Compare American Curriculum International Schools in Japan

The Innovation Fellowship (TIF) is an independent international high school in Shibuya, Tokyo for students in grades 9–12. Its campus opened in 2024 and is located at Spark Shibuya, a short walk from Shibuya Station and Yoyogi Park. Academics are built on three pillars: project-based, problem-based and inquiry-based learning. Students spend half the school day designing and executing real-world projects, supported by coaches and industry mentors. Math and Science are delivered through Khan Academy and aligned with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. TIF culminates in an American high school diploma, and students are described as preparing for SAT and AP exams. A signature annual event is Demo Day, where students present their projects to a public audience.

Makuhari International School (MIS) is a private international school in Wakaba, Chiba City, serving Pre-School (two-year-olds), Kindergarten 1–3 (ages 3–6) and Grades 1–6 (ages 6–12). The curriculum follows the objectives of the Japanese Curriculum and, as a MEXT-designated exceptional school, supplements them with elements from other curricula; English literacy draws on a UK-style literacy framework, and maths uses White Rose Maths. Most lessons are taught in English, with Japanese or Japanese Studies (and some Social Studies in Grades 5–6) taught in Japanese. The campus is a 13‑minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station and about 30 minutes from Narita Airport and central Tokyo. MIS runs school buses to areas including Chiba, Funabashi, Tsudanuma, Baytown and Urayasu. After-school clubs include art, athletics, language, culture, drama and music, and the Global Citizenship Award Program includes projects such as growing rice in the school rice paddy.

Marist Brothers International School (MBIS) in Kobe, Japan, is an international day school serving students from Early Years through Grade 12 with instruction primarily in English. Founded in 1951, the school offers International Baccalaureate programmes (PYP, MYP and DP) This allows the school to form a continuous curriculum designed to support global learning from early childhood through the diploma years. The campus is situated in the residential Suma area of Kobe, near both mountains and the sea, providing a peaceful setting within easy reach of urban amenities. MBIS embraces a diverse community, with students from many backgrounds learning in a multilingual environment. Athletics, arts and service are integral to student life alongside formal academic programmes. The school also provides transportation services and a broad range of extracurricular clubs. Marist emphasises character development, teamwork and personal growth, with English as the core language of instruction and a wide range of co-curricular opportunities for students.

Aichi International School (AIS) is an integrated kindergarten and elementary school in Hoshigaoka, Nagoya, serving children aged 3–12. Kindergarten is taught in a 100% English immersion setting, and the elementary school (Grades 1–6) runs a bilingual program with approximately 70% of instruction in English and 30% in Japanese. AIS states its curriculum is tailored from guidelines set by Japan’s Ministry of Education and British Columbia, Canada. For assessment, AIS notes that Grades 3–6 take the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) in English and Math, and students also sit EIKEN-based tests. After school, children can join language-learning and sports/culture options such as Japanese lessons, tea ceremony, drama club, soccer and computer club. The school is reachable by subway and bus, with Hoshigaoka Station within walking distance.

Senri International School of Kwansei Gakuin (SIS) is a Japanese middle and high school in Minoh City, Osaka (north Osaka), founded in 1991 and sharing one campus with its sister school, Osaka International School, through the “Two Schools Together” model. Students follow curricula leading to Japanese middle and high school diplomas, and SIS also offers a route for students to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP), studied in grades 11–12 (ages 16–18). SIS highlights a three-term semester system designed to support transfers and flexible study patterns, and it emphasizes English development across subjects. The campus guide notes English is commonly used across shared-campus activities. Boarding is available via the school’s Akebono Dormitory for students who cannot easily commute.

NUCB International College is a co-educational boarding high school in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The school opened in September 2022 as part of the Nagoya University of Commerce and Business education group. NUCB International College offers a dual-path academic structure in which students work toward both the Japanese high school graduation qualification and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Before entering the IBDP, students complete a Pre-IB programme designed to prepare them for the academic requirements of the diploma years. Instruction is conducted primarily in English, except for language subjects. The academic programme emphasizes inquiry-based learning and includes required IB components such as Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service. Students live on campus in a full boarding environment, which is integrated with daily school life. The school also organizes structured academic and enrichment programmes, including seasonal camps to support student readiness for upper secondary study.

