Contents
About This Page
This page provides essential information for international students and researchers moving to Sendai with their families. It includes details on educational options for children, childcare services, and other resources useful for families.
Click on the thumbnails below for information about nurseries, kindergartens, schools, and various resources for families in Sendai.
Kindergarten & Nursery
Elementary & Middle School
High School & Tertiary Education
Information for Families in Sendai
Early Education and Childcare Services
Free Early Childhood Education and Care System
Sendai City offers free early childhood education and care services for eligible children. This program, aligned with national policies, aims to reduce financial burdens on families and promote equal opportunities for children.
Who is Eligible?
3- to 5-year-olds: All children in this age group are eligible.
0- to 2-year-olds: Children from low-income households (those exempt from municipal taxes) are eligible.
Facilities covered:
Kindergartens
Nursery Schools
Certified Childcare Centers (kindergarten section)
Licensed Childcare Facilities (under certain conditions)
To learn more and check your eligibility, please visit:
（website only available in Japanese language)
Early Childhood Education and Childcare Options in Sendai
In Sendai, early childhood education and childcare options include licensed nursery schools and kindergartens, as well as other options such as unlicensed childcare facilities and certified child centers (nintei kodomoen). The enrollment criteria, services offered, and other factors vary depending on the type of facility.
For example, the table below outlines the key differences between a kindergarten and a licensed nursery school, including age groups, applicable criteria, and costs.
| Licensed Nursery Schools | Kindergarten | |
|---|---|---|
| Age Group | 0-6 years old | 3-6 years old |
| Purpose | Primarily for child care and early childhood education, with more emphasis on basic care, socialization, and play, with some educational elements. | Primarily for early childhood educationwith a strong focus on preparing children for formal education (reading, writing, math basics, etc.). |
| Admission Criteria | Primarily based on the need for child care, for household who cannot provide childcare at home during the day (e.g: both parents working). Applicants need to be registered as a resident in Sendai to use the licensed nursery school services. | Based on age (children must be at least 3 years old). |
| Application | Applications are submitted to the ward office. | Applications are submitted directly to the school. |
| Hours of Operation | Longer hours, often from morning until evening, and some may provide extended after-hours care. | Typically shorter hours, usually from morning to early afternoon (about 3-4 hours). Some schools may also offer after hours childcare, depending on the household’s situation |
| Cost | Fees are based on the family’s income and are subsidized by the government for eligible families. | Fees and subsidy/fees exemption vary depending on schools. |
Enrolling your child into kindergarten or childcare facilities
Please note that parents/guardians wishing to enroll their children in a licensed nursery school must obtain usage authorization (Certificate of Need for Childcare) based on their employment status. Additionally, please note that enrollment procedures differ for each facility.
For example, the following chart shows the difference in the enrollment process between a licensed nursery school and a kindergarten in Sendai.
Licensed Nursery School Enrollment
<BEFORE ARRIVAL IN JAPAN>*(Note 1)
- Search for Nursery School
- Check the list of nursery schools on the Sendai City website for opening for your child’s age group. (note: the list is available only in Japanese.)
- Required Documents Submission*
- Complete the application form, gather the necessary documents, and submit them to the ward office.
- Delivery of Notification
- A “Certificate of Need for Childcare” and interview will be issued to those who qualify.
<AFTER ARRIVAL IN JAPAN>
- Complete Pre-enrollment Steps
- Attend the pre-enrollment interview and complete the required health check-up.
- Result Notification
- You will be notified of the result of your application based on the interview outcome.
- Start Attending Nursery School on the *1st or *16th of the month.
*For enrollment starting on the 1st of the month: Apply by the 5th of the previous month.
*For enrollment starting on the 16th of the month: Apply by the 20th of the previous month.
Kindergarten Enrollment
- Search for Kindergartens
- Review the list of kindergartens published on the Sendai City website. The information includes school locations, monthly fees, fee exemption systems, and current vacancies, available in each school (note: information only available in Japanese).
- Contact the School and Submit Application
- Reach out to the kindergarten directly to inquire about the application process and submit the required documents.
- *For some kindergartens, a separate “Use of Childcare Facility Application” is needed, and application must be made through the ward office.
- Complete Pre-enrollment Steps
- Attend a pre-enrollment interview and ensure your child undergoes the required health check-up.
