International schools in Japan 2026: fees & curricula

International schools in Japan

International schools are concentrated in Tokyo, with further options in Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe and Nagoya. The main curricula are British (IGCSE/A-Level), American, and the International Baccalaureate — Tokyo is one of the strongest IB cities in Asia, with several schools offering the full PYP–MYP–DP continuum. Long-standing names include the American School in Japan and the British School in Tokyo. Fees sit at the premium end: annual tuition commonly runs ¥2.5m–5.8m (about US$17,000–40,000) depending on school and age, and the real outlay is typically 20–30% higher once application, enrolment/facilities, transport, lunches and trips are added. Popular schools have waiting lists, so apply early.

Public schools and homeschooling

Japan's public elementary and junior high schools accept the children of foreign residents free of charge — tuition and textbooks are provided during the compulsory years — regardless of the parents' visa status. Note a legal nuance: Japan's nine-year compulsory education applies to Japanese nationals, so foreign children are not legally required to attend, but MEXT guarantees them a free place if parents request one. Instruction is in Japanese; younger children adapt quickly and language support is available, though older teens often prefer an international school. From FY2026 Japan removed household-income caps on high-school tuition subsidies for both public and private schools. Homeschooling is not recognised within the compulsory-education framework and sits in a legal grey area — tolerated in practice but not a formal, regulated option, so take local advice before relying on it.

At a glance

Where it fits in a borderless plan

Schooling is often the deciding factor in a family move to Japan, and the international tier is expensive by global standards — budget accordingly. Weigh it against healthcare, banking and where you are tax-resident. Compare options in our international-schools guide.