MMoving to Japan

Relocation in 2026 with family to Tokyo: school options for an 8-year-old with basic English, budget of ¥2M/year?

  • November 22, 2025

Hi all,
Planning a solo move to Tokyo in Feb 2026 (family joins July) with an 8-year-old son whose first language is Portuguese (English basic from school/Duolingo; no Japanese yet). I'm concerned about his adaptation in international or public schools, especially the language barriers.

School choice will dictate our neighborhood (max 1-hour commute to work in Setagaya/Futako-Tamagawa). Budget: ¥2M/year for international; open to public but worried about hair rules for boys (searches show Tokyo public elementary still often requires short hair for conformity, though some wards are relaxing it in 2025).

International options I found:

  • MEES International School (Bunkyo-ku)
  • Marie International School (Shibuya-ku)
  • Waseda International Christian School (Shinjuku-ku)
  • Tokyo West International School (Hachioji—seems far?)
  • Global Indian International School (Edogawa-ku)

Public with foreign programs (limited spots):

  • Higashimachi Elementary (Minato-ku)
  • Nanzan Elementary (Minato-ku)

Specific questions:

  1. Real timeline/waiting lists for mid-year (July) entry at MEES/Marie/Waseda/GIIS for non-fluent kids? Any EAL success stories?
  2. Public school enrollment sucess stories since there are limited spots for these programs.

Thanks for realistic insights.

by Spiritual-Deal-6225