International Schools in Tokyo

For information only. This guide is an editorial orientation resource. It does not constitute educational or admissions advice, and does not endorse any specific institution. School profiles, fees, and curricula change; always verify current information directly with each school and confirm your eligibility for any financial assistance through your mission or organisation.

Overview

Tokyo has a well-developed international school market built over more than a century of foreign resident community. The choice is genuine: American, British and IB schools are all represented at high quality. Fees in 2026 range from approximately JPY 2,300,000 to JPY 4,200,000 in annual tuition depending on school and year group, with first-year all-in costs typically running 40-60% higher once one-time fees are added. One feature unique to Tokyo among the cities in this guide: the American School in Japan (ASIJ) bills tuition in US dollars, not Japanese yen, creating currency exposure for families whose education allowance is paid in JPY.

An important note on school geography

Tokyo is large and spread across 23 wards plus extensive outer areas. International schools are not concentrated in a single cluster. Your school choice should directly inform your residential choice, since commutes in Tokyo, while reliable, are long if you are crossing the city. The most significant school-location relationships for diplomatic families:

Hiroo / Azabu / Minato: close to TIS, ISSH, Nishimachi
Setagaya / Yoga / Futako: close to BST (Showa campus), St. Mary’s, Seisen
Chofu (western suburbs): necessary for ASIJ, which is a 30-45 minute commute from the Hiroo diplomatic cluster

Test the commute at peak hours before signing a lease.

The exchange rate factor

ASIJ bills tuition in US dollars. For 2025-26, ASIJ tuition runs approximately USD 20,000-30,000 per year (increasing with grade level). Most other Tokyo international schools bill in Japanese yen. For families whose education allowance or salary is paid in one currency and whose school fees are denominated in another, exchange rate movement creates budget uncertainty. At recent JPY/USD rates, a USD-denominated fee that looked manageable when the yen was stronger has become more expensive in yen terms. Build a currency buffer of 10-15% into your education budget if currencies don’t match.

Curricula available in Tokyo

American curriculum (US High School Diploma + AP / IB Diploma option). ASIJ is the flagship. US curriculum from Pre-K to Grade 12, with Advanced Placement and an IB Diploma option in the final years.

International Baccalaureate (IB). Tokyo International School (TIS) offers the full IB continuum, and several other schools offer IB Diploma in the upper years. For families on rotating postings, the IB Diploma provides the most portable upper-secondary qualification.

British curriculum (IGCSE and A-Level / IB Diploma). The British School in Tokyo (BST) follows the English National Curriculum through IGCSE, offering IB Diploma or A-Levels in the sixth form.

Bilingual English-Japanese. Nishimachi International School offers a unique bilingual programme from Kindergarten through Grade 9, with IB Diploma in the final years. For families planning a longer-term presence in Japan or those who want genuine Japanese language acquisition alongside international academics, Nishimachi is the only school in Tokyo that delivers both.

Key schools

Fees cited are indicative for 2025-26; confirm directly with each school.

American School in Japan (ASIJ) Chofu, western Tokyo (14-hectare campus). US curriculum (Pre-K through Grade 12) + AP + IB Diploma option. Founded 1902, approximately 1,700 students from 50+ countries. Regarded as one of the finest American-curriculum schools in the world. College counselling programme commencing Grade 9; graduates attend Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford and Japan’s Todai. 2025-26 tuition: approximately USD 20,000-30,000/year. Capital levy: JPY 1,500,000-2,500,000 (one-time, partially refundable). Note: suburban location in Chofu requires a commute from central Tokyo. asij.ac.jp

Tokyo International School (TIS) Minato-ku (moving to Takanawa Gateway campus). Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma) for ages 3-18. Approximately 600 students, 60 nationalities. Small classes, inquiry-based learning, strong IB Diploma results. Central Minato location is convenient for families in the Hiroo/Azabu diplomatic cluster. 2025-26 tuition: approximately JPY 2,800,000-3,800,000/year. tokyois.com

The British School in Tokyo (BST) Shibuya (secondary campus) and Showa campus (Setagaya). English National Curriculum from EYFS through IGCSE, with IB Diploma or A-Levels in the sixth form. Accredited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and CIS. 2025-26 tuition: approximately JPY 2,200,000-3,500,000/year. bst.ac.jp

Nishimachi International School Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku (central Tokyo, close to the diplomatic cluster). Bilingual English-Japanese from Kindergarten through Grade 9, transitioning to IB Diploma in Grades 10-12. Approximately 440 students. Graduates enter both Japanese and international universities. The only school in Tokyo with this depth of bilingual programme across the full K-9 range. 2026-27 tuition: JPY 2,000,000-3,200,000/year; first-year total approximately JPY 4,684,000 including one-time fees. nishimachi.ac.jp

International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH) Hiroo, Minato-ku (central Tokyo). All-girls Catholic school from Kindergarten through Grade 12. IB Diploma in upper school. Long history serving Tokyo’s diplomatic and international community. 2025-26 tuition: approximately JPY 2,300,000+/year. issh.ac.jp

St. Mary’s International School Setagaya-ku. All-boys Catholic school, K-12. 8-hectare campus with substantial sporting facilities. IB Diploma. Nearly 50 nationalities. 2025-26 tuition: approximately JPY 2,200,000-3,300,000/year. smis.ac.jp

Fees

Indicative 2026 annual tuition ranges at Tokyo international schools:

Early Years / Kindergarten (ages 3-5): JPY 2,300,000-3,000,000
Primary (Grade 1-5): JPY 2,800,000-3,500,000
Middle School (Grade 6-8): JPY 3,200,000-3,800,000
IB Diploma / Senior (Grade 9-12): JPY 3,400,000-4,200,000

First-year all-in costs (including one-time registration, capital levy, activity fees, transport and lunch) typically run 40-60% above headline tuition. From Year 2, recurring costs drop to the tuition figure plus activity and transport fees.

Note: Japanese consumption tax (JCT, currently 10%) applies to school fees. Most published fee schedules include JCT; confirm with each school.

Admissions timing

Apply 9-12 months before your target entry date. For ASIJ in particular, apply as early as possible, as the most popular year groups fill significantly in advance. TIS, BST and Nishimachi also have waiting lists for competitive entry points.

Documents typically requested:

Two years of school reports (with translation into English if not already in English)
Teacher or head teacher reference
Passport copy for the child
Vaccination records
Language assessments for secondary applicants
Evidence of posting

Official and reference sources

Last reviewed 7 July 2026.