Comprehensive Guide to Childcare Options in Japan for International Families in 2025

Introduction 

Finding the right childcare option for your child can be challenging, especially when you're living in a country different from where you grew up. Without the support of parents, relatives, or friends who are familiar with the Japanese system, the internet becomes the primary source of information. This article aims to provide comprehensive, practical information specifically for non-Japanese speakers, guiding you through the process of finding suitable childcare in Japan.

This article will answer some of the most commonly asked questions on this topic, including:

• How does the daycare system work in Japan?

• What are the differences between daycares, nurseries, and kindergartens, and what are their age requirements?

• What are the steps to take to find a childcare facility?

• What financial considerations should be made when choosing childcare?

• What are the cultural and practical considerations for daycare in Japan, such as appropriate hours for different ages and additional childcare options?

• What are the typical operating hours and starting times for daycares in Japan?

As a Japanese person in an international marriage, my husband and I faced the complexities of finding the best childcare option. This article was written to share our journey, provide clear answers, and support you in making informed decisions for your family. The resources linked are, to the best of my ability, all from official entities like municipalities and government organizations. To make this content more digestible, "childcare" in this context refers to any private or public service that takes care of children between 0 and 5 years old.

A Complete List of Childcare Options in Japan

Understanding all childcare options is the first challenge that many international families face in Japan. Even in Japanese, there are some small variations according to the organization or entity. On top of this, there are no standardized translations for all childcare options making it even more challenging. The following are the categories of childcare options, categorized at national and prefectural levels:

Reference 

It’s good to keep in mind some of the words used online or in local municipalities may be slightly different from the list above. One clarification is the difference between 保育園 hoikuen vs 保育所 hoikujyo vs 保育施設 hoiku shisetsu.  These words are technically slightly different but in general, they all mean childcare facility.

How to Choose the Best Childcare Option in Japan

With an overview of the various options, the next challenge is figuring out exactly what is the best option to choose. The step-by-step guide is meant to help especially those who feel overwhelmed and are at a loss of where to start. Of course, this isn’t the only way and some steps can be interchanged. The goal of this section is to ease some of the stress and help bring clarity.

Step 1. Figure out when and how often you want to start using the facility.

In Japan, the timing of when to start using a childcare service often depends on the employment situation of the parent who is the main caregiver of the child. If you are an employee taking 育児休業 ikuji kyugyo (育休 ikukyu) or paid parental leave, the timing of when you intend to return to work will be communicated periodically with your workplace. During your leave, someone from HR will be in touch so it’s important to keep them updated about your intentions.

Your child's age can also influence your childcare decisions. In Japan, the scholastic year begins in April so the age class of your child will depend on how old your child is on April 2nd. There are charts that help with understanding which class by birth, like this one by Nerima Ward. You’ll most likely opt for one of the first 4 options in the chart above if you’re a full-time employee. 

Fortunately, there are a handful of great tech companies in Japan that offer parental leave and even subsidies for daycare expenses. 

But if you’re considering childcare that's not directly tied to employment status and your child is under 3, you could consider facilities like Ninkagai (3), Nintei Kodomo en (4). If it’s a service you want to use sometimes, anything from options 8, 9, 10, 12 are fitting.

Step 2. Collect information from local municipality and private facilities

Typically in Japan, the process for looking for, and applying for a childcare facility starts quite early. It’s not so uncommon nowadays to hear pregnant women visiting nursery schools before having babies. This is because some areas are more competitive. Exactly when you want to proactively begin your search really depends on when you want to start using a facility or service but I would suggest to spend at least a month or even more if you wish to visit all the potential facilities.

If you are considering applying for a ninka (1) and ninsh o (2) and some nintei kodomoen (4), their application processes are managed by the local municipality. The application deadline according to when you want to start sending your child is usually written on the municipality website or is available by contacting them directly. Keep in mind because April is a high season for many children entering nursery schools, the application deadline for April is usually 4-5 months earlier.

The local municipality will typically have printed brochures of the various facilities and services, as well as websites that explain everything in detail. For some areas, there are dedicated coordinators that help you choose which type of facility best fits your needs. Here is an example for the Minato Ward.

On the other hand, for details about the services or facilities of options such as ninkagai (3) jigyoshonai hoiku (6) and other unlicensed or privately managed services, the best is to search online and contact them directly. The local municipality will also have some information because it’s required for all facilities to submit a registration. For example, for ninkagai (3), there are annual inspections. The result of these inspections is accessible online. If you are a Tokyo resident, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health(東京福祉局) has a page to search the results of the inspection. Local municipalities will also have their own reports such as this report from the Minato Ward.

