Japanese Schools in Denmark: Copenhagen and Aarhus Supplementary Schools (2026)
Families looking for Japanese-curriculum study in Denmark should distinguish a full-time Japanese school from weekend supplementary programs. The Embassy lists supplementary schools in Copenhagen and Aarhus. Copenhagen publishes current age groups, admission procedures and 2026 fees; Aarhus has a 2026 calendar and accepts inquiries about visits and trial attendance.
Nijiiro is operated by NIJIN Inc. TOMODACHI JAPAN, introduced in this article, is also a NIJIN Inc. service. The schools and services below are included where their official information can be checked; the order is not a ranking.
1. Start with the region and commute in Denmark
Regional fit:Families looking for Japanese-curriculum study in Denmark should distinguish a full-time Japanese school from weekend supplementary programs. The Embassy lists supplementary schools in Copenhagen and Aarhus. Copenhagen publishes current age groups, admission procedures and 2026 fees; Aarhus has a 2026 calendar and accepts inquiries about visits and trial attendance.
Options in Denmark include full-time Japanese schools and supplementary programs that meet alongside another weekday school. Denmark’s Embassy and operators list supplementary schools in Copenhagen and Aarhus, rather than a full-time Japanese school. The two cities lie on different islands/regions and are not interchangeable weekly commute options. First identify whether the home will be in greater Copenhagen or near Aarhus, then check the local weekday school and Japanese program separately.
This guide separates school type, location, schedule and cost so your family can contact the right provider. Dates, admissions, fees and transport can change, so use the linked primary sources and confirm details directly before applying.
| Learning arrangement | Typical schedule | May suit families who |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time Japanese school | Weekdays | Want a Japanese school curriculum and daily school life |
| Japanese supplementary school | Often weekends | Want Japanese study alongside a local or international school |
| Local school plus home or online learning | Weekdays plus a family plan | Want the local curriculum while continuing Japanese |
2. A full-time school, a supplementary school and a local school serve different roles
School types:A name containing “Japanese School” does not always mean a Monday-to-Friday school. When comparing options in Denmark, ask how many days children attend, which subjects are taught and whether the child needs a separate weekday enrollment.
A full-time Japanese school is an overseas school recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Education for a curriculum corresponding to Japanese elementary or lower-secondary education. A supplementary school usually supports Japanese language and subjects for children who attend a local or international weekday school. Its venue, schedule, age range and entry rules are set by the operator.
A local or international school can provide the main weekday education in another language or curriculum. Some families add a Saturday Japanese class, home study or an online language program. These arrangements do not automatically provide the same enrollment status or qualifications, so confirm attendance, progression and transfer records with the relevant schools.
Use one comparison sheet for: school type, address and weekly travel, languages and subjects, age and entry requirements, total annual cost, and documents needed for a future transfer. This prevents options with very different schedules from being compared as though they were the same kind of school.
3. Japanese-language schools and institutions in Denmark
School options:The MEXT and official school listings reviewed for this guide include 0 full-time Japanese school campuses and 0 separately classified private overseas facilities. The table shows their locations and categories; it does not establish that a campus is reachable from your home or has a vacancy in your child’s grade.
Denmark’s Embassy and operators list supplementary schools in Copenhagen and Aarhus, rather than a full-time Japanese school. The two cities lie on different islands/regions and are not interchangeable weekly commute options. First identify whether the home will be in greater Copenhagen or near Aarhus, then check the local weekday school and Japanese program separately.
The supplementary programs are shown separately below. They have different schedules, purposes and admissions arrangements, so do not count them as extra full-time campuses.
4. School profiles and types in Denmark
School profiles:A national or embassy list is a starting point for identifying a school’s category. It does not tell you whether a child’s grade has an opening, what the daily timetable looks like or which neighborhoods are served. If a page is dated or discusses a previous school year, ask the office for the current admissions guide and fee schedule.
