International school admissions in Tokyo reward families who start early and stay organised. The capital has a deep pool of international schools, but the most established names fill their places well ahead of the school year, and the paperwork can feel unfamiliar to families arriving from abroad. This 2026 guide explains the admissions timeline, the documents you will need, how entry assessments work and what language support to expect, so your move to Tokyo goes as smoothly as possible.
How the Tokyo admissions calendar works
Most international schools in Tokyo run an August or September start, mirroring the northern-hemisphere academic year, though a few follow other calendars. Applications for the most competitive year groups often open ten to twelve months in advance. If you know a posting to Tokyo is coming, begin the process as soon as the move is confirmed rather than waiting until you arrive.
Mid-year entry is possible at many schools when places exist, particularly outside the popular entry points of early years, the first year of primary and the start of secondary. Because corporate relocations to Tokyo happen year round, schools are used to handling off-cycle applications, but availability is never guaranteed.
Curricula you will be choosing between
Tokyo offers the full range of international programmes. The International Baccalaureate is widely available and travels well if further moves are likely. British-style IGCSE and A-Level schools suit families connected to the UK system, while American-curriculum schools with Advanced Placement serve those heading toward North American universities. Several schools blend these systems, so it is worth confirming exactly which qualifications a school offers at the upper levels before you apply.
Leading international schools in Tokyo
The schools below are well known among Tokyo's expat community. Contact each directly to confirm availability for your child's year group, and use school visits to judge fit.
Aoba-Japan International School
An IB World School offering the full continuum from early years to the Diploma, with a reputation for innovation and a globally minded community. See Aoba-Japan International School on ISchoolAdvisor.
St. Mary's International School
A long-established school for boys offering the IB Diploma, known for strong academics, music and athletics. View St. Mary's International School.
Makuhari International School
An English-medium school in the greater Tokyo area combining elements of the Japanese and international approaches, popular with bilingual families. View Makuhari International School.
Musashi International School Tokyo
A smaller international school offering a personalised, English-language education with a focus on individual progress. See Musashi International School Tokyo.
Documents you will need to apply
Requirements vary by school, but a typical Tokyo application asks for the following. Gather these before you start so nothing stalls your file:
- Completed application form and the application or assessment fee.
- The two most recent school reports or transcripts, translated into English if needed.
- A copy of the child's passport and, once issued, residence card details.
- A reference or recommendation from the current school, sometimes sent directly between schools.
- Immunisation or health records.
- For older students, any standardised test results the school requests.
Assessments and interviews
Younger applicants are usually assessed informally through a play-based session or a short classroom visit. From upper primary onward, schools commonly use an English-language assessment, sometimes alongside a maths test, plus a conversation with the child and a meeting with the family. The aim is to confirm the school can meet the child's needs rather than to filter out applicants, but for selective year groups the assessment also helps schools manage limited places.
Language support for new arrivals
Children do not always need fluent English to enter a Tokyo international school, because many run English as an Additional Language support to help newcomers settle and catch up. The amount of support varies widely, so if your child is an emerging English speaker, ask each school directly how EAL is delivered, how long students typically receive it and whether there is an extra fee. Families who want to maintain Japanese alongside English should ask about the Japanese language programme too.
Practical admissions tips
Apply to more than one school. Given waiting lists, sensible families keep two or three options open until a place is confirmed.
Sort housing around the school. Tokyo commutes can be long, so confirm a school place before committing to a neighbourhood and a lease.
Keep digital copies of everything. Scanned reports, passports and references let you respond to requests within hours rather than days.
To compare schools, read profiles and check indicative prices, browse the listings on ISchoolAdvisor as you build your shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply to international schools in Tokyo?
For competitive year groups, apply ten to twelve months before the August or September start. Mid-year places can open at other times, so it is always worth asking even on short notice.
Does my child need to speak English to be admitted?
Not always. Many Tokyo international schools offer English as an Additional Language support for newcomers. Confirm with each school how much support is provided and whether it carries an additional cost.
What documents are required for admission?
Expect to provide recent school reports, the child's passport and residence details, a reference from the current school, health and immunisation records, and any requested test results, along with the application form and fee.