YES International School Tokyo is a learning community in Shibuya, opened in May 2018, for children who are homeschooling or who find standard school life difficult. The daily program is built around project-based learning, where mornings can start with “morning projects” exploring themes such as science, language, art and programming, alongside creative learning in music and art. Students also take part in practical routines such as a cooking class and shared lunch time. Weekly movement sessions that include capoeira and soccer. The school describes individual support tailored to each child’s pace. A distinctive feature is its official Discord server, “YES Elegant,” designed with parent visibility and student-led rule-making.

Yoyogi International School – Yoyogi Campus is located in Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, next to Yoyogi Park and within easy reach of central Tokyo by public transport. The school is an authorized IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). Its curriculum is also described as being cultivated from the US Common Core and the UK National Curriculum, providing a structured international framework for learning. The Yoyogi Campus serves younger students, with small class sizes of up to 16 students, allowing teachers to give close attention to each child. English is the main language of instruction, with Japanese taught as part of the programme. After-school activities include options such as soccer, volleyball, taekwondo, Pilates, arts and coding, which includes junior coding programmes. Founded in 1999, with the Yoyogi Campus opening in 2015, the school offers an international education setting in a green, urban neighbourhood familiar to many families living in Tokyo.

Founded in 1949, Nishimachi International School is a coeducational K–9 day school in central Tokyo. The school enrolls about 480 students, with approximately 20 students per class in Kindergarten through Grade 6 and middle school classes typically ranging from 10–20. Instruction is in English and all students study Japanese. The school describes its curriculum as based on American Common Core standards alongside its Japanese language and culture program taught daily through Grade 9. Beyond academics, students can join activities such as drama, band, ikebana, and sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, track and field, cross country and badminton. The school also runs overnight trips to Kazuno (Grades 4–8) and winter ski trips (Grades 4–9).

Canadian International School Tokyo (CIS Tokyo) is an international day school in Tokyo offering education from Kindergarten through Grade 12 with English as the language of instruction. It follows the Canadian curriculum and incorporates the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in the early years. In the upper grades, students have access to Advanced Placement course options. Japanese language is taught as part of the curriculum alongside core academic subjects. The school operates multiple campuses in the Shinagawa and Nakameguro areas, both of which are well connected to central Tokyo by public transport. Class sizes typically average around 15 students, with a maximum of about 20, allowing for close interaction between teachers and students. Annual tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year range from approximately ¥2,600,000 to ¥3,100,000. CIS Tokyo is accredited by the Prince Edward Island Department of Education, the International Baccalaureate for the PYP and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The program includes physical education, music and visual arts, and a contracted school bus service is available.

NUCB International Junior and Senior High School (NIHS) is an MEXT-accredited junior and senior high school in Showa Ward, Nagoya, about a 7-minute walk from Gokiso Station. Students study in a bilingual environment and the school states it has recruited ten native English instructors, teaching small classes with an emphasis on oral communication. NIHS is an IB World School authorized for the Diploma Programme and has also obtained IB Middle Years Programme authorization. Beyond timetabled classes, the school describes after-school TOEIC preparation and a United Nations General Assembly debate simulation in English. Facilities highlighted by the school include a large central atrium used as a multi-purpose space, a “World Online Classroom” designed for interactive video-linked learning, an Active Learning Lab for discussion and presentations, as well as an on-site electronic library.

KA International School (KAIS) is an English-based international school in Tokyo serving children from Pre-K through Grade 12. Students study an American standards-aligned program (including references to American Common Core Standards) and KAIS offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. The school emphasizes English as its first priority and teaches Japanese as a subject. Facilities highlighted by the school include science labs, libraries, a gym, a music room and an art room. A distinctive feature is KAIS’s “Visible Learning” focus. This is possible as the school has earned Visible Learning Certification through Corwin. High school life also includes an annual “Experience Japan Trip”.