Copenhagen publishes 2026 fees and schedule information; Aarhus needs its own confirmation.Copenhagen’s 2026 information lists kindergarten ages 4–5, elementary grades 1–6, lower-secondary grades 1–3, Saturday lessons and about 38 school days a year. It lists a DKK 250 assessment charge, DKK 700 entry fee and DKK 8,690 annual tuition, with supplementary materials. Aarhus’s official page provides a 2026 calendar and elementary/lower-secondary Japanese and math information, but the reviewed public page did not establish fees or total class days. Contact Aarhus directly rather than assuming the Copenhagen figures apply.
5. Supplementary schools and weekend Japanese programs
Supplementary programs:When no full-time Japanese campus is practical, a local supplementary school may offer a way to maintain Japanese. Copenhagen reports about 80 elementary/lower-secondary pupils and 30 kindergarten pupils as of March 2026, but those figures do not indicate vacant seats. Aarhus’s 2026 calendar and invitation to inquire about trials also do not guarantee openings. Use the Embassy’s page to identify the providers, then verify current enrollment, schedule, fees and venue with each operator.
Do not infer a program’s catchment from its name alone. Confirm the current building, day of the week, grade range, available places and admissions process. Some operators rent a host-school building, have moved sites or provide the precise address after an inquiry.
The table reports what public sources establish. A listing by an embassy does not mean that current fees or class availability have been confirmed. Ask whether you can observe a lesson, how Japanese-language readiness is assessed, what home practice is expected and whether parents have an operating role.
| Program | Region | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese Supplementary School Copenhagen (CPHJPSS) | Copenhagen | A Saturday-morning supplementary school for ages 4–5 in kindergarten and grades 1–9 in elementary/lower secondary. The operator says it runs 38 Saturdays a year, using Japanese curriculum textbooks for Japanese and math; current 2026 charges are DKK 250 for the entrance test, DKK 700 enrollment and DKK 8,690 annual tuition including supplementary materials. A written assessment and interview check Japanese listening, speaking, reading and writing. The venue address is shared individually for security. |
| Japanese Supplementary School in Aarhus | Aarhus | The Embassy identifies this as Denmark’s second supplementary school, established for children in Aarhus and nearby areas. Its current operator page says elementary and lower-secondary enrollment, visits and trial attendance are open, lessons focus on Japanese, math and lower-secondary mathematics, and a 2026 calendar is available. The Embassy does not publish current tuition, exact weekly hours or a full address; request these from the school. |
| Copenhagen municipal weekday schools | Copenhagen; placement depends on residence | The Ministry of Children and Education describes Denmark’s Folkeskole system. A local school is a weekday enrollment in the Danish system, not Japanese-language schooling. Families need the municipality or school to confirm address-based placement, language support, enrollment and any costs beyond public tuition. |
| Copenhagen International School | Copenhagen, Nordhavn | An English-language international weekday school with its own admissions process. It is not a Japanese school. Confirm the current grade range, availability, tuition, language support and route from the family’s home. |
A Saturday-morning supplementary school for ages 4–5 in kindergarten and grades 1–9 in elementary/lower secondary. The operator says it runs 38 Saturdays a year, using Japanese curriculum textbooks for Japanese and math; current 2026 charges are DKK 250 for the entrance test, DKK 700 enrollment and DKK 8,690 annual tuition including supplementary materials. A written assessment and interview check Japanese listening, speaking, reading and writing. The venue address is shared individually for security. Official information
The Embassy identifies this as Denmark’s second supplementary school, established for children in Aarhus and nearby areas. Its current operator page says elementary and lower-secondary enrollment, visits and trial attendance are open, lessons focus on Japanese, math and lower-secondary mathematics, and a 2026 calendar is available. The Embassy does not publish current tuition, exact weekly hours or a full address; request these from the school. Official information
The Ministry of Children and Education describes Denmark’s Folkeskole system. A local school is a weekday enrollment in the Danish system, not Japanese-language schooling. Families need the municipality or school to confirm address-based placement, language support, enrollment and any costs beyond public tuition. Official information
An English-language international weekday school with its own admissions process. It is not a Japanese school. Confirm the current grade range, availability, tuition, language support and route from the family’s home. Official information
The Copenhagen venue may be provided individually for security reasons.The school says its class location is not published as a general address and is shared after an inquiry or application. To assess a commute, provide a likely neighborhood and ask for the venue area, transit access and arrival time. Ask Aarhus about its current venue and schedule as well. If a website does not show an address, do not guess a host building or catchment area; use the current information supplied by the operator.
