IB Schools in Kansai 2026: All 27 IB World Schools in Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara and Shiga

If your family lives in or is moving to the Kansai region, you may be wondering where your child can study the International Baccalaureate. Kansai has public IB high schools, Japanese private schools with IB courses and well-established international schools. This guide lists every IB-authorised school in the region and explains how students join the Diploma Programme at Japanese schools.

It 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.

Kansai at a glance: 27 IB World Schools

Counting the schools listed by the MEXT consortium, the six Kansai prefectures have 27 IB-authorised schools on the MEXT list (the IB groups some of them, such as Nara Prefectural Kokusai Junior and Senior High Schools, into one profile), of which 17 offer the DP: Osaka 12, Hyogo 6, Kyoto 5, Nara 3 and Shiga 1. No IB school was listed in Wakayama (MEXT IB Consortium list).

All IB schools by prefecture

Source: MEXT IB Consortium list (as of 30 June 2026). Note: Abroad International School Osaka was authorised for the DP on 1 December 2025 according to its IB school profile, so the older English version of the list (as of 30 September 2025) shows only the PYP and MYP.

Japanese schools offering the DP: how students join

Eight Japanese “Article 1” schools in Kansai offer the DP. Some recruit into an IB course at entry, while others let students choose the IB class after they join.

• Osaka Jogakuin High School (DP authorised 23 Feb 2018): recruits for the IB course in the English Department through the high school entrance exam (school page)
• Osaka International High School (3 May 2022): applicants are asked to attend an IB consultation or open school before applying (2027 admissions)
• Osaka Prefectural Suito Kokusai High School (21 Feb 2020): students study a common curriculum in Year 1 and choose the IB course from Year 2 (school page)
• Kindai University Senior High School (10 Jun 2022): students in the English specialist course can choose the IB class (up to 15) when moving to Year 2 (school page)
• Shiga Prefectural Torahime High School (19 Mar 2019): from the 2026 entrance exam, an IB quota of 10; up to 20 students take the DP after internal selection (2026 admissions outline)
• Nara Prefectural Kokusai High School (3 Oct 2025): students who meet the requirements and pass selection can take the DP course; English at CEFR B1 (Eiken Grade 2) or above is a requirement (DP handbook)
• AIE International High School (28 Oct 2017): a correspondence, credit-based high school with a DP course, open to International Department students in its five-day attendance course or residence course (AIE: IB information, school page)
• Ritsumeikan Uji High School (DP in September 2009, according to the school’s history): an IB course with international and transfer admissions (admissions)

Public options and costs

Kansai has five public or national IB schools: Suito Kokusai (DP), Torahime (DP), Nara Prefectural Kokusai Junior and Senior High Schools (MYP, DP) and Ikeda Junior High School attached to Osaka Kyoiku University (MYP). Public high school tuition is ¥118,800 per year, and from April 2026 the High School Tuition Support Fund can cover it without an income limit (application and eligibility conditions apply) (MEXT). Suito Kokusai notes that IB materials and final exam costs are charged at actual cost (school page).

Frequently asked questions

Which Kansai public schools offer the DP?

Osaka Prefectural Suito Kokusai, Shiga Prefectural Torahime and Nara Prefectural Kokusai High Schools (as of 30 June 2026).

Can my child study the IB from primary school to the DP in Kansai?

Yes, at international schools offering all three programmes, such as Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin, Osaka YMCA International School, Canadian Academy, Kansai International Academy, Marist Brothers International School and Kyoto International School.

Key takeaways

• Kansai has 27 IB World Schools (as of 30 June 2026); 17 offer the DP
• Eight Japanese Article 1 schools offer the DP, with different entry routes
• Three public high schools offer the DP (Suito Kokusai, Torahime, Nara Kokusai)
• Several international schools offer the full PYP–MYP–DP continuum

Visit schools with your child and ask about entry points, the language of instruction and 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)
• MEXT IB Consortium: English list
• Osaka Jogakuin High School: IB course
• Osaka International High School: 2027 admissions
• Osaka Prefectural Suito Kokusai: From admission to graduation
• Osaka Prefectural Suito Kokusai: International Baccalaureate
• Kindai University Senior High School: English specialist course
• Shiga Prefectural Torahime High School: 2026 admissions outline
• Nara Prefectural Kokusai High School: DP handbook
• AIE International High School: DP course
• Ritsumeikan Uji: Admissions
• MEXT: High School Tuition Support Fund

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