Kobe Bilingual School (KOBILS) is a bilingual international school in Momoyamadai, Tarumi Ward (west Kobe), offering full-time programs for Kindergarten (ages 3–6) and Elementary (ages 6–12). The school describes its approach as English immersion with Japanese also taught, including Kokugo, and support for Japanese as a Second Language (JSL) for some students. KOBILS states that its curriculum blends Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence with elements of Japan’s education guidelines as a KOBILS original curriculum. Class sizes are about 13 students, up to a maximum of 20. Distinctive features include a life skills curriculum that teaches practical finance (including budgeting and banking) and an annual Careers Week with visiting professionals.

St. Mary’s International School is an all-boys school in Tokyo that educates students from kindergarten through Grade 12 and was founded in 1954. The campus is in Setagaya ward and the school describes itself as located in the heart of Tokyo. English is the language of instruction. In high school, students can pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), a programme designed for ages 16–19. The school profile also notes class sizes are capped at 24, with many classes under 20. Beyond academics, the school highlights activities such as the fall play and clubs like Brain Bowl, debate and speech. Transportation support is available through a school bus service.

Tamagawa Academy is a private Japanese school on a single campus in Machida, Tokyo. The school offers education from kindergarten through Grade 12. The campus is described as a 610,000 m² green area known as “Tamagawa no Oka (Tamagawa Hill).” For international pathways, the school introduced the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in April 2007 and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in July 2010. DP subject options include English, Japanese and Mandarin languages, alongside sciences, mathematics, humanities and arts. Students also participate in a wide range of clubs, including robotics and coral research, as well as orchestra and English drama.

Saint Maur International School is a co-educational day school in Yamate, a historical, cultural and residential area of central Yokohama, on the same site where it was founded in 1872. The school accepts children from age 2½ through Grade 12. In Grades 9–10, Saint Maur uses the IGCSE framework and in Grades 11–12 most courses are IB courses. Students may take the IB Diploma or take individual IB courses. The school also offers students the opportunity to take Advanced Placement exams. Facilities highlighted by the school include Fine Arts spaces, science facilities, a Sports & Activities Center and Robotics Labs.

Move To Learn Global School, established in August 2021 in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture, is an international day school offering education and support for children aged 3 to 12 with diverse learning needs. The school provides a bespoke curriculum designed from the best elements of British, IB, American and other global curricula, delivered in English and Japanese to build foundational skills in English literacy, math, science and STEAM. Because of its small class sizes (around 7–8 students), instructors tailor instruction to individual learners, especially for students with special educational needs such as ASD, ADHD and learning difficulties. The campus supports inclusive education and individualized development, rather than fixed grade-level expectations, helping students progress at their own pace while strengthening communication, cognitive and social skills.

Tokyo West International School (TWIS) is located in Hachioji in western Tokyo (Tama area) and welcomes children from PreK through High School. In PreK and Kindergarten, TWIS serves ages 2–5 and teaches in a primarily English setting while also offering Japanese learning time. In Elementary (Grades 1–6), classes are capped at about 18 students and learning is grounded in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), with subjects integrated through Units of Inquiry. A distinctive feature is the school’s garden-based learning, used for hands-on projects connected to sustainability. TWIS also describes a progressive AI education plan from Grade 6 to 12.

The Jinnan Campus serves students from Grade 2 to Grade 8. The school is an authorised IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), and the school states that learning in the upper grades incorporates a project-based learning approach. English is the main language of instruction, with Japanese taught as part of the programme. Class sizes are capped, with students limits ranging from approximately 18 students in lower grades to 20 in middle school. After-school activities for Jinnan Campus students include sports such as soccer and volleyball, creative arts activities, Pilates and coding programmes.

