Horizon Japan International School vs Tokyo International School
Horizon Japan International School and Tokyo International School are both in Tokyo, about 22 km apart. Both schools follow an IB curriculum. Published annual fees are close, at ¥2,690,000 - 3,140,000 for Horizon Japan International School and ¥3,000,000 - 3,300,000 for Tokyo International School. Horizon Japan International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Tokyo International School from 5 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 530 and 470 pupils. Typical class sizes are 20 at Horizon Japan International School and 19 at Tokyo International School.
The Horizon Japan International School is located at 1-24 Ono-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0055, Japan. The campus sits along Yokohama's portside waterfront in central Yokohama. It is accessible from Yokohama Station via multiple JR lines (Keihin-Tohoku/Negishi, Tokaido, Yokosuka, Shonan-Shinjuku) and private rail lines (Tokyu Toyoko Minatomirai, Keikyu Main Line, Sotetsu, and the Yokohama Municipal Blue Line).
Location
The school is located at 2-13-6 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047, in central Tokyo's embassy district. It is near Shirokane Takanawa Station (Namboku Line/Mita Line, Exit 4) and Azabu Juban Station (Namboku/Oedo Lines, Exit 1). The surrounding area includes landmarks such as Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park, with good access by public transport and on-foot routes.
Stages
Stages
HJIS offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum from early years through high school. The Early Years Programme (EYP) serves ages 3–5, followed by the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP) in the upper grades.
Stages
Tokyo International School currently serves students from Kindergarten through Grade 11, with Grade 12 planned to open in 2026-27. The school is organized into Lower School (Kindergarten to Grade 5) and Middle/Upper School (Grade 6 to 11). The IB continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP) is now available, with Grade 12 scheduled to begin in SY 2026-2027.
School type
School type
HJIS is a co-educational international day school. It operates as a day school rather than a boarding institution.
School type
The school is co-educational and operates as an international IB World School. There is no on-site boarding; older students may access housing options through partner providers.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
The student body represents over 37 nationalities. The school has more than 530 students (Preschool to Grade 12) and 22 nationalities represented among the faculty. The most represented nationality among students is not publicly disclosed.
Pupil nationality mix
The student body comprises students from over 70 nationalities. No single nationality accounts for more than 20% of the population, and the largest represented nationalities are the United States and Japan. The school hosts a predominantly international student community with a small local proportion.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for non-native speakers from Early Years to the Diploma Programme. A Student Support & Guidance framework is in place to support learners, alongside related SEN provisions.
Additional learning support
TIS provides learning support and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, along with counseling services. A dedicated learning support teacher and an EAL teacher are part of the provision to assist students with diverse learning needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation is stated. The school is located in Yokohama, Japan.
Country affiliation
The school has no formal country affiliation and operates as a non-profit IB World School.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is stated; the school welcomes students from diverse religious backgrounds.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation is not listed; the school presents itself as an international IB World School without a specified religious affiliation.
School day structure
School day structure
Lunch is offered through a school lunch program (students may also bring lunch). After-school Daycare runs from 3:30 to 6:00 PM on regular school days. The School Office hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM on weekdays.
School day structure
On campus from 8:00, classes begin at 8:10 and end at 15:20. Optional after-school activities run from 15:30 to 17:30, and a Beyond the Bell aftercare option extends supervision to 18:30 with additional bus options.
Bus service details
Bus service details
Private bus transportation is provided by a contracted bus company for an additional fee. The fleet serves a large region including most major areas of Yokohama and surrounding neighborhoods. Bus routes include Kohoku, Hiyoshi, Yokohama, and Kawasaki, with annual revisions; safety rules and a timetable are published and waitlists may apply when buses reach capacity.