6. Check whether the commute is sustainable
Commute:Copenhagen’s operator withholds the venue address for security and provides it to families who inquire. Its school-day page lists Saturday morning, with elementary and lower-secondary classes from 8:45 to 12:35. Aarhus accepts visit requests, but the public page does not establish a street address or detailed hours. Ask for the exact meeting point, public transport or parking, and dismissal time before applying.
Copenhagen reports about 80 elementary/lower-secondary pupils and 30 kindergarten pupils as of March 2026, but those figures do not indicate vacant seats. Aarhus’s 2026 calendar and invitation to inquire about trials also do not guarantee openings. Use the Embassy’s page to identify the providers, then verify current enrollment, schedule, fees and venue with each operator.
A school bus may not serve every address, grade or day. Ask for its current service area, stops, ride duration, price, seat availability and procedures after a move. For public transport, check age-appropriate transfers and whom to contact if a service is delayed.
A weekly supplementary class can still create a long weekend trip. Record the door-to-door journey for the real class day, then see how it fits with local-school homework, sport, family plans and rest. If travel is burdensome, compare a nearer Japanese-language activity or online study.
7. Admissions, grade placement and required documents
Admissions:Copenhagen generally holds an autumn information session and winter entrance assessment for new first graders. The assessment checks Japanese comprehension and communication; transfer inquiries and visits can be made year-round, with published charges for trial attendance and observation. Parents are expected to support homework and take part in school operations or events. Aarhus says it accepts elementary and lower-secondary applications, transfers and trial visits. Confirm grade, age, Japanese level and openings directly.
Enrollment at a local weekday school is separate from applying to a Japanese supplementary program. Give the local authority or school your likely address, child’s age and grade, and ask about catchment, language of instruction, start dates and required documents. Attendance at a Japanese supplementary program does not enroll a child in a weekday school.
Prepare your child’s date of birth, current grade, previous school, Japanese literacy, expected arrival date, likely address and intended start term. Transfer procedures can differ from new entry, and a school may not have a place in the requested grade midway through the year.
Ask about application windows, age ranges, grade placement, interviews or Japanese assessments, school reports, textbooks, trial visits, catchment rules and parent duties. Do not treat an embassy or MEXT listing as confirmation of a current opening or admission eligibility.
Families choosing a local school should contact the relevant school or education office after the likely address is known. Applying to a Japanese school or supplementary program does not complete local enrollment. Follow the receiving school’s instructions for translated records, health forms and residency documents.
Copenhagen checks whether a child can participate in lessons in Japanese.Its admissions guidance describes a Japanese-language check and class placement by age and intended grade. Assessment, registration and tuition are separate costs, so request current rules for siblings, mid-year payments and refunds. The school also expects caregivers to support homework and participate in school operations. For Aarhus, ask separately about visits, trial lessons and grade availability; Copenhagen’s rules do not automatically apply there.
8. Compare tuition and the full annual cost in Denmark
Total cost:Copenhagen’s 2026 fees are DKK 250 for the entrance test, DKK 700 enrollment and DKK 8,690 annual tuition including supplementary materials; sibling discounts are mentioned. Budget separately for travel to the undisclosed venue, textbooks and home-study materials. The Aarhus fee was not established in the public information reviewed. A supplementary-school fee is separate from local public-school costs.
Ask whether tuition is charged by month, term or school year, how long the year lasts, what the enrollment fee covers, and what happens if you leave or return to Japan. Supplementary-school tuition may be only one part of the cost; materials, insurance, events, travel and home-study resources can be additional.
Two prices in the same currency may still cover different periods. Keep annual recurring costs separate from first-year charges and one-time costs. Add transport, required uniforms and any activity fee, then compare the total rather than tuition alone.
If the public source does not establish a current fee, mark it as “confirm with the school.” Do not reuse a figure from an older academic year as today’s price. Once you receive a written estimate, add tuition, enrollment, facilities, books, uniform, transport, activities, insurance and any donation or parent contribution to the family budget.
