The Tokyo IB landscape
Most premium Tokyo international schools are American-curriculum or American-influenced (ASIJ, Saint Mary's, Sacred Heart) and run AP rather than IB Diploma. The dedicated IB-pathway schools cluster around K International, Tokyo International School, Aoba-Japan International (multi-curriculum with IB stream), and Yokohama International School (commutable from Tokyo). Cohort sizes are smaller than at the major American schools but academic outcomes are competitive.
The 2026 top 6 IB schools in greater Tokyo
K International School Tokyo
Tokyo's strongest dedicated IB school. Full continuum from PYP. Three-year average above 34 points. Smaller cohort sizes than larger international schools but strong faculty and university counselling. Strong destinations across UK, US, Japan and Asia.
Tokyo International School (TIS)
Long-established IB-only international school. Smaller scale, family community. Strong outcomes across both PYP and Diploma. Particularly suited to families wanting personalised IB pathway in central Tokyo.
Yokohama International School (commutable)
Long-established YIS in Yokohama, accessible to many Tokyo expat families with patience for commute. Full IB Continuum. Strong cohort outcomes. Particularly suited to families based in southern Tokyo or Yokohama.
Aoba-Japan International School
Multi-campus IB school. Several Tokyo locations. Strong sports and arts programmes. Cohort outcomes solid. Particularly worth considering for families seeking IB at upper-mid fees rather than premium.
Seisen International School (IB Diploma sixth-form)
Catholic-foundation girls' school running IB Diploma at sixth-form. Smaller IB cohort. Strong family community. Best for families aligned with Catholic-foundation girls' education seeking IB.
ASIJ (American School in Japan, IB stream)
ASIJ's primary pathway is AP, but a small IB Diploma cohort runs alongside. Worth shortlisting only for families committed to ASIJ's institutional culture and willing to accept a small IB cohort. Most ASIJ families take AP.
What didn't make the list
Several Tokyo schools offer the IB Diploma but with smaller cohorts or insufficient outcomes data. The major American schools (ASIJ, Saint Mary's, Sacred Heart) are AP-dominant.
IB vs. AP in Tokyo
Tokyo's institutional history favours AP for American-bound families. IB has gained ground particularly with non-American expat families and globally-mobile families. For UK or European-bound destinations IB is meaningfully preferred. For US-bound destinations both pathways are well-recognised. See our deeper analysis in the IB curriculum guide and American curriculum guide.
Fee context
Premium IB places in Tokyo cost JPY 3.0-3.5 million per year (USD 19,500-22,800 at 2026 rates). Mid-tier IB schools come in at JPY 2.2-2.8 million (USD 14,300-18,200). See our full Tokyo school fees report.