The American School in Japan (ASIJ), founded in 1902, is a non-profit, co-educational school in Tokyo serving students from nursery through high school on two campuses. Younger children attend the Early Learning Center in Roppongi (nursery–kindergarten), while the main campus in Chofu serves kindergarten–grade 12 next to Nogawa Park. ASIJ follows an American-model curriculum and offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including AP Capstone. High school students also have structured support through a seminar program and grades 11–12 can complete a two-year Deep Learning Signature Program. Beyond classes, students can choose from 170+ co-curricular options, including VEX Robotics, iGEM, Model UN and extensive arts and athletics opportunities.

Sapporo International School (SIS) is an English-medium school in Sapporo serving students from Kindergarten through Grade 9. SIS implements an American curriculum aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), alongside an AIQ (Arabic, Islamic and Qur’an) curriculum and the Japanese National Curriculum. The school began in 2020 and consolidated into a larger, three-floor campus building by 2024. Beyond the regular program, SIS offers Summer School and an After School Program, including Arabic language and Qur’an tajweed/memorization classes. Families can also find short courses and events such as the SIS Robotic Course (robots, Arduino/Micro:bit and indoor drone learning).

Yokohama Christian School (YCS), founded in 2002, is located in Yokohama’s historic Bluff (Yamate-cho) area and serves children from Preschool through Grade 5. The elementary program uses an American Classical Christian curriculum, including resources such as Shurley English, Saxon Math and Bible materials. The school notes that social studies draws on students’ backgrounds and the school’s Japan location. YCS also offers an enrichment program across ages that includes art, music, PE, Latin, library, technology and worship, with Japanese listed as part of enrichment in the admissions FAQ. For after-school options, the school lists clubs such as Children’s Choir, Book Club, Homework Club, Multimedia Club and Running Club. The school also describes an After School Care program with extended options.

New International School of Japan (NewIS) is a dual-language school in Minami-Ikebukuro, Tokyo, welcoming students from Pre-K (age 3) through Grade 12. Learning is delivered in English and Japanese, and the school describes its program as a dual-language implementation inspired by Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, taught in multiage classes. Typical classrooms are staffed by two full-time teachers for about twenty children. From the year children turn six, students learn to play the violin by ear, and Mandarin Chinese is offered as an elective. The school also notes physical education includes International Tae Kwon Do. For access, NewIS is a short walk from major stations including Ikebukuro, and it offers a routed school bus service.

New Life International School (NLIS) is an English-based Christian school in Kofu, located in Asahi and about a 10-minute walk north of Kofu Station. The school follows an American curriculum and integrates biblical values into daily learning. Its curriculum is guided by recognized U.S. standards such as Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. NLIS provides a computer for every student in Grades 3–8 for classroom use and includes Japanese classes four days a week (with a Japanese-for-Foreigners track aligned to JLPT preparation). In high school (Grades 9–12), students can take Advanced Placement (AP) or honors courses online through SevenStar Academy with on-campus proctoring, and they complete a 50-hour service learning requirement before graduation.

Hokkaido International School (HIS) in Sapporo opened in 1958 and is located in Toyohira-ku at 1-55, 5 jo 19 chome Hiragishi. The campus is accessible by subway, with directions provided from Odori Station to Sumikawa Station, followed by a 5–7 minute walk to the school. HIS offers education from the Early Years (ages 3–4) through Grade 12. In the Early Years, classrooms are described as Reggio Emilia inspired. At the elementary level, the school follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), while the middle school uses the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). In high school, students can take Advanced Placement courses, including the AP Capstone program with Seminar and Research, alongside a range of other AP subjects. Outdoor Education is identified by the school as an important part of the middle and high school curriculum, making use of Hokkaido’s natural environment as part of students’ learning experiences.

