Compare Japanese Curriculum International Schools in Japan

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.

Makuhari International School (MIS) is a private international school in Wakaba, Chiba City, serving Pre-School (two-year-olds), Kindergarten 1–3 (ages 3–6) and Grades 1–6 (ages 6–12). The curriculum follows the objectives of the Japanese Curriculum and, as a MEXT-designated exceptional school, supplements them with elements from other curricula; English literacy draws on a UK-style literacy framework, and maths uses White Rose Maths. Most lessons are taught in English, with Japanese or Japanese Studies (and some Social Studies in Grades 5–6) taught in Japanese. The campus is a 13‑minute walk from Kaihin Makuhari Station and about 30 minutes from Narita Airport and central Tokyo. MIS runs school buses to areas including Chiba, Funabashi, Tsudanuma, Baytown and Urayasu. After-school clubs include art, athletics, language, culture, drama and music, and the Global Citizenship Award Program includes projects such as growing rice in the school rice paddy.

Aichi International School (AIS) is an integrated kindergarten and elementary school in Hoshigaoka, Nagoya, serving children aged 3–12. Kindergarten is taught in a 100% English immersion setting, and the elementary school (Grades 1–6) runs a bilingual program with approximately 70% of instruction in English and 30% in Japanese. AIS states its curriculum is tailored from guidelines set by Japan’s Ministry of Education and British Columbia, Canada. For assessment, AIS notes that Grades 3–6 take the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) in English and Math, and students also sit EIKEN-based tests. After school, children can join language-learning and sports/culture options such as Japanese lessons, tea ceremony, drama club, soccer and computer club. The school is reachable by subway and bus, with Hoshigaoka Station within walking distance.

Senri International School of Kwansei Gakuin (SIS) is a Japanese middle and high school in Minoh City, Osaka (north Osaka), founded in 1991 and sharing one campus with its sister school, Osaka International School, through the “Two Schools Together” model. Students follow curricula leading to Japanese middle and high school diplomas, and SIS also offers a route for students to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP), studied in grades 11–12 (ages 16–18). SIS highlights a three-term semester system designed to support transfers and flexible study patterns, and it emphasizes English development across subjects. The campus guide notes English is commonly used across shared-campus activities. Boarding is available via the school’s Akebono Dormitory for students who cannot easily commute.

NUCB International College is a co-educational boarding high school in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The school opened in September 2022 as part of the Nagoya University of Commerce and Business education group. NUCB International College offers a dual-path academic structure in which students work toward both the Japanese high school graduation qualification and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Before entering the IBDP, students complete a Pre-IB programme designed to prepare them for the academic requirements of the diploma years. Instruction is conducted primarily in English, except for language subjects. The academic programme emphasizes inquiry-based learning and includes required IB components such as Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service. Students live on campus in a full boarding environment, which is integrated with daily school life. The school also organizes structured academic and enrichment programmes, including seasonal camps to support student readiness for upper secondary study.

Founded in 1949, Nishimachi International School is a coeducational K–9 day school in central Tokyo. The school enrolls about 480 students, with approximately 20 students per class in Kindergarten through Grade 6 and middle school classes typically ranging from 10–20. Instruction is in English and all students study Japanese. The school describes its curriculum as based on American Common Core standards alongside its Japanese language and culture program taught daily through Grade 9. Beyond academics, students can join activities such as drama, band, ikebana, and sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, track and field, cross country and badminton. The school also runs overnight trips to Kazuno (Grades 4–8) and winter ski trips (Grades 4–9).

NUCB International Junior and Senior High School (NIHS) is an MEXT-accredited junior and senior high school in Showa Ward, Nagoya, about a 7-minute walk from Gokiso Station. Students study in a bilingual environment and the school states it has recruited ten native English instructors, teaching small classes with an emphasis on oral communication. NIHS is an IB World School authorized for the Diploma Programme and has also obtained IB Middle Years Programme authorization. Beyond timetabled classes, the school describes after-school TOEIC preparation and a United Nations General Assembly debate simulation in English. Facilities highlighted by the school include a large central atrium used as a multi-purpose space, a “World Online Classroom” designed for interactive video-linked learning, an Active Learning Lab for discussion and presentations, as well as an on-site electronic library.

