International schools in Kobe
11 international schools in Kobe. Every number comes from what schools publish and from official sources.
Talk to SamThis city at a glance
Living
Each item shows its source and the date we checked it. Check the source again before you move.
Schooling
Education: for Japanese-national children, a non-Article-1 international school does not meet the schooling duty
MEXT's schooling Q&A says Japanese law has no special rule for international schools; some are recognised as Article 1 schools, but many are 'miscellaneous' schools or unlicensed. Sending a Japanese-national child to a non-Article-1 international school does not fulfil the legal schooling duty, and finishing such a school's elementary section does not allow entry to a Japanese junior high (Article 1 school). Ask the local board of education in Kobe how this applies to foreign-national children. As of 2026-11-01 our directory lists 11 schools here.
- No special legal rule for international schools
- Article 1, miscellaneous and unlicensed schools all exist
- Schooling duty applies to Japanese-national children
Source:文部科学省 (MEXT)Official sourceChecked 2026-11-01
Prices and living conditions in Japan
Price examples
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hamburger (McDonald's Big Mac) · Single item | US$3.46 |
| Bibimbap · 1 serving | US$6.92 |
| Kimchi stew set meal · 1 serving | US$6.29 |
| Shin Ramyun · 1 Pack | US$1.47 |
| Coffee (Starbucks Americano) · 1 cup (Tall size) | US$3.03 |
| Bottled water (supermarket, lowest price) · 500ml | US$0.32 |
| Coca-Cola (supermarket, lowest price) · 500ml | US$0.94 |
| City bus fare · Base Fare | US$1.32 |
| Metro fare · Base Fare | US$1.32 |
| Taxi fare · Base Fare | US$3.14 |
Local prices surveyed by KOTRA trade offices, in US dollars. They vary by city and shop. Source: KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), data.go.kr · 2026-11-01
Living conditions
- People using safe drinking water
- 99.1%
- 2022
- Tuberculosis cases
- 9.8
- per 100,000 people · 2024
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea, data.go.kr
In numbers
Yearly tuition range
JPY 276K – JPY 3.37M
≈ USD 1,748 – ≈ USD 21.3K
Based on 6 schools that publish fees · latest fee year 2026-27
ECB reference rate (2026-11-02) · Actual transfer rates depend on your bank's or provider's rate and fees.
Lowest to highest amount in the school currency. Fees vary by grade and programme, so check the grade-by-grade fees on each school page.
Curriculum mix
A school that runs several curricula is counted for each.
| schools | % | |
|---|---|---|
| IB | 5 | 38% |
| Japanese / Chinese / Taiwanese | 5 | 38% |
| British (IGCSE/A Level) | 2 | 15% |
| American (AP) | 1 | 8% |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
| schools | % | |
|---|---|---|
| IB | 5 | 38% |
| Japanese / Chinese / Taiwanese | 5 | 38% |
| British (IGCSE/A Level) | 2 | 15% |
| American (AP) | 1 | 8% |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
| schools | n |
|---|---|
| JPY 0 – JPY 750K | 1 |
| JPY 750K – JPY 1.5M | 2 |
| JPY 1.5M – JPY 2.25M | 2 |
| JPY 2.25M – JPY 3M | 1 |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03 · ECB reference rate (2026-11-02)
| date | events |
|---|---|
| 2026-11-28 | 1 |
Source: our data · checked 2026-11-03
Schools with the most complete information
- Ascot International School JapanBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Japanese / Chinese / Taiwanese · Ages 2–18
- Canadian AcademyIB · Ages 3–18From JPY 2.1M a year
Deutsche Schule Kobe InternationalIB · Japanese / Chinese / Taiwanese · Ages 2–14From JPY 1.61M a year
Kansai International Academy Kobe CampusIB · Ages 3–18
Marist Brothers International SchoolIB · Ages 3–18
St. Michael's International SchoolBritish (IGCSE/A Level) · Ages 3–11
Ashiya International SchoolAmerican (AP) · Ages 1–12From JPY 1.2M a year
Kobe Bilingual SchoolJapanese / Chinese / Taiwanese · Ages 3–12From JPY 840K a year
Map
Pins with a dashed ring show an approximate location.
Upcoming info sessions and open days
Dates confirmed on each school's own page. Check the school page again before attending.
- Nov28SatInfo session09:00 GMT+9 (local time)
Upcoming Information Session
North London Collegiate School KobeKobeChecked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page
Guides and sources for Japan
- International Schools in Japan at a Glance: Approval, Accreditation, University Entry and the Public-School OptionFor parents weighing international schools against public schools in Japan: how international schools are classified, how accreditation links to university entry, the April school year, and how public-school enrolment works, based on official sources.
- Assignment Family Visa Basics: Official Guidance for Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China and the UAEFor parents preparing an overseas posting and looking at schools, this piece summarises how official bodies in Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China and the UAE describe family accompaniment. Vietnam and the Philippines are not covered by our source notes and must be checked directly.
- Matching grades: UK Year, US Grade and Korean school yearA UK Year number is one higher than the US Grade for the same child. Korea groups children by calendar year and starts in March, so birthdays can shift a child by one grade.
Japan's public elementary and junior high schools: free for foreign children who wish to attend
Official sourceMEXT (Japan)Checked 2026-10-30
Japanese schools start in April; 2 April to 1 April births share a grade
Official sourceMEXT JapanChecked 2026-10-29
Japan: the Dependent (family stay) status and public schools
Official sourceMinistry of Foreign Affairs of JapanChecked 2026-10-29
Japanese university entrance eligibility: 12 years abroad, accredited schools, IB, A Levels
Official sourceMEXT JapanChecked 2026-10-29
International schools in Japan: miscellaneous-school approval, accreditation and international curricula
Official sourceTokyo Metropolitan GovernmentChecked 2026-06-25
Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional
AI panel discussions
The AI panel is a fictional panel built from parents' public experiences and official sources · not a review of any school
- AI panelKeeping curriculum continuity when the family moves oftenExpat and international-organisation families move country every few years. When grade systems and curricula change each time, children may repeat or skip content. Let's hear from families who move often.
- AI panelHow to spot an unlicensed 'international school' (Korea included)The name 'international school' alone does not tell you whether the studies are officially recognised. Please share how you checked, in Korea and elsewhere.
- AI panelComing back to Korea: school placement and the overseas Korean admission trackReturning home means sorting out grade placement, documents and the special university admission track. Some eligibility conditions are hard to meet later, so knowing them early matters. Please share your experiences.
Local partners
RecruitingWe are recruiting local partners to help families in Kobe. Only people who complete our checks are introduced.
Apply as a partnerAsk Sam
Tell us your child's age, curriculum and budget, and we will narrow down schools in Kobe with our data.