The Bullet train (no misnomer) only takes 20 minutes to flash from Tokyo to Yokohama. For older children, this means that the lesser-known city’s best international schools are within easy reach of Tokyo.
- Education in Yokohama
- Choosing a school in Yokohama
- Special education needs in Yokohama
- Pre-schools, kindergarten and nurseries in Yokohama
- Best schools in Yokohama
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Education in Yokohama
The second largest city in Japan - and in extremely easy, striking distance of the capital - Yokohama is both more diverse and has a greater fusion of western and Japanese culture than its neighbour. Expats tend to live either in the tower blocks of the Minato Mirai business district or else in houses in historic Yamate (known as The Bluff) but, wherever you choose, the cost will be lower in Yokohama than in comparable districts in Tokyo. In addition, the city is very child-conscious and even has a government system providing educational and childcare support for babies and toddlers.
In fact, the only obvious drawback for families choosing to live in Yokohama, rather than Tokyo, is that there is a comparative dearth of international schools. However, there are three well-established and well-regarded all-through schools, two of which have been here for over 100 years.
The express line from Shibuya in Tokyo to Yokohama means that more pupils are now commuting from Tokyo, at least for the Junior High and High School years. Japan is very safe for children travelling alone and even small children of six or seven can be seen by themselves on the Tokyo subway.
Choosing a school in Yokohama
Slimmer pickings on the international school front than you would find in Tokyo, but what there is comes with the comfort that two of them have been around for a very long time and are considered excellent and the third is heading to be authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Progammes from primary to graduation - always a consideration for expat families.
These extremely highly thought of schools all teach classes from kindergarten to year 12. They are all three dually accredited by American external agencies and offer the IB Diploma as a leaving qualification.
Special education needs in Yokohama
Schools have a better understanding than before of diverse learning needs and they work hard to accommodate all students, providing additional support where needed not just in academics but also in behaviour and social development. Things are getting better but expect schools to still be quite cautious in taking on new students where special education needs have been flagged.
Pre-schools, kindergarten and nurseries in Yokohama
Besides St Maur (which has a Montessori kindergarten) and YIS (which follows the Reggio Emilia approach), there is a wide selection of nurseries and pre-schools in Yokohama, including Treehouse Montessori School.
Best schools in Yokohama
Saint Maur International School 
Montessori/ International Primary Curriculum/ French curriculum (ages 5-11)/ IGCSE/ American High School Diploma/ AP/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 480 students
Established by Roman Catholic missionaries, in 1872, and the oldest international school in Asia. An English medium school with American and Japanese students in the majority. Also offering an École Francaise programme for French speaking children up to the end of elementary school. Above average IB Diploma results.
Click here to read our full review of the Saint Maur International School
Yokohama International School (YIS)
Reggio Emilia/ PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 720 students
Established in 1923. Kengo Kuma designed campus since 2022. Offers mother tongue programmes in Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Spanish and Korean as well as the full IB (except for the careers option) programme in English to students from 50 different nationalities.
Click here to read our full review of the Yokohama International School
The school below has been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing it.
Horizon Japan International School (HJIS)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 400 students
Established in 2003 and part of the Horizon group of international schools. The ratio of students is approximately one third expat, one third dual nationality and one third Japanese. Moved to a new state of the art campus in Yokohama in March 2019, complete with sporting pitches on the roof.