Japanese Schools in Indonesia: Jakarta, Cikarang, Bandung and Surabaya (2026)
This guide helps families distinguish full-time Japanese schools from supplementary programs in Indonesia. Jakarta, industrial Cikarang, Bandung in West Java and Surabaya in East Java are separate commuting areas. Do not treat travel between islands or cities as part of a normal school run. Start with the assignment location and likely home, then check current admissions, transport and fees.
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 Indonesia
Regional fit:This guide helps families distinguish full-time Japanese schools from supplementary programs in Indonesia. Jakarta, industrial Cikarang, Bandung in West Java and Surabaya in East Java are separate commuting areas. Do not treat travel between islands or cities as part of a normal school run. Start with the assignment location and likely home, then check current admissions, transport and fees.
Options in Indonesia include full-time Japanese schools and supplementary programs that meet alongside another weekday school. The Embassy lists schools in Jakarta, Cikarang and Bandung, and MEXT’s list also includes Surabaya. The Jakarta campus is in South Tangerang, Cikarang is in Bekasi Regency and Bandung is in a separate West Java area. Search terms alone do not establish a practical commute.
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 Indonesia, 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 Indonesia
School options:The MEXT and official school listings reviewed for this guide include 3 full-time Japanese school campuses and 1 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.
The Embassy lists schools in Jakarta, Cikarang and Bandung, and MEXT’s list also includes Surabaya. The Jakarta campus is in South Tangerang, Cikarang is in Bekasi Regency and Bandung is in a separate West Java area. Search terms alone do not establish a practical commute.
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.
| School / option | Region | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jakarta Japanese School | Greater Jakarta (South Tangerang) | Full-time Japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) |
| Cikarang Japanese School | Cikarang (Bekasi Regency) | Full-time Japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) |
| Bandung Japanese School | Bandung | Full-time Japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) |
| Surabaya Japanese School | Surabaya | MEXT’s recognized-school list includes a school in Surabaya. The linked site could not be verified as a reliable current school-information page during this review; treat its current status, classes, admissions and contact route as unconfirmed and check with the Consulate-General in Surabaya before making plans. |
4. School profiles and types in Indonesia
School profiles:Jakarta Japanese School is a full-time japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) option to investigate in Greater Jakarta (South Tangerang). The Embassy confirms a MEXT-recognized full-time school in Bintaro Jaya, South Tangerang, Banten. The school’s official site provides admissions requirements, fees, bus guidance and current school-year notices. It is south of central Jakarta, so route, traffic and the family’s housing location should be checked before moving. Confirm current age and grade eligibility, admissions, fees and transport directly with the school.
Cikarang Japanese School is a full-time japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) option to investigate in Cikarang (Bekasi Regency). The Embassy lists the school at Kota Deltamas, Cikarang Pusat, Bekasi Regency. Its current site publishes 2026 fee information, admission forms and school news. Families should compare the campus with the industrial estate, home and employer shuttle route; a Jakarta address is not automatically within the school’s practical daily commute. Confirm current age and grade eligibility, admissions, fees and transport directly with the school.
Bandung Japanese School is a full-time japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) option to investigate in Bandung. The Embassy lists this full-time school in Bandung, and its official site currently posts 2026 school newsletters and admissions materials. The school says Bandung is roughly a three- to four-hour drive from Jakarta, illustrating why it serves a separate local area. Confirm current grades, transfer eligibility, tuition and transport with the operator. Confirm current age and grade eligibility, admissions, fees and transport directly with the school.
Surabaya Japanese School is a mext’s recognized-school list includes a school in surabaya. the linked site could not be verified as a reliable current school-information page during this review option to investigate in Surabaya. 文部科学省の認定施設一覧にはスラバヤ日本人学校が掲載されています。一方、一覧から案内されるサイトは今回の確認で最新の学校案内として信頼できる内容を確認できませんでした。現在の運営状況、学年、募集、連絡先は未確認として、渡航計画前に在スラバヤ総領事館経由で照会してください。 Confirm current age and grade eligibility, admissions, fees and transport directly with the school.
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.
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. Indonesia’s Japanese schools are spread across cities and islands, not one large commuting area. Jakarta’s school is in South Tangerang, Cikarang’s is in Bekasi Regency and Bandung is another West Java city. Their official sites publish 2026 fee information, with possible computer, transport or facility items to compare. Bali has a designated supplementary school, but its current venue and schedule need inquiry. MEXT lists a school in Surabaya, yet the linked page did not provide reliable current school information in this review; verify its status through the Consulate before planning.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bali Japanese Supplementary School | Bali | MOFA’s designated supplementary-school list includes a program in Bali; the current venue, class days, grades, enrollment and fees need direct confirmation. |
| Local and international schools | Across Indonesia | Families may use a weekday Indonesian or international curriculum school; the exact language of instruction, admissions and term calendar depend on the operator. |
MOFA’s designated supplementary-school list includes a program in Bali; the current venue, class days, grades, enrollment and fees need direct confirmation. Official information
Families may use a weekday Indonesian or international curriculum school; the exact language of instruction, admissions and term calendar depend on the operator. Official information
6. Check whether the commute is sustainable
Commute:The Jakarta school is in Bintaro Jaya, South Tangerang; Cikarang is in Kota Deltamas; and Bandung is on Ciumbuleuit Street. Labels such as Greater Jakarta or West Java do not predict travel time: road conditions, peak-hour traffic and bus coverage matter. An employer shuttle may not align with school transport. Ask each school to assess the likely address at school-start time and confirm journey length and delay communication.
