doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
H

Hong Kong Japanese School

Hong Kong

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Japanese
Fees HK$5,625 - 9,805
Ages 4 - 11 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1966
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Japanese Curriculum
Taught languages English, Japanese
Strengths Sport, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Hong Kong Japanese School (HKJS) was established in 1966 and today operates two campuses: the Hong Kong Campus in Happy Valley and the Japanese International School in Taipo. The Happy Valley campus serves elementary and junior high students through a curriculum approved by Japan’s Ministry of Education, ensuring continuity with schools in Japan. The Taipo campus houses the International Section, where children aged 4 to 11 follow the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) in English, with Japanese offered as an additional language. The Happy Valley site features facilities such as computer labs, a traditional Japanese tatami room, and a well-equipped lecture hall, while Taipo emphasizes inquiry-based IB learning. HKJS also runs a dedicated school bus network across Hong Kong, providing safe transport for students. Its unique combination of Japanese national education and IB curriculum options makes it an important institution for both Japanese expatriates and international families.

157 Blue Pool Rd, Wong Nai Chung Gap, Hong Kong

The Essentials

Hong Kong Japanese School has instruction in English, Japanese.

Location
The school has two campuses: the Hong Kong Campus in Happy Valley and the Japanese International School in Taipo. Happy Valley is a central residential area on Hong Kong Island, close to Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, with good public transport links. The Taipo campus is in the New Territories, surrounded by green areas and accessible via the East Rail Line.

Stages
The Happy Valley campus offers elementary and junior high school (Grades 1–9) under Japan’s national curriculum. The Taipo campus has the International Section, providing IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in English for children aged 4 to 11, covering Reception through Grade 6.

Type
The school is co-educational across both campuses

Additional learning support
The school provides special considerations for students with additional learning needs, which may include tailored support and adjustments. Details are managed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with families.

Country affiliation
The Hong Kong campus is officially recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Education as an overseas Japanese educational facility. The Taipo campus operates under Hong Kong government approval.

Religious affiliation
The school does not have a religious affiliation.

School day structure
Classes typically begin at 8:00–8:30 a.m. and finish around 3:00–3:30 p.m., with scheduled recess and a lunch break. The exact timings vary slightly between elementary and junior high divisions.

Bus service
The school runs an organized school bus service across Hong Kong, managed by the Hong Kong Japanese School Bus Association. Routes cover major residential areas to both campuses, ensuring safe and reliable transport for students. Families arrange registration directly with the service provider.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are sold through Uniform Station Ltd. The Lai Chi Kok flagship store is located on the 8th Floor of the China Pacific Industrial Building, No. 10 Wing Hong Street, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon. An online shop is available at https://www.jis.ufsonline.com.hk, and home delivery is offered.

Governance and Ownership
The Hong Kong Japanese School operates two campuses: the Hong Kong campus and the Tai Po campus. It was established under the Japanese government's overseas education policy and is privately operated by Hong Kong Japanese School Limited; it is recognised as a private school by the Hong Kong government.
Fees

Annual tuition at Hong Kong Japanese School ranges from HKD 5,625 to HKD 9,805 for 2026/27.

Application Fee
For the 2025/26 academic year, there is no admission fee for new or transfer students, in line with Hong Kong Government instructions.

Tuition Fees (per month)

* Elementary (Hong Kong School): HKD 5,600
* Elementary (Hong Kong Global Class): HKD 9,780
* Elementary (Tai Po School): HKD 5,600
* Junior High: HKD 6,640

PTA Membership Fees (per month)

* Elementary (all divisions): HKD 25
* Junior High: HKD 6

Total Monthly Fees

* Elementary (Hong Kong School): HKD 5,625
* Elementary (Hong Kong Global Class): HKD 9,805
* Elementary (Tai Po School): HKD 5,625
* Junior High: HKD 6,646

School Bus Fees (per month)

* Hong Kong School / Global Class / Junior High: HKD 2,350
* Tai Po School: HKD 2,030
(Fees vary slightly by route; Kowloon and New Territories users may pay different amounts.)

Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
Fees are billed three times per year, each covering four months. Deduction dates are April 1, August 1, and December 1. Payments are automatically deducted in Hong Kong dollars.

Other Costs
Uniforms, textbooks, and extracurricular activities are charged separately. School bus fees are set annually by the Bus Users’ Association.

Refunds
Withdrawals before the start of term may be eligible for partial refunds, handled case by case.

Payment Options
Fees are collected via automatic bank transfer in Hong Kong dollars.


Academics

Hong Kong Japanese School teaches IB (PYP), Japanese Curriculum for students aged 4 to 11.

Curriculum
The Hong Kong Japanese School offers two distinct curriculum pathways across its campuses. The Happy Valley campus provides elementary and junior high education (Grades 1–9) following the Japanese national curriculum, officially accredited by Japan’s Ministry of Education. This ensures students can transition smoothly to schools in Japan or other Japanese international schools abroad. At the Tai Po campus, the International Section serves children aged 4 to 11 through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), taught in English. Japanese language is also introduced as part of the International Section, giving students exposure to bilingual learning. Together, the school accommodates both Japanese expatriate families seeking continuity with Japan’s system and international families looking for an IB-based primary program.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding SEL initiatives or specific provision for social and emotional learning.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school notes that it can provide special considerations (特別配慮) for students with additional learning needs, handled on a case-by-case basis in consultation with families. It is not a specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL.

Mental Wellbeing
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding mental wellbeing programmes or provisions.

Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding policies or child protection measures.
Parent Experience

History
The Hong Kong Japanese School was established in 1966 as a private school for the Japanese community in Hong Kong. It is recognized as an overseas educational facility by Japan’s Ministry of Education and is also formally approved by the Hong Kong Government. In 1997, a second campus opened in Tai Po, housing the International Section alongside the Japanese elementary school. The Happy Valley campus underwent a major renovation from 2012 to 2013, upgrading facilities such as classrooms, a lecture hall, and a traditional Japanese tatami room.

Community
The school community includes both Japanese and international families, with events reflecting this mix of cultures. Community activities include seasonal celebrations, student performances, and cultural exchanges between the Japanese Section and the International Section. The school also highlights contributions from parents, alumni, and staff in supporting educational and extracurricular life.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA is active in organizing school-wide events and supporting both campuses. Activities typically include cultural festivals, charity initiatives, and family gatherings. The PTA collaborates with staff to improve school life and maintains links between parents and teachers. It also plays a role in fundraising and supports extracurricular opportunities. The association is involved in practical matters such as school bus coordination and contributes to decision-making on annual budgets for student activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Two campuses operate in Hong Kong: the Hong Kong Campus in Happy Valley and the Tai Po Campus (Japanese International School). The Hong Kong Campus was established in 1966 and underwent major renovations in 2012 to become modern and functional. The Hong Kong Campus includes computer classrooms, a Shoin-style Japanese room, and functional lecture rooms. The Tai Po Campus houses an International Section offering English-taught classes under the International Baccalaureate framework. The Hong Kong Campus is located in Happy Valley.

Sports Facilities
Tai Po Campus features an artificial turf sports field. It has a heated indoor pool. The library on the Tai Po Campus provides Japanese and English books on two floors.

Academic Facilities
The Tai Po Campus houses an International Section (IS) that offers English-taught instruction under the International Baccalaureate framework. English classes are taught daily in small groups from grades 1–6 by five native English teachers. The Hong Kong Campus hosts computer classrooms, a Shoin-style Japanese room, and functional lecture rooms. The Hong Kong Campus was established in 1966 and is recognized by the Hong Kong government as a private school. The Hong Kong Campus is located in Happy Valley and underwent modernization in 2012.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Tai Po Campus engages in various exchange activities with local Hong Kong schools and cross-age group activities to facilitate inter-age interaction. The International Section provides English-taught instruction under IB, with daily English classes taught by native teachers. The library provides Japanese and English books on two floors to support language learning and reading. These elements contribute to international exposure and language development within the school community.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Hong Kong Japanese School operates two campuses in Hong Kong: the Hong Kong campus (Happy Valley) and the Tai Po campus (Japanese International School). The Hong Kong campus follows the Japanese National Curriculum as an overseas education facility recognized by the Japanese government. The Global Class is a bilingual program launched in 2016, delivering Global Studies and a Student Action Project with English-language presentations; Math and Science are taught in English by English teachers with support from native-English speaking and bilingual teachers. The Global Class is planned to commence at the Tai Po campus in 2027 as the primary section expands to secondary, with preparations starting in early 2025, subject to Education Bureau approval.

Cultural & Language
The Tai Po campus includes an International Section (IS) that follows the IB curriculum and provides English-taught instruction. The Tai Po campus operates as the Japanese International School, while the Hong Kong campus operates under the Hong Kong Japanese School umbrella. The Hong Kong campus is located on Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island, and the Tai Po campus is located in Tai Po District. The English-language names used are Hong Kong Japanese School for the Hong Kong campus and Japanese International School for the Tai Po campus.
Languages

Language Provision
The core language of instruction is Japanese. An International Section at Tai Po Campus offers English-taught IB courses. The Global Class provides a bilingual education in Japanese and English.

Bilingual Teaching
The Global Class provides bilingual education (Japanese and English). The International Section at Tai Po Campus offers English-taught IB curriculum.
Reputation

Accreditations
* HKJS is recognized as an “overseas educational facility” (在外教育施設) under Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). This status means its Japanese-curriculum programs abroad align with compulsory education standards in Japan.
* HKJS is also officially approved as a private school by the Hong Kong Government.
* The Taipo campus (Japanese International School / JIS) hosts an International Section that offers the IB PYP (Primary Years Programme), implying authorization to teach IB PYP.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Application Submission
Parents first submit an application form during the designated intake period. The school requests relevant documents such as proof of residence, student records, and health information. Applications are made directly to the school office.

2. Document Review
Submitted applications are reviewed by the admissions office. Families may be asked to provide clarifications or additional paperwork, especially if transferring from schools outside Japan.

3. Assessment / Placement
Students transferring from Japan or other accredited Japanese schools typically follow placement based on their current grade. For others, the school considers age, prior schooling, and Japanese language ability.

4. Notification of Results
Once reviewed, the school notifies families about admission outcomes. Successful applicants are given details about registration, school start dates, and required orientation materials.

5. Enrollment & Fee Payment
Families confirm acceptance by completing enrollment forms and setting up fee payment arrangements. Payments are handled through automatic bank deductions in Hong Kong dollars.

Scholarships
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding scholarships or financial aid.

Waitlist
The school does not publicly disclose whether it operates a waitlist or pool system for oversubscribed year groups.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Hong Kong View all schools in Hong Kong View all schools in Hong kong IB curriculum schools in Hong Kong Open days & tours in Hong Kong What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools