Admissions
Who is Hakuba International School for?
We welcome students from around the world to our school in the beautiful Hakuba Valley in the Japanese Alps. We look for families who share values like these:
A belief that school should prioritize students’ well-being, and teach the social and emotional skills to become aware, kind, and wise adults
A thirst for deeper learning experiences, beyond traditional memorization-based classes, instead looking to solve real-world, complex problems
A love of nature, and the belief that through time in and study of nature, we gain insights for our lives and the skills to take care of our planet
Key Details
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For the 2026-27 school year, we are admitting students in grades 7 through 12. We will also have our inaugural graduation class in 2027.
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The core language of instruction at HIS is English. While incoming students do not need to be fluent in English, they should have sufficient readiness to participate in complex class discussions conducted entirely in English. For more details, please see the English Proficiency section below.
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Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis throughout the year. New students typically join HIS at the start of the school year in late August, however we allow limited numbers of students to join mid-year.
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HIS operates on an academic year from late August through June. Please see our school calendar for current dates. See the 2026-27 Academic Calendar Here.
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Click here for our Admissions Events page to learn more and register.
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Click here to access the inquiry form. We’ll respond with more information, and you’ll be able to see the next application steps, which include the application, transcripts and recommendations, and a Zoom-based interview.
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We host events in Hakuba for families to get to know our learning approach first-hand. Email Director of Admissions David Kenney, at david.kenney@hakuba-is.jp, to schedule a tour.
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We welcome questions big or small about our school and the admissions process. Contact David Kenney, Director of Admissions, at david.kenney@hakuba-is.jp with messages in English.
How do I learn more or apply?
Here are some options to get to know our school better, or to begin the application process when ready:
More details on English proficiency
English is the academic language of Hakuba International School, and the one language all our students share. Students use it to take part in challenging class discussions, live together in community, and make sense of the world around them in a multicultural setting.
We don't require standardized English test scores for admission. Instead, we get to know each applicant through conversations, live writing samples, and their school transcripts to make sure they have the English they need to thrive here. The levels below give families a general idea of what that looks like.
Expectations for Grade 7 Entrance: Eiken Pre-2 and above | TOEFL Jr 630 and above | CEFR A2 and above | Cambridge 120 and above
Expectations for Grade 8 Entrance: Eiken 2 and above | TOEFL Jr 740 and above | CEFR B1 and above | Cambridge 140 and above
Expectations for Grades 9-12 : Eiken Pre-1 and above | TOEFL Jr 860 and above | CEFR B2 and above | Cambridge 160 and above
Tuition & Fees
2026-2027 School Year
*We cannot receive payments from corporate accounts.
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JPY 25,000 (non-refundable)
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JPY 500,000 if overseas, JPY 300,000 if domestic (in either case, this is a one time, non-refundable fee)
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Middle School Tuition: JPY 3,930,000
High School Tuition: JPY 4,450,000
Boarding Fee: JPY 2,150,000
Maintenance & Equipment Fee: JPY 530,000 for boarding students, JPY 420,000 for day students
Fees are non-refundable
