Compare Affordable International Schools in Japan

North London Collegiate School Kobe (NLCS Kobe) opened in September 2025 and is a co educational day school for students in Grades 1 to 7, located on Rokko Island, Kobe, with convenient access to both Kobe and Osaka. Guided by the philosophy of being an “International School with a Japanese Heart,” the school combines a globally minded education with a strong appreciation for Japanese language, culture, and values. All classes are taught in English and follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, encouraging inquiry based learning, critical thinking, creativity, and international mindedness. The school also places strong emphasis on personalised pastoral care and small class sizes to support each student’s individual development. Facilities at the Rokko Island campus include dedicated spaces for science, ICT, art, music, and drama, providing students with a broad and enriching educational experience. A growing co curricular programme further supports confidence, collaboration, and leadership skills. The planned Senior School campus will open on Rokko Mountain in 2028 and will include boarding facilities, expanding the school’s provision for secondary students within a distinctive natural setting.

Abroad International School Osaka is a co-educational school in Ikuno-ku, Osaka, serving students from age 1 through Grade 12, with learning pathways that include Early Learning Center through High School. The school is an IB Continuum School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The school notes the DP will launch in August 2026. In the Early Learning Center, the school states the youngest learners follow the UK EYFS framework. Support services include an EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme and a school bus service with published routes/schedules. After-school options include Study Hall in the library and a range of clubs such as soccer, karate, art and crafts and Korean language.

Aichi International School (AIS) is an integrated kindergarten and elementary school in Hoshigaoka, Nagoya, serving children aged 3–12. Kindergarten is taught in a 100% English immersion setting, and the elementary school (Grades 1–6) runs a bilingual program with approximately 70% of instruction in English and 30% in Japanese. AIS states its curriculum is tailored from guidelines set by Japan’s Ministry of Education and British Columbia, Canada. For assessment, AIS notes that Grades 3–6 take the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) in English and Math, and students also sit EIKEN-based tests. After school, children can join language-learning and sports/culture options such as Japanese lessons, tea ceremony, drama club, soccer and computer club. The school is reachable by subway and bus, with Hoshigaoka Station within walking distance.

Al Sanad School Japan is located at 2 Chome-3-1 Haracho, with the school noting access from Shinden/Dokkyo Station, approximately 8 minutes by bus or 30 minutes on foot. The school offers education from Primary School starting at age 6 and continues into secondary education, including IGCSE and A Level programmes, with Cambridge examination fees referenced in its official fee documents. Daily routines include a scheduled morning tahfiz session. The school also states that clubs are offered alongside the academic programme. Al Sanad School Japan organises structured academic activities such as an English Internal Competition, with separate categories for primary and secondary students. For older students, the school also describes providing overseas opportunities, including a study tour and Umrah trip, as part of its broader educational activities.

Aoba-Japan International School – Bunkyo Campus is an IB World School in central Tokyo that serves Grades 10–12. The campus is on the Yamanote Line, near Sugamo and Komagome stations, and features open-plan classrooms and specialized spaces such as a black-box theater, sound-proof music studios, and multimedia rooms, plus a spacious cafeteria and lobby. The Grade 10 program blends team- and research-based learning with real-life experience through internships. Students choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) and the Global Leadership Diploma (GLD), with advisory teachers helping tailor pathways to individual interests and career goals. An Online IB Diploma Programme option is available for Grades 11–12, offering hybrid and fully online learning. Beyond academics, the campus runs after-school programs in sports, Model United Nations, and design, and hosts arts events like the DP Arts Exhibition and Shredfest, aligning student passions with university opportunities worldwide. Advisory teachers support course planning early.

Aoba-Japan International School's Meguro Campus caters specifically to early education for children aged 18 months to six years. Located in Tokyo's Aobadai neighborhood, the campus operates across two adjacent buildings: one dedicated to toddlers and another for four- to six-year-olds. The school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), delivering transdisciplinary units in English. Students participate in a distinctive After School Program that features Taiko drumming, violin instruction, calligraphy, and STEAM activities. For older kindergarteners (K4 and K5), swimming lessons run throughout the academic year. The campus serves hot lunches prepared in halal-certified facilities by Cezars Kitchen, offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus daily. The school caps class sizes at 16 children with two educators per room, ensuring individualized attention. K5 graduates from Meguro transition directly into Grade 1 at Aoba’s larger Hikarigaoka campus.

