Aoba-Japan International School, commonly known as Aoba or A-JIS, is one of the more prominent of the international schools in Tokyo and traces its roots to 1976, when it was founded in the Meguro district of central Tokyo. It teaches an inquiry led international programme from early childhood through to Grade 12 in English, and since 2015 it has been an IB World School. Its principal campus is in Hikarigaoka in northwest Tokyo, and within the wider Aoba network it also runs campuses in Meguro and Bunkyo. It should not be confused with the separate Aoba-Japan Bilingual Preschool, which is a distinct early years programme for younger children.
Aoba-Japan International School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB World School: Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme (International Baccalaureate) |
|---|---|
| Stages | Kindergarten to Grade 12 (roughly age 4 to 18) |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Accreditation | IB World School; accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges |
| Campuses | Hikarigaoka main campus, plus Meguro and Bunkyo |
| Fee band | Premium, in the upper part of the Tokyo range |
| Campus area | Hikarigaoka, Nerima, northwest Tokyo |
Curriculum and academics
Aoba is an IB World School, authorised for the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme and working across the IB continuum, with English as the language of instruction supported by language and cultural programmes. The approach is inquiry led and emphasises innovation, entrepreneurship and international mindedness, themes the school is known for in Tokyo. For how the IB framework works, its assessment and its university recognition, our IB curriculum pillar sets out the detail.
Students complete the Diploma in their final two years, a route recognised by universities worldwide, and graduates progress to institutions in Japan, North America, the UK, Europe and elsewhere. The school is part of the wider Aoba group, which also runs bilingual preschools and other affiliated schools in Tokyo. Families weighing Aoba against other IB options will find the city's IB schools in Tokyo listing useful for building a shortlist.
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Aoba-Japan International School fees
Aoba-Japan International School fees sit in the premium part of the Tokyo international school fees range, with annual tuition running into the millions of yen and rising by stage from the early years to the Diploma. The school publishes its current tuition by grade, which is the figure to rely on, as fees are reviewed each year. Third party listings can lag behind, so use the school's own schedule.
Beyond tuition, budget for the charges a parent must plan separately. These typically include an application or registration fee, a facilities or capital charge, and costs for lunches, trips, certain activities and any bus service. IB examination fees apply in the Diploma years. Because every figure changes annually and can differ by campus, confirm the exact tuition and ancillary charges with the admissions office before applying.
Admissions
Aoba admissions run to a rolling cycle around an August start, with mid year entry accepted where places are available by grade. Families apply through the school's admissions team, submitting prior school reports and references, and applicants may be assessed informally for readiness and English language support needs. Demand is steady at the main entry points, so early application is advisable once a Tokyo move is confirmed.
The school is experienced with families arriving on corporate and diplomatic postings and with transfers between IB schools, which the shared curriculum makes smoother. Overseas families should factor in the documentation needed to settle in Japan and consider the commute to the relevant campus when choosing where to live.
Location and who goes there
The main campus sits in Hikarigaoka, a planned residential district in Nerima in northwest Tokyo with parkland and good rail links, while the network's Meguro and Bunkyo campuses serve other parts of the city. Families choosing Aoba live across the northwest and central wards depending on the campus, with many drawn by the IB continuum and the school's innovation focus rather than a single neighbourhood.
The community is genuinely international, with dozens of nationalities reflecting Tokyo's expatriate population in business, technology, academia and the diplomatic sector, alongside internationally minded Japanese families. For how Hikarigaoka, Meguro and the other districts compare and where expatriate families tend to settle, the Tokyo city hub maps the city and the schools that serve each area.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are Aoba-Japan International School fees?
Aoba sits in the premium band for Tokyo, with annual tuition that runs into the millions of yen and rises by stage. The school publishes current tuition by grade, alongside an application fee, a facilities or capital charge and costs for lunches, trips and any bus service. Confirm the live figures with admissions before applying.
Is Aoba-Japan International School an IB school?
Yes. Aoba is an IB World School, authorised for the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme and working across the IB continuum, with English as the language of instruction. It became an IB World School in 2015.
Is Aoba-Japan International School a good school?
Aoba is an established IB World School accredited by CIS and NEASC, with a diverse student body and an emphasis on innovation and global mindedness. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we set out its programme and accreditation rather than score it.
When do Aoba-Japan International School applications open?
Aoba runs a rolling admissions cycle around an August start, with mid year entry where places exist. Families relocating to Tokyo should apply as early as a posting is confirmed.
Where is Aoba-Japan International School?
Its main campus is in Hikarigaoka in northwest Tokyo, and it also operates campuses in Meguro and Bunkyo within the wider Aoba network.