Hokkaido International School Niseko is a private, not-for-profit, coeducational day school in Niseko Town, offering an English-language international education from Early Years through Grade 8. Learning in Kindergarten to Grade 5 is delivered through the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), and Grades 6–8 use the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). Early Years is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. The campus integrates place-based learning by using Hokkaido’s history, geography and natural environment as an extension of the curriculum. Students also use Singapore Math (Math in Focus) from Kindergarten through Grade 6. A distinctive feature is the school’s outdoor programming, including a Niseko summer program with nature hikes and forestry, plus additional activities such as choir, botanical artmaking, cooking and gardening.

International School of the Sacred Heart (ISSH) in Tokyo was founded in 1908 and is located at Shibuya-ku, about three minutes from Hiroo Station. The school enrolls approximately 585 students and is co-educational in Kindergarten (ages 3–5), then girls-only from Grade 1 through Grade 12. ISSH describes its programme as an in-house curriculum and uses the International Primary Curriculum in Junior School. In Grades 11–12, students can take Advanced Placement courses. ISSH lists 22 AP subjects including sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Computer Science A and languages (French and Japanese). Outside class, the school runs activities such as Artscape (an annual exhibition event) as well as ensembles like Choir and Orchestra.

Kansai Christian School (KCS) is an all-English Christian school serving students in grades 1–12, established in 1970. Teaching and instruction are rooted in biblical values, and the school emphasizes small classes and low student-to-teacher ratios. KCS offers extracurriculars including athletics such as basketball, cross country and ultimate frisbee as well as an annual drama production through its Eagle Theater Company for students in grades 1–8. The campus is located in Heguri-cho, Nara, about a five-minute walk from Kintetsu Heguri Station, and students commute by train from areas including Osaka and Kyoto. The school is accredited through ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).

KIU Academy in Kyotanabe, Kyoto, is a bilingual international school serving Grades 1–12. The Academy combines an American-based curriculum with Japanese curriculum awareness and delivers instruction in both English and Japanese across elementary, middle and high school programs. KIU Academy is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), offering students a pathway that meets international and Japanese educational standards. The school’s admissions pages list a structured fee package for tuition, entrance, and other costs for annual enrollment. KIU Academy emphasizes bilingual fluency, cross-cultural communication and preparation for university study. While specific clubs and class sizes are not detailed on the official site, the Academy positions itself as a place where students gain practical bilingual skills and global perspectives designed to support further education in Japan and abroad.

Tokyo International Progressive School (TIPS) is a small international school in Setagaya, Tokyo, serving students from Grades 4 to 12. Founded in 2000, the school is located near the Futako-Tamagawa area and provides guidance for access from Futako-Tamagawa Station. TIPS is designed to support students with mild learning differences and learning challenges, offering an individualized academic environment with very small class sizes, averaging six students and capped at ten. The school follows an American-based curriculum, using Common Core standards in the middle grades and University of Nebraska High School (UNHS) online courses and Advanced Placement (AP) options at the high school level. Instruction is delivered in English, with opportunities for students to engage in Japanese language and culture activities. Beyond academics, students can participate in clubs such as coding, band, board games and sports, as well as the ACE program, which focuses on student-led projects and entrepreneurship.

Camelot International School is a small international school located in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, close to Kotake-Mukaihara Station and within easy reach of central areas such as Ikebukuro. Founded in 2014, the school educates students from Grade 1 through Grade 12 and does not offer kindergarten or early years programmes. Teaching is conducted in English across all subjects. The school follows the Cambridge international pathway, offering Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary programmes, followed by Cambridge IGCSE and GCE A Levels in the upper secondary years. In primary school, mathematics is taught using Singapore Mathematics. Class sizes are deliberately small, with the school reporting an average of around 12 students per grade and even smaller groups in the upper secondary years. Camelot operates a main campus for primary and lower secondary students and a separate annex building for upper secondary students, located a short walk away. Students also take part in subjects such as physical education, music, drama and home economics, alongside the academic programme.

Axis International School in Kichijoji started in 2003 and serves students from ages 1 to 18. The international school offers an English-language academic program based on Griggs International Academy (U.S.) and students graduating from the high school program earn a U.S. high school diploma. Classes are kept small, with a maximum of 8 students per class and students take required coursework including Bible, English Language, Mathematics, Reading, Science and Social Studies. For eligible high school students (GPA 3.0+), the school describes a dual credit option that can provide college credit while still in high school. The school is about an 8-minute walk from JR Kichijoji Station and also lists paid bus service options.

Okinawa Christian School International (OCSI) is an English-language school in Yomitan, Okinawa, established in 1957. The campus is described as being in a suburban setting overlooking the East China Sea and about 23 km north of Naha, Okinawa’s capital city. OCSI serves students from PreK through Grade 12 and uses an American-based, Biblically integrated program. In high school (Grades 9–12), students can take Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Beyond the school day, OCSI runs After-School Activities and student “Circles,” with examples such as coding, choir, basketball, Young Engineers, debate, chess, student council (STUCO) and NJHS. The athletics program includes competition with local schools and off-island tournaments in Asia.

Linden Hall School in Fukuoka operates two campuses to serve students from 6 to 18: Elementary at Gojo, Dazaifu City, and Junior and Senior High at Futsukaichi-kita, Chikushino City. It is a day school with on-campus dormitory facilities. The Elementary program provides six years of English-immersion education, with most classes taught in English; Japanese language and moral education are taught in Japanese. The programme follows the MEXT Ichijou-Kou curriculum and is designated a Specially Exempt School. The High School offers an IB Diploma Programme and TI Course; Linden Hall was recognised as an IB World School on 4 October 2013. College counselling, overseas study opportunities, and international exchanges are provided. Facilities include glass-walled Elementary building, on-campus athletic fields and rice paddies, a dormitory, and a High School with a computer room and library. Extracurriculars span music, sport, and programming, with Round Square membership supporting leadership and service through international exchanges.

Learning Tree International School in Tokyo operates Prekinder through Middle School across campuses: Kiba and Tsukishima. It offers an American curriculum with a pathway to the IB Diploma Programme. All core classes are taught in English, with Reading and Speaking and integrated Japanese language support to encourage bilingual development. The school maintains small class sizes and assigns homeroom teachers for core subjects, while Arts and other disciplines are taught by specialized teachers. The Arts Program covers fine arts, art history, music, drama, physical education and health. Weekly ukulele and Hula classes are part of ECAP, which also includes piano, swimming and Japanese lessons from 2:00 to 3:00 pm on weekdays. After-school and Summer English programs extend language learning and target English-proficiency milestones. The school provides guidance for post-9th-grade pathways to international schools. Facilities are distributed across campuses with a focus on English-language learning and a calendar of activities for families.

Learning Tree International School in Tokyo operates Prekinder through Middle School across campuses: Kiba and Tsukishima. It offers an American curriculum with a pathway to the IB Diploma Programme. All core classes are taught in English, with Reading and Speaking and integrated Japanese language support to encourage bilingual development. The school maintains small class sizes and assigns homeroom teachers for core subjects, while Arts and other disciplines are taught by specialized teachers. The Arts Program covers fine arts, art history, music, drama, physical education and health. Weekly ukulele and Hula classes are part of ECAP, which also includes piano, swimming and Japanese lessons from 2:00 to 3:00 pm on weekdays. After-school and Summer English programs extend language learning and target English-proficiency milestones. The school provides guidance for post-9th-grade pathways to international schools. Facilities are distributed across campuses with a focus on English-language learning and a calendar of activities for families.

Learning Tree International School in Tokyo operates Prekinder through Middle School across campuses: Kiba and Tsukishima. It offers an American curriculum with a pathway to the IB Diploma Programme. All core classes are taught in English, with Reading and Speaking and integrated Japanese language support to encourage bilingual development. The school maintains small class sizes and assigns homeroom teachers for core subjects, while Arts and other disciplines are taught by specialized teachers. The Arts Program covers fine arts, art history, music, drama, physical education and health. Weekly ukulele and Hula classes are part of ECAP, which also includes piano, swimming and Japanese lessons from 2:00 to 3:00 pm on weekdays. After-school and Summer English programs extend language learning and target English-proficiency milestones. The school provides guidance for post-9th-grade pathways to international schools. Facilities are distributed across campuses with a focus on English-language learning and a calendar of activities for families.

Linden Hall School in Fukuoka operates two campuses to serve students from 6 to 18: Elementary at Gojo, Dazaifu City, and Junior and Senior High at Futsukaichi-kita, Chikushino City. It is a day school with on-campus dormitory facilities. The Elementary program provides six years of English-immersion education, with most classes taught in English; Japanese language and moral education are taught in Japanese. The programme follows the MEXT Ichijou-Kou curriculum and is designated a Specially Exempt School. The High School offers an IB Diploma Programme and TI Course; Linden Hall was recognised as an IB World School on 4 October 2013. College counselling, overseas study opportunities, and international exchanges are provided. Facilities include glass-walled Elementary building, on-campus athletic fields and rice paddies, a dormitory, and a High School with a computer room and library. Extracurriculars span music, sport, and programming, with Round Square membership supporting leadership and service through international exchanges.

MEES International School’s Hakusan campus is in Bunkyo, Central Tokyo, about a 5-minute walk from Hakusan Station. Children can join Preschool (ages 1–6) and Elementary (ages 6–12). Preschool combines Montessori and Reggio Emilia influences with hands-on, project-based learning with English as the main language of instruction. Elementary also centers on project-based learning and lists large open spaces plus a Makerspace/workshop and gym studio. A distinctive feature is “MEES The Forest,” described as regular one-day trips for morning/full-day students aged 4 and up, connecting learning with outdoor experiences. Optional bus service is available and Hakusan afterschool options listed by the school include clubs such as Tech Club, MakerSpace builds and Judo.

MEES International School’s Sendagi campus in Bunkyo, Tokyo, serves children aged 1 to 6, offering preschool education grounded in a blend of Montessori principles, Reggio Emilia influences and project-based learning that encourages hands-on exploration and natural curiosity. English is the primary language of instruction, and the mixed-age classrooms support collaboration across developmental stages. The preschool’s extended nursery option runs until late afternoon and an optional bus service is available for families. The curriculum integrates science, art, language and social skills through meaningful activities and projects, designed to support early childhood growth. The school also offers an afternoon immersion program to strengthen English communication and classroom engagement. Outdoor experiences such as forest school elements are incorporated across the broader MEES community, adding elements of nature and experiential learning. MEES emphasizes personalized progress with multi-age interaction and project work to nurture confidence, problem-solving and self-expression.

Kunimoto Alberta International School is a six-year all-girls program in Tokyo offering Grades 7 through 12. The school delivers both the Alberta (Canada) curriculum and the Japanese national curriculum, allowing students to study within an international academic framework while remaining in Japan. The campus is located in Setagaya Ward, a residential area in western Tokyo and is within walking distance of Kitami Station on the Odakyu Line. This makes the school accessible from central parts of the city. Facilities include a library, computer room, science rooms, gymnasium, tea ceremony room, kitchen facilities and outdoor sports areas such as a lacrosse field and tennis court. A distinctive feature noted by the school is that it operates an Alberta-accredited program in Japan, with instruction aligned to Alberta Education standards. Students can also participate in a wide range of clubs, including arts, sports, language and service activities.

Sunnyside International School is located in Gifu City, about a 20-minute train ride from Nagoya, in an area known for the Nagara River and surrounding mountains. The school’s programmes span early childcare (from 6 months) through elementary Grade 6, with kindergarten and a primary department. Sunnyside became Japan’s first PYP authorized “Article one” school in 2016, and its primary programme is underpinned by the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). The school’s language policy places Japanese as the first language of schooling while increasing English use step-by-step, supported by English specialist teachers. A distinctive feature highlighted on the site is its collaboration with educator James Nottingham’s “Challenging Learning,” including use of the “Learning Pit” model to help students understand what learning feels like.

