Japanese Schools in Taiwan: Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Supplementary Programs (2026)
When searching for Japanese schools in Taiwan, compare three separate regions: Taipei in the north, Taichung in central Taiwan and Kaohsiung in the south. Each has a MEXT-recognized full-time Japanese school, while Taipei and Hsinchu also have supplementary programs. Admission, yearly cost, bus service and grade range differ by operator, so start with the likely home and workplace.
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 Taiwan
Regional fit:When searching for Japanese schools in Taiwan, compare three separate regions: Taipei in the north, Taichung in central Taiwan and Kaohsiung in the south. Each has a MEXT-recognized full-time Japanese school, while Taipei and Hsinchu also have supplementary programs. Admission, yearly cost, bus service and grade range differ by operator, so start with the likely home and workplace.
Options in Taiwan include full-time Japanese schools and supplementary programs that meet alongside another weekday school. Taipei’s school describes its service area as Taipei and nearby communities; Taichung’s campus is in Daya District; Kaohsiung serves southern Taiwan. High-speed rail between the cities does not make them one daily school commute. Supplementary programs in Taipei and Hsinchu are separate venues in the north.
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 Taiwan, 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 Taiwan
School options:The MEXT and official school listings reviewed for this guide include 3 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.
Taipei’s school describes its service area as Taipei and nearby communities; Taichung’s campus is in Daya District; Kaohsiung serves southern Taiwan. High-speed rail between the cities does not make them one daily school commute. Supplementary programs in Taipei and Hsinchu are separate venues in the north.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei Japanese School | Taipei | Full-time Japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) |
| Taichung Japanese School | Taichung | Full-time Japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) |
| Kaohsiung Japanese School | Kaohsiung | Full-time Japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) |
4. School profiles and types in Taiwan
School profiles:Taipei Japanese School is a full-time japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) option to investigate in Taipei. The school publishes 2026 admission and transfer rules. For new Grade 1, eligibility includes Japanese nationality in principle, guardian co-residence and Japanese Association membership; exceptional cases require school approval. The current transfer guide lists 2026 entry charges and monthly tuition/facility fees. Check bus eligibility for the exact address. Confirm current age and grade eligibility, admissions, fees and transport directly with the school.
Taichung Japanese School is a full-time japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) option to investigate in Taichung. The school is at 33 Pinghe South Road, Daya District, Taichung, and publishes enrollment forms, supplies lists and a bus application form. A 2025 fee handout should not be assumed to be current for 2026; ask for a new estimate and route information. Confirm current age and grade eligibility, admissions, fees and transport directly with the school.
Kaohsiung Japanese School is a full-time japanese school (elementary and lower secondary) option to investigate in Kaohsiung. The school serves Japanese children in southern Taiwan centered on Kaohsiung and is registered as a private school with Taiwan’s education authorities. Its 2026 admissions page sets eligibility and directs families to the school rules; current fee amounts should be confirmed from the latest handout. 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. Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are in northern, central and southern Taiwan. Taipei publishes 2026 tuition and transfer guidance; Taichung provides admission and bus forms; Kaohsiung describes its southern service area. Taipei and Hsinchu supplementary programs are separate weekend options, not campuses of a weekday school. A fast train does not by itself make a weekly school run sustainable, so compare the family’s actual local area.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei Japanese Supplementary School | Taipei | The 2026 page lists preschool and Grades 1–5 openings; other grades may inquire. It is a supplementary program, not a weekday Japanese school. Confirm days, fees, class capacity and enrollment requirements. |
| Hsinchu Japanese Supplementary School | Hsinchu | Included in MOFA’s designated supplementary-school list. The current timetable, venue, age range and fees were not established from the directory alone; contact the operator. |
| Local and international schools in Taiwan | Across Taiwan | Weekday enrollment options follow Taiwan’s local or international-school systems; admission, language of instruction and records vary by school. |
The 2026 page lists preschool and Grades 1–5 openings; other grades may inquire. It is a supplementary program, not a weekday Japanese school. Confirm days, fees, class capacity and enrollment requirements. Official information
Included in MOFA’s designated supplementary-school list. The current timetable, venue, age range and fees were not established from the directory alone; contact the operator. Official information
Weekday enrollment options follow Taiwan’s local or international-school systems; admission, language of instruction and records vary by school. Official information
Compare the role of each option: A full-time school fits families seeking daily Japanese elementary and middle-school study; a supplementary program fits families combining another weekday school with Japanese learning. A local Taiwanese school offers a Chinese-medium community setting, while Japanese subject study needs separate time. Taipei Japanese Supplementary School publishes its 2026 grades, but it does not provide the same enrollment status or daily hours as a full-time school. Share the child’s age, current literacy and family goals when asking about class fit.
6. Check whether the commute is sustainable
Commute:Taipei publishes a separate process for new bus riders; Taichung offers a bus application form; Kaohsiung serves families centered on southern Taiwan. Bus eligibility may depend on address and grade. Ask for stops, ride time, fees and the process after a midyear move. For Saturday programs in Taipei or Hsinchu, map the round trip alongside weekday homework and rest.
Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are in northern, central and southern Taiwan. Taipei publishes 2026 tuition and transfer guidance; Taichung provides admission and bus forms; Kaohsiung describes its southern service area. Taipei and Hsinchu supplementary programs are separate weekend options, not campuses of a weekday school. A fast train does not by itself make a weekly school run sustainable, so compare the family’s actual local area.
