If you are moving to Tokyo with school-age children, the fee question becomes one of the largest line items in the budget. Tokyo has a deep international school market, but tuition is high by global standards and the structure of the bill goes well beyond the headline number. This 2026 guide explains what international schools in Tokyo really cost, where families typically over or underestimate, and how to plan a sensible budget.
The shape of an international school bill in Tokyo
Most international school invoices in Tokyo are made up of four blocks: an enrolment or facility fee paid once at the start, annual tuition paid termly or in instalments, additional levies such as PTA, transport and lunches, and finally course-specific costs in the senior years. Add a registration or assessment fee at application, and a refundable deposit on accepting a place. None of these elements are unusual on their own, but the combination is what surprises new arrivals.
Schools quote in Japanese yen and most adjust their fees once a year, normally announced in the spring for the following August intake. The Yen-Dollar exchange rate matters: a fee that looked manageable on signing day can shift materially if your salary or housing allowance is paid in another currency.
Real 2026 fee ranges in Tokyo
As a working benchmark for the 2026 academic year, expect the following annual tuition ranges across the established Tokyo international schools: pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in the order of JPY 2.4 to 2.9 million, lower elementary JPY 2.6 to 3.1 million, upper elementary JPY 2.9 to 3.3 million, middle school JPY 3.0 to 3.5 million, and high school JPY 3.2 to 3.8 million for the IB Diploma and equivalent senior programmes.
Layer on top a one-time enrolment fee of JPY 350,000 to 1,200,000, a refundable deposit of around JPY 200,000 to 500,000, an annual facility or capital levy of JPY 200,000 to 500,000, transport in the order of JPY 280,000 a year for door-to-door, and uniforms, lunches, IGCSE or IB exam fees, residential trips and instrument hire as needed. Some schools also collect a development fund contribution at enrolment.
Top international schools and what their fee model looks like
Tokyo International School
Tokyo International School in Minato-ku is an IB World School covering the PYP, MYP and Diploma. Fees sit in the upper-middle band of the Tokyo market, with strong inclusion in the headline number and a published schedule that makes year-on-year planning straightforward.
Nishimachi International School
Founded in 1949 in Azabu, Nishimachi International School follows a US-style elementary and middle school programme with a strong Japanese language pillar. The fee structure includes a one-time enrolment fee that families should treat as non-recoverable when planning the total cost of a Tokyo posting.
Canadian International School Tokyo
The Canadian International School Tokyo delivers the British Columbia curriculum, leading to a BC Dogwood Diploma. Annual tuition is positioned competitively against the IB-only schools, and the fee package tends to be one of the more transparent in the city.
Shinagawa International School
Shinagawa International School offers a Cambridge-led primary and secondary programme. It is one of the more accessible price points in Tokyo for families who want a full English-medium curriculum without the premium of the most established names.
Gregg International School
Gregg International School is a smaller, family-run school in Setagaya. Fees include most of the daily essentials, and the school works well for families who value continuity from kindergarten through middle school.
What expat packages usually cover
If your move to Tokyo is supported by an employer, the contract often distinguishes between tuition, registration, capital levies and ancillary costs. Tuition and registration are normally covered. Capital levies and one-time enrolment fees are sometimes treated as personal expenses, particularly in the most competitive schools. Transport, uniforms, lunches and IB exam fees are usually outside the package. It is worth requesting a written breakdown from HR before you accept a place.
For families paying privately, several schools accept termly invoicing, which helps spread cash flow. Sibling discounts are limited compared with other Asian markets, and scholarships are rare in Tokyo, so plan around the published rates rather than hope for a reduction.
How to read a Tokyo school fee schedule
When you receive a fee schedule, focus on three things. First, check whether the enrolment fee is one-time or recurring, and whether it is refundable if you withdraw within the first year. Second, look at the annual increase clause: most Tokyo schools reserve the right to revise fees annually, and three to five percent is a realistic budget for inflation. Third, confirm the fee currency and the deadlines for each instalment, because late fees can be steep.
Always ask for an all-in estimate that combines tuition, levies and standard ancillaries. Comparing schools on tuition alone is misleading, because the gap between two schools can be hidden in the levies and the trips programme.
Compare Tokyo and the wider Japan market
To benchmark fees alongside curriculum strength and location, browse the up-to-date list on International School Advisor: Best Schools in Japan. The directory groups schools by curriculum and shows the headline tuition for each, which speeds up the first round of comparisons.
Frequently asked questions
Are international school fees in Tokyo tax-deductible for expats?
Japanese tax rules generally do not allow international school fees to be deducted from personal income. Fees are normally treated as a benefit when paid by an employer, but the precise treatment depends on your tax residency and contract structure. Take advice from a Japan-qualified tax adviser before assuming a deduction.
How much should I budget on top of tuition?
A realistic working figure is fifteen to twenty percent of tuition for transport, uniforms, lunches, trips and exam costs. Senior-year IB Diploma students can push this higher because of exam, retake and external trip costs.
Do Tokyo international schools accept payment in foreign currency?
Almost all schools invoice in Japanese yen and require yen-denominated payments to a Japanese bank account. If you are paid in another currency, plan for conversion costs each term, and consider a yen account with a Japanese or international bank to manage the timing.