IB Schools in Tokyo 2026: All 40 IB World Schools by Type, and How to Choose

Tokyo has more IB World Schools than any other prefecture in Japan, from bilingual preschools to Japanese high schools offering the Diploma Programme partly in Japanese. For families moving to Tokyo, or local families considering the IB, the choice can feel overwhelming. Rather than ranking schools, which official data does not support, this guide lists every IB-authorised school in Tokyo by type and explains the key differences that matter when you choose.

Everything here is based on the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) IB Education Promotion Consortium list (as of 30 June 2026), the IB’s official school pages and schools’ own websites, all checked on 24 September 2026.

Tokyo at a glance: 40 IB World Schools

According to the MEXT consortium list, Tokyo has 40 IB-authorised schools. Nine are Japanese “Article 1” schools under the School Education Act (2 national, 1 public and 6 private), and 31 are international schools, preschools and other schools (MEXT IB Consortium: IB authorised and candidate schools). By programme, 30 offer the PYP, 9 the MYP and 15 the DP. Three of the DP schools are marked as offering the Japanese-language DP (dual language, with some subjects in Japanese).

Japanese schools (Article 1 schools)

How students join the DP at these schools

• Tamagawa Academy (DP authorised 21 July 2010): the IB class recruits about 10 students for Year 10 entry in 2027, requiring Eiken Grade 2 or equivalent English (Tamagawa: 2027 IB class admissions)
• Tokyo Gakugei University International Secondary School (DP authorised 31 March 2015): current students are selected in Year 4 and take the DP in Years 5 and 6 (school admissions page)
• Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School (DP authorised 3 May 2015): the IB course; the Tokyo Board of Education announced that from 2027 entry, September admission will end and only April admission will remain (Tokyo Board of Education)
• Chiyoda High School (DP authorised 7 February 2018): students choose the IB course from Year 2 of high school (Chiyoda: high school courses)
• Kaichi Nihonbashi Gakuen (DP authorised 24 July 2018): within the six-year programme, students choose the DP class in Year 5 (Kaichi Nihonbashi: transfer admissions)

DP authorisation dates are from the IB’s official school profiles. Note that Kaichi Nihonbashi Gakuen describes its programme as a “bilingual IB Diploma” and says it differs in part from the so-called Japanese-language DP, even though the MEXT list marks it with the Japanese-language DP symbol.

International schools and preschools (31 schools)

Source: MEXT IB Consortium list (as of 30 June 2026).

Costs: very different by school type

• Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School (public): the grade-level funds (学年積立金) collected from IB students total ¥495,000 over three years (as listed on 24 September 2026). The school lists tuition of ¥118,800 per year but notes that, under Tokyo’s free tuition policy, there is in principle no tuition burden (school fees page)
• Chiyoda High School (private): ¥133,500 per month for students who choose the IB from Year 2 (FY2026 guidelines) (FY2026 guidelines)
• Tokyo International School: ¥3.3 to ¥3.6 million per year, plus ¥1.43 million one-off fees for new students (2026–27) (TIS: School Fees)

Japan’s High School Tuition Support Fund has no income limit from April 2026 (up to ¥457,200 per year at private and ¥118,800 at public full-time high schools), but it applies to tuition only and depends on the school’s legal classification (MEXT).

How to choose

• Do you need a Japanese school diploma? Article 1 schools award Japanese qualifications. MEXT explains that, in principle, attending an international school that is not an Article 1 school does not by itself fulfil Japan’s compulsory education obligation for children of Japanese nationality, so check with your local authority (MEXT)
• When will your child join? Some schools admit students into an IB course at the start of high school, with DP subjects in the last two years; others let students choose or be selected for the IB later
• Language: English-medium international schools, or Japanese-language DP schools, where some subjects are taught in Japanese and others in English
• Location: IB schools are spread across the 23 wards and the Tama area (for example Machida, Hachioji and Kodaira)

Frequently asked questions

Which school is the “best” IB school in Tokyo?

There is no official ranking, and schools differ in language, age range and entry points. The best choice depends on your child’s language, age and future plans.

Are there public IB schools in Tokyo?

Yes. Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School (DP) is public, and two Tokyo Gakugei University schools are national schools (PYP; MYP and DP).

Key takeaways

• Tokyo has 40 IB World Schools (as of 30 June 2026): 9 Article 1 schools and 31 others
• 30 offer the PYP, 9 the MYP and 15 the DP; 3 offer the Japanese-language DP
• Five Article 1 schools offer the DP, and their entry routes differ
• Costs differ greatly between public, private and international schools

Visit schools with your child and ask about entry points, language and total costs for the year you plan to join.

Sources and references

• MEXT IB Education Promotion Consortium: IB authorised and candidate schools (as of 30 June 2026)
• Tamagawa Academy: 2027 IB class admissions
• Tokyo Gakugei University International Secondary School: Admissions
• Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education: 2027 admissions
• Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School: Fees
• Chiyoda High School: Courses
• Chiyoda High School: FY2026 application guidelines
• Kaichi Nihonbashi Gakuen: Transfer admissions
• Tokyo International School: School Fees
• MEXT: Support for high school students
• MEXT: International schools and compulsory education

This article is based on information checked on 24 September 2026. Please confirm the latest details on each school’s official website.