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.

Tamagawa Academy is a private Japanese school on a single campus in Machida, Tokyo. The school offers education from kindergarten through Grade 12. The campus is described as a 610,000 m² green area known as “Tamagawa no Oka (Tamagawa Hill).” For international pathways, the school introduced the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in April 2007 and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in July 2010. DP subject options include English, Japanese and Mandarin languages, alongside sciences, mathematics, humanities and arts. Students also participate in a wide range of clubs, including robotics and coral research, as well as orchestra and English drama.

Tokyo West International School (TWIS) is located in Hachioji in western Tokyo (Tama area) and welcomes children from PreK through High School. In PreK and Kindergarten, TWIS serves ages 2–5 and teaches in a primarily English setting while also offering Japanese learning time. In Elementary (Grades 1–6), classes are capped at about 18 students and learning is grounded in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), with subjects integrated through Units of Inquiry. A distinctive feature is the school’s garden-based learning, used for hands-on projects connected to sustainability. TWIS also describes a progressive AI education plan from Grade 6 to 12.

Sapporo International School (SIS) is an English-medium school in Sapporo serving students from Kindergarten through Grade 9. SIS implements an American curriculum aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), alongside an AIQ (Arabic, Islamic and Qur’an) curriculum and the Japanese National Curriculum. The school began in 2020 and consolidated into a larger, three-floor campus building by 2024. Beyond the regular program, SIS offers Summer School and an After School Program, including Arabic language and Qur’an tajweed/memorization classes. Families can also find short courses and events such as the SIS Robotic Course (robots, Arduino/Micro:bit and indoor drone learning).

New International School of Japan (NewIS) is a dual-language school in Minami-Ikebukuro, Tokyo, welcoming students from Pre-K (age 3) through Grade 12. Learning is delivered in English and Japanese, and the school describes its program as a dual-language implementation inspired by Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, taught in multiage classes. Typical classrooms are staffed by two full-time teachers for about twenty children. From the year children turn six, students learn to play the violin by ear, and Mandarin Chinese is offered as an elective. The school also notes physical education includes International Tae Kwon Do. For access, NewIS is a short walk from major stations including Ikebukuro, and it offers a routed school bus service.

Capital Tokyo International School (CTIS) is a private, day school serving elementary and middle grades across three campuses: Minami-Azabu (Elementary & Middle), Mita (Elementary & Middle G5–G8), and Shibuya (Kindergarten). CTIS is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme and the Middle Years Programme, with learning organized around Units of Inquiry and, for middle school, the MYP design cycle. The language of instruction is English, and CTIS follows a trilingual approach with Japanese language aligned to MEXT guidelines and Mandarin introduced in elementary years, with continuing Mandarin options. The curriculum also incorporates elements from Australian and Japanese curricula and emphasizes project-based learning (PBL) and STEAM across subjects. Facilities support outdoor activity, with PE classes taking place in nearby parks and local gymnasiums. The school offers After School Programs for G1–G4 and enrichment experiences such as programming, PBL art, video production, and parkour, available to external students. A pathway to higher education is supported by an International University Entrance Qualification. A high school is planned for 2028 to complete a K–12 program.

KIU Academy in Kyotanabe, Kyoto, is a bilingual international school serving Grades 1–12. The Academy combines an American-based curriculum with Japanese curriculum awareness and delivers instruction in both English and Japanese across elementary, middle and high school programs. KIU Academy is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), offering students a pathway that meets international and Japanese educational standards. The school’s admissions pages list a structured fee package for tuition, entrance, and other costs for annual enrollment. KIU Academy emphasizes bilingual fluency, cross-cultural communication and preparation for university study. While specific clubs and class sizes are not detailed on the official site, the Academy positions itself as a place where students gain practical bilingual skills and global perspectives designed to support further education in Japan and abroad.

BSCIS is an accredited British Columbia Offshore School offering a dual educational model for grades 7-12, combining Japanese high school with the British Columbia curriculum. Graduates earn both Japanese High School Certificates and BC Dogwood Diplomas.

