Tokyo's international schools sector grew sharply in the 2010s and has continued expanding through the post-pandemic era as multinational HQs settled in Roppongi and the Olympic-era infrastructure created new pockets of demand. For expat families, the choice of international school in Tokyo is shaped by one policy quirk you will not find in Singapore or Dubai: Japan's Ministry of Education divides private schools into Article 1 schools (recognised by the Japanese state) and "miscellaneous category" international schools that are not. The difference matters for tax deductions, public transport discounts and how easy it is for your child to switch back into the Japanese system later.
Curricula available in Tokyo
The IB Diploma is now the most widespread senior pathway, offered by a dozen schools across the city, including the larger IB continuum schools. The British curriculum (IGCSE and A Levels) is offered at British School in Tokyo and a handful of newer entrants. American schools follow the US high school diploma with AP. There are also strong French (Lycée Français International de Tokyo), German (Deutsche Schule Tokyo Yokohama), Korean and Indian schools. A small but growing group of bilingual Japanese-English schools serves returnee families.
Top international schools in Tokyo
Seisen International School
Seisen is a Catholic IB World School for girls (with co-ed early years) in Setagaya. Strong languages programme, IB continuum from PYP through the Diploma. View school profile.
Musashi International School Tokyo
Musashi is a smaller, inquiry-based IB school in central Tokyo. Class sizes are deliberately kept low and the school emphasises mixed-age project work. View school profile.
Shinagawa International School
Located near Shinagawa Station, this school serves the international community on the south side of the city with an English-medium curriculum from kindergarten through the early secondary years. View school profile.
Yoyogi International School
Yoyogi International is an English-immersion preschool and primary school in Shibuya with a small footprint and an inquiry-based curriculum. View school profile.
UIA International School of Tokyo
UIA is one of the newer entrants, a fully English-medium IB candidate school designed around 21st-century learning principles and a global student body. View school profile.
How much do international schools in Tokyo cost
Tuition fees in Tokyo are slightly below Singapore but comparable to Hong Kong. Annual tuition typically falls between JPY 1.8 million and JPY 3.2 million in primary, and JPY 2.5 million to JPY 3.5 million for senior school. Top-tier schools (ASIJ, Seisen, Saint Maur, British School in Tokyo) sit at the top of that range. On top of tuition, expect a one-off facility or building fee (JPY 200,000 to JPY 1,500,000), application fee (JPY 30,000), enrolment fee (JPY 250,000 to JPY 800,000), and annual extras for school lunch, transport, technology and books.
Article 1 status: what every family should check
Article 1 of Japan's School Education Act recognises schools that follow MEXT-approved curricula. Most international schools in Tokyo are NOT Article 1 schools — they are classified as "miscellaneous category" (kakushu gakko). The practical implications: fees at non-Article 1 schools are generally not tax-deductible for Japanese residents, students do not receive student-rail discounts, and switching back into a Japanese high school later requires extra paperwork (and sometimes an exam). Some bilingual schools have negotiated Article 1 status as a competitive advantage. Ask explicitly before you apply.
Admissions: what to expect in 2026
The most established schools (ASIJ, Seisen, Saint Maur, Lycée) maintain waitlists. Apply nine to twelve months ahead and complete English assessment plus an interview. For families relocating mid-year, several smaller IB and bilingual schools take rolling applications throughout the year. The Tokyo school year runs August to June, mirroring the international calendar rather than Japan's April-March academic year.
To compare every international school in Tokyo with fees and parent reviews, see our 2026 ranking of the best schools in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child need to speak Japanese
No. The mainstream international schools teach in English and Japanese is offered as a language subject. Mother-tongue Japanese support is available at most schools for bilingual or returnee students.
What is Article 1 status and why does it matter
Article 1 schools are recognised by Japan's Ministry of Education, qualify families for tax deductions and student transport discounts, and make it easier to switch into the Japanese system. Most international schools in Tokyo are not Article 1, so verify before you apply.
Where do graduates of Tokyo international schools go to university
The strongest schools place graduates regularly into the US Ivy League, Oxbridge, top Canadian universities, Tokyo University's English-medium PEAK programme, and Waseda's School of International Liberal Studies. The IB Diploma is now widely accepted by Japanese universities for international admissions.