Most popular international schools in Kobe

North London Collegiate School Kobe (NLCS Kobe) opened in September 2025 and is a co educational day school for students in Grades 1 to 7, located on Rokko Island, Kobe, with convenient access to both Kobe and Osaka. Guided by the philosophy of being an “International School with a Japanese Heart,” the school combines a globally minded education with a strong appreciation for Japanese language, culture, and values. All classes are taught in English and follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, encouraging inquiry based learning, critical thinking, creativity, and international mindedness. The school also places strong emphasis on personalised pastoral care and small class sizes to support each student’s individual development. Facilities at the Rokko Island campus include dedicated spaces for science, ICT, art, music, and drama, providing students with a broad and enriching educational experience. A growing co curricular programme further supports confidence, collaboration, and leadership skills. The planned Senior School campus will open on Rokko Mountain in 2028 and will include boarding facilities, expanding the school’s provision for secondary students within a distinctive natural setting.

Canadian Academy is a PreK–Grade 12 international day and boarding school in Kobe, Japan. THe school was founded in 1913 and is located on Rokko Island. The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum from Pre-K through Grade 12, including the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes. Early Childhood includes programmes for 3 and 4-year-olds, with literacy and numeracy introduced in age-appropriate ways, as well as specialist classes that can include Japanese. Beyond classes, students can join activities such as Robotics Club, Model United Nations, science clubs and publications, alongside service clubs. For boarding, the school describes a programme for about 40 high school students from over 20 countries, studying in English while living in Japan.

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.

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.

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.