The International School of Nagano (ISN) Nagano Campus offers an inquiry-based IB PYP curriculum for young learners, uniquely housing preschool and elementary students under one roof. This distinctive setup naturally fosters mentorship, giving young children older role models to observe while allowing older students to practice responsibility and leadership. Instruction is delivered entirely in English, supported by dedicated Japanese language classes to ensure bilingual development. A signature element of ISN is its integration with the local environment. Through initiatives like the Biosphere Reserve program, students regularly engage with nature, participating in forest walks, rice planting, and observing seasonal changes in the nearby Japanese Alps to build environmental literacy. The campus itself features outdoor play spaces designed to support physical development and daily exploration. By blending the structured IB framework with hands-on outdoor learning and cross-age collaboration, ISN Nagano Campus provides an active environment where students learn through inquiry, play, and community connection.

Located in Dazaifu City, Linden Hall Elementary School provides an English-immersion bilingual program within the Japanese national framework (MEXT). From grades 1 to 6, students experience over 3,800 hours of English instruction, with all core subjects taught via a team-teaching model featuring both a native English speaker and a Japanese teacher. Rather than just adopting Western frameworks, the school deeply integrates Japanese cultural education—students participate in tea ceremonies, pottery, and traditional agricultural practices in the school's on-site rice paddies. The campus features a distinctive glass-walled main building that maximizes natural light, alongside athletic fields and a cafeteria that serves certified JAS0004 organic school lunches. A standout feature of the after-school program is the homework and tutoring sessions, where students regularly engage and practice English directly with exchange students visiting from Oxford University. The school accommodates commuters via its bus network and hosts boarding students in its nearby dormitory.

YES International School Tokyo is a learning community in Shibuya, opened in May 2018, for children who are homeschooling or who find standard school life difficult. The daily program is built around project-based learning, where mornings can start with “morning projects” exploring themes such as science, language, art and programming, alongside creative learning in music and art. Students also take part in practical routines such as a cooking class and shared lunch time. Weekly movement sessions that include capoeira and soccer. The school describes individual support tailored to each child’s pace. A distinctive feature is its official Discord server, “YES Elegant,” designed with parent visibility and student-led rule-making.

Linden Hall High School offers a distinctive English-immersion secondary education in Fukuoka, Japan, preparing students for global opportunities through the IB Diploma Programme alongside the Japanese national curriculum. Set against a lush 60,000-square-meter English garden, the campus features specialized facilities like a tiered music room, active science laboratories, and bright, air-conditioned classrooms. A uniquely notable feature is its commitment to sustainability and student health, being the first school in Japan to serve year-round organic school lunches prepared by exclusive chefs and registered dietitians. The curriculum extends beyond standard academics; students engage heavily in Environmental Studies, complete annual coastal cleanups, and participate in international exchange through the Round Square network. Boarding is available in dedicated, short-walk dormitories, fostering a close-knit, multinational community. By blending active inquiry-based learning with environmental consciousness and cultural appreciation, Linden Hall provides an engaging and globally-minded educational environment.

For parents relocating to Nagoya, UPBEAT International School provides a bilingual education for children from 57 days old through 12 years of age. As an authorized IB World School, UPBEAT integrates the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) with American and Japanese educational standards. The curriculum emphasizes English, Math, and Science, supplemented by dedicated IT programming classes where students collaborate using electronic smartboards.

UPBEAT International School operates across three Nagoya campuses—Tempaku, Atsuta, and Nagoya District—providing continuum education from 57 days to 12 years. It is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, with instruction in English and Japanese. The curriculum focuses on English, reading and writing, mathematics, science, social studies, and Japanese, supplemented by IT, calligraphy, music, arts and crafts, and physical education. Integrated subjects such as discussion, field trips and practical work support all-round learning within the IB framework. Facilities include a library, computer room, a first-aid room with a nurse on duty, and a nutritious hot lunch prepared by licensed chefs under a dietitian's guidance. Outdoor space features a school yard for PE and play. A UPBEAT School Bus supports transportation. Enrichment Courses run after school and on Saturdays; After School & Saturday School operates 1st through 6th grade, and UPBEAT Boys & Girls Club provides after-school inclusive activities.

