On this page
By late August, most major Tokyo international schools have entered the new academic year. This page keeps 19 major schools, from kindergarten through high school, in one on-page list with school name, levels, area, first filter and official school site. Families now need more than a first-day note: upcoming visits, autumn and winter breaks, 2027–28 applications, commute fit and curriculum fit all matter.
Main Tokyo International Schools
| School | Levels | Area | First filter | School site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American School in Japan (ASIJ) | K–12 | Chofu; Roppongi ELC | American pathway, large campus, AP and activities | School site |
| Aoba Japan International School | K–12 | Meguro, Hikarigaoka, Bunkyo, online | IB PYP/MYP/DP; campus fit matters | School site |
| The British School in Tokyo (BST) | K–12 | Azabudai; Showa campus | British pathway; check senior pathways | School site |
| K. International School Tokyo (KIST) | K–12 | Shirakawa, Koto | IB PYP/MYP/DP; mid-August start | School site |
| Nishimachi International School | K–Grade 9 | Moto-Azabu, Minato | English plus daily Japanese; plan after G9 | School site |
| Tokyo International School (TIS) | K–12 | Takanawa Gateway | IB pathway; new campus and high-school expansion | School site |
| Seisen International School | K–12 | Yoga, Setagaya | Co-ed kindergarten, girls G1–12, IB | School site |
| St. Mary's International School | K–12 | Seta, Setagaya | Boys' school, IBDP, September-start year | School site |
| International School of the Sacred Heart | K–12 | Hiroo, Shibuya | Girls' school, AP pathway, Hiroo commute | School site |
| Canadian International School Tokyo | K–12 | Kita-Shinagawa, Osaki, Nakameguro | Canadian PEI pathway; PYP/AP reference point | School site |
| Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) | K–12 | Higashikurume | Christian school, AP, suburban campus | School site |
| India International School in Japan (IISJ) | K–12 | Sengoku, Koto | CBSE pathway, science/math/IT emphasis | School site |
| Laurus International School of Science | K–12 | Shiba, Shirokanedai, Aoyama, Bunkyo and more | STEM and Cambridge pathway; many campuses | School site |
| Lycée Français International de Tokyo | K–12 | Takinogawa, Kita | French national curriculum pathway | School site |
| Shinagawa International School | K–12 | Minami-Shinagawa, Higashi-Shinagawa, Samezu | IB PYP/MYP/DP, Shinagawa commute | School site |
| Tokyo International Progressive School (TIPS) | Grade 4–12 | Kamada, Setagaya | Small classes; learning-difference support | School site |
| Tokyo West International School | K–12 | Hachioji | West Tokyo suburban option, PYP plus original pathways | School site |
| Waseda International Christian School-Tokyo | K–12 | Okubo, Shinjuku | Christian school, small central Tokyo option | School site |
| Yoyogi International School | K–12 | Jinnan and Yoyogi, Shibuya | IB PYP-influenced, small central-city school | School site |
How to Build the First Shortlist
The list above keeps Tokyo's main international schools on this page at the level families need for a first pass. Instead of opening every school site first, narrow to three to five schools by commute, grade continuity, co-ed or single-sex fit, and IB, British, American, French or Indian pathways.
For curriculum, fees and general admissions: International Schools in Japan
Compare schools in the international-school finder
School-by-School 2026–27 Key Dates
August and early-September start dates are past. Nishimachi, KIST and TIS received targeted checks on 27 September; the other entries retain the 28 August snapshot. Confirm dates with the relevant school before making commitments.
KIST
The school year began on 17 August. The next major date is KIST Festival on 24 October, followed by autumn vacation from 25 October to 1 November. Winter vacation runs 19 December 2026 to 11 January 2027, with classes back on 12 January. Do not treat festival day as a travel day when planning late October.
BST
BST began Term 1 for the whole school on 24 August. Half term is 12–16 October; Term 1 ends at midday on 11 December, and Term 2 begins 5 January. BST does not close for every Japanese public holiday: its calendar specifies only 23 November and 3 May as observed public-holiday closures in 2026–27.
ASIJ
ASIJ started on 25 August. Fall Break is only 12–13 October; 9 November is a no-class professional-learning day, and Thanksgiving Break is 26–27 November. Winter Break is 12 December to 3 January, with school resuming 4 January. For autumn travel, view these separate closures together rather than looking only at Fall Break.
Aoba
Aoba is an IB Continuum K–G12 school with multiple Tokyo campuses including Hikarigaoka, Bunkyo and Meguro. Its site links to 2026–2027 School Calendar & Key Dates and directs current families to Toddle and Veracross for live event updates. The August snapshot referred to August 2026 entry, English family communication and a 1 September age cut-off for placement. August entry is now past; this does not establish current application or seat availability. Families in Nerima, Bunkyo or west-central Tokyo should confirm the relevant campus and actual commute before comparing dates.
Nishimachi
The 2026–27 school year began on 26 August. The prospective-parent Open Campus on 12 September and the professional-learning student holiday on 21 September have passed. Parent Teacher Conferences are 15–16 October, followed by Fall Break on 19–23 October. Kindergarten applications for 2027–28 opened on 1 September; the early-screening deadline is 31 October 2026. Grades 1–9 applications for 2027–28 open on 1 November 2026. Current-year places must be confirmed with admissions.
Nishimachi admissions and visit dates
Nishimachi application process
Seisen
Seisen does not use one whole-school first day. The August snapshot showed a staggered return from 26 August for G1 and middle/high school, 27–28 August for G1–G12, and 1 September for KG. Early September also included a new-family social and MAP testing. Do not rely on a single school-wide start date; check the child's grade, orientation, tests and parent events together.
St. Mary's and Sacred Heart
St. Mary's in Setagaya is a boys' school from kindergarten through high school, with a September–August school year, IB Diploma, WASC/CIS accreditation and bus service. International School of the Sacred Heart in Hiroo is a girls' school from kindergarten through high school, with an August–July year and an AP-oriented curriculum. Treat both as fit questions rather than prestige labels: personality, commute, values, university pathway and extracurricular density matter during the visit.
Tokyo International School
Tokyo International School now operates at TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY. Grade 12 opened for the 2026–27 school year, completing its K–12 provision; the school year runs August–July. Families should confirm the current campus commute, bus arrangements, drop-off entrance and after-school locations in the latest school communication.
Tokyo government: current TIS campus and K–12 provision
Upcoming Visits and Application Deadlines
| Date | Item | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| 13 October and 10 November 2026 | Head of School Tours | Reserve with admissions; check availability |
| 31 October 2026 | Kindergarten 2027–28 early-screening application deadline | Submit required documents; overseas applications have separate provisions |
| 1 November 2026 | Grades 1–9 applications for 2027–28 open | Confirm grade requirements and current process |
| 26 January, 9 March, 20 April and 18 May 2027 | Further Head of School Tours | Reserve with admissions; check availability |
Nishimachi: current admissions, tours and deadlines
Nishimachi: application documents and overseas provisions
Autumn and Winter Break Planning
| School | Autumn dates and closures | Winter and return | Last check |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIST | Festival 24 October; autumn vacation 25 October–1 November 2026 | 19 December 2026–11 January 2027; return 12 January | 27 September 2026 |
| BST | Half term 12–16 October | Term 1 ends at midday 11 December; Term 2 begins 5 January | 28 August snapshot |
| ASIJ | Fall Break 12–13 October; no classes 9 November; Thanksgiving 26–27 November | 12 December–3 January; return 4 January | 28 August snapshot |
| Nishimachi | Conferences 15–16 October; Fall Break 19–23 October | Break begins at midday 18 December; G1–9 return 12 January, Kindergarten 15 January | 27 September 2026 |
KIST: official 2026–27 calendar
Nishimachi: official 2026–27 dates
How to Use This Calendar When Moving to Tokyo
Add the grade-specific first day, new-family orientation, early dismissals, professional-learning closures, autumn and winter breaks, holidays not shared with siblings' schools, and the return-to-Tokyo date. Avoid arriving the night before classes; leave two or three days after major time-zone travel. Check bus term bookings and deadlines separately.
Plan childcare, housing and the school commute with the Tokyo International Family Guide
Sources and Last Verification
- Nishimachi: important dates ·
- Nishimachi: admissions and tours ·
- Nishimachi: applications ·
- KIST: 2026–27 calendar ·
- TIS: school history (some wording remains prospective) ·
- Tokyo government: current TIS listing ·
- BST | Half term runs 12–16 October ·
- ASIJ | Fall Break is 12–13 October ·
- Aoba | Compare Hikarigaoka, Bunkyo and Meguro as a campus network ·
- Seisen | Staggered return from 26 August; KG on 1 September ·
- St. Mary's and Sacred Heart | Use autumn visits to test single-sex fit ·