Cleaning initiative to charity sales require students to apply planning, collaboration, and resilience in real-world contexts. These service-oriented projects are designed to nurture empathy and inclusive perspectives, demonstrating the measurable impact of collective effort.

Leadership & Professional

Leadership development is embedded in RSJ life. Every pupil belongs to a House, which builds responsibility, teamwork and leadership through interactions within and across year groups. The co-curricular programme includes clubs such as debating and financial investment, offering opportunities to develop presentation, analytical, and collaborative skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

RSJ supports physical health and wellbeing through a broad sports programme beyond rugby, including football, basketball, hockey, tennis, badminton and swimming. The campus provides indoor and outdoor courts, a sports hall and a swimming pool to support a wide range of activities. Boarding life includes evening and weekend activities that contribute to a balanced lifestyle and social wellbeing.

Awards

Rugby School Japan has been awarded COBIS Beacon Status for pupil welfare. This COBIS designation recognizes exceptional pastoral care and welfare for students, and RSJ is noted as one of the few schools in Japan to receive it. The award was announced in November 2024 as part of COBIS recognition.

Accreditations

Rugby School Japan holds the following accreditations:

- COBIS membership and accreditation (Council of British International Schools). In November 2024, Rugby School Japan gained accreditation and membership to COBIS, joining a global network of British international schools that meet robust international standards and pursue high academic and pastoral provision. rsj also holds COBIS Beacon Status for pupil welfare as part of this COBIS recognition.

- Governor of Chiba Prefecture accreditation. Rugby School Japan is a school corporation established under Japan's Private Schools Act and is accredited by the Governor of Chiba Prefecture (School Code H212310000206).

Admissions

doris recommends that you start by speaking to admissions. This connects you directly to the school's admissions team who can respond with answers, more information, and next steps.

1. Application submission and initial eligibility. Applications are accepted for Years 7 through 12, with spaces strictly limited in each year. Applications are processed on a rolling basis throughout the school year, but early applications are encouraged and some year groups may close once full. If a year group is full, a waiting list will be used to manage demand. The online application is completed via the OpenApply system, and after submission a member of the Admissions team will contact you to outline next steps.

2. Application fee payment and Confidential Reference Form request. All families must pay a 40,000 yen application fee and request a Confidential Reference Form through the OpenApply system at this stage. The Confidential Reference Form asks the nominated referee for comments on your child's academic and pastoral suitability. If there are issues requesting the form, contact the admissions team for assistance.

3. Admissions assessments and testing. Applicants will complete the CAT4 assessment and the Oxford English Placement Test, followed by an interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Before these assessments, families are invited to a pre-screening interview with a member of the Admissions Team. Year 12 applicants will also take English and Maths assessment papers (30 minutes each) plus additional subjects as chosen by the pupil.

4. Decision and communication of results. After completing the assessments, the Admissions Team will contact you with your results in approximately 1–2 weeks. For successful overseas applicants who will travel to Japan alone, a student visa application is required at this stage, and the visa process typically takes about three months.

5. Open Days, visits, and arranging in-person meetings. The School holds regular Open Days, and prospective parents are encouraged to register to visit the campus. If in-person attendance is not possible, online sessions can be arranged, and private campus visits can be coordinated by emailing admissions@rugbyschooljapan.ed.jp.

6. Next steps and ongoing communication. Following initial contact, families will continue to engage with the Admissions Team as the process progresses, with annual year-group considerations and potential updates to timelines based on year-group capacity and admissions decisions. Waiting lists and capacity constraints may influence the timing of offers.

Scholarships

RSJ offers a multi-faceted Scholarships Programme across several disciplines, with Awards lasting for the duration of a pupil's time at RSJ, subject to annual review. The main scholarship types are Academic, Expressive and Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Sports, and All-Rounder (by invitation). Each award typically includes a tuition-related waiver, with other fees payable; boarding fee support may be offered at the Principal's discretion. Details: Academic Scholarships (Years 7–12) may include up to a 10% waiver of Day Pupil Annual Tuition Fees, plus 100% waivers of Enrolment Fee and School Development Fee; other fees remain payable. Expressive and Visual Arts Scholarships include a 10% tuition waiver and 100% waivers of Enrolment and School Development Fees, with other fees payable; Performing Arts Scholarships mirror the same structure, and Sports Scholarships offer similar waivers with an additional practical assessment component. All-Rounder Scholarships (By Invitation only) are for pupils contributing across multiple life areas and follow a tailored programme with mentor support; award details are shared upon invitation. All scholarships require annual review and adherence to RSJ values. Application basics: RSJ's Scholarship process involves an initial RSJ Admissions application, then a separate Scholarship path for eligible candidates, including interviews, portfolios, or auditions as appropriate; internal candidates may be considered.

Waitlist

The school uses a waiting-list system when a year group is full. If a year group has no remaining space, waiting lists are activated to manage interested applicants and determine potential offers as spaces become available. This approach is taken because year-group spaces are limited and the school reserves the right to close applications to certain year groups when full.

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Nishimachi International School

Instructs in English

Ages 5 - 15 years

Fees ¥3,380,000

Pupils 468

Type Co-educational

Founded in 1949, Nishimachi International School is a coeducational K–9 day school in central Tokyo. The school enrolls about 480 students, with approximately 20 students per class in Kindergarten through Grade 6 and middle school classes typically ranging from 10–20. Instruction is in English and all students study Japanese. The school describes its curriculum as based on American Common Core standards alongside its Japanese language and culture program taught daily through Grade 9. Beyond academics, students can join activities such as drama, band, ikebana, and sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, track and field, cross country and badminton. The school also runs overnight trips to Kazuno (Grades 4–8) and winter ski trips (Grades 4–9).