Residential area for commuting to International Schools in Tokyo

Poste date: Friday, July 3, 2020

Many international schools are located in Tokyo and Yokohama. Curriculums, teaching philosophies, tuition, and size, are all contributing factors when deciding on the right international school for your child. Location is just as important a factor to consider. In order to find a property from which it is easy for your child to commute to and from school, it is recommended that you consider methods of access to the school; the school bus routes, train access, etc.. Depending on your child’s age, it may be necessary to find a property that is within walking distance to a school’s bus stop if your child is to attend a school outside of central Tokyo.

Below are locations and access information for major international schools as well as residential areas that are convenient for commuting to each of the schools. It is also popular that parents bring their children on an e-bike. You can learn more about bicycles in Tokyo and regulations of riding a bike with children in this article.

American School in Japan

Chofu Campus, Kindergarten to Grade 12

Address: 1-1-1, Nomizu, Chofu-City, Tokyo

ASIJ is located in Chofu city, which is outside of central Tokyo, and in the western suburbs of Tokyo. ASIJ’s school bus routes are spread throughout central Tokyo and the suburban areas. Each bus route has various stops. Although there are bus stops in central Tokyo areas such as Hiroo, Azabu, Akasaka areas, when taking the commute time into consideration, it is more convenient to be in the western part of central Tokyo such as Yoyogi-Uehara, etc.. The commute takes approximately 30 min. from Yoyogi-Uehara. Although there are late buses for students who participate in after school activities, the coverage of the bus route is rather limited.

Recommended areas of residence:
Yoyogi, Shibuya, Daikanyama, Hiroo, Azabu-Juban, and Motoazabu areas all have neighborhoods that are within walking distance to ASIJ school bus stops.

British School in Tokyo

Shibuya Campus, Nursery to Year 3

Address: 1-21-18, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

The British School in Tokyo is located within an 8 min. walk from Shibuya station and a 15 min. walk from Omotesando Sta.

Since there is no school bus service available, it is recommended to live in areas that are within walking distance to the school such as Minami Aoyama in Minato-ku, Kamiyamacho, Shoto, Jingumae in Shibuya-ku, or an area that is easy to commute by car.

Recommended areas of residence:
There are residential areas within walking distance to BST and away from the buzz of Shibuya and Omotesando such as Shibuya, Shoto, Omotesando, Harajuku and Yoyogi.

St. Mary’s International School

Boys school Kindergarten - Grade 12

Address: 1-6-19, Seta, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Access: 10 min. walk away from Kaminoge Sta. on the Tokyu-Oimachi Line
12 min. walk from Futako-Tamagawa Sta. on the Tokyu-Denentoshi Line.

Seisen International School

Girls school Kindergarten - Grade 12

Address: 1-12-15, Yoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Access: 17 min. walk from Kaminoge Sta. on the Tokyu-Oimachi Line 6 min. walk away from Yoga Sta. on the Tokyu-Denentoshi Line

The above two schools are located in the suburb of Setagaya-ku. Since these schools are located only 1.3 km away from each other, they share school buses in the central and suburban Tokyo areas. There are several bus routes from central Tokyo such as Hiroo, Azabu, and Akasaka to Setagaya.

School bus routes in the suburban Tokyo areas are: Meguro-dori Street, Komazawa-dori Street, Nakaharakaido Street, Kanpachi-dori Street, and Kannana-dori Street.

Recommended areas of residence:
The streets mentioned above in the suburbs of Tokyo, the areas within walking distance to the school, and central Tokyo areas such as Meguro, Hiroo, Azabu, Yoyogi, Shirokane, and Omotesando.

The International French School in Tokyo

Kindergarten - Terminale

Address: 5-57-37, Takinokawa, Kita-ku, Tokyo

Access: 10 min. walk from Itabashi Sta. on the JR Saikyo Line
8 min. walk from Itabashi Sta. on the Toei-Mita Line.

The school is located in northern Tokyo, in the suburbs called Kita-ku, and is away from central Tokyo. Seven school bus routes are available.

