Previously, we have already covered several similar IB schools but from other regions, such as EU IB schools. So today, let’s jet over to Japan and check out the top seven IB Diploma hubs you’ll want on your radar. Each one from this list of best IB Schools in Japan got its flavor, so peep the deets, weigh the ups and downs, and scope the main costs. 

Which of Japan’s IB Schools are The TOP Picks?

Let’s get into it, our personal TOP of IB schools in Japan.

1. The American School in Japan (Tokyo)

First off, ASIJ brings that classic non-profit, co-ed energy on two sprawling campuses. You’ll find small crews in your DP classes, killer lab facilities, and clubs that range from Model UN to drone-racing league. 

Last year, seniors organized a charity fun run that raised over ¥2 million for local refugee support – a solid taste of CAS in action.

  • Pros:
    • Tight class sizes and seasoned DP teachers
    • Knock-out labs, theaters and sports fields
    • Strong alum network across top global unis
  • Cons:
    • Eye-watering sticker price
    • One-time fees on top of tuition can be wild
    • Tokyo commute can eat into your chill time
  • Yearly Cost:
    • Tuition ¥2 987 000 + Building Maintenance ¥1 525 000 + Capital Assessment ¥250 000 + Registration ¥300 000 + Application ¥50 000 = ~¥5 112 000 for first year.

2. Yokohama International School (Yokohama)

Next up, YIS rolls all essentials – tablets, IBDP exams, most trips, into one neat package, so you won’t be hit with surprise bills mid-year. Beyond that, you’ll dive into service expeditions in Cambodia, arts showcases with local galleries, and a mad supportive vibe from teachers who’ve been around the IB block.

And if you ever vibe with “I’m drowning in IAs,” we’ve got a crack team of IB writers who can handle any gig – from Extended Essays and TOK papers to those pesky internal assessments. 

Just hit us up, kick back, and let the pros sort your work so you can keep living your best life – whether that’s ramen runs or temple-hopping.

  • Pros:
    • Truly “all-in” fee structure keeps budgeting chill
    • Dozens of global-learning expeditions baked in
    • Healthy financial-aid program via Corporate Contribution
  • Cons:
    • Registration fee alone is hefty (¥1 350 000)
    • Campus development fee of ¥385 000 on top of tuition
    • Exact tuition split into two installments (amounts vary)
  • Yearly Cost (key bits):
    • Application ¥50 000; Registration ¥1 350 000; Campus Development ¥385 000; tuition invoiced in July & December

3. Osaka International School (Minoh, Osaka)

Over in Kansai, OIS pairs a cozy campus with an IB continuum from PYP to DP. Like with other asian IB schools in Singapore, you will have extra activities – you’ll chill in Japanese tea-ceremony workshops one week and tackle Extended Essays on robotics the next. 

Additionally, they offer government support, families can get up to ¥600 000 knocked off tuition, which is clutch.

  • Pros:
    • Tight-knit community with Japanese cultural flair
    • Variable tuition support based on household income
    • Solid CAS projects like park-revival fundraisers
  • Cons:
    • Tuition deadlines are locked in (Sept/Dec/Apr)
    • Base tuition can still pinch even after gov’t aid
    • Less flashy labs and sports compared to metro schools
  • Yearly Cost Highlights:
    • Application ¥30 000; plus tuition (before support) due by Sep 2025; up to ¥600 000 gov’t aid possible

4. Canadian Academy (Kobe)

CA’s campus sits right by Rokko mountain, so you get dream views and easy city access. Their DP cohort just crushed a 96 % pass rate, and they mix in North American sports leagues with top-notch arts studios. Last term, students teamed up with local farms to map out sustainable agri-tech solutions – an IA that felt way bigger than a paper.

  • Pros:
    • Proven DP results (96 %+ pass rate)
    • Boarding option for late-night study seshes
    • Strong Canada/US university pipelines
  • Cons:
    • Boarding fees double the day-student tab
    • One-time capital and registration fees are steep
    • Kobe location means you’ll lean on trains daily
  • Yearly Cost:
    • Grades 9–11: ¥3 090 000; Grade 12: ¥3 210 000
      • Application ¥90 000; Registration ¥400 000; Capital Fee ¥600 000; Building Fee ¥300 000; Boarding ¥3 200 000

5. St. Mary’s International School (Tokyo)

SMIS is a veteran all-boys Catholic setup with mad IB support. You’ll tackle TOK with priests-turned-professors, and their peer-tutoring program has seniors coaching new IB kids through their first Maths HL test.

  • Pros:
    • Tight community and faith-based ethos
    • Peer-mentoring ramps up DP confidence
    • Exam vibes prepped by in-house coordinators
  • Cons:
    • No full tuition breakdown public, beyond exam fees
    • All-boys scene isn’t everyone’s cup of tea
    • Tokyo rents keep off-campus housing pricey
  • Yearly Cost Detail:
    • IB Exam Fee: ¥20 000 per subject

6. Tokyo International School (Meguro, Tokyo)

TIS keeps things sleek with a purpose-built DP wing, daily mindfulness sessions and a global-citizen curriculum. Their CAS beach cleanup on Odaiba last spring drew in 200 volunteers – huge for an urban crowd.

  • Pros:
    • Dedicated DP space and mindfulness focus
    • Regular campus visits from top universities
    • Built-in tech tools and library resources
  • Cons:
    • Building fee stacks another ¥150 000 on top
    • Tuition hikes almost every year
    • Limited sports compared to older internationals
  • Yearly Cost:
    • Grade 10–11 Tuition ¥3 150 000 + Building Fee ¥150 000

7. International School of the Sacred Heart (Tokyo)

Finally, ISSH blends IB with an all-girls Jesuit tradition, and they’re right near Chidorigafuchi for killer cherry-blossom CAS trips. Like with Italian art students in IB schools, senior art students even exhibited at the Mori Art Museum last fall, major cred for your portfolio.

  • Pros:
    • Jesuit values and small-group learning
    • Yearly Tokyo art-showcase ops
    • Sliding-scale aid for qualifying families
  • Cons:
    • Girls-only setting isn’t for everyone
    • Annual building and development fees on top
    • Modest sports offerings
  • Yearly Cost:
    • Grades 9–11 Tuition ¥2 640 000; Grade 12 ¥2 720 000
      • Application ¥30 000; Registration ¥300 000; Development ¥600 000; Maintenance ¥220 000

Final Thoughts

All in all, Japan’s IB scene brings a tasty mix of global-minded campuses, each with its own vibe—from Tokyo’s urban energy to Kobe’s mountain views. 

If you’re leaning toward a private setup with all the bells and whistles or a public-ish option that keeps your wallet happy, there’s a spot that’ll click with your style and goals. 

Moreover, if the educational workload ever feels like too much, remember our crew of IB writers is on standby to jump in on essays, projects or those nerve-wracking internal assessments. 

Pick the school that speaks to you, plan ahead for the fees, and get ready to flex those DP muscles. Your future self (and your uni apps) will thank you.