Budget in Danish kroner and include the time required for family participation.When converting fees to yen, exchange rates and transfer charges can change, so compare the original local-currency invoices first. Add Copenhagen’s published charges to materials, transit, lunch and activities. Caregiver homework support and school-operation duties are a real time commitment even when they are not billed. If Aarhus fees are not public, mark them unconfirmed and request a current-year estimate before comparing programs.
9. When local school options do not fit: online Japanese study
Online learning:If a supplementary-school commute is impractical, your family wants to keep Saturdays for local activities, or your child wants Japanese-speaking peers during the week, compare Tomodachi Japan online. Its official plan describes live groups of eight, dialogue and inquiry-based learning, a choice of about 100 monthly classes, morning meetings and after-class interaction. A pilot is planned for December 2026. Confirm Denmark-time options, fees and eligibility through the official guide. It does not replace weekday-school enrollment.
Tomodachi Japan has a different role from a full-time local or Japanese school. It may be relevant to a family whose closest full-time campus is too far away, whose supplementary-school day does not work, or whose child wants more contact with Japanese-speaking peers while continuing another school. A family that needs daily campus life, local school enrollment or a recognized curriculum still needs a separate weekday school.
There is no single scale that ranks a Japanese school, supplementary program, local school and online class. First decide whether your priority is daily Japanese-language schooling, the local curriculum, a weekly literacy class or a flexible way to speak Japanese with peers. Then compare age fit, lesson time, friendships, travel and total cost.
In a consultation, explain the current school and grade, languages used, Japanese goals, preferred time zone, address and likely return date. Treat opening dates and fees as current plans rather than guarantees, and verify them through the official guide.
| Question | Full-time Japanese school | Supplementary school | Online Japanese learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Every weekday | Often one weekend day | Based on the available timetable |
| Main role | Japanese-language school education | Japanese study alongside another school | Flexible dialogue and learning |
| Travel | Daily route and bus | Weekly venue and route | Internet access and time zone |
| Enrollment status | Check recognition and entry terms | Often used with another weekday school | Does not replace a recognized day-school enrollment |
| Confirm | Grade, vacancies, fees, transport | Age, Japanese level, day, materials | Opening plan, timetable, cost and fit |
10. Keep Japanese and the local language in balance
Japanese continuity:For families combining Danish weekday education and Japanese study, weekend time matters. Copenhagen lists 38 Saturday mornings per year and explicitly asks families to check homework and participate in school operations. Aarhus publishes its annual schedule and offers information about visits and events. Spread hoshuko homework across weekdays and preserve time for rest and local friendships.
Put the weekday school in Denmark, any supplementary class, online learning and home reading on one weekly calendar. A plan should leave room for local-language learning, friends and rest rather than simply adding more Japanese hours.
A child may have grade-level reading and writing in Japanese but a different vocabulary or subject pace after schooling abroad. If a return to Japan is approaching, ask the current school about reports, textbooks, lesson records and enrollment certificates, then ask the receiving school which documents it needs.
If your child resists Japanese homework or seems tired, review the learning partner, topic, timing and rest before adding more assignments. Ask what the child wants to continue and separate required work from activities the child can choose.
11. Combining a local school with Japanese learning in Denmark
Combining programs:Families may choose a Danish-language Folkeskole or an international school for weekday enrollment and add Japanese, literacy and math through a supplementary program. Copenhagen publishes grade subjects and annual Saturdays, but its limited weekend hours do not provide the same daily education as a full-time school. Plan for local-language support and Japanese home study together.
Two schools can mean two sets of calendars, absence procedures, health information, learning materials and family messages. Ask which school needs which information, and compare holidays, exam weeks and major events at the start of the year.
For Saturday programs, plan Friday homework, Saturday transport and Sunday rest as one weekend routine. If online lessons are added on a weekday, check whether the child would spend too long on a screen after school and extracurriculars. Try the schedule for a few weeks and review it together.
The right balance changes with age and plans. Families may prioritize Japanese textbooks, the local language, peer relationships or a smoother transition back to Japan. Narrow the goals to two or three, then share them with the school so the advice can address your actual situation.
