This page is intended to help parents effectively use the information we have provided on Japan's international schools.

First some general comments on the list. Information on each school has been provided by the school or from public sources including the internet and the Japan Yellow Pages telephone directory. Though the information is believed to be accurate, we do not guarantee the information or its applicability to your situation and your child. Thoroughly check each school with your friends, other parents, your embassy, your chamber of commerce, or other reliable sources. We assume no responsibility.

Though we have tried to be comprehensive, this list is biased toward schools that teach in English as the main language.  It is likely that this list does not include some small schools, schools outside the main population centers, newly established schools, and many preschools/kindergartens. If you know of a school that should be included (or that should not be included), please tell us by mail, email, or fax. Our address info.

Other than the listed schools, there are also home-study options and the thousands of public and private Japanese kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools. We personally highly recommend giving your child at least some exposure to Japanese schools.

School Name
This is the school's name in English.

Building
Building and room number where you will find the school office.

StNumber
Street Number, but usually this really refers to the "chome-banchi-go" numbering. See at the bottom of page the recommended style for addressing postal mail in English.

StName
Street Name. As few streets are named, this is usually the district name. In Japanese the StNumber comes after the StName.  In English it works best if the chome-banchi-go numbers (keeping them in the same order) come before the StName. See sample address at end of page.

KuCity
Town or city name. In case of big cities this is the ward (ku) name.

Prefecture
This is the state (ken). We often add 'ken' to the end of the prefecture name. For example, Hiroshimaken rather than just Hiroshima. This avoids confusion with Hiroshimashi (the city).

Postal Code
Zipcode. Very important that it be complete and correct.

Telephone
Area Code + Telephone Number. 03-38763073 is a Tokyo (03) number. When dialing to this number in Tokyo, drop the 03 and dial just 38763073. If dialing from overseas, add 81 (Japan) and dial 81-3-38763073. If dialing from within Japan but outside Tokyo, dial 03-38763073. (This number is our telephone.)

Facsimile
Same rules as Telephone.

Email
The user should copy the email address and paste into his email program. We do not usually publish live links. We replace the @ with [at] or similar to avoid automatic email harvesting.

URL
The user should copy the URL into his browser. We do not usually publish live links.

Language
The main language or languages of instruction/communication used within the school. If not listed this is usually English.

No. of Students
This is an approximation and will vary from year to year.

Coed
M = male. F = female. "yes" = coed.

Grades
A few schools accept very young children. Many do not teach all grades from preschool to highschool.

Religion
School's religious affiliation if any.

Diploma
A good education is more important, but the type of diploma may be important when later trying to enter college in the home country.

Facilities
This section gives a very rough idea of facilities that are available. See the school's website and catalog for detailed info. I once enrolled in a school because their catalog boasted a bowling alley and a yacht. It turned out that both were closed during the year I spent at that (terrible) school.

Transport
Some schools provide transportation from home to school. Others are located near convenient public transport. Depending upon where you live and where the school is, the parent may have to provide all transport.

School Year
The Japanese school year starts in April. International schools tend to start in September. Some will accept new students at any time.

Uniform
Most schools will have some kind of dress code. Some require uniforms.

Lunch
Some schools provide a lunch, others do not.

Faculty
The number of teachers. Gives a rough idea of the size and depth of instructional capability.

Events
Larger schools often hold one or more public or semi-public events during the year.

Notes
This space is for additional comment by or about the school.





The postal address style below uses our address for the example.  We are booksellers not a school. The address style that we like is simple, easy to understand, consistent, and deliverable. Unfortunately Japanese addressing is not always consistent.

Address Style Sample
School Name
Building
StNumber StName
KuCity Prefecture PostalCode
Intercontinental Marketing KK
Centre Bldg 2nd floor
1-14-13 Iriya
Taitoku Tokyo 110-0013

20061123