Schools in Tokyo: public schools, the American School in Japan and the road to US colleges

Your two real choices in Tokyo are a free Japanese public school or an international school that can cost more than many private schools back home. Both can work. The right one depends on your kids' ages, your Japanese and how long you're staying.

The short version

• Tokyo's public elementary and junior high schools accept foreign children, and tuition and textbooks are free [1].
• The Japanese school year starts in April, and kids start first grade the April after they turn six [1].
• The American School in Japan (ASIJ) charges JPY 3,143,000 to JPY 3,826,000 a year in tuition for 2026-27 (about USD 20,000 to 24,300), plus big one-time fees [2].
• Tokyo's official international schools portal lists 15 schools, from Nishimachi to the British School in Tokyo [3].
• Applying to US colleges from Japan works fine; plan early for testing, residency status for in-state tuition and financial aid forms.

USD conversions use the Federal Reserve H.10 rate of October 30, 2026 (USD 1 = JPY 157.47) [4].

Option 1: Japanese public schools

Japanese public schools are a real option for American kids, especially younger ones. Compulsory education covers six years of elementary school and three of junior high, and foreign children are welcome even though attendance isn't compulsory for them [1].

How enrollment works

1. Register your address at your ward or city office after you arrive.
2. Ask about school enrollment at the same office. In Tokyo, the municipality handles it, and you can apply at any time of year [1].
3. Get your school assignment. Kids generally go to the school for your address.
4. Buy supplies. Tuition and textbooks are free, but families pay for things like school supplies. Your ward may help if money is tight [1].
5. Meet the teacher. Tokyo's education board offers an English, Chinese or Korean interpreter by appointment on Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. for school guidance and counseling (0120-53-8288) [1].

What's different from back home

• The calendar. The school year starts in April. Some schools run two semesters, others three terms [1]. Summer break is shorter than in the States, typically late July through August.
• Grade placement. Placement follows age, so a child who moves in October may join mid-year.
• Chores and lunch. Kids clean their own classrooms and serve school lunch to each other. Most American parents end up loving this.
• Walking to school. Even first graders commonly walk to school with neighborhood kids, wearing the famous randoseru backpack.
• Japanese support varies. Some wards run extra Japanese classes for foreign students; others offer little. Ask your ward office what's available.
• High school is different. Public high school isn't compulsory in Japan and admission is by entrance exam, which is hard for a teen who just arrived.

Public school tends to work best for kids under about 10 who will pick up Japanese fast, and for families staying several years. For a teenager on a two-year assignment who needs US-style transcripts for college, an international school is usually the safer bet.

Option 2: international schools

Tokyo has a deep bench of international schools with English instruction. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government runs an official portal, the Tokyo International Schools Portal, which lists these schools [3]:

The American School in Japan is the best-known school for US families and appears separately below. Curricula vary across the list: US-style, IB, British and others. Check each school's own pages for curriculum, accreditation and fees before you shortlist; we haven't listed fees we couldn't verify.

The American School in Japan: 2026-27 fees

ASIJ has two campuses: an Early Learning Center in Roppongi, Minato City, and its main campus in Chofu, in western Tokyo [2]. Here's what it publishes for 2026-27 [2]:

On top of tuition [2]:

• Application fee: JPY 50,000 (about USD 320), non-refundable
• Registration fee: JPY 300,000 (about USD 1,900), the deposit that holds your seat
• Building maintenance fee: JPY 1,525,000 (about USD 9,700), one time, non-refundable
• Capital assessment fee: JPY 250,000 (about USD 1,600) a year, non-refundable
• Bus: JPY 390,000 (about USD 2,500) a year, and service isn't guaranteed if you live off the existing routes

Add tuition and those fees together and the first year for a new high schooler comes to about JPY 6 million (about USD 37,800) before the bus, if you count the registration deposit as a separate cost. Ask the admissions office how the deposit is applied. That's sticker shock for most families. If you're moving with a company, ask whether school fees are part of your package before you sign anything. Many expat contracts include them; local-hire contracts usually don't.

Admissions tips

• Apply early. Popular international schools fill up, and some have waitlists for certain grades.
• Have records ready. Transcripts, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations and any learning-support evaluations.
• Think about the commute. ASIJ's main campus is in Chofu, a long way from central neighborhoods like Minato. Many families choose where to live based on the school, not the other way around.

The middle ground

Some American families mix and match:

• Public elementary, international middle or high school. Kids get fluent Japanese early, then switch to an English curriculum before college prep matters.
• Public school plus weekend English. Keep reading and writing in English strong at home.
• US online school. Some families use accredited US online programs, especially for high school. Check how colleges and your home state view the diploma.

Applying to US colleges from Tokyo

Being in Japan doesn't put your kid at a disadvantage, but the logistics are different.

Testing

If the colleges your child is aiming for want SAT or ACT scores, register for a test center in Japan early, as international seats can be limited. Many US colleges are test-optional, but policies keep changing, so check each school's admissions page.

In-state tuition

This is the big one. Public universities usually decide in-state status based on where you're domiciled, and living abroad can cost you in-state rates. Each state and university sets its own rules. Keep the paper trail that ties you to your home state, such as a state driver's license, voter registration and state tax filings, and ask the university's residency office early.

Financial aid

US citizens living abroad can still file the FAFSA. Your income gets reported even if you exclude it with the foreign earned income exclusion, so the result may surprise you. Have your US tax return handy, and a US expat tax preparer can explain how your filing choices show up on the form.

The Japanese side

• Students at Japanese high schools may need translated transcripts and an explanation of the grading scale.
• Counselors at international schools are used to US applications. At a Japanese school, you'll likely be the counselor.
• If your child has Japanese nationality as well, look into dual-citizenship rules early.

Comparing notes with other parents is the best shortcut. Ask about schools, buses and waitlists in our community group for Americans in Japan.

Sources

1. Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education: Enrollment in public elementary and junior high schools
2. The American School in Japan: Tuition and fees
3. Tokyo Metropolitan Government: Tokyo International Schools Portal
4. Federal Reserve: H.10 foreign exchange rates

Keep reading

• Learning Japanese in Tokyo: schools and the JLPT
• Renting in Tokyo
• Registering a child born abroad: the CRBA
• Student loans while living abroad