- Result Notification
- The school will notify you once your application is accepted.
- Start Attending Kindergarten
*Note 1 : Please note that these steps can only be done before arrival if you and your child will be mid-to-long-term residents of Sendai (proof of residence is required as part of the enrollment process) and your address in Sendai has been confirmed prior to arrival. Otherwise, these steps can only be done after your arrival
For the detailed nursery school admission criteria, fee structures and admission procedures please refer to the following link:
The Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association (SenTIA) provides a guide for childcare services in multiple languages on its website. Please refer to the guide for more information.
Please note that application procedures is typically conducted in Japanese. If you need our assistance with this, please apply for our support.
Tohoku University On-campus Nursery School
On-campus nursery schools are available for the children of international students, faculty, and staff at the university. If you wish to enroll your child in an on-campus nursery school, please contact your faculty’s designated representative before arriving in Japan.
Please note that enrollment depends on the availability of spots in the appropriate age group class. Additionally, for a child to be eligible for enrollment in on-campus nursery school, both parents must either be employed or enrolled in school, and that there are no other family members available to provide childcare at home during the day.
For more information, please visit the on-campus nursery website:
International Kindergartens
Sendai has several international kindergartens that provide bilingual education and cater to children from diverse backgrounds.
- Tohoku International School Kindergarten Division
- Horizon Japan International School Sendai Aoba
- Horizon Academy Sendai Campus ELC
- Meysen Academy
Elementary and Junior High School
Compulsory Education
In Japan, compulsory education lasts for nine years, covering six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school. While Japanese parents are legally obligated to ensure their children attend nine years of compulsory education, this obligation does not extend to foreign residents.
However, foreign parents have the option to enroll their children in public schools if they complete the necessary enrollment procedures.
Public and Private Schools
In Japan, parents can choose between public and private schools for their children’s education.
Public schools are managed by local governments, and tuition is generally free, although families may be responsible for some costs related to materials, uniforms, and meals.
Private schools, on the other hand, charge tuition and other fees, which can be higher than public schools.
For foreign families in Sendai, there are also international schools that offer instruction in English and other foreign languages.
Public Elementary Schools Near University Housings
Please note that public elementary and junior high schools in Japan operate under a district system, where children attend the school designated for their residential area. Refer to this section for details on the school district system.
The following are schools located near some of the University Housings:
- Kunimi Elementary School
- Residents of Tohoku University International House or the Sanjo staff housing often send their children to Sendai Kunimi Elementary School. The school offers a special “International Class,” which provides supplementary Japanese language support classes in addition to the regular classes conducted in Japanese.
- Hachiman Elementary School
- Sendai Hachiman Elementary School offers Japanese classes for children whose native language is not Japanese.
- Katahira-cho Elementary School
- Those staying at the University House Katahira usually send their children to Sendai Katahira-cho Elementary school. However, please note that as of 2024, this school does not offer supplementary Japanese language class for foreign students.
Private International Schools in Sendai
Tohoku International School (K-12)
Although the TIS is a private school and is not part of the Japanese educational system, it is accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). Its graduates are qualified for entering universities in Japan and around the world.
Children of Tohoku University full time faculty members may be eligible for a tuition waiver.(*Children of Tohoku University students are not eligible for the waiver.) Too check if your child qualifies for the tuition waiver, please consult with the International Support Center.
Horizon Academy Sendai Campus (K-6)
Horizon Sendai is an international school offering an ‘English Immersion Education’ program aligned with Japanese curriculum guidelines, catering to students from kindergarten through grade 6. While the school primarily serves Japanese children, it also warmly welcomes international families.
We recommend familiarizing yourself with each school’s structure and system before enrolling. For more information about the school structure and system, please contact the respective school directly.
Enrollment Process
The enrollment process differs for public and private schools.
- Public Schools:
- To enroll a child in a public school in Sendai, the child’s guardian must be a mid-to-long-term resident of Sendai. Proof of residence is required as part of the enrollment process. If a family is on a short stay visa or are holders of short-term residence status (stay period of less than 90 days), the child may still have an opportunity to attend a public school through “Trial Enrollment”. However, it is important to note that the decision to accept a student for trial enrollment is at the full discretion of the school. Schools reserve the right to decline applications for trial enrollment. Applications for public school enrollment must be made to the Sendai City Board of Education.
