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International Schools in Tokyo, Japan

Compare 23 international schools in Tokyo, Japan. Filter by curriculum, fees (average JPY 1,178,945), location, and more to find the right international school now.

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

Schools listed
23
Curricula
19
Average annual fee
JPY 1,178,945
Fee range
JPY 25,000 – 2,240,136
More school facts
Most common curriculum
Montessori Curriculum (9 schools)
Average school size
513 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Lycée Français International de Tokyo
Oldest
Lycée Français International de Tokyo (1967)
About international schools in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo’s international schools form a large, well-established sector serving expatriate and globally mobile Japanese families across central wards and residential suburbs. Most schools teach in English and commonly follow the IB continuum, British (English National Curriculum/IGCSE/A-Level) or American programmes; there are also national-system schools (French, German, Indian) and a growing number of bilingual Japanese - English programmes. Annual tuition for many established schools most often sits in the roughly ¥2.0 - 3.5 million band, though a handful of premium schools charge more and some smaller or community schools are less expensive; expect additional one-off entrance or capital levies and extra costs for transport and lunches. Admissions operate on a mix of rolling and cohort cycles - popular entry points fill early - so families should start enquiries several months to a year ahead and allow time for Japanese visa/Certificate of Eligibility paperwork and for calendar mismatches (Japanese schools run April - March while many international schools use an August/September intake).

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Popular comparisons in Tokyo

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FAQs for Japan

Which curricula will I find in Tokyo and how do they differ in practice?
You will commonly find the IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP), British programmes (EYFS/IGCSE/A-Level, with many schools also offering the IB Diploma at upper secondary) and US-style curricula (US diploma with AP or college-prep pathways), plus national-system schools for particular language communities. The IB emphasises inquiry and a continuum from early years to diploma, British schools follow a subject-specific path leading to IGCSE/A-Level assessments, and American schools typically use a grade-level transcript with elective AP options; bilingual schools blend language instruction and local content.
How much should I budget for school fees and additional costs?
For many established international schools in Tokyo, annual tuition commonly falls in the roughly ¥2.0 - 3.5 million range, but first-year costs are often higher once you add one-off entrance or facilities levies, bus fees, lunches and extracurriculars. A small number of premium schools charge above ¥4 million, and there are lower-cost international or community options; always ask schools for a full breakdown of first-year versus ongoing costs and whether deposits are refundable.
When should I start applying, and how do admissions usually work?
Timing varies by school, but a practical rule is to begin enquiries 6 - 12 months before your intended start date; highly sought entry years can require registering interest 12 - 15 months ahead and mid-market schools commonly open formal applications 6 - 9 months out. Admissions typically include an application form and fee, document checks, potential language or age-appropriate assessments and a family interview; many schools operate waiting lists and offer sibling priority or defined enrolment policies, so clarify each school’s process early.
Will my child need to speak Japanese to join an international school in Tokyo?
Most international schools in Tokyo use English as the medium of instruction, so native-level Japanese is not a precondition for entry, and many schools provide JSL/EAL support for new arrivals. That said, bilingual schools explicitly teach in both Japanese and English and may expect some Japanese at certain entry points, so check each school’s language policy and support provision.
What practical things should a relocating family prioritise when comparing schools?
Compare curriculum authorisation and accreditation, language-support and pastoral provision, class size and staff qualifications, and the school’s published pathways for secondary/university progression; also factor in commute times, transport options and whether the school’s calendar matches your visa and work timelines. Meet admissions staff, attend open days where possible, and request a full, itemised fee schedule and the school’s policy on waiting lists, deferrals and sibling priority before you commit.