Nishimachi International School

Founded in 1949, Nishimachi is known for its innovative international educational excellence in Japan for 75 years. The language of instruction is English and all students study Japanese language and culture daily. Working with a dedicated faculty and staff, students benefit from the school's rigorous curriculum, close-knit community and interactions with the vibrant local culture. Students leave Nishimachi thoroughly prepared to continue their education in first-class learning institutions around the world. As part of a community of learners, students are guided to take personal ownership of their learning, to make meaningful connections with others, to pursue challenges and persevere, to act ethically and respectfully, and to use multiple processes to think, innovate and reflect. Nishimachi learners are empowered to know, care and take action to bring value to others and make a positive impact in their world. The school is committed to educating students of all nationalities to be international and independent thinkers. Nishimachi's educational philosophy is grounded in a spirit of internationalism and humanism that allows children to learn in a supportive caring environment.

With over 480 students, representing 43 countries, Nishimachi prides itself on welcoming students from all over the world. Nishimachi faculty and staff are highly qualified and experienced educators from the U.S., U.K., Australia and 15 other countries. Our teachers come to Nishimachi with an average of eight years of experience and remain at Nishimachi on average for eight years. All teaching faculty maintain a teaching certificate/credential, with approximately 61% having advanced degrees. Nishimachi's strong commitment to Japanese language instruction includes 22% of our faculty who are native speakers of Japanese and teach our many levels of Japanese classes, from beginners to advanced. We believe that learning another language improves childrens’ cognitive functions, boosts their confidence, provides them the opportunity to grow beyond a single culture, and opens the door to more opportunities in the future. Though Nishimachi is not a bilingual school, our strong Japanese program supports families who have set a language goal for their children to be multilingual. Our students are enthusiastic about learning the language, as well as gaining a deep understanding of the customs and culture.

Nishimachi's central location, close-knit community and strong connection to Japanese language and culture sets it apart from other international schools in Japan. Nishimachi’s curriculum is structured to ensure that students receive a rigorous education, relevant to their context and to their experiences in a global community. The academic environment at Nishimachi is both rigorous and nurturing, promoting independence and resourcefulness while espousing tolerance, understanding, and respect for self and others. Teachers care about the overall well-being of each child, and they strive to create an environment in which students can foster strong relationships with one another and with their teachers. As students learn how to be part of a group, developing necessary interpersonal skills in the context of the classroom, they also learn about themselves as learners.