We don't necessarily visit playschools, nurseries or kindergartens and definitely don't look at them as thoroughly as the primary and secondary schools (and only publish full GSGI write-ups on them if they are part of a primary or K-12 school), but these are amongst the ones in Tokyo recommended or mentioned by parents. We list them here just to give you a place to start, to help you make up your own short list.
Although this is an informal list, we always appreciate any feedback from parents (contact us), and we'll remove schools or add them as we hear about them or receive updates.
ABC International School
Katsu Court # 101
2-7-25 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046
Tel: + (81) (0) 3 5793 1359
Fax: + (81) (0) 35793 1359
Email: [email protected]
Wonderful location opposite Arisagawa Park. 150 students and 40 staff in bright, well equipped classrooms.Twelve classes are divided into four age groups ranging from 15 months to seven years.
ASIJ Early Learning Centre 
6 – 16 – 5, Roppongi, Minato ku, Tokyo 106 0032
Tel: +(81) (0)3 5771 4344
Fax: +(81) (0)3 5771 4341
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.asij.ac.jp
160 students total. Offers an American curriculum, but quite universal. This Early Years centre has a very central location and beautiful buildings. This is one of the few kindergartens in the GSGI with its own full write-up (click here to read it).
Aoba – Japan International School (Meguro Campus)
2 – 10 – 34 Aobadai, Meguro ku, Tokyo, Japan 153 – 0042
Tel: +(81) (0)3 3461 1442/1667
Fax: +(81) (0)3 3463 9873
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.japaninternationalschool.com
Co-ed, 2 ½ - 6 years old.
Accredited: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Member: Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS
British School in Tokyo
1-21-18 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002 Japan
Tel: + (81) (0)3 5467 4321
Fax: + (81) (0)3 5467 4322
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.bst.ac.jp
Co-ed, non-denominational, approximately 1,000 pupils in total (ages 3-15).
Only school in Tokyo which follows the English National Curriculum. Highly regarded by British community in particular with a high proportion of British families. School on two sites, quite close to ach other. Shibuya site for nursery - year 3. Showa Site (with school bus transfer available) years 4-6 and years 7-11. Usual choice for British parents with children of primary school age. For more details on the entire school, click here to read the full GSGI write-up.
Canadian International School
5 – 8 – 20 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa ku, Tokyo, Japan 141 – 0001
Tel: + (81) (0)3 5793 – 1392
Fax: + (81) (0)3 5793 – 3559
Email: [email protected]
Web: cisjapan.net/en/index.asp
Aged 3 – year 12. Canadian curriculum with Canadian teachers and small classes. Accredited by Canadian Department of Education Province of Prince Edward Island, mother school – Richmond International High School, Vancouver, British Colombia.
International School of the Sacred Heart
4-3-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 150-0012
Tel: + (81) (0)3 3400 3951
Fax: + (81) (0)3 3400 3496
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.issh.ac.jp
Catholic foundation, American curriculum. Approximately 600 pupils total, ages 3-18 (all girls, apart from a small number of boys in the Kindergarten). Very pleasant location in central residential district popular with expats. Built in 1968, traditional atmosphere. For more details on the entire school, click here to read the full GSGI write-up.
Seisen International Girls’ School
12-15 Yoga 1-Chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158 -0097
Tel: (81) 03 3704 -2661
Fax: (81) 03 3701- 1033
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.seisen.com
Independent, Catholic foundation for girls with about 650 pupils. Co-ed Montessori kindergarten takes children from age two. For more details on the entire school, click here to read the full GSGI write-up.
St Mary’s International Boys’ School
19, Seta 1-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8668
Tel: (81) 03 3709 3411
Fax: (81) 03 3707 1950
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.smis.ac.jp
Around 900 boys in total (aged 4 -grade 12). Catholic foundation.
Tokyo International School (TIS)
3 - 4 – 22 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0073
Tel: + (81) (0)3 5484 1160
Fax: + (81) (0)3 5484 1139
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.tokyois.com
Non-denominational; Middle school numbers around 380 from Pre-K to Grade 8.
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (Primary Years and Middle Years). Owned by charismatic American educationalist Patrick Newell and his Japanese wife. Recently moved into a Japanese school building so plenty of space and facilities. A young school, expanding all the time. For more details on the entire school, click here to read the full GSGI write-up.
Willowbrook International School
2-14-28 Moto Azabu, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +(81) (0)3 3449 9030
Fax: +(81) (0)3 3449 9064
Classes are held in the mornings for children aged 18 months to 5 years with the option of extended day care in the afternoon. The school offers a Japanese/English Dual Immersion programme as well as the IB Primary Years Programme. Teaching is in English with Japanese lessons as well as nature, music, art, cooking and drama.
Yoyogi International Preschool
1 – 15 – 12 Tomigaya, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, Japan 151 – 0063
Tel: +(81) (0)3 5478 6714
Fax: +(81) (0)3 5478 6713
Email: [email protected]
Pre-school and kindergarten for ages 2-5 with a student/teacher ratio ranging from 6:1 to 11:1. Also with a primary school for ages 5-11.
Established in 1999. Very international with less than the average dependence on British/American expats and can have, for example, Vietnamese, Russian, Turkish, Japanese, English, American, Australian in one class. Recommended by embassy parents. Well located in front of Yoygi Koen, Tokyo's largest metropolitan park.