Apple Learning International School is located in Nishi-kasai, Tokyo. The school offers a Preschool programme for children aged 2 to 6, with structured activities guided by Montessori philosophy. English is introduced through phonics, and mathematics is taught using materials designed to help children understand abstract concepts. For primary years, the school states it follows the Indian CBSE syllabus for Class 1 to Class 3. A regular feature mentioned by the school is weekly gymnastics as part of physical education, held every Friday.

Ascot International School Japan is a Cambridge International School in Kita-ku, Kobe City (Hyogo), serving students from Early Years through Upper Secondary. The school opened its Early Years section in January 2018 and joined the Cambridge International network in May 2022. Students follow Cambridge pathways leading to IGCSE and A-levels, with the curriculum noted as aligned to the English National Curriculum, and Japanese learning offered alongside the English-language program. The campus includes a gymnasium and a full artificial turf soccer pitch, and the school highlights woodland areas used for nature-based learning. After school, students can join activities such as AFA Soccer, basketball, badminton, gaming and homework club.

Camelot International School is a small international school located in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, close to Kotake-Mukaihara Station and within easy reach of central areas such as Ikebukuro. Founded in 2014, the school educates students from Grade 1 through Grade 12 and does not offer kindergarten or early years programmes. Teaching is conducted in English across all subjects. The school follows the Cambridge international pathway, offering Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary programmes, followed by Cambridge IGCSE and GCE A Levels in the upper secondary years. In primary school, mathematics is taught using Singapore Mathematics. Class sizes are deliberately small, with the school reporting an average of around 12 students per grade and even smaller groups in the upper secondary years. Camelot operates a main campus for primary and lower secondary students and a separate annex building for upper secondary students, located a short walk away. Students also take part in subjects such as physical education, music, drama and home economics, alongside the academic programme.

CGK International School – Kannai Campus in Yokohama offers international education from age 2 through middle school, with a high school scheduled to open in April 2028. The school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and is a candidate school for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), with learning structured around inquiry, projects and concept-based teaching. English is the main language of instruction across all sections of the school. The campus is located in the Kannai area of Naka Ward, a central district of Yokohama with convenient access to multiple train stations and nearby cultural and waterfront areas. CGK provides a school bus service for eligible students and offers seasonal school programs that extend learning beyond the classroom. A distinctive feature of the school is its one-year study abroad opportunity for middle school students, reflecting its focus on global experiences and international-mindedness.

Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) is a K–12 co-educational day school in Higashi Kurume, in Tokyo’s northwest suburbs, established in 1950. Instruction is in English and follows a North American curriculum model with Bible classes across grades. In high school, students can take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and complete a required Senior Capstone research-and-project course. Each fall, “School Without Walls” replaces normal classes for a week so students practice leadership and service around Japan. World languages include Japanese and Spanish, offered from beginning levels through advanced/AP options. Students join co-curricular programs such as robotics, Student Council, National Honor Society, drama and music ensembles. Campus spaces include the ARK building, which houses the cafeteria/kitchen, band room and a multi-purpose room for events and activities. Athletics in the high school profile include basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis and track.

Clarence International School is a British international pre-prep school in Minami-Aoyama, described as being in the heart of Tokyo. It serves children from 18 months to 6 years old and follows the English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the National Curriculum of England. Learning includes a strong arts component: the school highlights weekly music lessons with specialist teachers and visual art experiences such as sculpture, printmaking and ceramics. Outdoor learning is built in through frequent time in nearby parks and “Muddy Parks.” In the Rainbow class, children also begin structured technology learning, including typing, LEGO coding, Scratch and robotics. Beyond the school day, children can join termly clubs and the school states it operates its own bus service for routes and excursions.

