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One World International School Osaka (OWIS Osaka) is an English-language international school in Ikuno-ku, Osaka City, welcoming students from Early Childhood through Grade 8 (ages 3–14). Learning is inquiry-based, and OWIS Osaka is an IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) candidate school. The campus features a rooftop swimming pool, a black box theatre, a gymnasium and dedicated spaces for robotics, 3D printing and digital media, alongside an Apple computer lab and student iPads/MacBooks. Students can join the After-School, Clubs & Extracurricular (ACE) programme, with options such as soccer, basketball, hip-hop dance, art, pottery and intensive English. A distinctive campus feature is the “Pixel Tree,” an internal landmark that runs through every floor.
3 Chome-1-39 Shariji, Ikuno Ward, Osaka, 544-0022, Japan
One World International School Osaka has 250 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.
OWIS Osaka is located at 3-1-39 Shariji, Ikuno-ku, Osaka 544-0022, on the site of the former Kyu-sono Elementary School. The campus sits in Osaka's Ikuno Ward and is accessible by train, city bus, and car. A dedicated OWIS School Bus operates on multiple routes, and an on-demand Ikuno-ku Shuttle Bus serves students from several stations.
OWIS Osaka currently offers Early Childhood to Grade 8 (ages 3-14). Grade 12 is planned to open in 2029, with new grades added gradually to build toward a full K12 offer.
OWIS Osaka is a co-educational day international school.
OWIS Osaka presents a multicultural, international student community but does not publish a numeric breakdown of nationalities.
OWIS Osaka provides English Language Support through Academic English Preparation (AEP), a Four Month Transition Programme, and After-School Intensive English Clubs. All core subjects are taught in English, with targeted language support available to students as needed.
OWIS Osaka has no formal country affiliation; it operates as part of the global OWIS network with campuses in multiple countries.
OWIS Osaka has no religious affiliation; religion is not practised at the school.
School hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. After-school programmes and clubs extend beyond the core day as part of the ACES offering.
OWIS Osaka provides a dedicated school bus service with multiple routes. There is an on-demand Ikuno-ku shuttle bus serving several stations; the on-demand service charges ¥110 for children and ¥210 for adults per journey between stops.
Annual tuition at One World International School Osaka ranges from JPY 1,474,200 to JPY 1,783,080 for 2026/27.
One World International School Osaka teaches IB (PYP) for students aged 3 to 14.
OWIS Osaka uses an inquiry-based, student-centered international curriculum grounded in IB methodology and Global Schools Group practices. The program emphasizes values-driven education, critical thinking, creativity, and real-world connections, delivered by certified teachers in class sizes of 18 or fewer. OWIS Osaka currently offers Early Childhood (3-5), Primary (5-11), and Junior Secondary (11-16); Senior Secondary (16-18) is planned, with the campus operating EC to Grade 8 (ages 3-14) and Grade 12 opening in 2029. The school is pursuing the IB Primary Years Programme and is a candidate for the PYP. English language support is provided through the Academic English Preparation (AEP) and transition programmes, plus after-school English clubs. Technology-rich learning is integrated through Programming & Robotics, 3D printing, Nikon Photography Studio, Apple labs, and student devices.
OWIS Osaka places social and emotional development at the core of its education alongside academics. Teachers are certified and trained to help students progress academically while developing socially, emotionally, and personally. The school fosters a culture of kindness, inclusivity, and community to support belonging and respectful interaction among students. Mindfulness and other well-being practices are integrated into daily life as part of its holistic approach. Through project-based learning and a supportive environment that encourages risk-taking and iterative growth, students build collaboration, resilience, and communication. The school emphasizes strong relationships with staff and peers as a foundation for wellbeing.
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding SEN provision, the kinds of SEN it can support, or whether it is a specialist SEN institution.
OWIS Osaka provides structured English language support for non-native speakers. The Academic English Preparation (AEP) programme offers three progressive levels to build English proficiency and enable full participation in an English-first classroom. The Four-Month April-July Transition Programme and the After-School Intensive English Club provide additional language immersion and practice opportunities. All classes at OWIS Osaka are taught in English, and Japanese language support is offered as Kokugo for native Japanese speakers and Japanese as a Second Language (JSL) for non-native speakers. These provisions are designed to help students integrate into mainstream classes.
