Most popular international schools in Japan

Rugby School Japan (RSJ) is a premier British international day and boarding school situated in the Kashiwanoha Smart City of Chiba Prefecture, located 30 minutes from central Tokyo via the Tsukuba Express Line. Serving a co-educational student body aged 11–18 (Years 7–13), RSJ delivers a rigorous British curriculum. This academic pathway leads to IGCSEs for Years 10–11 and A Levels for Years 12–13. Pupils are further challenged and supported through the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which facilitates independent, deep-dive research into specialised subjects of interest. The school is defined by its commitment to the development of "The Whole Person." Guided by the belief that social, recreational, and cultural engagement is essential to individual growth, RSJ provides a vast array of co-curricular enrichment. This includes professional-level programmes in music, drama, dance, coding, and debating, alongside elite sports clubs, outdoor education, and diverse academic and cultural societies. As it enters its third academic year with a thriving community of 300+ pupils, RSJ offers flexible residency options including Day, Weekly, and Full Boarding, fostering a global community within a state-of-the-art Japanese setting.

Fukuoka International School (FIS) is an IB World School in Fukuoka, Japan, serving students aged 3–18. It offers all three IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The school is located in Momochi in western Fukuoka City. Its main campus overlooks the Muromi River, and an additional campus (“The Annex”) is a short walk away and houses the Art Center and Design Lab. Facilities listed by the school include a gym, playground, science labs, multiple learning spaces and a 12,000-volume library. Beyond classes, FIS runs an after-school activities programme refreshed each trimester, with examples such as martial arts, handball, yoga and a language lab, plus seasonal athletics clubs for older students. The school also hosts community events, including a Spring Festival described as a large-scale multicultural celebration.

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. As members of the United World Colleges movement, we are committed to making education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. Our own vision sharpens that commitment into something personal and actionable: One Life. Realize Your Potential. Be a Catalyst for Positive Change. These are aspirational statements that form the basis for how we make decisions at all levels of the school, how we teach, and how we learn together. What makes UWC ISAK Japan distinctive is the community that lives this out. Over 80 nationalities. Seventy percent of students receiving some level of financial assistance. A fully residential campus on the slopes of Mount Asama in Karuizawa, Nagano. An IB Diploma Programme, alongside a Grade 10 programme built around leadership and entrepreneurship. Each element matters. Together, they produce something harder to define - a student and alumni body that takes initiative and makes an impact, here and beyond.

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.

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.