United School of Tokyo (UST) is an international school in Shibuya, founded in 2014 by parents and teachers, serving children ages 3 to 14 across Kindergarten (K1–K3), Elementary (G1–G5) and Middle School (G6–G8). Classroom instruction is conducted in English and the school references American Common Core standards for benchmarks. UST highlights small classes and notes 16 students per class and a total of ~220 students. Japanese is taught daily, with additional language options mentioned for older students. Beyond lessons, UST runs an extracurricular program with 30+ classes across sports, performing arts, visual arts, games/activities and STEAM. A distinctive feature described under school life is its Social Responsibility work, including projects like eco drives and a partnership-building effort with an elementary school in Cambodia.

Tokyo YMCA International School (TYIS) is an English-language international school in Koto-ku, Tokyo, near Toyocho Station (Tozai Line). In elementary, core subjects are structured around North American content standards, and TYIS also offers Academic Support for Kids (ASK) for students who need additional academic or language support. The high school program is described as modeled after a U.S. high school experience, with elective options including arts, physical education, foreign language, information technology and vocational skills, plus university guidance and SAT test prep support. TYIS also offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and states it is an authorized AP school through the College Board. School traditions and activities highlighted on the site include events such as a science fair, spelling bee, talent show, sports day, seasonal concerts and camps.

Yokohama International School (YIS) opened on 27 October 1924 and is located at 2-100-1 Kominato-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama. Students learn through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the Early Learning Center and Elementary School and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6–8. In the Early Learning Center (ages 3–5), learning is play-based, rooted in the PYP and inspired by Reggio Emilia. YIS also runs a Japanese Culture Program that spans the full student journey and connects experiences to IB learning, including the Diploma Programme. Beyond classes, the school highlights athletics and activities supported by facilities such as a 25-meter heated indoor swimming pool, an artificial turf field and a double gymnasium.

Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) is a K–12 co-educational day school in Higashi Kurume, in Tokyo’s northwest suburbs, established in 1950. Instruction is in English and follows a North American curriculum model with Bible classes across grades. In high school, students can take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and complete a required Senior Capstone research-and-project course. Each fall, “School Without Walls” replaces normal classes for a week so students practice leadership and service around Japan. World languages include Japanese and Spanish, offered from beginning levels through advanced/AP options. Students join co-curricular programs such as robotics, Student Council, National Honor Society, drama and music ensembles. Campus spaces include the ARK building, which houses the cafeteria/kitchen, band room and a multi-purpose room for events and activities. Athletics in the high school profile include basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis and track.

Ascot International School Japan is a Cambridge International School in Kita-ku, Kobe City (Hyogo), serving students from Early Years through Upper Secondary. The school opened its Early Years section in January 2018 and joined the Cambridge International network in May 2022. Students follow Cambridge pathways leading to IGCSE and A-levels, with the curriculum noted as aligned to the English National Curriculum, and Japanese learning offered alongside the English-language program. The campus includes a gymnasium and a full artificial turf soccer pitch, and the school highlights woodland areas used for nature-based learning. After school, students can join activities such as AFA Soccer, basketball, badminton, gaming and homework club.

UWC ISAK Japan is a co-educational, full-boarding high school in Karuizawa, Nagano. It opened in 2014 as International School of Asia, Karuizawa (ISAK) and joined the UWC movement in 2017. Students study in Grades 10–12. Grade 10 is described as “Pre-IB” with a leadership and project-work focus, and Grades 11–12 follow the IB Diploma Programme (including TOK, the Extended Essay and CAS). UWC ISAK Japan empowers transformational leaders to make a positive impact now and in the future. As Japan’s first full-boarding international high school, we educate intellectually curious, compassionate, and innovative students from diverse backgrounds.