UWC ISAK Japan
- IB Diploma
Per yearabout USD 30.9K
JPY 4.9M · 2026-27 school year · Source: school website (checked 2026-10-28)
About
Residential international high school in Karuizawa, Nagano, offering Grades 10 to 12 with the IB Diploma Programme and a leadership and innovation focus. Students from 80+ countries.
Key facts
Source: Read from the school's website
- A member school of United World Colleges (UWC). See all 18 schools of United World Colleges (UWC)
Info checked 2026-11-07 · Fees 2026-27
Curriculum
IB Diploma
Ages
Ages 15–18
Students
200
Language
English
Type
International school
Fee level
- Nationalities
- 80
- Founded
- 2014
- Accreditations
- IB
Fees
Source: Read from the school's website
2026-27 school year
Age on the first day of the school year (usually 1 September). Cut-off dates differ by school.
| Grade | Per year |
|---|---|
| 10-12 | JPY 4,900,000≈ USD 30.9K |
| min | max | |
|---|---|---|
| UWC ISAK Japan (this school) | JPY 4,900,000 (about USD 30.9K) | JPY 4,900,000 (about USD 30.9K) |
| Hakuba International School | JPY 3,930,000 (about USD 24.8K) | JPY 4,450,000 (about USD 28.1K) |
Source: school website (uwcisak.jp) · checked 2026-10-28 · ECB reference rate (2026-11-06)
One-off costs
- Application fee
- JPY 20,000
As published by the school. Amounts change with the school year and exchange rates; please confirm with the school before applying. Converted amounts use the reference rate of the date shown. ECB reference rate (2026-11-06). Source: school website (checked 2026-10-28)
Admissions
Source: Read from the school's website
- Deadline
- 2026-12-01
- Entry process
- Interview
- Scholarships
- Yes
- Financial aid
- Yes
Curriculum and academics
Source: Read from the school's website
Curricula, explained
The IB's four programmes
Schools often run only some of the four. Highlighted boxes are the ones this school offers.
- IB PYPNot here
Early years to primary · Ages 3–12
The IB's primary programme. Children learn through questions and units of inquiry rather than separate subjects.
- IB MYPNot here
Middle years (ages 11–16) · Ages 11–16
The IB's middle-years programme: eight subject groups taught with links between them, ending with a personal project.
- IB DP (Diploma)Offered
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–19
The IB's university-entrance qualification — what people usually mean by "the IB". Six subjects plus the Extended Essay, TOK and CAS, scored out of 45.
- IB CP (Career-related)Not here
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–19
The IB's career-related route for the same ages as the DP: at least two DP courses plus a career-related study chosen by the school.
Last two years: DP or CP
Ages are the usual bands; schools can differ.Curriculum basics guide
Strengths
- Outdoor education
- Visual arts
- Performing arts
- Service
- Languages
- Academics
Student support
Source: Read from the school's website
- Nurse on site
- Yes
- Boarding
- Yes
Campus and school life
Source: Read from the school's website
Facilities
- Gym
- Library
- Makerspace
- Theatre
- Sports field
- Boarding
Sports
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Competitive Swimming
- Badminton
- Football
- Tennis
- Curling
- Climbing
- Track & Field
- Golf
- Triathlon
- Aikido
- Kyudo
Arts
- Visual Arts
- Theatre
- Film
- Music
- Dance
- Photography
- Pottery
- Calligraphy
- Ballet
After-school activities
- Theatre
- Band
- Robotics
- Model United Nations
- Debate
- Tea Ceremony
- Basketball
- Lead Ambassadors
- SNOW (Student Council)
- Yoga & Pilates
- Chess
- Photography
Upcoming events
- Dec1TueApplication deadlineAll day
Application deadline for 2027 entry
Checked 2026-10-29
Check on the school's page
From the school's own pages. Check again before attending.
All eventsRequest a school tour
Sign in to request a tour. You can follow its status on your page.
Sign in to requestThe essentials
Source: Read from the school's website
Country affiliation
Part of the UWC movement and the only UWC school in Japan.
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Diving deeper
Source: Read from the school's website
Boarding arrangements
All students live on campus and take part in residential life.
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Academics
Source: Read from the school's website
Curriculum
Grade 10 covers a leadership and innovation course and Japanese culture; Grades 11-12 follow the IB Diploma. Outdoor education runs all three years.
- Leadership and Innovation
- IB Diploma Programme
- Outdoor Education
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Wellbeing
Source: Read from the school's website
Mental wellbeing
The Health and Wellness Center has nursing facilities, counselling offices, and fitness and meditation rooms.
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Parent experience
Source: Read from the school's website
Community
Community activities include public exhibitions, cultural events and local outreach in Karuizawa and Nagano.
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Facilities
Source: Read from the school's website
Facilities overview
The campus sits in the mountains of Karuizawa, Nagano, with modest buildings set in forest surroundings.
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Sports facilities
A gymnasium with a basketball court and bouldering wall, plus Honda Athletic Field.
- Gymnasium
- Bouldering wall
- Honda Athletic Field
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Academic facilities
Learning spaces include classrooms, a library, science labs and a maker space.
- Library
- Science labs
- Maker space
- Film and arts studios
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Extra-curricular facilities
Community garden, ISAK Forest with a treehouse, and performance venues.
- Community Garden
- ISAK Forest
- Treehouse
- Accord Center
- Ohga Hall
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Extra-curricular activities
Source: Read from the school's website
Academic and intellectual
Academic clubs include robotics, science, Model United Nations and debate.
- Robotics
- Science
- Model United Nations
- Debate
- Astronomy
- Programming Club
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Arts and creative
Student-led arts clubs cover theatre, band, art, pottery and photography.
- Theatre
- Band
- Art
- Pottery
- Photography
- Calligraphy
- Ballet
- Dance
- Music Production
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Cultural and language
Japanese culture clubs include Tea Ceremony and the Japanese Excursion Club.
- Tea Ceremony
- Japanese Excursion Club
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Leadership and professional
Leadership clubs include the student council, Lead Ambassadors, residential leadership and peer support.
- Lead Ambassadors
- SNOW (Student Council)
- Residential Leadership
- Peer Support
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Lifestyle and wellbeing
Languages
Source: Read from the school's website
Language provision
All Grade 10 students study Japanese language and culture; it is also an IB language option.
- Japanese
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Reputation
Source: Read from the school's website
Awards
The ISAK Impact Awards recognise community members' impact stories shared through short videos.
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Admissions
Source: Read from the school's website
Admissions
Online registration, application and two references, then a Stage 1 review followed by online interview and group assessment.
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Waitlist
A late application period may open around April to June if places remain, but this is not guaranteed.
School website · Checked 2026-11-07
Location
Source: Read from the school's website
Similar schools
Hakuba International SchoolOwn curriculum · AP
JPY 3.93M–4.45M (about USD 24.8K–28.1K)
International School of NaganoIB PYP · IGCSE
Schools in the same city with a similar curriculum and fee level. Not a ranking.
More in this city · NaganoUpdated 2026-11-07
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