- If you wish to send your child to a public elementary or middle school, you must register with the Sendai-shi Kyoiku Iinkai Gakujika (Sendai City Board of Education, Educational Affairs Division). Which school your child will attend depends on where you live. There are no tuition fees, but you will be billed for school lunches and educational materials.
- Enrollment Procedures for Sendai Municipal Elementary/Junior High Schools (Sendai city website)
- Private Schools and International Schools:
- Enrollment in private and international schools is done directly with the school. Each school has its own application process, timeline, and requirements, so it is recommended to contact the school directly for specific information on how to apply.
School Districts
Public elementary and junior high schools in Japan operate under a school district system.
Each school district is assigned a specific geographic area, and children residing within that area are eligible to attend the corresponding school. Therefore, the location of one’s residence plays a significant role in determining the school a child can attend.
For those considering considering to enroll their children to the Kunimi Elementary School or Hachiman Elementary School to benefit from the supplementary japanese lessons should consider living in areas within its district.
For those intending to stay at the university housing, the International House Sanjo 1 and Sanjo 2 are located within the Kunimi Elementary School’s school district.
- For school district search*Japanese language only
Elementary School After-School Childcare Services (Children’s Club)
For households with both working parents, after-school childcare services known as Jidou Club (Children’s Club) are available. These services provide care for elementary school children after school hours until the evening.
The availability and cost of after-school childcare services vary depending on the location and facility. Parents typically need to apply for this service through their local municipal office. It’s advisable for those wishing to use this facility to check eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and service hours in advance.
Similar to licensed nursery schools, for a children to be eligible to attend the Children’s Club, both parents must either be employed or enrolled in school, and that there are no other family members available to provide childcare at home during the day.
Please apply for our support if you need our assistance with the application of Children’s Club.
Supplementary Japanese Lessons at Senior Junior Schools
Public junior high schools in Sendai may have limited support available for students whose native language is not Japanese. While some schools may have volunteers or support staff who can offer assistance, this support may not always be available. Additionally, dedicated supplementary Japanese classes like those at Kunimi Elementary School are typically not available in middle schools in Sendai
For details on what language support may be available, it is recommended to contact the specific middle school directly.
Useful References
Support for Foreign Children
SenTIA(Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association) provides various information on their website for parents/guardians having foreign nationality.
- The Tohoku University International Support Center also provides various assistance with matters related to school enrollment and childcare facilities for children of international students, researchers and faculty members. Refer to this section for more details.
Senior High School
Public Senior High School in Sendai
In Japan, senior high school is not part of compulsory education. To enroll in a high school, students must pass an entrance examination, which is typically conducted in Japanese. Additionally, students must have completed the equivalent of a Japanese elementary and junior high school education (nine years) in a foreign country. This requirement applies to foreign students seeking admission to both public and private high schools in Japan.
For more detailed information about the enrollment process, including entrance exam procedures and language requirements, it is recommended to contact the specific high school or the local education authority.
Private International Senior High Schools in Sendai
Tohoku International School (TIS) (K-12)
Although the TIS is a private school and is not part of the Japanese educational system, it is accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). Its graduates are qualified for entering universities in Japan and around the world.
Children of Tohoku University full time faculty members may be eligible for a tuition waiver.(*Children of Tohoku University students are not eligible for the waiver.) Too check if your child qualifies for the tuition waiver, please consult with the International Support Center.
Information for Families in Sendai
For families in Sendai, the following resources offer important information on childbirth and child-rearing, as well as available financial assistance programs.
Thes external resources cover various topics, including the childbirth and child-rearing guide, child allowances, childbirth assistance, and medical subsidies for children, to help families in managing their needs and accessing the benefits available to them while living in Sendai.
Useful Information by SenTIA
Childbirth & Child Rearing Guide
Child Allowance
Childbirth Assistance
Child Medical Subsidy
Child Vaccination
Useful Information from the Immigration Bureau Guidebook
Child birth and parenting in Japan
Education in Japan
Support with School and Childcare Enrollment Process
The International Support Center provides various assistance to support international students, researchers and faculty members with matters related to school enrollment and childcare arrangement for their children.
We can assist you in matters such as finding suitable school/childcare facilities, complete the enrollment procedures, providing interpretation support during school interview etc.
If you would like to apply for this assistance, please make the application from the link below:
