Children’s Education in Tokyo
Whether you choose Japanese public school or an international school, Tokyo has strong options — but they work very differently from what you may be used to.
Public School Enrollment
- Free tuition for elementary (6–12) and junior high (12–15) — open to all residents regardless of nationality
- Contact your ward office education section (kyouiku-ka) to begin enrollment
- Required documents: residence card, passport, proof of address (juminhyo), and immunization records
- School assignment is based on your address — each neighborhood has a designated school
- School year starts in April; mid-year enrollment is possible but less common
- Lunch is provided (kyuushoku) for a small monthly fee (~¥4,000–¥5,000)
International Schools
- ASIJ (American School in Japan) — US curriculum, Chofu campus, K–12
- BST (British School in Tokyo) — British curriculum, Shibuya & Showa campuses
- Lycée Franco-Japonais — French curriculum, Iidabashi
- KIST (K. International School Tokyo) — IB curriculum, Koto ward
- Cost: ¥2–3 million/year (∼$15,000–$25,000) for tuition alone, plus enrollment fees, uniforms, bus, and extras
- Some employers cover international school fees as part of expat relocation packages — negotiate this before accepting
Japanese Language Support (Nihongo Gakkyuu)
- What it is: Supplementary Japanese language classes offered within public schools for children who don’t speak Japanese
- How it works: Your child attends regular classes with their age group but receives pull-out Japanese instruction several times per week
- Availability: Most wards with significant foreign populations offer nihongo gakkyuu — Shinjuku, Minato, Toshima, and Edogawa have particularly strong programs
- Duration: Typically 1–2 years of intensive support; children under 10 generally become conversational within 6–12 months
- Cost: Free — provided as part of the public school system
- Reality check: Younger children adapt remarkably fast. Teenagers have a harder time, and some families choose international school for high school while using public school for elementary
Pro Tip
If you are considering public school, visit the school before enrolling. Ask your ward office to arrange a tour. Japanese schools have a very different culture — cleaning duties, club activities, and walking to school independently are standard. Understanding this upfront helps your child (and you) adjust faster.
Childcare & Nursery in Tokyo
Getting a nursery spot in Tokyo can be competitive. Understanding the system early — ideally before you move — makes a real difference.
Hoikuen (Nursery / Day Care)
- Ages: 0–5 years old (some accept from 2 months)
- Apply through your ward office — not directly to the nursery
- Point-based system: Priority goes to dual-income households, single parents, and families with special circumstances
- Main enrollment: April each year; applications due October–December of the prior year
- Mid-year enrollment: Possible if spots open up, but far less common
- Fees: Income-based, ranging from ¥0 to ~¥80,000/month; free from age 3 under the 2019 reform
- Hours: Typically 7:00 AM–6:00 PM, with extended care available at some facilities
Yochien (Kindergarten)
- Ages: 3–5 years old (pre-school before elementary)
- Apply directly to the kindergarten, not through the ward office
- Types: Public (low cost, lottery-based) and private (direct application, wider availability)
- Hours: Shorter than hoikuen — typically 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Best for: Families where one parent is at home or works part-time
- Fees: Also free from age 3 for standard hours; extended care costs extra
Competitive Wards vs. Easier Wards
Hardest to get hoikuen spots: Minato, Shibuya, Meguro, Setagaya (central, affluent, high demand).
Easier to find spots: Edogawa, Nerima, Adachi, Katsushika (more facilities relative to demand).
If nursery availability is a top priority, factor this into your apartment search. Some families specifically move to wards with better nursery odds.
Hoikuen Application Process — Step by Step
Visit your ward office (hoiku-ka section)
Explain your situation and ask about available nurseries in your area. They will give you application forms and a list of eligible facilities. Bring a translator or Japanese-speaking friend if needed.
Tour nurseries and rank your preferences
Visit 3–5 hoikuen in your neighborhood. You will submit a ranked list of preferred nurseries with your application. Most nurseries welcome tours — call ahead to schedule.
Submit your application by the deadline
Applications for April enrollment are typically due October–December. You will need proof of employment for both parents, residence documents, and your child’s health records.
Wait for results (January–February)
The ward assigns spots based on points. Results arrive by mail. If you are not placed, you go on a waiting list and can try again for mid-year openings or the next April cycle.
Pregnancy & Childbirth in Japan
Japan offers strong prenatal care and generous financial support for families having children — even as a foreign resident.
Prenatal Care & the Boshi Techou
- Boshi kenkou techou (maternal and child health handbook) — register your pregnancy at your ward office to receive this
- 14 subsidized prenatal checkups via coupons included with the handbook
- Checkups cover ultrasound, blood tests, and standard prenatal monitoring
- Additional checkups or tests beyond the 14 subsidized visits are out-of-pocket but reasonably priced
- Choose your hospital early — popular hospitals fill up by month 3–4 of pregnancy
Financial Support
- Lump-sum birth allowance (shussan ikuji ichijikin): ¥500,000 per child, paid through your health insurance
- Covers most of the hospital birth cost (typical delivery: ¥400,000–¥700,000 depending on hospital and room type)
- Child medical care: Free or heavily subsidized in most Tokyo wards until age 15
- Apply for the birth allowance through your health insurance provider (NHI at ward office, or your employer’s shakai hoken)
English-Speaking OB/GYNs
- AMDA International Medical Information Center — call 03-6233-9266 for referrals to English-speaking doctors
- Aiiku Hospital (Minato) — well-known for international patients; English-speaking staff available
- St. Luke’s International Hospital (Chuo) — full English support, popular with expat families
- Tokyo Adventist Hospital (Suginami) — smaller, English-friendly, lower cost
- Ask your embassy for their recommended doctors list — most maintain one
Maternity & Paternity Leave
- Maternity leave: 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth (mandatory), paid at 67% of salary
- Paternity leave: Up to 4 weeks at birth (post-2022 reform), can be split into two periods
- Childcare leave (ikuji kyuugyou): Up to 1 year for either parent (extendable to 2 years if no nursery spot), paid at 67% for first 6 months, 50% after
- Both parents can take childcare leave simultaneously since the 2022 reform
- Foreign workers on valid work visas have the same leave rights as Japanese employees
Important
Register your pregnancy at your ward office as early as possible to receive your boshi techou and subsidy coupons. Also register the birth within 14 days at the ward office — this is a legal requirement and necessary for health insurance coverage and child allowance.
Child Allowance (Jidou Teate)
Japan provides a monthly cash allowance for every child — foreign residents included. Apply at your ward office after birth registration.
How to Apply
- Where: Your ward office (kodomo-ka or jidou teate section)
- When: Within 15 days of birth registration or moving into the ward
- Documents needed: Residence card, health insurance card, bank account details (Japanese bank), My Number notification
- Payment: Deposited into your bank account three times per year (February, June, October) covering the previous 4 months
- Income limit: Reduced to ¥5,000/month for households above a certain income threshold (~¥9.6 million/year for a family of four)
- Important: You must reapply (update your status) every June — the ward office sends a reminder form
Best Wards for Families
Not all Tokyo wards are created equal for families. These four consistently rank highest for space, parks, schools, and affordability.
Setagaya
The most popular ward for families. Quiet residential streets, excellent public schools, and the highest number of parks in all 23 wards. Average 2LDK rent: ¥150,000–¥200,000/month. Well-connected via Denentoshi and Odakyu lines.
Spacious & AffordableNerima
One of the most affordable wards with large apartments and a suburban feel. Great nursery availability, abundant green space including Shakujii Park, and easy access to Ikebukuro. Average 2LDK rent: ¥120,000–¥160,000/month.
Best Child SubsidiesEdogawa
Known for the most generous child-rearing subsidies among Tokyo wards. Large parks along the Edogawa River, good nursery availability, and the most affordable rents in the 23 wards. Average 2LDK rent: ¥100,000–¥140,000/month.
Balanced & CentralSuginami
A well-balanced ward that feels residential without being too far from central Tokyo. Strong community feel, good schools, and easy access via Chuo and Marunouchi lines. Average 2LDK rent: ¥130,000–¥170,000/month.
Choosing Your Ward
When picking a ward as a family, prioritize in this order: (1) commute time to work, (2) nursery/school availability, (3) apartment size for your budget, (4) parks and outdoor space. Central wards like Minato and Shibuya have great international communities but much higher rent and tougher nursery competition. Explore all 23 wards on our Tokyo Wards page.
Trailing Spouse & Partner Support
If you’re moving to Tokyo as a dependent, here’s what you need to know about work rights, community, and building your own life in the city.
Dependent Visa & Work Rights
- Dependent visa allows you to live in Japan as the spouse or child of a visa holder
- Part-time work: Up to 28 hours/week after obtaining a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” from immigration
- Full-time work: Requires changing to a work visa (engineer/humanities, etc.) with a sponsoring employer
- Freelance/remote work: Technically limited to 28 hours/week on a dependent visa; consider applying for a Designated Activities visa for remote work
- Apply for the work permission at your local immigration office — processing takes 2–4 weeks
Community & Language
- Tokyo Mothers Group — active community for international mothers, regular meetups and playdates
- Tokyo International Friends (TIF) — social group for expat spouses and partners
- Ward-run Japanese classes — free or low-cost Japanese language courses offered by most wards (check your ward website or ask at the ward office)
- Volunteer Japanese tutoring — many community centers and NPOs offer free one-on-one Japanese conversation practice
- International schools often have active parent communities that welcome newcomers
- Facebook groups: Search “Tokyo Moms,” “Expats in Tokyo,” or your nationality + Tokyo for instant community connections
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Japanese public schools are required to accept all children regardless of nationality or language ability. Most wards offer nihongo gakkyuu (Japanese language support classes) within schools to help non-Japanese-speaking children transition. Your child will typically attend regular classes while receiving supplementary Japanese instruction several times per week.
International schools in Tokyo are expensive, typically ranging from ¥2–3 million per year (roughly $15,000–$25,000). This usually covers tuition only — additional costs for enrollment fees, uniforms, buses, lunch, and extracurriculars can add ¥500,000–¥1,000,000 more. Some employers cover international school fees as part of expat packages.
Nursery applications in Tokyo go through your ward office. The main enrollment period is April, with applications due around October to December of the previous year. Placement is based on a point system that considers factors like both parents working full-time, single-parent households, and whether siblings already attend. Competitive wards like Minato and Shibuya can have long wait lists, while outer wards like Edogawa and Nerima tend to have more availability.
Japan provides a lump-sum birth allowance (shussan ikuji ichijikin) of ¥500,000 per child, paid through your health insurance. NHI also subsidizes 14 prenatal checkups via the boshi techou. After birth, you receive child allowance (jidou teate) of ¥15,000/month for children under 3 and ¥10,000/month for ages 3–15. Medical care for children is free or heavily subsidized in most Tokyo wards.
Yes, but with limitations. A dependent visa holder can work up to 28 hours per week after obtaining a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted” from immigration. To work full-time, your spouse would need to change to a work visa which requires a sponsoring employer and meeting qualification requirements.
Setagaya, Nerima, Edogawa, and Suginami are consistently rated as the most family-friendly wards. They offer larger apartments at more affordable rents, abundant parks and green spaces, good public schools, and better nursery availability compared to central wards. Edogawa is particularly known for generous child-rearing subsidies, while Setagaya has the highest number of parks in Tokyo.