School Bus Route: http://www.lfitokyo.org/index.php/infos-parents/transports

Lycee Franco had been in the Ichigaya and Iidabashi areas until 2011. Since many French nationals reside in the Ichigaya and Iidabashi areas, there are several school buses stopping in these areas. In addition, the bus routes also cover main expat residential areas including Hiroo, Yoyogi, Shibuya, Roppongi, etc.

Tokyo International School (TIS)

Address: 2-13-6, Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Access: 8 min. walk away from Shrokane-Takanawa Sta. on Nanboku Line and the Toei-Mita Line.
19 min. walk away from Hiroo Sta. on Hibiya Line
12 min. walk from the Azabu-Juban Sta. on Toei-Ooedo Line.

The school’s bus routes cover the major residential areas for expats from central to suburban Tokyo.

Recommended areas of residence:
Minami-Azabu 1- through 5-chome, which are to the east of Hiroo Sta., the Azabu-Juban and Motoazabu areas, Shirokane 1- through 3-chome, Mita, and Takanawa 1-chome areas are all within walking distance to the school.

Aoba-Japan International School

Hikarigaoka Campus

Address: 7-5-1, Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku

Access: 15 min. walk away from Hikarigaoka Sta. on the Toei-Ooedo Line, which is northwest of central Tokyo.

A shuttle bus service is available from Hikarigaoka Sta. to the school during the commuting period. It takes 21 min. from “Tochomae” Sta. near Shinjuku to “Hikarigaoka” Sta. on the Toei-Ooedo Line. While they offer school bus services covering both central and suburban Tokyo with their six buses, the route is reviewed each year based on the needs of the students.

Recommended areas of residence:
Among the expat families’ residential areas, the Yoyogi and Shinjuku areas that are on the Toei-Oedo Line route offer the easiest access to the school. In central Tokyo, Aoyama 1-chome, Roppongi, and Azabu-Juban areas are also convenient to go to the school.

The German School

Deutsche Schule Tokyo Yokohama

Address: 2-4-1, Chigasaki-Minami, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama

Access: 10 min. walk away from Nakachodai Sta. on the Yokohama Municipal Subway.

To commute to the school by train from central Tokyo, it takes 40 min. from Shibuya, 45 to 55 min. from Tokyo and Shinagawa stations and 50 min. from Meguro Sta. School bus service is also available from central Tokyo to the school: http://www.dsty.ac.jp/schulleben/schulbus

School bus stops are located in Hiroo where the German embassy is located, as well as Azabu, Shinagawa, and other areas in central Tokyo. The school bus stops are dotted along Meguro-dori Street, Komazawa-dori Street, Nakaharakaido Street and Kanpachi-dori Street towards Yokohama from Tokyo.

Recommended areas of residence:
It is recommended that those wishing to attend live in the Denenchofu, Meguro and Setagaya areas that are close to Yokohama.

Nishimachi International School

Address: 2-14-7, Motozabu, Minato-ku

Access: The nearest station is the Azabu-Juban Sta. on the Toei Ooedo Line and Nanboku Line, from where it takes roughly 7 to 10 min. to get to school. It takes 10 to 15 min. on foot from Hiroo Sta.

No school bus service is available.

Recommended areas of residence:
Motoazabu, Azabujuban, Minami-Azabu and Nishi-Azabu 3-chome in Minato-ku are within walking distance to the school.

International School of Sacred Heart (ISSH)

Address: 4-3-1, Hiroo, Shibuya-ku

Access: It is a 3 min. walk away from Hiroo Sta. on the Hibiya Line.

No school bus service is available.

Recommended areas of residence:
Hiroo in Shibuya-ku, Minami-Azabu 3 through 5-chome, Moto-Azabu 2-chome and Nishi-Azabu in Minato-ku are within walking distance to the school.

Our PLAZA HOMES consultants are familiar with the location of international schools in Tokyo, as well as their school bus routes. We can assist you with locating properties that are make it easy to commute to your desired school. Please do not hesitate to consult with us concerning the commutable areas for any schools, kindergartens or preschools that are not addressed above.