Why join for free?
Already have an account? Log In
Japan, Nagoya
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
Uniforms are required for Sunnyside International School. The entry guidance lists uniforms and learning resources as part of admission fees: Kindergarten uniforms and learning resources cost about ¥35,000, while Primary uniforms and learning resources cost about ¥10,000. The registration fee is listed separately (¥50,000 for Kindergarten entrants; ¥50,000 for Sunnyside Kindergarten graduates or ¥100,000 for others in Primary). Specific details such as uniform color and where to purchase are not provided on the site.
The school provides a daily school lunch program. A registered dietitian plans menus using seasonal ingredients to ensure balanced meals, and meals are prepared for both the Kindergarten and Primary sections.
Sunnyside International School is governed by the board of the Watanabe Gakuen Educational Institution. The board serves as the central decision-making body. Board members include Hisao Watanabe (Chair), Hisayuki Watanabe (Head of School at Sunnyside International School), Tatsuyoshi Yabashi (CEO, YABASHI Holdings Ltd), Yoshihiro Kawamura (CEO, Tranomon Jitsugyo Kaikan Ltd), Naohiko Kishi, Tokushi Nakashima, and Sanefumi Sammy Shoji.
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.
