Most Expensive International Schools in Tokyo 2026

Tokyo’s top international schools are among the most expensive in Asia. For families on corporate or diplomatic packages — or those who can self-fund premium education — these schools offer exceptional facilities, small class sizes, and outstanding university placement records. Here are the five most expensive international schools in Tokyo and what makes them worth the price.

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1. American School in Japan (ASIJ) — JPY 3,000,000–4,500,000/year

ASIJ is consistently ranked as Tokyo’s most prestigious international school and among the finest American-curriculum schools in the world. Located in Chofu (with an early childhood centre in Minami-Azabu), ASIJ offers a full American curriculum from Pre-K through Grade 12, with an IB Diploma option alongside Advanced Placement.

Fee Breakdown

• Annual tuition: JPY 3,000,000–4,500,000 (increases with grade level)
• Capital levy: JPY 1,500,000–2,500,000 (one-time, partially refundable)
• Registration fee: JPY 200,000–350,000
• Activity fee: JPY 150,000–250,000/year
• Bus: JPY 250,000–400,000/year depending on route

First-year total costs can easily reach JPY 6,000,000–8,000,000 for secondary students.

What You Get

ASIJ’s 14-hectare Chofu campus features Olympic-standard sports facilities, purpose-built performing arts centres, maker spaces, and a well-resourced college counselling team. Class sizes average 16–18. The school is WASC-accredited and a member of EARCOS (East Asia Regional Council of Schools).

University Placements

ASIJ graduates attend top universities globally: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Waseda, and leading institutions across the US, UK, Japan, and beyond. The school’s college counselling programme begins in Grade 9 and is one of its most valued features.

For a detailed look at ASIJ fees, see our dedicated guide: American School in Japan (ASIJ) Fees

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2. Tokyo International School (TIS) — JPY 2,500,000–3,800,000/year

Tokyo International School in Minato-ku is one of the few schools in Japan offering the full IB continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). Its exclusively IB identity and central Tokyo location make it extremely sought-after.

Fee Breakdown

• Annual tuition: JPY 2,500,000–3,800,000
• Registration/enrolment fee: JPY 500,000–800,000
• Capital levy: JPY 1,000,000–2,000,000 (one-time)
• Activity and technology fees: JPY 150,000–200,000/year

What You Get

TIS offers a genuinely inquiry-based IB education from age 3 through to 18. Its Minato location — heart of Tokyo’s international district — makes it easily accessible from Hiroo, Azabu, and Roppongi. The school is small (approximately 600 students) which means class sizes are intimate and teacher attention is high.

University Placements

As an IB-only school, TIS graduates are well-positioned for international university admission. Alumni attend universities across North America, the UK, Europe, and Japan.

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3. British School in Tokyo (BST) — JPY 2,200,000–3,500,000/year

The British School in Tokyo operates two campuses — Shibuya (primary and secondary) and Showa (primary) — offering a British National Curriculum through to IGCSE and IB Diploma. As the leading British-curriculum school in Japan, BST attracts families seeking a UK-aligned education abroad.

Fee Breakdown

• Annual tuition: JPY 2,200,000–3,500,000
• Registration: JPY 150,000–250,000
• Capital levy: JPY 800,000–1,500,000 (one-time)
• Lunch and activities: JPY 200,000–350,000/year

What You Get

BST’s British-track curriculum provides seamless continuity for families moving between the UK and Japan. IGCSE results are consistently strong, and the IB Diploma mean point score regularly exceeds the world average. The school is accredited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

University Placements

Strong UK university placement including Oxbridge entries. Also places students at leading Japanese universities and North American institutions for those pursuing the IB Diploma route.

For detailed fees, see: British School in Tokyo Fees

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4. St. Mary’s International School — JPY 2,200,000–3,300,000/year

St. Mary’s International School in Setagaya is an all-boys Catholic school operated by the Brothers of Christian Instruction. It offers an American curriculum with a strong Jesuit-influenced educational philosophy, serving students from Pre-K through Grade 12.

Fee Breakdown

• Annual tuition: JPY 2,200,000–3,300,000
• Registration: JPY 300,000–450,000
• Capital fund: JPY 500,000–1,000,000
• Activities and lunch: JPY 250,000–400,000/year

What You Get

St. Mary’s is one of Tokyo’s oldest international schools, founded in 1954. Its 8-hectare Setagaya campus features extensive sports grounds, a chapel, and dedicated facilities for the arts and sciences. The school community is notably diverse, with over 50 nationalities represented. Class sizes are typically 18–22.

University Placements

Strong US college placement, particularly to Catholic universities (Notre Dame, Georgetown, Boston College) as well as Ivy League and Japanese top institutions.

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5. Nishimachi International School — JPY 2,000,000–3,200,000/year

Nishimachi International School in Minato-ku is a smaller, co-educational school offering a bilingual (English-Japanese) programme from Kindergarten through Grade 9, transitioning to IB Diploma in Grades 10–12. Its bilingual focus makes it unique among Tokyo’s premium schools.

Fee Breakdown

• Annual tuition: JPY 2,000,000–3,200,000
• Application fee: JPY 100,000–150,000
• Enrolment fee: JPY 400,000–600,000
• Activities and technology: JPY 120,000–200,000/year

What You Get

Nishimachi’s genuine bilingual programme gives students fluency in both English and Japanese — a rare and valuable outcome. The school’s small size (around 440 students) creates a tight-knit community. IB Diploma results are strong.

University Placements

Nishimachi graduates are uniquely positioned for both Japanese and international universities. Many alumni leverage their bilingual skills to enter Waseda, Keio, and other top Japanese institutions, as well as universities in the US, UK, and Canada.

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What Drives High Fees at Tokyo International Schools?

Several factors push international school fees to these levels in Tokyo:

• Tokyo’s exceptionally high real estate costs — campus land and buildings represent enormous capital.
• Highly qualified, internationally recruited teaching staff with competitive expatriate packages.
• Small class sizes requiring proportionally more staff per student.
• World-class facilities — sports halls, performing arts, science labs, and technology infrastructure.
• Accreditation costs — maintaining WASC, CIS, ISI, and IBO accreditations is expensive but essential for global recognition.
• College counselling — at the top schools, this is a dedicated professional service from Grade 9 onwards.

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Are the Fees Justified?

For families with employer education allowances (common in Tokyo’s diplomatic and multinational community), the fee question is largely moot — the school quality takes priority. For self-funding families, the case rests on outcomes: ASIJ, TIS, and BST consistently deliver university placement rates at top institutions that justify the premium.

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Getting Academic Support

Even in Tokyo’s finest schools, some students benefit from additional tutoring — particularly for IB, IGCSE, or AP examination preparation. Tutopiya offers expert online tutors who specialise in the curricula taught at Tokyo’s top schools.

• Find a specialist tutor: Browse Tutors
• Explore our learning programmes: Learning Portal

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Summary

Tokyo’s five most expensive international schools charge JPY 2,000,000–4,500,000 per year in tuition, with first-year total costs reaching JPY 4,000,000–8,000,000 once one-time fees are included. ASIJ leads the premium tier, followed by TIS, BST, St. Mary’s, and Nishimachi. Each offers outstanding education and strong university outcomes — what differs is curriculum philosophy, campus location, and school culture.

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