In this guide
The Tokyo IB landscape
Tokyo's IB market has grown steadily since the Japanese government's 200 IB Schools initiative pushed adoption from 2013 onward. The international school sector divides between schools that deliver IB as the primary pathway, schools that run IB alongside another curriculum (most often the American AP track or the British A Level pathway), and schools where IB is offered as an option to a smaller cohort within a national programme. Aoba Japan International School, K International School Tokyo, Yokohama International School (closer to Yokohama than central Tokyo but firmly within the Tokyo expat catchment) and the smaller Lycee Francais International de Tokyo IB option define the full continuum tier. The Diploma cohort at the American School in Japan (ASIJ) and the British School in Tokyo (BST) sits alongside the larger American and British pathways at each school.
Japanese government policy on IB has been favourable. Several universities including the University of Tokyo, Keio and Waseda now accept IB Diploma scores as the basis for admission to certain undergraduate programmes, particularly the English language Global Programmes. This has supported demand from Japanese families with international experience as well as the traditional expat cohort. For the wider IB curriculum context see the IB curriculum hub and IB curriculum explained.
How we rank
The Tokyo IB list below weights five factors: three year rolling IB Diploma average, faculty stability and qualifications, university destinations across the past three years, cohort size and subject choice depth, and parent satisfaction from our verified review database. We do not weight fees, which we treat separately. Schools sitting outside the main listing may still be the right fit for specific children or family circumstances. This is a starting list, not a verdict.
The 2026 IB schools list
American School in Japan (ASIJ)
The largest IB Diploma cohort in Tokyo, running alongside an established AP programme. Strong faculty depth across sciences, mathematics and humanities. Particularly suited to American curriculum families wanting the option of either AP or IB Diploma at sixth form. ASIJ's university counselling team is among the most experienced in Asia, with strong destinations across the US, Canada and the leading Japanese universities.
K International School Tokyo
The strongest dedicated full continuum IB school in Tokyo. Smaller and more academically focused than ASIJ, with consistent Diploma averages in the mid 30s and credible destinations to leading universities globally. Particularly suited to families committed to the IB pathway from primary through sixth form, and to those wanting smaller cohort sizes throughout.
Aoba Japan International School
Two campus full continuum IB provider with steady cohort growth and improving Diploma outcomes through the mid 2020s. Strong international cohort and a deliberately experiential learning culture. Suits families who value the philosophy of the IB Learner Profile and want a more progressive approach to teaching.
Yokohama International School
Founded in 1924 and one of the oldest international schools in Asia. Full continuum IB with credible Diploma averages and an established faculty. Located in Yokohama rather than central Tokyo, so most relevant for families based in southern Tokyo or Yokohama. Strong cohort with a high proportion of families on long term Japan postings.
British School in Tokyo (BST)
BST's sixth form runs both IB Diploma and A Level pathways. The IB cohort is smaller than the A Level cohort but academically strong. New flagship Azabudai Hills campus from 2023. Particularly suited to British origin families wanting the optionality of either pathway and the British school culture for the lower years.
Lycee Francais International de Tokyo (IB option)
The French international school in Tokyo offers an IB Diploma stream alongside the standard French Baccalaureate. Smaller IB cohort but a useful option for francophone families wanting an internationally portable qualification. Strong languages culture and credible university destinations across France, the wider EU and North America.
Tokyo International School (TIS)
Authorised PYP and MYP provider serving primary and lower secondary. No DP offered, so families typically transition to a Diploma school for sixth form. Strong primary programme with a deliberately small cohort and a high level of individual attention. Often a feeder route into ASIJ, K International or Aoba for the senior years.
Seisen International School
Catholic girls' school in Setagaya delivering the IB Diploma at sixth form alongside a strong Catholic primary and secondary curriculum. Small but credible Diploma cohort with strong destinations. Particularly suited to families wanting a faith based education for daughters and the IB academic structure.
Fees and the all in cost
IB schools in Tokyo cluster in two fee tiers. The premium tier (ASIJ, BST, K International, Yokohama, Aoba's main programme) charges JPY 3.2 million to JPY 5.5 million per year at senior level (USD 21,000 to USD 36,000). The mid tier (TIS, Seisen, smaller community schools) charges JPY 2.4 million to JPY 3.2 million per year. The IB Diploma exam entry fees sit on top at JPY 150,000 to JPY 280,000 per pupil. Total cost of place once registration, capital levies, school bus, IT charges, exam fees and trips are factored in adds roughly 15 to 25 per cent to the headline tuition. For the full picture see the Tokyo school fees explainer and the fees explorer.
Compare Tokyo IB schools side by side
Use our school comparison tool to put up to three Tokyo IB schools next to each other on fees, curriculum, accreditation, cohort size and recent Diploma outcomes. Pair it with the school finder quiz to surface schools that match your child's profile and your family's priorities. Talk to our team for a personal Tokyo shortlist review.
