Cities / Tokyo / K. International School Tokyo
K. International School Tokyo
Tokyo's strongest IB Diploma performer, a full PYP through DP school in Koto ku that families pick for academic outcomes and accept the intensity that comes with them. KIST runs the full IB continuum from age 3 to 18 on a modern campus in Shirakawa, Koto ku.
In brief
Tokyo's strongest IB Diploma performer, a full PYP through DP school in Koto-ku that families pick for academic outcomes and accept the intensity that comes with them.
KIST runs the full IB continuum from age 3 to 18 on a modern campus in Shirakawa, Koto-ku. The class of 2025 averaged 42.0 on the IB Diploma, among the highest in Japan, and graduates head to Oxford, Cambridge and Ivy League destinations. Tuition runs notably lower than ASIJ, BST or Sacred Heart while the academic profile remains in the top tier. CIS accreditation is in place.
Sports, drama and arts space is limited compared to the larger Tokyo names. Families who want their child to thrive academically and are clear-eyed about the workload tend to be happy. Families looking for the broader extracurricular experience often look elsewhere. Communication with parents is strong, and the head, Kevin Yoshihara, is a long-tenured presence.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| K1 - K3 | 3 | $3,220,000 |
| Grades 1 - 9 | 6 | $3,050,000 |
| Grades 10 - 12 | 15 | $3,170,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $30,000 | |
| Enrollment Fee | $300,000 | |
| Capital Fee | $700,000 |
Reviews
- One of Japan's strongest IB schools by results. Latest Diploma cohort averaged 42.3 points, with 90% of students scoring 40 or more; one teacher claims fourth in the world for IB scores.
- Discipline is unusually tight for an international school: blazers compulsory, hair dye and piercings banned, dress-code enforcement strict.
- Parents report clear academic expectations, regular measurement and proactive intervention. Communication with families is rated highly.
- Compensation for staff is mid-tier for Tokyo. One teacher quoted a ~JPY 450,000-470,000 monthly base for a humanities teacher and called the working hours brutal: "They bleed you dry and pay you fuck all to take advantage of you wanting to live in Japan."
- Parents flag missing sports and drama facilities and activities relative to fees, which some say cuts against a whole-child experience.
Positives
- IB outcomes. Diploma averages and elite-university placement track make it one of Tokyo's top IB schools by results.
- Pastoral and parent communication. Parents report regular monitoring, early intervention and strong school-home communication.
Considerations
- Discipline culture. Strict uniform and behaviour rules are a fit for some families and a deterrent for others.
- Co-curricular gap. Sports and drama facilities lag the price point; some families say it dents the whole-child experience.
- Staff pay and hours. Teachers describe long contracted hours and modest compensation by international-school benchmarks.
Leadership
Dr. Kevin Yoshihara
Dr. Kevin Yoshihara has been a member of the KIST community since August 2009. Initially working as a classroom teacher with Grades 4 and 5, he was appointed Elementary School Principal in 2012 with responsibilities covering K1 through Grade 5. In August 2019, he was subsequently appointed to the additional leadership role of Head of School. Prior to joining KIST, he worked in education in the United States.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
Academic results
- IB DP Average 2025 42.0
- IB DP Average 2024 41.5
- IB DP Average 2023 41.1