Route planning: Taipei has a separate process for new bus riders, and Taichung provides a bus application. Check the pickup time, adult travel to the stop and handover after school, not only the direct driving distance. Kaohsiung serves southern Taiwan but that does not mean every county has a route. Put weekday and weekend schools on one calendar and protect rest time around homework, sports days and exams.
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:Taipei’s 2026 transfer guide explains eligibility, online application, Japanese Association membership and entry charges. Taichung publishes enrollment forms and treats trial attendance as a separate process. Kaohsiung’s rules describe the service area, Japanese readiness and ability to pay fees. Supplementary schools use different grade groupings and language expectations. Give each operator the child’s age, weekday school, Japanese literacy and intended start month.
Confirm each school’s eligibility and whether Japanese Association membership, guardian co-residence or prior consultation about support needs is required. Taipei says its 2027 Grade 1 intake guide is expected around November 2026. Taichung’s trial attendance is not a transfer. Supplementary programs use separate age ranges and calendars, so confirm current intake directly.
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 Taiwan
Total cost:Taipei’s 2026 transfer guide lists per-student entry charges of TWD 40,000 admission and TWD 60,000 facilities, plus monthly tuition of TWD 7,500 for elementary or TWD 7,600 for middle school and a TWD 2,700 monthly facility fee. The Taichung figures located are marked 2025 and need a current quote. Do not reuse older Kaohsiung charges; request a 2026 estimate. Compare yearly totals including bus, PTA, uniform and materials.
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.
Turn estimates into a family budget: Taipei lists admission and facility charges per student and tuition and facility use monthly. For siblings, ask whether per-student items are charged for each child. Taichung’s 2025 handout separates tuition, facility use and bus, but request updated rates instead of assuming they are unchanged. For a supplementary program, compare not only tuition but also weekend transport and the time needed for materials and home study.
9. When local school options do not fit: online Japanese study
Online learning:If no Japanese day school is near the family’s city, a supplementary venue is too far, or the child wants more opportunities to speak and present in Japanese alongside local enrollment, compare Tomodachi Japan online. Its materials describe eight-student groups, current Japanese teachers, dialogue and inquiry lessons, morning meetings and an after-class online community. Around 100 sessions a month and a December 2026 pilot remain pre-opening plans. Confirm Taiwan-time slots, fees and eligibility. It is not a weekday enrollment 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:Japanese schools in Taiwan provide elementary and middle grades on a Japanese curriculum. Families choosing a local school should confirm instruction language, calendar, entry age and documents, then decide where Japanese literacy will be maintained. A supplementary program has limited weekend hours, so discuss whether its focus is conversation, textbooks, kanji or writing.
Put the weekday school in Taiwan, 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 Taiwan
Combining programs:The three full-time Japanese schools are separated by region, and the supplementary programs listed here are concentrated in northern Taiwan. A family in the south should not plan a weekly cross-island trip based on a school’s national label. Choose the weekday enrollment first, then build a language plan that can be sustained with local classes, home reading or online learning.
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 |
Check this region first: Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are in northern, central and southern Taiwan. Taipei publishes 2026 tuition and transfer guidance; Taichung provides admission and bus forms; Kaohsiung describes its southern service area. Taipei and Hsinchu supplementary programs are separate weekend options, not campuses of a weekday school. A fast train does not by itself make a weekly school run sustainable, so compare the family’s actual local area. Put the likely home and campus on one map and ask the school to review the morning route.
13. Preparing before a move to Taiwan
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.
Plan for transfers and grade progression: Confirm each school’s eligibility and whether Japanese Association membership, guardian co-residence or prior consultation about support needs is required. Taipei says its 2027 Grade 1 intake guide is expected around November 2026. Taichung’s trial attendance is not a transfer. Supplementary programs use separate age ranges and calendars, so confirm current intake directly. Before choosing a pathway, ask which enrollment, progress and health records the school can issue.
Regional fees and admissions: Separate entry charges from recurring monthly costs. Taipei’s 2026 guide lists TWD 40,000 admission and TWD 60,000 facilities at entry, plus monthly tuition and a facility fee. The Taichung schedule located is marked 2025, so request an updated figure instead of treating it as equivalent. Bus users should include the trip from home to the stop. Taipei Japanese Supplementary School publishes 2026 recruitment through preschool and Grade 5; ask about other grades.
14. Frequently asked questions about Japanese schools in Taiwan
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 Taiwan?
This guide identifies 3 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?
Taipei’s 2026 transfer guide lists per-student entry charges of TWD 40,000 admission and TWD 60,000 facilities, plus monthly tuition of TWD 7,500 for elementary or TWD 7,600 for middle school and a TWD 2,700 monthly facility fee. The Taichung figures located are marked 2025 and need a current quote. Do not reuse older Kaohsiung charges; request a 2026 estimate. Compare yearly totals including bus, PTA, uniform and materials.
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: 認定在外教育施設一覧
- 日本台湾交流協会：台湾の日本人学校案内
- Taipei Japanese School: 2026年度編入学案内・費用
- Taichung Japanese School: 入学・編入案内
- Taichung Japanese School: 2025年度納入金資料（現行額は要照会）
- Kaohsiung Japanese School: 入学案内・2026年度規則
- Taipei Japanese Supplementary School: 2026年度募集
- MOFA: 指定補習授業校一覧
- 台湾教育部：国際居住者向け学校リスト
- Tomodachi Japan: Pricing
- Tomodachi Japan: FAQ
