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Best 10 International Schools in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe

International Education in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe

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Kyoto is known as the cultural capital of Japan, but did you know it also has an excellent reputation for education? The Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region has a wide choice of universities, vocational institutions, and of course, international schools. If you’re looking for a family-friendly, city destination in Japan that’s rich in culture and history, but without the chaos of Tokyo’s streets, then Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe could be just what you need.

The majority of Japan’s international schools are located in Tokyo, but Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe has most of the rest. You’ll find an impressive choice of international schools in this region, mostly catering for European or North American expats. As in many other cities around the world, the International Baccalaureate is extremely popular in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe’s international schools.

However, those who wish to enrol their child in an alternative curriculum, such as British, Japanese, Canadian, Indian, German, French and more won’t be disappointed. The language of instruction is usually English, unless the curriculum is a non-English one such as French or German. Many international schools in Japan offer bilingual instruction in English, Japanese, and occasionally additional languages.

Japan isn’t known for being the most diverse country in the world. As of 2018, 97.8% of its population were Japanese nationals. So sending your child to an international school in Japan is a great opportunity to meet children from all around the world.

It’s such a good opportunity, in fact, that international schools are becoming very popular among Japanese families too. The student body in a typical international school in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe is made up of around 25 - 30% local Japanese students, with the rest a melting pot of expats.

Japan’s public school and education system is renowned as one of the best in the world, but it’s not without its flaws. Teaching is done through the Japanese language, and there is often high pressure on students to perform well. With international schools in Japan, however, this is not a concern.

Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe’s international schools take the best of both worlds. The focus is on fostering an international world-view and providing a well-rounded education, not just good exam results. Students do, however, learn about Japanese culture and participate in some of the practices common in Japanese schools.

This may include cleaning the classroom as a group at the end of the day, students and teachers spending lunch breaks together, conducting some classes through Japanese or practicing Japanese art forms such as haiku (poetry) or shodo (calligraphy).

Below, we have compiled the top 10 international schools in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe according to our users. However, there are another 10 schools to choose from in the city. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe based on your requirements.

Recommended Schools

One World International School Osaka

World-Class International Education at One World International School Osaka
Curriculum
International, IB PYP Candidate
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 13
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: ¥1,350,000
to: ¥1,540,002

Best 10 International Schools in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe

Out of a total of 20 International Schools in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe.

Based on the aggregated preferences of our users in the last 30 days.

One World International School Osaka

World-Class International Education at One World International School Osaka
Curriculum
International, IB PYP Candidate
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 13
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: ¥1,350,000
to: ¥1,540,002

Abroad International School Osaka

Abroad International School Osaka provides a comprehensive and inclusive education which follows the IB (International Baccalaureate)PYP (Primary Years program).
AISO maintains a low student to teacher ratio allowing for a strong student teacher relationships and a variety of extra-curricular activities. While the language of instruction is English. students go beyond mere language learning and become good communicators who do well in all areas.
Curriculum
IB, British
Language of instruction
English
Ages
1 to 14
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: ¥1,130,000
to: ¥1,500,000
Reviews
(1 review)

Ascot International School Japan

Ascot is an international school located in Kobe, Japan is a Cambridge certified International School.
Curriculum
British, Japanese
Languages of instruction
English, Japanese
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2022/2023
from: ¥1,080,000
to: ¥1,660,000
Reviews
(3 reviews)

Osaka YMCA International School

Osaka YMCA International School is the only IB continuum school in Osaka City, offering the PYP, MYP and IB Diploma. A non-profit school with a community focus, it offers a perfect pathway from preschool to Grade 12.
Curriculum
IB
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: ¥1,478,000
to: ¥1,956,000

Kobe Bilingual School

Kobe Bilingual School is a bilingual international school in Kobe for children aged 3-12, promoting local and global learning. KOBILS implements Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence alongside the Japanese national curriculum. KOBILS strives to help develop SKILL in their students: to become Strong, Kind, Inquisitive, Life-Long Learners. They encourage children to recognise and build on their strengths while overcoming their weaknesses, whether they be in academics, sports or daily life. In this way children can be the best they can be and find their place as effective contributors to society - both now and in the future.
Curriculum
International, Japanese
Languages of instruction
English, Japanese
Ages
3 to 12
Yearly fees - 2022/2023
from: ¥840,000
to: ¥1,002,000

Deutsche Schule Kobe International

Deutsche Schule Kobe International is a German international school abroad and an IB World School for children ages 2 to 11. DSKI provides an exceptional, innovative education anchored by its German heritage with international values and recognized for embracing the rich diversity in its learners and the world. DSKI approaches education holistically in order to ensure that students learn using their heart, head and hands.
Curriculum
IB, German, French
Languages of instruction
English, French, German
Ages
2 to 11
This school does not make their fees public.

Canadian Academy

Canadian Academy is an international day and boarding pre-K to grade 12 IB World school, located in Kobe, Japan. Built on over 100 years of history, we offer innovative experiences and programs, highly-qualified and highly-regarded educators, and some of the best facilities in international schools globally. Our students are challenged and inspired during their time at CA, and go on to attend the world's finest universities and colleges.
Curriculum
IB
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2024/2025
from: ¥1,260,000
to: ¥3,160,000

St. Michael's International School

Founded in 1946, St. Michael’s International School offers a distinctive British-style primary education within a culture of academic excellence and a caring family community. SMIS focuses solely on children aged between three and eleven years of age and maintains a strong connection to the Anglican church.
Curriculum
British, Christian, International
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 11
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: ¥1,416,500
to: ¥1,585,300
Reviews
(1 review)

Marist Brothers International School

Marist Brothers International School (MBIS) is a private, college-preparatory school, catering to students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. Since opening our doors in 1951, our graduates have consistently achieved placements in universities and colleges around the world. MBIS has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1972, and became an IB World School in 2017. We are committed to excellence in education, but believe that excellence means more than a rigorous and stimulating curriculum. Our holistic approach includes a focused dedication to character – developing skills which make our students stand out from the crowd. Character and community are at our heart – the foundation of the Marist ‘difference’.
Curriculum
IB, American, Catholic
Language of instruction
English
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: ¥1,604,000
to: ¥1,920,000

Lycée Français International de Kyoto

Part of AEFE, a worldwide network of 522 schools in 139 countries, LFI Kyoto has, for 20 years, provided an academic excellence focusing on students wellbeing. All programs are in compliance with the guidelines of the French Ministry of Education and, up to the first year of junior high school, all grades are issued a governmental accreditation.
Curriculum
French
Language of instruction
French
Ages
3 to 18
Yearly fees - 2023/2024
from: ¥750,000
to: ¥840,000
Reviews
(1 review)

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