Bus service details
The school offers a bus service; there are seven school buses and after-school buses in operation. Beyond the standard after-care, there are scheduled bus departures at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 pm for eligible students.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and one-time fees - Application Fee (one-time, non-refundable): JPY 30,000. - Registration Fee (one-time, non-refundable; payable when a place is offered and accepted): JPY 300,000. - Building Fund (one-time, non-refundable; payable when a place is offered and accepted): JPY 600,000.
Tuition fees by year group (term amounts and full academic year totals) - Early Years (Preschool / Pre-Kinder / Kindergarten): 1st term JPY 976,000; 2nd term JPY 732,000; 3rd term JPY 732,000. Total for the academic year: JPY 2,440,000. - Primary School (Grades 1–5): 1st term JPY 1,116,000; 2nd term JPY 837,000; 3rd term JPY 837,000. Total for the academic year: JPY 2,790,000. - Secondary School (Grades 6–12): 1st term JPY 1,156,000; 2nd term JPY 867,000; 3rd term JPY 867,000. Total for the academic year: JPY 2,890,000.
Maintenance fee - Maintenance Fee (one-time contribution, non-refundable): paid across the three term payments as JPY 100,000 (1st term), JPY 75,000 (2nd term), JPY 75,000 (3rd term); total JPY 250,000.
Additional fees and other recurring costs - English as an Additional Language (EAL) Support Fee (if required): 1st term JPY 200,000; 2nd term JPY 150,000; 3rd term JPY 150,000. Total when required: JPY 500,000. - Daycare service (if used; available to students up to Kindergarten): 1st term JPY 300,000; 2nd term JPY 225,000; 3rd term JPY 225,000. Total: JPY 750,000. Day-use daycare is charged at JPY 1,000 per 30 minutes. - School bus (if utilized): Round-trip – 1st term JPY 120,000; 2nd term JPY 90,000; 3rd term JPY 90,000; total JPY 300,000. One-way – 1st term JPY 85,000; 2nd term JPY 65,000; 3rd term JPY 65,000; total JPY 215,000. One-time school bus fee per ride: JPY 2,500. - IB Programme Fee (for Grade 11 and 12 candidates): annual fee JPY 150,000. - Annual PTA Fee: JPY 5,000. - Expenses not included in tuition (paid separately by parents): PE uniforms, classroom supplies, cafeteria/lunch services, after-school activities (ASPs), activity-related travel and expedition/overnight trip costs, technology devices (iPad for Grades 1–4; MacBook for Grades 5–12) and any optional extracurricular fees. - Sibling discounts: 20% discount on tuition for the second child; 30% discount on tuition for the third child.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard term due dates: 1st term payment due June 5; 2nd term payment due October 5; 3rd term payment due February 20. - Tuition may be paid in three scheduled installments aligned to the term due dates. - Payments for admissions-related one-time fees and the first-term tuition must be paid at admissions (new-student invoice payment is required within one week of admission notification). - The school uses an automatic withdrawal system for tuition and other school-related payments; payments are processed via bank arrangements and are automatically withdrawn on the scheduled dates (June 5, October 5, February 20). Admissions, Building Fund, Registration Fees and the first term school fees should be made by bank transfer during the admissions process. The school does not accept cash or credit card payments for tuition and fees. Note: the application fee can be paid by credit card via the online admissions portal or by bank transfer.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; no boarding fees are listed.
Uniforms and related costs - The school requires a uniform; uniform items (including PE uniform) are additional costs paid by parents and are ordered through the school's uniform ordering process. PE uniform and other uniform items are not included in tuition and are charged separately.
Refund and withdrawal information - Application, Registration and Building Fund fees are one-time and non-refundable. - Tuition and maintenance fees are non-refundable. The school will not reimburse payments for a current term because of a student's absences, suspension or expulsion. In the event of natural disasters or adverse weather conditions resulting in school cancellations, no refunds will be provided for affected days. Tuition and fees are not transferable to another student. - Withdrawal procedure requires completion before the last day of the next term's tuition payment deadline; official transcripts and records are released only after all financial obligations are met. Late enrollment requires payment for the entire term even if attendance is for only part of the term.