Indonesia’s Japanese schools are spread across cities and islands, not one large commuting area. Jakarta’s school is in South Tangerang, Cikarang’s is in Bekasi Regency and Bandung is another West Java city. Their official sites publish 2026 fee information, with possible computer, transport or facility items to compare. Bali has a designated supplementary school, but its current venue and schedule need inquiry. MEXT lists a school in Surabaya, yet the linked page did not provide reliable current school information in this review; verify its status through the Consulate before planning.
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:The Embassy describes the Jakarta, Bandung and Cikarang schools as full-time Japanese schools and links to their official sites, which provide enrollment processes. Grade openings and eligibility still need to be confirmed school by school. MEXT lists a school in Surabaya, but we could not verify reliable current admissions information there; its operating status, eligibility and fees remain unconfirmed. Supplementary-school enrollment is separate from weekday-school enrollment and requires checking class day, Japanese level and parent involvement.
Use each school’s official online application and admissions guide. Prepare the current or planned address, employer location, arrival date, Japanese grade and prior-school records. Compare the applicable year on each 2026 fee schedule and confirm bus route and capacity. Because we could not verify current Surabaya information, confirm its operator and contact route through the consular office before applying. Ask Bali’s supplementary program about its current day, venue and entry rules.
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.
8. Compare tuition and the full annual cost in Indonesia
Total cost:For 2026, Jakarta’s official estimate lists a 15 million IDR entry fee, 4.7 million IDR monthly tuition and 1.28 million IDR monthly maintenance fee for elementary and junior high. PTA was 150,000 IDR per year in 2025; the annual bus estimate is 52,493,000 IDR. Cikarang lists a 15 million IDR entry fee, 4.4 million IDR monthly tuition, 1.23 million IDR monthly facility fee and 350,000 IDR monthly computer fee; its annual lump sum with computer charge is 71.76 million IDR. Confirm grade, midyear and transport charges in current materials. Ask Surabaya and Bali operators for current rates.
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.
9. When local school options do not fit: online Japanese study
Online learning:Families far from a Japanese day school, without a supplementary class on their island, facing an impractical weekend trip, or seeking Japanese-speaking peers alongside a local or international school can compare Tomodachi Japan online. Its official information describes eight-student groups, current Japanese teachers, dialogue and inquiry-oriented lessons, morning meetings and an online social space after class. Around 100 live sessions per month and a December 2026 pilot are pre-opening plans. Check Indonesia-time options, eligibility and fees with the official guide. It is a learning service, not enrollment at a local or Japanese day school.
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:A Japanese school can provide daily study in Japanese aligned with Japan’s curriculum, while families decide how to add Indonesian language and community experiences. If a local or international school is the weekday base, ask about the main teaching language, support in English or Indonesian and subject progression. Where Japanese class hours are limited, plan home reading and writing separately from peer interaction.
Put the weekday school in Indonesia, 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 Indonesia
Combining programs:Indonesian local schools and Japanese-learning programs differ by island and city. Enrollment procedures change depending on whether a family moves to a city with a full-time Japanese school or combines a local curriculum with supplementary lessons. Bali Japanese Supplementary School appears in MOFA’s designation list, but its current venue and frequency need confirmation. Check whether the operator’s information is current; do not treat an old post or social-media notice as the latest admission rule.
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.
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 |
A location-specific comparison: Map the Jakarta, Cikarang or Bandung campus against the employer and industrial site, then estimate the morning trip. Include a delay buffer for rain, school-bus routing and sibling pickup, and ask whether the routine will work throughout the week. MEXT lists Surabaya, but we could not verify reliable current admissions details; keep its status unconfirmed until the Consulate or school provides current information. Families using a local weekday school and Bali supplementary lessons should still verify that the class venue is reachable within their own island area.
Planning after enrollment: Keep the 2026 fee guides and confirm when charges update, which currency is used, any bus fee and tuition refund terms. Once an intercity transfer is planned, ask early how the prior school’s report and grade placement information will be used by the new school. Recheck supplementary-school contact and venue before each school year. At home, balance textbook practice with reading for enjoyment so Japanese study does not compete with local-school homework every day.
13. Preparing before a move to Indonesia
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 Indonesia
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 Indonesia?
This guide identifies 3 full-time Japanese school campuses and 1 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?
For 2026, Jakarta’s official estimate lists a 15 million IDR entry fee, 4.7 million IDR monthly tuition and 1.28 million IDR monthly maintenance fee for elementary and junior high. PTA was 150,000 IDR per year in 2025; the annual bus estimate is 52,493,000 IDR. Cikarang lists a 15 million IDR entry fee, 4.4 million IDR monthly tuition, 1.23 million IDR monthly facility fee and 350,000 IDR monthly computer fee; its annual lump sum with computer charge is 71.76 million IDR. Confirm grade, midyear and transport charges in current materials. Ask Surabaya and Bali operators for current rates.
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.
- MEXT: 認定した在外教育施設の一覧・インドネシア
- Embassy of Japan in Indonesia: 子女教育・日本人学校一覧
- Jakarta Japanese School: 入学案内・2026年度校納金
- Cikarang Japanese School: 入学案内・2026年度校納金
- Bandung Japanese School: 公式サイト・入学案内
- MOFA: 指定した補習授業校一覧・バリ日本語補習授業校
- MOFA: 諸外国の学校情報
- Tomodachi Japan: 学びのしくみ
- Jakarta Japanese School: official information
- Cikarang Japanese School: official information
- Tomodachi Japan: Pricing
- Tomodachi Japan: FAQ
