International School Tuition in Japan [2026 Edition]: A Complete Guide to Costs, Tuition Support, and Scholarships

1. A General Guide to International School Tuition in Japan

Estimated Annual Costs

Tuition fees for international schools in Japan vary by institution, but the general range is as follows:

Examples of what's included:

• Tuition
• Facility & Capital Fees
• Textbook & Material Fees
• Some Activity Fees

Total Cost Comparison: Public, Private & International (12-Year Simulation)

When comparing the approximate total cost for 12 years of elementary, middle, and high school, the difference is stark.

• Public Schools (12 years): Approx. 5 million JPY
• Private Schools (12 years): Approx. 15 million JPY
• International Schools (12 years): Approx. 24 million JPY

  (*Source: Various surveys and information sites for returning students)

While the numbers may seem daunting, your perception of cost-effectiveness can change by having a clear strategy based on "what you want to achieve" and "the duration of enrollment."

2. [Day Schools] Examples of Tuition at Major International Schools (2025)

Here are the tuition levels for the high school programs at some representative day schools (non-boarding).

Guideline: In major metropolitan areas like Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Kobe, the standard for high school is around 2.5 to 3.8 million JPY per student per year.

American School in Japan (ASIJ / Tokyo)

• High School (Gr9–12) Tuition: Approx. 3.53–3.78 million JPY/year
• Features: One of the oldest international schools in Japan. Costs are on the higher end, especially when including capital assessment fees.
• Official Website (Tuition Page)

The British School in Tokyo (BST / Tokyo)

• Senior School (Y10–13) Annual Fees: Approx. 2.93–3.03 million JPY/year
• Features: Follows the British curriculum. Fees include capital assessment charges.
• Official Website (Tuition Page)

K. International School Tokyo (KIST / Tokyo)

• Estimated Annual Fees: Approx. 2.7–3.0 million JPY
• Features: Known for its excellent IB (International Baccalaureate) results and is considered relatively cost-effective.
• Official Website

Canadian Academy (Kobe)

• High School (Gr11–12) Annual Tuition: Approx. 3.39–3.51 million JPY
• Features: Offers both day school and boarding options.
• Official Website

3. [Boarding] Examples of Tuition at Boarding Schools in Japan

Boarding schools combine education with living expenses (room and board), so the costs are significantly higher.

The estimated cost is around 6 to 10 million JPY per year.

Harrow International School Appi Japan (Harrow Appi / Iwate)

• Annual Fees (Tuition & Boarding):

  Grade 7-8: Approx. 9.76 million JPY

  Grade 12-13: Approx. 10.6 million JPY

• Notes: Additional costs apply for uniforms, excursions, and activities like skiing.
• Official Website

Rugby School Japan (Chiba)

• Annual Fees (Tuition & Boarding):
  • Senior School Full Boarding: Approx. 8.7 million JPY
• Notes: The Japan campus of the prestigious UK school. Day school plans are also available.
• Official Website

UWC ISAK Japan (Karuizawa)

• Estimated Annual Fees: Approx. 6.69 million JPY (Tuition + Boarding + Program Fees)
• Features: Offers a very comprehensive need-based financial aid program, with many students receiving full or partial tuition waivers.
• Official Website

Other Notable Schools

• NUCB International College (Aichi): Approx. 4.6 million JPY for the first year (including boarding)
• Hakuba International School (Nagano): High School Boarding approx. 6.77 million JPY

4. Does Japan's "High School Tuition Support" Apply to International and Boarding Schools?

We often receive questions about whether the national tuition support program (commonly known as "high school tuition waiver") is available for students attending international schools. Here's a summary.

Basics of the System

The national "High School Enrollment Support Fund" provides a subsidy of up to 396,000 JPY per year for private high schools to households with an annual income below approximately 5.9 million JPY. (This is a subsidy, not a full waiver of tuition fees).

Are International Schools Eligible?

Most international schools are classified as "miscellaneous schools" (kakushu gakko) and not as "high schools" under Article 1 of Japan's School Education Act, making them generally ineligible.

[Important] Exceptions

Schools listed on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "List of Foreign Schools Eligible for Enrollment Support Funds" are eligible.

• If eligible: A subsidy of up to approx. 396,000 JPY per year.
• Note: Even with a 396,000 JPY subsidy, if the annual tuition is 3 million JPY, the financial burden remains significant.

*Please be sure to check with your prospective school's admissions office for the latest information on whether it is certified as eligible for this support.

5. Utilizing Municipal Subsidies and School-Specific Scholarships

Beyond the national system, there are several other ways to reduce the financial burden.

Subsidies from Municipalities like Tokyo

Some municipalities, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, offer their own subsidy programs for international schools.

• How it works: Typically, the city provides a subsidy to accredited international schools (like ASIJ, BST, KIST), which is then passed on to parents as a tuition reduction.
• Amount: The amount varies by school and year but can be a significant subsidy of several hundred thousand yen annually.

School-Specific Scholarships and Merit Awards

Schools with higher tuition, especially boarding schools, often have robust programs to attract talented students.

*Before giving up based on the tuition fees alone, we recommend checking the "Financial Aid" or "Scholarship" pages on each school's website.

6. Our Perspective as ELT: Articulating "Why an International School?"

Finally, as educational consultants at ELT who have advised numerous families on English learning and academic paths, we want to share a core principle for school selection.

The Tuition is Too High to Choose Casually

Deciding to invest tens of millions of yen over several years based on reasons like "everyone else is doing it" or "they'll need English to succeed" is a high-risk approach. It can easily lead to doubts later on about whether it was the right choice.

The Importance of an "Exit Strategy" and Clear Goals

We strongly advise families to thoroughly discuss the following points:

1. What is the end goal?

   Admission to an overseas university? Or an international faculty at a Japanese university?

2. What level of English proficiency is required?

   Native-level academic fluency, or a professional working proficiency?

3. What is the timeframe?

   Some choose an international school for elementary and middle school, then switch to a Japanese prep school for high school. Others opt for boarding school just for the high school years.

The total cost can be managed by controlling the duration of enrollment.

What ELT Can Do

We at ELT are not an admissions agency for international schools. However, we can offer impartial advice, including strengthening English skills without attending an international school or providing academic support after enrollment.

• "A full international school education is financially challenging, but we want our child to achieve a high level of English."
• "My child is attending an international school, but I'm worried about the gap with the Japanese curriculum."
• "We want to map out the optimal educational path for English language acquisition."

If you have such concerns, please feel free to consult with ELT. We will work with you to design the most effective learning plan and educational pathway based on your child's current English level and your family's goals.