How many international primary schools in Tokyo
Tokyo has roughly 25 schools running an international primary phase, taught primarily in English, with cohorts settled enough to be considered established. The split by curriculum at primary level is broadly even. About a third teach the IB Primary Years Programme, a third follow the English national curriculum and a third use the American elementary grade structure. A small group operate genuinely bilingual programmes that pair English with Japanese as a coequal medium of instruction.
Average primary cohorts in Tokyo are smaller than in other Asian capitals. The headline is roughly 40 to 70 children per year group at the larger schools and 15 to 25 at the smaller ones. That changes how the city feels at primary level. Children move between a tight circle of schools, the staff know each other, and the choice is genuinely between a handful of clearly identifiable settings rather than dozens of variants of the same model.
Fees and the primary tiers
Tokyo international primary fees sit in three broad tiers. The value tier, JPY 2.2 million to JPY 2.5 million per year, covers the smaller campuses and the lower primary years at the more affordable Aoba Japan and Kanto sites. The mid tier, JPY 2.5 million to JPY 2.8 million, captures Tokyo International School and the middle years at most of the established providers. The premium tier, JPY 2.8 million to JPY 3.0 million, applies to the American School in Japan, the British School in Tokyo upper primary and the senior years at K. International.
Total cost in primary is heavier than the headline suggests. Most schools charge a non refundable enrolment fee of JPY 200,000 to JPY 400,000, an annual building fee, a school bus contract that often runs JPY 200,000 to JPY 250,000, uniforms and books. Our Tokyo fees guide walks through the loading school by school.
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Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each has a multi year primary record and a clear identity in the Tokyo market.
American School in Japan in Chofu, with its early learning centre in Roppongi, is the largest and longest established international primary in the city. Cohort sizes sit above 80 children per year group and the alumni network reaches into the most established American university routes.
British School in Tokyo on its Shibuya Showa campus follows the English national curriculum from Reception. Primary cohorts are typically 60 children per year group, with a strong feed into the senior school IGCSE and A level pathways.
Tokyo International School in Minato runs the IB Primary Years Programme from kindergarten through Year 6. It is the longest serving pure IB primary in the city, with established Diploma sister school pathways.
K. International School Tokyo in Koto delivers the PYP, MYP and Diploma on a single site, which suits families wanting full continuity through to age 18. Primary cohorts are smaller, with class sizes around 22.
Where primary age families live in Tokyo
Primary age families cluster around three main belts. Minato, especially Hiroo, Azabu and Roppongi, suits families at Tokyo International School, Nishimachi International School and the American School Roppongi early learning centre. Three bedroom apartments routinely run JPY 1.0 million per month. Setagaya and the south west, including Den-en-chofu, Yoga and Sangenjaya, suits families at Seisen, St Mary's, and those bussing west to American School in Japan in Chofu. Shibuya and Meguro sit between the two and pull families at the British School in Tokyo and Aoba Japan Meguro.
Admissions calendar
Tokyo international primaries open applications for August or September 2026 entry between September and November 2025. Reception, Year 1, kindergarten and grade 1 are the most competitive intake points, particularly at the American School in Japan and the British School in Tokyo. Tier 1 schools close main lists by late January and issue offers in February or March. Mid year transfer is possible at Years 3 to 5 when places exist, though small cohort sizes mean waiting lists.
If you are committing to a specific top tier school, aim to apply 9 to 12 months before the desired start. For less competitive year groups such as Year 4 or Year 5, 6 to 9 months is normally enough.
Choosing a Tokyo international primary
Because the Tokyo cohort is small, the honest decision drivers are commute, curriculum continuity and pastoral fit. A school that offers PYP at primary but transitions to a different curriculum at secondary will force a choice at Year 7, which most families want to plan around in advance. Specialist provision also matters, with some schools considerably stronger than others on English as an Additional Language support, on Japanese as Language A for biliterate children and on learning support for mild needs. Visit, ask about staff retention in the past two years, and look at how Year 6 graduates have transitioned into senior school, particularly at the schools without a guaranteed senior continuation. Our compare tool lets you put two or three Tokyo primaries side by side on these specific points, and our sister hubs on IB schools in Tokyo, British curriculum in Tokyo and American curriculum in Tokyo dig into the curriculum specifics.
Frequently asked questions
How many international primary schools are there in Tokyo?
Tokyo has around 25 schools offering an international primary phase in English, covering Reception through Year 6 or kindergarten through grade 5. Curriculum splits across IB PYP, the English national curriculum and the American grade pathway.
What age does international primary school start in Tokyo?
Most international primaries in Tokyo accept children into Reception or kindergarten at age 4 turning 5. The British schools follow an August or September 1 cut off, while American style schools generally accept any child who has turned 5 by 31 August.
How much do international primary schools cost in Tokyo?
Annual primary tuition in Tokyo runs from about JPY 2.2 million at value tier providers to JPY 3.0 million at the established premium schools. Add 15 to 25 percent for enrolment fees, school bus, capital levies and books.
When should I apply for primary school in Tokyo?
For an August or September 2026 start, the top tier Tokyo international primaries open applications between September and November 2025 and close their main lists by late January. Less competitive year groups stay open on a rolling basis.