OWIS Osaka places wellbeing at the center of its school life. The campus emphasizes a nurturing environment where students are happy, healthy, and engaged in meaningful learning. Mindfulness and a holistic approach support students' emotional well-being, with staff focused on helping students understand their impact on others and communicate openly. The school describes its culture as inclusive and respectful, aiming to foster a sense of belonging for every student. Staff professional development includes training to support social and emotional development and to build resilience through collaboration.
OWIS Osaka uses security and safety measures to protect students on campus. Students and parents carry personalized photo ID cards, and visitors wear clearly marked lanyards while on site. A full-time security department monitors safety and the premises to ensure a secure environment for learning.
Admissions Process (4-step).
1. Initial contact and campus visit. Reach out to the Osaka admissions counsellor, who will be your assistant and guide through the rest of the process. Tell them you would like a tour of the campus and set a convenient date. The counsellor provides information about OWIS Osaka's programmes and what to expect during the visit, and can advise on next steps. For relocations within Japan or from afar, the counsellor can share a relocation guide and discuss timelines (research typically 6–12 months in advance for city-to-city moves).
2. Application review and fee instructions. After you visit, the admissions counsellor reviews the application form and directs you on how to pay the online application fee. They walk you through any required documents and answer questions about program placement and entry requirements. This step ensures you understand what is needed before proceeding with the formal application.
3. On-site logistics and resources. Return to the school to meet Student Services, who will provide uniforms, photo IDs, and school resources. They can also arrange lunches and school bus services if needed. This step covers practical arrangements to support a smooth first weeks after enrollment.
4. Financing and enrollment confirmation. Meet with the finance department to pay for the first term tuition fees. Once the payment is completed, the child is ready to start school. If the application has been accepted, OWIS Osaka welcomes the child into the school community and confirms enrollment details.
Language of instruction and English support (context for admissions). OWIS Osaka uses English as the language of instruction for core subjects. English language support pathways are available, including Academic English Preparation (AEP), a four-month transition programme, and After-School Intensive English clubs to support learners at different stages of language development.
Relocation and ongoing inquiries. The admissions team can assist with transfers between OWIS campuses and between schools, and there is a relocation guide for moving between cities or countries within Japan. Rolling admissions are available year-round, with August (start of the academic year) and the December or April terms highlighted as advantageous entry points when possible.
Fees and admissions integration (summary for families). The school outlines a fee structure for the Osaka campus that applies to the 2025–26 academic year, with term-based tuition, a building fee, a yearly resource fee, and one-time application fees. Details by grade band are provided, and discounts for families (sibling and founder/family discounts) are noted. (See Fees section for full breakdown.)
OWIS Japan Scholarships are annual awards managed under the Global Schools Group (GSG), with a one-month application cycle. These scholarships aim to support meritorious students from moderate-income families and provide access to OWIS's programs and facilities. Availability includes multiple named awards, each with its own grade eligibility and duration (typically 1 year). The current offerings include:
- OWIS Community Scholarship for Financial Assistance (All grades, Early Childhood to Grade 12; 1 year; Deed required).
- OWIS Excellence Scholarship for Academic Achievements (Grade 6–9; 1 year).
- OWIS Creativity Award (Grade 6–8; 1 year) – listed as Closed.
- OWIS Innovation Award (Grade 6–8; 1 year) – listed as Closed.
These scholarships are designed to attract meritorious students and support a diverse, inclusive OWIS community across 20+ nationalities. Language: Japanese and English materials note the availability and application cycles; the OSC has a last-updated date of 2026-01-16, reflecting current offerings.
Waitlist or pool information is not published as a separate system. OWIS Osaka operates rolling admissions year-round, and seat availability can fluctuate as spaces fill quickly. For current seat availability, families are advised to contact the admissions team promptly. The policy indicates rolling admissions with best opportunities at the start of the academic year (August), and also in December or April when possible.