UPBEAT International School’s Tempaku campus provides an elementary education for students ages 6 to 12. As an authorized IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), instruction is bilingual, blending Japanese and American educational practices. Students study core subjects—English, Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Japanese—while engaging in inquiry-based projects that require them to lead their own teams, particularly during school-wide events like the student-led Sports Day. The campus features an executive school building that opens directly onto a large outdoor school yard, heavily utilized for physical education and transitions between indoor and outdoor learning. A distinct feature of the school is its focus on nutrition and health; instead of requiring packed lunches, the school provides daily hot meals prepared on-site by licensed chefs under a dietitian’s guidance, with specialized menus available for children with allergies. The school also runs its own bus routes and offers an extensive After School Boys & Girls Club for continued supervised learning.

Kunimoto Alberta International School is a six-year all-girls program in Tokyo offering Grades 7 through 12. The school delivers both the Alberta (Canada) curriculum and the Japanese national curriculum, allowing students to study within an international academic framework while remaining in Japan. The campus is located in Setagaya Ward, a residential area in western Tokyo and is within walking distance of Kitami Station on the Odakyu Line. This makes the school accessible from central parts of the city. Facilities include a library, computer room, science rooms, gymnasium, tea ceremony room, kitchen facilities and outdoor sports areas such as a lacrosse field and tennis court. A distinctive feature noted by the school is that it operates an Alberta-accredited program in Japan, with instruction aligned to Alberta Education standards. Students can also participate in a wide range of clubs, including arts, sports, language and service activities.

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.

Osaka Gakugei Canadian International School (OGCIS) operates as a BC offshore program hosted within Osaka Gakugei High School's International Department in Osaka. The school serves students aged 15 to 18 and offers a bilingual pathway that leads to both a British Columbia Dogwood Diploma and a Japanese High School Diploma. English-language courses follow the BC curriculum with BC-certified teachers, while Japanese-language courses are taught at Osaka Gakugei Senior High School by licensed local teachers. The program includes a sample three-year sequence with English Language Arts and a broad range of Japanese subjects, and it integrates BC core competencies and First Peoples principles. Every Grade 11 student participates in a five-week Short-Term Study Abroad in British Columbia, earning social studies credits. OGCIS was established in 2019 and is officially certified by BC. Over 80% of graduates attain honours standing and many proceed to top universities in Japan and overseas and beyond.

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.

YES International School Odawara occupies a purpose-built campus at 1-8-33 Shiroyama, Odawara City, Kanagawa. YES Odawara Co., Ltd. established the campus in April 2025, making it the third YES International School campus after Yokohama and Tokyo. The school serves a bespoke curriculum organized around three pillars: Trilingual Education—English, Japanese and programming—to cultivate three distinct modes of thinking; Technology That Opens the Mind—teaching students to use technology with intention and to frame the right questions; and A Real English Environment—English is used as a living language in daily life, not merely as a subject. Learning blends inquiry-based, cross-disciplinary and project-based classes with nature experiences and technology, to broaden creativity and independent thinking. Facilities feature natural wood interiors that create a warm, safe learning space. Meals emphasize carefully chosen ingredients, seasonings and water to support focus, immunity and emotional balance. English is integrated into daily school life, reinforcing immersive language use.

International School of Nagano (ISN) is a private international school with campuses in Matsumoto, Nagano, Nakano, and Shimauchi. It serves preschool through middle school and follows an IB continuum with the Japanese National Curriculum. Preschools and Elementary participate in the IB Primary Years Programme, while Middle School aligns with the Japanese Junior High Curriculum with IGCSE options. Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme are delivered in English, French, or Spanish, providing a pathway to university overseas or in Japan. Distinctive feature is the PIC Program, a four-year middle school pathway beginning in Grade 6 that blends project-, inquiry-, and concept-based learning in English and Japanese. Sustainable Library at Gojo Campus and National Geographic Lift Curriculum support research literacy. Outdoor education is central through Activities in the Nature of Shinshu and seasonal trips, including Sports Day and Hakuba excursions. ISN emphasizes bilingual staff and community engagement to connect students with Shinshu's environment.