At a glance
| Factor | London | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | GBP 25,000 to 36,000 (USD 31,000 to 45,000) | USD 16,000 to 32,000 |
| Dominant curricula | British, IB, American | American, IB, British |
| Cost of living (Expatistan, May 2026) | Baseline (high) | About 25 to 30 percent lower than London |
| Family visa | Skilled Worker visa with dependants or family visa | Dependant visa via main applicant's working visa |
| Expat share of population | About 37 percent foreign-born | About 3 to 4 percent of residents |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 12 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
London is the deeper, more flexible market for English-medium education in 2026. Tokyo wins on safety, calm and value. The two strongest Tokyo schools (ASIJ and the British School in Tokyo) deliver outcomes on par with London's mid-tier independents, but London's wider market is unrivalled.
Schools landscape side by side
London's international school landscape is unrivalled. Families typically shortlist the American School in London, ACS International (Cobham and Hillingdon), International Community School, Marymount, the Southbank International schools and the British independent boarding and day options like Westminster, St Paul's and North London Collegiate. The IB-focused Sevenoaks and Kings College School Wimbledon round out the selective tier.
Tokyo's flagship names are the American School in Japan (Chofu and Roppongi Hills early years), the British School in Tokyo, Saint Maur International, Yokohama International School, Aoba-Japan International and Tokyo International School. ASIJ and BST dominate global parent shortlists; mid-tier IB and American schools generally admit within a single term.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
London day schools at the international end charge GBP 25,000 to 36,000 per year for senior years. Boarding pushes total cost above GBP 45,000. Public school tradition keeps academic standards exceptionally high, but expat budgets must account for the cost of London housing on top of fees. See our all-city fees hub for like-for-like ranges.
Tokyo is cheaper across the board. ASIJ tuition runs roughly USD 25,000 to 32,000 per year and is billed in US dollars. Mid-tier Tokyo international schools sit between JPY 2.5 million and JPY 3.5 million per year (roughly USD 16,000 to 24,000) with first-year capital or facility fees adding JPY 1 million to JPY 1.5 million. Use the cost calculator for a five year model.
Curriculum availability
London offers the broadest curriculum mix of any city in the world: British (GCSE, A Level, Pre-U), IB, American (AP), Cambridge Pathway, Montessori and Reggio-inspired primaries. Tokyo tilts toward American and IB, with ASIJ as the dominant US-curriculum anchor and BST as the British counterpart. See the IB hub, British curriculum hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
London international school families cluster in St John's Wood (American School in London), Hampstead and Belsize Park, Kensington and Chelsea, Wimbledon and the leafy southwest (Putney, Richmond), and the commuter belt around ACS Cobham and Hillingdon. A four-bedroom family home in zone 2 runs GBP 4,500 to 9,000 per month.
Tokyo families typically pick Minato (Hiroo, Azabu, Roppongi) near ASIJ early years, BST and Nishimachi; Shibuya for international shopping and short commutes; and the western suburbs of Chofu, Mitaka and Setagaya for the main ASIJ campus. A three-bedroom rental in Minato runs JPY 600,000 to 1.2 million per month.
Lifestyle and climate
London is rainy and grey eight months of the year, with long summer evenings and a cultural depth that rewards families with curious children. Schoolday logistics are excellent, public transport unmatched in Europe and weekend travel to the rest of Europe is easy. Tokyo offers world-class safety, exceptional public transport and a food culture that rewards family curiosity. Schoolday rhythms are calm, and most expat families report a noticeable lifestyle reset within months.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose London if you want the widest curriculum choice, the deepest school market and an easy launchpad into European travel. It is the strongest city for families approaching A Level or IB Diploma years where university applications drive the decision. Choose Tokyo if safety, calm and family wellbeing matter more than curriculum breadth, and if ASIJ or BST is a fit for your child. The five year cost delta typically lands GBP 60,000 to 110,000 in Tokyo's favour at equivalent school tier.
Frequently asked questions
Is London or Tokyo cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Tokyo is cheaper overall. Tuition is roughly 20 to 30 percent lower at equivalent tier, food and transport costs are materially lower, and housing per square metre is better in central Tokyo than in zone 1 London.
Which city has better international schools?
London has more depth, with multiple Tier 1 names across British, IB and American. Tokyo's top two (ASIJ and BST) deliver outcomes on par with London's mid-tier independents, but the bench behind them is narrower.
How does the family visa compare?
London uses Skilled Worker visas with dependants attached, or family visas with income tests. Tokyo uses the main applicant's working visa with spouse and child dependant visas. London's processing is generally faster; Tokyo's documentation is heavier.
How long are admissions waiting lists?
London international schools admit within 8 to 12 weeks for most year groups. Tokyo's top two (ASIJ and BST) frequently run multi-term waiting lists for primary intakes; mid-tier schools admit within a single term.
Where do expat families live in each city?
London families pick St John's Wood, Hampstead, Kensington, Wimbledon and the green belt around Cobham. Tokyo families cluster in Minato (Hiroo, Azabu, Roppongi), Shibuya and the western suburbs of Chofu and Setagaya near ASIJ.