Admissions timing and waitlists
The popular Tokyo IB schools maintain waitlists for many year groups. ASIJ runs the longest waits at the Y1 to Y3 primary entry points and at Y7. K International, Aoba and Yokohama hold deeper waitlists at the lower years and have rolling availability at sixth form. BST's new Azabudai campus has increased capacity but the most popular year groups still see twelve to eighteen month waits. The practical sequence for September entry is to apply twelve to eighteen months in advance, attend the school's information sessions and the in person or video assessment, secure a place by January or February of the preceding academic year, and pay the registration and capital levies promptly. Read our admissions timing by city guide for the wider international school admissions cycle.
How to choose between them
For most families the choice across the Tokyo IB schools falls along three lines. The family's curriculum heritage: American origin families default to ASIJ where the IB pathway exists alongside AP and the campus culture is familiar; British origin families lean toward BST; families with no strong curriculum heritage and a long term commitment to IB tend to prefer the dedicated full continuum schools (K International, Aoba or Yokohama). The family's geographic anchor: Setagaya and Minato families lean toward ASIJ, BST and Seisen; Koto and bay area families fit K International; Hikarigaoka and Meguro families align with Aoba's two campuses; Yokohama based families default to YIS. The child's profile: smaller cohort schools (K International, Aoba, Seisen, TIS) suit children who benefit from individual attention; larger cohort schools (ASIJ, BST) suit children who thrive with broader peer groups and the depth of co curricular options that comes with scale.
Cohort depth and subject choice
Subject choice depth at IB Diploma scales with cohort size. ASIJ runs the broadest subject menu in Tokyo, with sciences offered at both Standard and Higher Level across biology, chemistry and physics, multiple language B and ab initio options, the full Group 3 humanities menu, and a strong arts pathway. K International, Yokohama and Aoba run more constrained subject menus but typically cover the core combinations sought by university applicants. BST, Seisen and the smaller schools may offer fewer subject combinations, particularly at the Higher Level science end. Families with a clear sense of the child's university trajectory should confirm subject availability at sixth form during the visit.
University outcomes
Tokyo IB schools place leavers consistently to leading universities across multiple geographies. ASIJ's destination profile is strongly weighted to the US (Ivy League, Berkeley, the wider Tier 1 research universities), with a substantial number of leavers also heading to the leading Japanese universities through the English programmes (Tokyo, Keio, Waseda, Sophia, ICU). K International and Aoba show a broader spread across the UK Russell Group, the leading Canadian universities, the Netherlands, and the Asian network. BST's IB cohort sends a meaningful number to UK universities alongside the US and the leading Asian destinations. The wider IB vs AP university outcomes piece covers the global picture in detail.
Japanese language support and bilingual learners
One area where the Tokyo IB schools differentiate sharply is Japanese language support. ASIJ, K International, Aoba and YIS all run Japanese as an additional language alongside the standard Japanese A Language and Literature track, which allows children arriving with little or no Japanese to continue language study without sacrificing the broader curriculum. BST's Japanese programme is solid at primary but tapers in secondary as A Level and IB Diploma subject options dominate. Families considering a long Japan posting often factor language depth heavily into the school choice, particularly if there is a meaningful chance the children may stay in Japan for university. For an introduction to language support across international schools see EAL language support in international schools.
Co curricular, sports and music
The depth of co curricular activity at the Tokyo IB schools varies more than the Diploma averages would suggest. ASIJ runs the broadest sport, music and creative arts programme, including a full performing arts season, competitive sport through the AISA (Asia Pacific Activities Conference) circuit, and a strong robotics and STEM extracurricular network. K International and Aoba run smaller but more focused programmes. BST has invested heavily in arts and sport at the new Azabudai Hills campus. Families who weight co curricular life heavily, particularly those whose children come from competitive sport or music backgrounds, should ask each school for the seasonal activity timetable during the visit.
Related guides
- Best international schools in Tokyo
- International school fees in Tokyo
- Moving to Tokyo with kids: complete guide
Frequently asked questions
How many IB schools are there in Tokyo?
Around fifteen Tokyo area schools deliver at least one IB programme in 2026. Full continuum delivery is available at Aoba Japan International School, K International School Tokyo and several smaller providers. The Diploma is offered as a parallel pathway at ASIJ and BST.
Which Tokyo IB school has the highest Diploma average?
K International School Tokyo, Aoba Japan and Yokohama International School all post Diploma averages in the 33 to 36 range in recent years. The largest IB Diploma cohort sits at ASIJ where IB runs alongside AP.
How much do IB schools in Tokyo cost?
Premium IB schools in Tokyo charge JPY 3.2 million to JPY 5.5 million per year at senior level (USD 21,000 to USD 36,000). The IB Diploma exam entry fees are typically charged separately at JPY 150,000 to JPY 280,000 per pupil.
Can Japanese nationals attend IB schools in Tokyo?
Japanese citizens may attend international IB schools. Most international IB schools admit a meaningful percentage of Japanese passport holders alongside their primarily foreign passport cohort, subject to school discretion and place availability.