Columbia International School is a K–12 school in Tokorozawa, west of Greater Tokyo, with access via Higashi-Tokorozawa Station on the JR Musashino Line. Teaching follows the Ontario (Canada) curriculum and all courses are taught in English, with Japanese (Kokugo) lessons offered daily up to Grade 8. The school offers a boarding program, with a dormitory located about an 8-minute walk from campus and supervised daily by a resident dorm supervisor. Co-curricular options listed by the school include activities such as art, newspaper, soccer, music club, yearbook club, photo club and drama club. For older students, the school notes that the Grade 11 Guidance Overseas Trip (G.O.T.) is a compulsory activity.

Deutsche Schule Kobe International is a school on Rokko Island serving ages 1 to 18. The school teaches in English, German and Japanese, with a German curriculum aligned to the Thüringer Lehrplan for German speakers and Japanese mother tongue programme for families. In the Early Years and Primary, students follow the IB Primary Years Programme while mathematics and language are taught through the Cambridge Primary Programme. From 2026/27, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Cambridge courses lead to the IGCSE, taught in English alongside German and Japanese language study. In 2030/31 the Diploma Programme will be offered; English remains the language of instruction, German is studied as a higher-level foreign language and Japanese may be available at native speaker level. The campus is eco-friendly and on Rokko Island. Facilities include swimming for pupils, specialist music and art, and a range of after-school clubs, coding, robotics and 3D modelling through STEM activities.

Deutsche Schule Tokyo Yokohama (DSTY) is a German international school in Yokohama, founded in 1904. It teaches according to German curricula and awards German qualifications up to the Deutsches Internationales Abitur (Grade 12). The language of instruction is German, and the school offers Japanese learning for both native speakers and students learning Japanese as a foreign language. English and French are also part of the programme, and students can earn the Latinum. Beyond lessons, DSTY runs a coordinated cocurricular afternoon programme (open all-day school) with care options and activities, as well as sports teams in football, volleyball and basketball. A distinctive feature is the on-campus BVB Evonik Football Academy, providing football training from kindergarten through upper school.

Doshisha International School Kyoto (DISK) is a Japanese-registered IB World School located in Kansai Science City, Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture. Established in 2011 as part of the Doshisha International Academy, the campus sits in a rural setting with mountain views. Facilities include a gym, outdoor grounds, Kizuna Terrace, a Science Lab, a Library with nearly 20,000 books in Japanese and English, plus an Art Room, a Music Room and Kizuna Hall. The school delivers the IB curriculum in English for students aged 11 to 18, with a Middle School Programme (MSP) for ages 11–16 and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework used for grades 9–10, comprising eight subject groups and an inquiry-based, concept-based approach. The IB Diploma Programme (DP) offers six subject groups, requires study in at least two languages, and includes the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS; DP total score up to 45. The motto Learning for Life, Learning for the World, Learning for Love guides principled, internationally minded learners. DISK is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). After-school clubs include Model United Nations and Yearbook Club.

Enishi International School in Nagoya offers an IB continuum, which includes the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), serving students from age 1 through Grade 12. Foundation classes use the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and the school states that from Preschool to High School it follows International Baccalaureate programs. The campus is located next to Noritake Garden and is about a 15-minute walk from Nagoya Station. Instruction is described as being in English, and Japanese is taught across age groups, including options in DP subject groups. EIS lists extensive after-school clubs (for example soccer, basketball, dance, drama, coding, robotics, chess and debate) and also mentions free Saturday courses for secondary students in subjects such as math and science.

Fukuoka International School (FIS) is an IB World School in Fukuoka, Japan, serving students aged 3–18. It offers all three IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The school is located in Momochi in western Fukuoka City. Its main campus overlooks the Muromi River, and an additional campus (“The Annex”) is a short walk away and houses the Art Center and Design Lab. Facilities listed by the school include a gym, playground, science labs, multiple learning spaces and a 12,000-volume library. Beyond classes, FIS runs an after-school activities programme refreshed each trimester, with examples such as martial arts, handball, yoga and a language lab, plus seasonal athletics clubs for older students. The school also hosts community events, including a Spring Festival described as a large-scale multicultural celebration.