Compare weekday and supplementary-school calendars across the whole year.The Danish folkeskole is a weekday basic-education pathway under the national framework; its language, subjects and enrollment differ from supplementary school. Compare local holidays, Saturday class days and caregiver work plans on one calendar. About 38 annual sessions do not mean the school meets every Saturday: holidays and term schedules create breaks. Obtain Aarhus’s current annual calendar too, then plan travel and family holidays around the confirmed dates.
12. A checklist for comparing schools
Decision checklist:Travel: confirm campus address, bus zone, nearest station, normal arrival and dismissal, and the plan for delays.
Fit: confirm grade placement, teaching language, Japanese reading and writing level, group setting and visit or trial options.
Cost: include tuition, enrollment, facilities, materials, transport, uniform, activities, insurance and refund rules.
Family routine: map work hours, siblings, supplementary-school homework, rest days and time-zone constraints across a full week.
Continuity: ask what report cards, enrollment certificates, textbooks and learning records are available if the family moves.
| Family priority | Options to review first | Question for the school |
|---|---|---|
| Daily schooling in Japanese | Nearby full-time Japanese school | Grade, place, route and total fee |
| Japanese study beside a local school | Regional supplementary program | Day, subjects, language level and home study |
| Fewer trips and more peer contact | Online Japanese learning | Time zone, class size, opening date and qualification limits |
13. Preparing before a move to Denmark
Before you move:Once a move is likely, write down possible neighborhoods, the child’s age and grade, Japanese reading and writing, and the expected start date at a local school. Use the embassy and MEXT pages to identify the school type, then check each operator’s current-year admissions page.
Several months before the intended start, ask about places, selection, catchment, transport, fees and visits. If the move is soon, contact the school immediately rather than waiting for a standard window. Supplementary schools may have grade-specific limits and trial dates that do not match weekday-school admissions.
Before departure, request the current school’s transcript, enrollment certificate, health records and textbook paperwork, and ask the receiving school whether translations are required. After arrival, verify the address and travel plan, then check in with the child after the first weeks to review homework, fatigue and friendships.
14. Frequently asked questions about Japanese schools in Denmark
Where to confirm:Use current school and consular notices for the final decision. If a school’s page and an embassy list differ, check the publication dates and contact the operator directly.
What Japanese-language school options are listed in Denmark?
This guide identifies 0 full-time Japanese school campuses and 0 separately classified private overseas facilities. Supplementary programs are a separate category. Confirm current vacancies, entry rules and service areas with each operator.
What is the difference between a Japanese school and a supplementary school?
A full-time Japanese school meets on weekdays and provides a Japanese school curriculum. A supplementary school usually offers Japanese or subject study alongside a different weekday school, often on weekends.
How much does tuition cost?
Copenhagen’s 2026 fees are DKK 250 for the entrance test, DKK 700 enrollment and DKK 8,690 annual tuition including supplementary materials; sibling discounts are mentioned. Budget separately for travel to the undisclosed venue, textbooks and home-study materials. The Aarhus fee was not established in the public information reviewed. A supplementary-school fee is separate from local public-school costs.
Can Tomodachi Japan replace a local school?
Tomodachi Japan is an online Japanese-language school. It is not a recognized full-time Japanese or local school, so families should confirm local enrollment and qualification requirements separately.
What should I ask before applying?
Share the child’s grade, Japanese level, intended address and move date. Ask about vacancies, documents, transport, tuition, additional costs and refund rules.
Primary sources
Use current official guidance: Admissions, fees and availability can change; confirm them directly with the school or public authority.
- Embassy of Japan in Denmark: Education contacts for children
- Copenhagen Japanese Supplementary School: profile and 2026 enrollment
- Copenhagen Japanese Supplementary School: admissions, assessment and 2026 fees
- Copenhagen Japanese Supplementary School: school day and schedule
- Aarhus Japanese Supplementary School: official information and 2026 calendar
- Danish Ministry of Education: Folkeskole
- MEXT: List of accredited overseas educational institutions
- Tomodachi Japan: learning model, pricing and FAQ
- Copenhagen International School: official information
- Tomodachi Japan: Pricing
- Tomodachi Japan: FAQ
