Choosing an international school in Kobe is easier than in most Japanese cities, and that is precisely why so many Kansai-based expat families decide to live here. Kobe has educated international children for over a century: its port-city history built schools that today serve families working across Osaka, Kobe and the wider Kansai region. This 2026 guide compares Kobe's international schools, explains realistic fees in yen, and walks through admissions timing for relocating families.
Why Kobe punches above its weight
Metropolitan Osaka-Kobe is Japan's second economic engine, yet most of the region's established international schools sit on the Kobe side, many with sea views from the Rokko foothills. Commutes from Osaka are practical: express trains connect Umeda to central Kobe in around thirty minutes, and school buses cover the corridor. For families, Kobe offers international education with a lower cost of living, calmer pace and more space than Tokyo, without sacrificing curriculum quality.
Curricula available in Kobe
The city's schools offer the International Baccalaureate, Western-style programmes accredited by international agencies, and faith-based international education with long local roots. English is the language of instruction everywhere, with Japanese taught as an additional language, an arrangement that suits both short-stay corporate families and long-term residents who want children functional in Japanese without depending on the local system.
Kobe's international schools
Canadian Academy
Founded in 1913, Canadian Academy on Rokko Island is Kansai's flagship international school. It teaches the full IB continuum from early years to the IB Diploma to a student body drawn from dozens of nationalities, with boarding options for older students. Facilities, university placement and co-curricular life are the region's benchmark, and its alumni network spans the globe.
Marist Brothers International School
Serving Kobe since 1951 from the Suma hills, Marist Brothers offers a Western-style education with a Catholic ethos, welcoming families of all faiths. Its moderate size and warm community make it a favourite for families who want children known personally by staff, and its fees are noticeably gentler than the largest schools.
St Michael's International School
A central-Kobe primary school founded in 1946, St Michael's teaches an English-medium curriculum with an Anglican heritage. It is a strong choice for younger children, and its city-centre location works well for families living near Sannomiya or along the Hanshin line.
Ascot International School
Ascot International School offers a smaller, nurturing international environment in the Kobe area with an emphasis on individual progress and English immersion in the early and primary years. Families often shortlist it when they want a boutique alternative to the big campuses.
Fees in 2026
Kobe international education typically costs JPY 1.5 million to JPY 2.8 million per year at the established schools, with the flagship IB programme towards the upper end. Add one-off entrance fees, commonly JPY 200,000 to JPY 500,000, plus buses, lunches and trips. Employers often cover schooling in relocation packages; confirm exactly which fees are included, because building levies and bus contracts can sit outside standard allowances.
Admissions timing and practical tips
The school year runs August or September to June. Applications open in the preceding autumn, and popular year groups fill by spring; rolling and mid-year admissions are standard where seats exist. Prepare two years of reports, teacher recommendations and, for older students, English assessments. Visit if you can: Kobe schools differ more in feel than in brochure. Finally, choose your neighbourhood after the school, not before; Rokko Island, the eastern suburbs along the Hanshin line and Suma each map naturally onto different campuses.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do international schools in Kobe cost in 2026?
Most established schools charge JPY 1.5 million to JPY 2.8 million per year, plus entrance fees of JPY 200,000 to JPY 500,000 and extras such as buses and lunches.
Can we live in Osaka and school in Kobe?
Yes. Many families do exactly this. Express trains link Osaka and Kobe in about thirty minutes and school bus routes serve the corridor between the cities.
Do Kobe international schools teach Japanese?
Yes. Instruction is in English, and Japanese is taught as an additional language at every established school, helping children engage with local life.