Global Indian International School Tokyo – Kita Kasai Campus opened in April 2023 and is located in Edogawa City, on the eastern side of Tokyo. The campus accepts students from ages 3 to 18 and offers Pre-Primary through Highschool education. According to the school website, Kita Kasai campus provides three academic programmes: the Global Montessori Plus (GMP) programme for early years, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), and the Indian CBSE curriculum. The IB PYP curriculum includes English as the primary language of instruction, with Japanese or French offered as a second language. The campus is accessible from Nishi-Kasai Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, with nearby Toei Bus connections. GIIS Tokyo also lists a range of co-curricular activities across its campuses, including coding, dance and sports such as soccer and basketball, which support students’ learning beyond the classroom.

Global Indian International School – Higashi Kasai Campus in Tokyo offers international education pathways from upper primary through high school, featuring IB PYP, Cambridge (CLSP & IGCSE), and the IB Diploma Programme. Located in the residential Edogawa ward of eastern Tokyo, the campus combines internationally recognised curricula with a framework known as 9GEMS designed to develop varied competencies. Instruction is primarily in English, and students aged approximately 8 to 18 can pursue structured learning from primary through senior levels. The campus offers curriculum choices that support transitions to global higher education pathways and encourages participation in activities that support skills beyond academics, including technology and leadership-oriented programs. Bus services are available, and the school operates as a co-educational day school.

GIIS Tokyo’s Nishikasai campus is in Edogawa-ku, in the eastern part of Tokyo, and offers the CBSE (Indian) curriculum for students in Grades 3–12. Classrooms are described as “digitalised,” reflecting the campus focus on technology-supported learning. The school highlights its 9 GEMS framework and places emphasis on both Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) and Co-Curricular Activities (CCA). Activities referenced in GIIS Tokyo materials include options such as tennis, karate, soccer, badminton and table tennis, alongside clubs like Science Club and Math Club. GIIS Tokyo also runs student-facing programmes such as Model United Nations (MUN).

GIIS Tokyo’s Seishincho campus is a preschool campus in Edogawa-ku, described as being located along the Arakawa River side in Seishincho. The campus delivers the Global Montessori Plus (GMP) programme, which GIIS describes as combining Montessori education with “digital-era methods,” and it is offered at Seishincho and Kitakasai. GIIS highlights GMP’s “5 pillars,” including the Excelerate Programme, Multi-faceted Learning, iPlay Programme, iCare Programme and a Future Ready Programme. For admissions planning, GIIS publishes a Tokyo fees page that includes the GMP fee structure and notes that each academic year consists of four terms.

Global Wisdom International School (GWIS) operates in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward with two campuses: Funabori and Kasai. The Funabori Campus (3-1-4 Funabori, Edogawa-ku) provides a Montessori-based pre-school and kindergarten program for ages 2 to 6, emphasizing discovery and enquiry in an activity-rich environment. The Kasai Campus offers Cambridge Primary (and plans Cambridge Lower Secondary for future Grades 1–8). GWIS is officially recognized as a Cambridge International School, providing Cambridge Primary and, in future, Cambridge Lower Secondary. The school hosts a community of more than 100 students from roughly 10 nationalities, supporting an international atmosphere and cross-cultural learning. The learning approach blends hands-on Montessori practice with theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, and Bruner to balance free exploration with guided study. In addition to core curriculum, GWIS runs extensive after-school programs up to age 10, alongside arts, language development, and other extracurriculars to support holistic development. Admission is open for the 2026-27 academic year.

Global Wisdom International School’s Kasai Campus, located near Kasai Station in eastern Tokyo, provides education for students ages 2 to 14. The campus follows a mixed Montessori curriculum for its Kindergarten students and the Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary curriculums for Grades 1 through 8. A distinctive feature of the school is its specialized After-School Clubs, which offer concrete skill development beyond standard classes. For example, the Robotics Club allows students to build personalized robots using school-provided kits and chips while earning level certifications in AI and robotics. Additionally, students can train with a National Level Chess Coach or prepare for Math and Science Olympiad exams. With a student body of just over 100 children representing 10 nationalities, the school maintains an intimate, highly individualized learning environment. Instruction is in English, and supplementary language clubs in Japanese, Hindi, and Tamil help students deepen their multilingual abilities.

Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA) is a public boarding junior and senior high school in Osakikamijima, an island in the Seto Inland Sea, about 1.5 hours from Hiroshima. The school offers the International Baccalaureate: the Middle Years Programme (Grades 7–10) and the Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). HiGA supports learning in both English and Japanese, and notes that some DP subjects can be studied in either language depending on a student’s ability; it also provides individualized Japanese language courses. Student life includes dormitory living across grades and nationalities. After-school, students can join A4LC clubs such as science, sports, instrumental ensemble (big band jazz), and an art-and-technology group; a student A4LC team has competed in FIRST LEGO League and qualified for a national competition.

Hiroshima International School (HIS) is an IB World School founded in 1962 and located in Kurakake, Asakita-ku, on the edge of Hiroshima in a quiet residential district. Students follow the IB Primary Years Programme (ages 3–11), Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10), and Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). English is the language of instruction, and Japanese is taught as a subject. The campus facilities listed by the school include a large gymnasium, library, music room, art room, dance studio, science laboratory and an enclosed playground. A distinctive feature is the Thousand Crane Club: each year students deliver paper cranes sent from around the world to the Children’s (Sadako) Monument in Peace Memorial Park.

Hokkaido International School (HIS) in Sapporo opened in 1958 and is located in Toyohira-ku at 1-55, 5 jo 19 chome Hiragishi. The campus is accessible by subway, with directions provided from Odori Station to Sumikawa Station, followed by a 5–7 minute walk to the school. HIS offers education from the Early Years (ages 3–4) through Grade 12. In the Early Years, classrooms are described as Reggio Emilia inspired. At the elementary level, the school follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), while the middle school uses the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). In high school, students can take Advanced Placement courses, including the AP Capstone program with Seminar and Research, alongside a range of other AP subjects. Outdoor Education is identified by the school as an important part of the middle and high school curriculum, making use of Hokkaido’s natural environment as part of students’ learning experiences.

Hokkaido International School Niseko is a private, not-for-profit, coeducational day school in Niseko Town, offering an English-language international education from Early Years through Grade 8. Learning in Kindergarten to Grade 5 is delivered through the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), and Grades 6–8 use the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). Early Years is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. The campus integrates place-based learning by using Hokkaido’s history, geography and natural environment as an extension of the curriculum. Students also use Singapore Math (Math in Focus) from Kindergarten through Grade 6. A distinctive feature is the school’s outdoor programming, including a Niseko summer program with nature hikes and forestry, plus additional activities such as choir, botanical artmaking, cooking and gardening.

Horizon Academy Sendai Campus offers two stages: an Early Learning Centre for ages 3–5 and a Primary School for Grades 1–6. In the Early Learning Centre, the school describes its curriculum as based on the UK’s EYFS framework, with inquiry-based experiences in English. In Primary, the school states that it implements the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and is a PYP authorized school, with 50–60% of instruction in English and both Japanese and English homeroom teachers. The campus is located in Takamori, Sendai and the school describes the setting as a peaceful residential area surrounded by nature. Practical supports listed on the site include a school bus service and daycare options.

India International School in Japan (IISJ) was established in 2004 and provides education from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school follows the Indian Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, with students sitting for CBSE Board Examinations in Grades 10 and 12. IISJ also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for senior secondary students and publishes IB programme information on its website. The Tokyo campus relocated to a new building in spring 2023, which includes physics and chemistry laboratories, a library, a cafeteria, a gymnasium and a soccer field. Instruction is delivered in English, and additional languages taught as subjects include Japanese, Hindi, Tamil, French, and Nepali. IISJ provides a school bus service in Tokyo. After-school activities listed by the school include Model United Nations, STEM Club, Student Council and sports such as basketball and cricket.