Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School offers an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) with 25 total seats for incoming students, split between 18 Japanese students and 7 international students. Beginning with the admissions cycle for April 2027 enrollment (with primary application steps occurring in late 2026), the school has discontinued its September entrance examination, moving all admissions to the April enrollment cycle. Applicants must verify their eligibility in late 2026 before completing online registration and entrance examinations in January 2027.
What is the Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School IBDP route?
Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School was authorized as an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme school on May 3, 2015. The program is designed for students aiming for global higher education, though graduates are also qualified to apply to universities in Japan.
For each incoming class, the IB course admits a total of 25 students, divided into:
- Japanese Students: 18 seats
- International Students: 7 seats
A major policy update takes effect for the 2027 admissions cycle: the school will no longer offer a September entrance examination. Instead, all applicants must apply under the April enrollment examination schedule.
Who is eligible to apply for the IB course?
Eligibility criteria vary depending on where you currently live, your school type, and your nationality.
Starting from the 2026 entrance examination, students currently attending public or private junior high schools in Tokyo are exempt from eligibility verification. However, if you reside outside Tokyo, you must complete eligibility verification regardless of which school you attend.
Do I need to attend an in-person eligibility verification session in 2026?
If eligibility verification is required for your category, you must attend one of the designated sessions held at the school. Prospective applicants, parents/guardians, or family representatives who understand the requirements may attend. No prior appointment is needed, as processing is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes one hour before the session ends.
The 2026 eligibility verification dates are:
- November 21, 2026: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- December 12, 2026: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Applicants residing overseas who cannot attend in person must contact the school's IB Admission Office by email (`kokusai.ibdp1@gmail.com`) with the subject line "About the Eligibility Verification of IB Course." Responses generally take approximately one week.
What documents do I need to bring for eligibility verification?
When attending the eligibility verification session, bring the following required materials according to the official exam guidelines:
- Proof of Nationality: Official document verifying nationality, such as a passport or *Juuminhyou kisaijikou Shoumeisho* (Certificate of Entries Recorded in Resident Record).
- Academic Records: A copy of your most recent 1-year academic transcript, including an official grading scale. If you transferred schools within the past year, you must also provide academic records from your previous school.
What is the application timeline and examination process?
After completing eligibility verification, applicants follow the online entry and document submission timeline for April 2027 enrollment.
How do online registration and document submission work?
Applications are submitted through an online system, while paper documents must be delivered by registered mail when required:
- Online Entry Period: December 18, 2026 to January 18, 2027 (by 5:00 p.m.)
- Document Submission Period: January 8, 2027 to January 18, 2027
When are the entrance examinations and results announcements?
The testing schedule and enrollment procedures take place on the following dates:
- Examination Dates: January 26, 2027, and January 27, 2027 (Assemble by 8:30 a.m. on both days)
- Results Announcement: February 2, 2027 (Posted on the school website at 8:30 a.m. and on the school bulletin board at 9:30 a.m.)
- Enrollment Procedures: February 2, 2027 (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and February 3, 2027 (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon)
Can students apply to multiple entrance examination routes?
Applicants to the IB course are also permitted to apply for the entrance examinations held for returnee students and foreign students living in Tokyo within the International Studies Course.
However, there is an important restriction: if you pass the IB course examination, you will automatically no longer be considered a successful applicant for the other examinations, even if you decide not to complete enrollment for the IB course.
Additionally, returnee and foreign students living in Tokyo cannot apply to both January and July admissions in the same period because eligibility rules differ:
- January Admissions: For students who completed or will complete a 9-year school education by March of that year.
- July Admissions: For students who will complete a 9-year school education between April and August.
How do tuition costs and English requirements work?
Base tuition fees for the IBDP are identical to standard high school courses at Tokyo Metropolitan Kokusai High School. However, extra expenses apply for textbooks, school events, and special fees required to earn the IB Diploma. According to school FAQs, official financial aid and tuition support details are provided prior to enrollment.
Regarding language proficiency, entrance examinations evaluate candidates using an internal English Language Skill test. Submission of external test scores (such as STEP EIKEN or TOEIC) is not required, and external certificates do not add points to the entrance score. However, the school recommends having English ability equivalent to at least STEP EIKEN Grade 2 or Pre-1 to handle the IB curriculum successfully.
Finding a place to stay
When relocating to Tokyo for high school admissions, families usually arrange housing before arrival or right after receiving entry approvals. Moving into a long-term rental lease right away can be challenging due to local guarantor requirements. Many newcomers stay in a furnished monthly apartment first while completing school registration and settling into the area. OHAYO Stay offers furnished monthly apartments and rooms in Tokyo; most homes have a minimum stay of 30 nights (shown on each listing). Booking is online with a passport or ID and a credit card. Groups, longer stays and students can ask for a quote; a special price is often possible. This provides a convenient housing option while students transition into their new academic environment in Tokyo.