Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool, sometimes shortened to A-JB, is an early years option among the international schools in Tokyo for families who want their youngest children in a setting where English and Japanese are used side by side. It serves children from around age 1 to 6 in a bilingual environment built on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, and it operates several campuses across the city. It is part of the Aoba group, which also runs the separate Aoba-Japan International School for older children, and the two should not be confused: this profile covers the preschool, not the kindergarten to Grade 12 school.
Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool at a glance
| Programme | Bilingual English and Japanese early years, based on the IB Primary Years Programme |
|---|---|
| Ages | Roughly 1 to 6 years |
| Founded | Not published |
| Network | Part of the Aoba group, alongside Aoba-Japan International School |
| Languages | English and Japanese |
| Fee band | Below full international school tuition; varies by campus and days enrolled |
| Campus areas | Harumi, Waseda, Mitaka, Nakano, Shimomeguro and Yoga |
Programme and approach
The preschool delivers an inquiry based programme in a bilingual English and Japanese setting, drawing on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme to shape how young children explore, play and learn. The aim is to build early language in both English and Japanese while developing curiosity, independence and confidence, the foundations the Aoba group carries through into its older schools. Families who want to understand the wider value of a two language education can read our bilingual curriculum pillar, which explains how dual language settings support later academic learning.
Because it is an early years setting rather than a primary or secondary school, there are no examinations or exam boards at this stage. Children who continue within the network can move on towards the group's primary provision, and the bilingual grounding is designed to support a smooth transition into an English medium or bilingual primary programme. The approach suits families who want their child comfortable in both languages from the start.
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Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool fees
Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool fees sit below the full primary and secondary tuition shown in our Tokyo international school fees guide, as is normal for an early years setting, but they vary considerably by campus, by the number of days a child attends each week and by age group. The school publishes current rates by campus, which is the figure to plan around, and full time bilingual places naturally cost more than part time attendance.
Beyond the core fee, budget for the charges a preschool year involves, which typically include a registration or enrolment fee, meals or a lunch programme, materials and any optional extended hours. Because rates differ by site and are reviewed regularly, confirm the exact fee for your chosen campus and attendance pattern directly with the school before committing.
Admissions
Places are offered on a rolling basis through the year, subject to availability at each campus, with many families joining at the start of the spring or autumn terms. Enrolment is handled by the individual campus, and because this is an early years setting the process centres on a visit, a conversation about the child's needs and confirmation of available days rather than any formal assessment. Popular campuses and full time places can fill, so early contact is sensible once a Tokyo move is confirmed.
The preschool is used to families arriving from overseas and to children who speak little English or Japanese on entry, which the bilingual model is designed to support. Overseas families should factor in the residence documentation needed to settle in Japan and choose a campus with a manageable daily journey.
Location and who goes there
The preschool runs six campuses spread across Tokyo, at Harumi, Waseda, Mitaka, Nakano, Shimomeguro and Yoga, which means most families can find a site within a reasonable distance of home rather than committing to a single neighbourhood. The spread covers central, western and bayside parts of the city, from the Harumi waterfront to the western suburbs around Mitaka.
The community mixes international families who want their children bilingual early with Japanese families seeking an English rich start, reflecting Tokyo's broad expatriate and internationally minded population. For how the city's wards and its expatriate communities fit together, and which schools serve each area for the years beyond preschool, the Tokyo city hub maps the options across the city.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and accepts no payment from schools, so we publish parent reviews only after confirming the reviewer is part of the school community. If your family knows Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool first hand, please share your experience through our school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool fees?
As a Tokyo bilingual preschool, Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool charges fees that vary by campus, by the number of days enrolled and by age group, and which sit below full primary and secondary international school tuition. The school publishes current rates by campus, so confirm the live figures and any registration charge before applying.
What ages does Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool take?
It is a preschool for children aged roughly 1 to 6, in a bilingual English and Japanese environment based on the IB Primary Years Programme. It is separate from Aoba-Japan International School, which teaches older children from kindergarten to Grade 12.
Is Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool a good preschool?
It is an established Tokyo bilingual preschool within the Aoba group, using inquiry based, PYP inspired learning across several campuses. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we set out its programme and approach rather than score it.
When do Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool applications open?
Places are offered on a rolling basis through the year subject to availability at each campus, with many families joining at the start of the April or September terms. Contact the relevant campus as early as a Tokyo move is confirmed.
Where is Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool?
It operates six campuses across Tokyo, at Harumi, Waseda, Mitaka, Nakano, Shimomeguro and Yoga, so families can usually find a site near home.