Fee payment instructions and bank information (methods) - Accepted payment method for ongoing tuition and term payments: automatic bank withdrawal / bank transfer. Parents are responsible for any bank transaction fees and charges. - Admissions, Building Fund and Registration Fees and the first term school fees should be paid by bank transfer during the admissions process; subsequent scheduled payments are processed by automatic withdrawal from the bank account arranged by the family. - The school does not accept cash or credit card for tuition and fees; the application fee may be paid by credit card through the online admissions portal or by bank transfer.
Fee details
One-time application / enrolment fees (new students; non‑refundable) - JPY 30,000 — Application Fee. - JPY 300,000 — Registration Fee. - JPY 900,000 — Development Fee. - One‑time fees total for new students: JPY 1,230,000.
Tuition and building fees (annual payment by year group) - Kindergarten – Grade 2: Building Fee JPY 150,000; Tuition JPY 2,850,000; Annual total JPY 3,000,000. - Grade 3 – Grade 5: Building Fee JPY 150,000; Tuition JPY 2,900,000; Annual total JPY 3,050,000. - Grade 6 – Grade 9: Building Fee JPY 150,000; Tuition JPY 3,050,000; Annual total JPY 3,200,000. - Grade 10 – Grade 11: Building Fee JPY 150,000; Tuition JPY 3,150,000; Annual total JPY 3,300,000.
Tuition (term payment option) — amounts and per‑term billing by year group - General schedule for term payments: Term 1 payment due by Apr 30; Term 2 payment due by Oct 31; Term 3 payment due by Jan 31 (specific dates and annual term calendar shown below). - Kindergarten – Grade 2 (Building Fee JPY 150,000): - Term 1 payment (due by Apr 30): JPY 1,130,000. - Term 2 payment (due by Oct 31): JPY 860,000. - Term 3 payment (due by Jan 31): JPY 860,000. - Grade 3 – Grade 5 (Building Fee JPY 150,000): - Term 1 (due by Apr 30): JPY 1,160,000. - Term 2 (due by Oct 31): JPY 870,000. - Term 3 (due by Jan 31): JPY 870,000. - Grade 6 – Grade 9 (Building Fee JPY 150,000): - Term 1 (due by Apr 30): JPY 1,210,000. - Term 2 (due by Oct 31): JPY 920,000. - Term 3 (due by Jan 31): JPY 920,000. - Grade 10 – Grade 11 (Building Fee JPY 150,000): - Term 1 (due by Apr 30): JPY 1,250,000. - Term 2 (due by Oct 31): JPY 950,000. - Term 3 (due by Jan 31): JPY 950,000.
Billing schedule and payment terms (dates and deadlines) - Academic term calendar for the 2025–26 year: Term 1: Aug 26 – Dec 19, 2025; Term 2: Jan 12 – Mar 26, 2026; Term 3: Apr 6 – Jun 19, 2026. - For returning students, annual school fees must be paid in full by Apr 30, 2025. - For newly enrolling students, school fees are due in full according to the dates stated in the acceptance letter. - Term installment payment and formal withdrawal notice deadlines are tied to the term payment dates and must be completed by Apr 30, 2025 (Term 1 payment), Oct 31, 2025 (Term 2 payment) and Jan 31, 2026 (Term 3 payment).
Optional / additional fees and regular extras - Bus service (optional): One‑way route JPY 200,000; Round‑trip JPY 340,000. - Extended childcare (Beyond the Bell) — K to G5 unlimited plan (tax included): Term 1 JPY 172,000; Term 2 JPY 118,250; Term 3 JPY 118,250. On‑demand billing is JPY 1,800 per hour (rounded to nearest 15 minutes). The Beyond the Bell program is operated by an affiliated company (TIS‑AS). - Some school activities, uniforms, school lunches, IT devices for Grade 6 and above, certain social events, private instrumental lessons, and some residential trip costs (for example transportation) are not included in the listed school fees and are charged separately. Families of students in Grade 6–11 are required to provide a laptop that meets TIS IT specifications.
Boarding / student housing - Tokyo International School does not operate an on‑campus boarding program. A student housing option (facilitated through an independent housing provider) is offered for eligible international students aged 16+; fees for that housing are set by the independent provider and are not listed in the school fee schedule.
Refunds and non‑refundability - The one‑time new student fees (Application Fee, Registration Fee and Development Fee) are explicitly non‑refundable. - The School Fees page specifies deadlines for payment and withdrawal notice but does not provide a detailed tuition refund schedule on the public fee page. Where refund or withdrawal consequences are material (for example term‑by‑term tuition liability after a withdrawal), such terms are administered by the Business Office and are not fully itemized on the published fee summary.
Fee payment options and contact for payment administration - The public School Fees summary does not list specific payment methods (for example, which cards or bank accounts will be accepted). Fee administration, payment instructions and corporate payment arrangements (Corporate Contribution Program / CCP) are handled by the Business Office; the Business Office contact is do@tokyois.com.
Notes on what is not included in this overview - Exact costs for uniforms, lunches, specific extracurricular activities, required IT equipment models and the independent student housing fees are not listed in the public fee summary. The School Fees document and related guides referenced on the school information pages provide line items for many items but do not publish every ancillary price in the public summary.
Summary of sources used: fee schedule, term dates, one‑time non‑refundable fees, term payment amounts, optional service fees and notes about excluded items are drawn from the school's 2025–26 School Fees information and the Student Housing description.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
HJIS offers an IB Continuum from Early Years through Grade 12, including the Early Years Programme (EYP), Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Instruction is in English, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to ensure full access to the curriculum. The Diploma Programme follows the IB framework with six subject groups and a DP core to prepare students for higher education. The school holds accreditations as an IB World School and is accredited by CIS, WASC, and ECIS. The program emphasizes inquiry-based learning and global citizenship across all grade levels.
Curriculum details
Tokyo International School offers the International Baccalaureate continuum, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Kindergarten to Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16–18; Grade 12 is planned to open in SY 2026–2027, and the school currently serves students up to Grade 11. The Primary Years Programme features two classes per grade from Kindergarten to Grade 5, with Mathematics, English literacy, Science, Social Studies and Personal & Social Education as core areas, plus specialist instruction in Art, Library, Music, Physical Education and Japanese, and integrated technology and allied supports (EAL, speech therapy, counseling). The Middle Years Programme for Grades 6–10 covers Mathematics, English, Science, Individuals & Societies, Art, Music, Drama, Physical & Health Education, Japanese and Design, and includes a Service as Action component and an Advisory program, with strong technology integration and a full range of student supports. The Diploma Programme is offered to students aged 16–18 as part of the IB continuum, with Grade 11 in operation and Grade 12 scheduled to open in 2026–2027. Across the IB framework, learning is described as student-centered and inquiry-based, with university counseling and a broad co-curricular program to support holistic development.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
—
Student teacher ratio
—
Exam results
Exam results
—
Exam results
—
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
—
Higher education progression
—
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
—
Gifted and talented
—
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
—
Academic calendar
—
Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
—
Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
—
English as an additional language
—
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
—
Mental wellbeing
—
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
—
Safeguarding policy
—
Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
—
Facilities overview
—
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
—
Sports facilities
—
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
—
Academic facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
—
History
—
Community
Community
—
Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
—
Parent teacher association
—
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
—
Academic & intellectual
—
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
—
Arts & creative
—
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
—
Cultural & language
—
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
—
Social & hobbies
—
Community & service
Community & service
—
Community & service
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
—
Leadership & professional
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
—
Language provision
—
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
—
Bilingual teaching
—
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
—
Immersion programs
—
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
—
Awards
—
Accreditations
Accreditations
—
Accreditations
—
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Step 1 – Gather the documents. Collect the items listed in the admissions guidance: Academic Records for applicants in Grade 1–12; Proof of payment of the application fee of 30,000 JPY; a scan of the student's passport or birth certificate for birth-date verification; photos of the student and guardian(s); a guarantee letter from the employer if the company will pay school fees; and any individualized learning plan (ILP) or other supporting documents. This collection ensures the admissions team has complete material to begin with and supports a smooth review. The documents are used to determine eligibility and placement, and to facilitate the review of the application package.
Step 2 – Submit your application. Submit the online application and complete all checklist items in your account. The online submissions are routed through the school's admissions portal, and submitting the form triggers the review process once all required documents are received. This step marks the transition from document gathering to formal review.
Step 3 – Submission Review. After online submission, the child may be invited for an interview and a placement assessment. The placement assessment helps determine the appropriate class placement and whether English as an Additional Language (EAL) support or other specialized assistance is required. The outcome of the assessment informs next steps and potential supports.
Step 4 – Application Decision. Following the assessment and review of prior school records, the school decides whether the child may register. Families are notified by email as soon as possible of the outcome, and the actual registration occurs at this stage if a place is offered. This decision ties together assessment results, records, and space availability.
Step 5 – Enrollment Begins. The admissions office determines the first day of the school, and a family orientation may be organized if applicable. A WIDA test for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners will be conducted as part of the enrollment process. Enrollment activities culminate in the start of the new school term.
Admissions
1. Submit Online Application. Begin by submitting an online application through the school's admissions portal. The application is accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee, which is valid for one academic year. The school places students into grades based on age, with an August 31 birthday cut-off guiding grade placement. Tokyo International School offers IB programs (PYP, MYP, DP) and considers multiple factors in admissions during the review stage.
2. Submit Supporting Documents. After starting the online application, follow the documents checklist provided in the system and upload the required materials. The checklist guides what needs to be submitted; requirements may vary by age/grade and specific circumstances. Completing all items in the system is essential before the admissions team proceeds.
3. Admissions Team Review. Fully completed applications are reviewed by the Leadership Team and relevant teachers. The review considers factors such as cultural and language diversity, learning diversity, and the resources available to support the student. The process also weighs space availability and class size when determining suitability.
4. Admissions Decision. The school states that English language proficiency is a factor for admissions, but not a requirement, and that admissions are pursued only when there is sufficient support to ensure success. A seat must be identified before assessments are conducted, which may be deemed necessary at the discretion of the admissions team. There is a non-refundable processing fee for each application, and the fee remains valid for one academic year.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Scholarships are available through the Corporate Contribution Plan. Scholarships are granted to students whose parents are employed by companies that participate in this plan. Detailed information about eligibility and how to apply is provided by the Business Office. Families interested in this option should contact the Business Office for further information.
Scholarships
Scholarships. The school describes the Corporate Contribution Program (CCP) as a mechanism for corporate funding of scholarships for the dependent children of employees. The CCP is part of Tokyo International School's fundraising framework and is designed to be tax-efficient for participating companies, with scholarships funded by corporate contributions. Details about eligibility, funding, and administration are provided through the CCP, including contact instructions for inquiries (do@tokyois.com).
Waitlist
Waitlist
Horizon Japan International School uses a rolling admissions policy with a space-available basis. Applications are reviewed and considered as spaces open up, and there is no published waitlist system; families are typically informed by email if a place becomes available or if further steps are required. This approach means that admissions can occur at various times during the year depending on vacancies.
Waitlist
Waitlist/Pool. A formal waitlist or pool system is not described in the admissions materials. Admissions decisions hinge on space availability and current class sizes, with a maximum of 22 students per class in both lower (Kindergarten–G5) and upper (G6–G11) grades. Assessments are only performed when a seat has been identified, and space constraints drive the timing of any admissions decision.