A personal side note

The most important step here is to see all options that are available to you. When I first searched for a facility, I had a biased thinking that anything that wasn’t licensed wasn’t ideal so I didn’t even research where they were. Things changed when I decided to come back to work earlier. I couldn’t find any ninka (1) so I was forced to look for other options. In the end, I found a small ninkagai (3) in our neighborhood. When I went to visit, the woman who owned and ran the place, a veteran nursery school teacher of over 30 years, told us upfront why they were not licensed. The building was a residential home and this did not meet the prefectural requirements. “I wanted to create a home-like space that was welcoming for everyone.” I was surprised to hear this. I also saw with her extensive experience as a teacher, she was well-connected to other facilities, medical institutions, and the neighbors of the area.

My experience with this facility was phenomenal. The teachers were all very experienced and looked after each child with great care. When my daughter fell ill for over a month without a clear diagnosis, they proactively helped me find a pediatrician. It would not be an exaggeration to say they had a profound impact on our well-being as a family. We all felt so supported. 

The biggest downside perhaps was in fact, the nature of the facility. After about one year of sending our daughter there, we found out they were closing as the owner of the building had decided to demolish the building. Suffice to say, the experience gave me a new perspective on what I looked for in a childcare facility.

Step 3. Find out where the nearby facilities are and map them out.

 After you’ve gathered information on what facilities are there,  the next step is to place them on the map. There are tools like ここでサーチ managed by the Welfare And Medical Service Agency (WAM NET) that map out all the facilities near your home. However, I still recommend you map them out on an app you usually use. The reason is that you want to see the facilities in relation to the other places you usually access for example, your workplace, the supermarket, the pediatrics clinic, and other essential facilities that you may access frequently.

Check what your commute would be like and calculate how long it would take. I suggest you make several calculations based on variations in the weather to see how this may impact how and how long it would take for you to take your child and later, pick them up. 

Step 4. Make an appointment to go visit the facility  

The Ministry of Health, Welfare says there are 10 rules for how to choose the right childcare facility and 7 of them are about visiting the facility before choosing one. That’s how important it is for you to go to see them and I completely agree. There is a vast difference in what you read online and what you observe when you’re there. Just reading how large a facility is, or what nice play space they have is just not enough. To book an appointment, facilities will generally provide a phone number. If you’re not a fluent Japanese speaker, you may want to get someone to help you out. On the phone, explain you are a local resident who is looking for a facility for your child. They will typically ask you to provide your child’s name, how many months old they are, when you want to start sending your child to childcare, and your contacts. They may ask if you prefer to visit in the morning or in the afternoon. Some recommend visiting in the morning when the children are playing so you can see the environment and teachers in action.

Here are some recommended questions to ask or to keep in mind as you visit a facility:

• How many teachers are there in the class? If the number is different from the printed sources, ask why.

• What is your impression of the facility itself? 

• How are the teachers engaging with the children? 

• How comfortable do you feel speaking with the teachers?

• How are the children? 

• Is there a nurse? What measures do they take when a child gets hurt?

• What happens if a child gets sick? 

• What tools do they use to communicate with the parents or guardians? 

• What measures do you have if a child is allergic to certain food? 

• Are there other multinational families?

• Where do the children go to play? 

(ref 1)(ref 2)(ref 3)

Remember the caretakers are the people who will spend most time with your child day in and day out. It’s crucial that you can nurture a trusting relationship with them too. Especially for someone who is not a native Japanese speaker, how comfortable you feel communicating with them is an essential indicator so I recommend you ask questions and communicate with the people there.

Like many schools in Japan, public childcare facilities may also be old buildings. It’s a good idea to take a close look at how well the building is maintained. I was surprised several times by how clean a facility was despite the building’s age, and a bit shocked when I found some new facilities that weren’t as well organized. 

Step 5. Compare and Decide

Once you’ve visited all options you can discuss and decide together in your family about the best option. There may be some give and take to discuss. For example, how far are you willing to travel to take your child to nursery school? Who will be the one picking them up? Below are some factors to take into consideration:

Distance

If your intention is to send your child on a daily basis, the proximity of the facility to your home is an important factor to consider. It will have a large impact on how you can spend your time while they’re in care. While they are young, you can carry them and take them in the stroller so it may not take as much time. As they start to walk and become bigger, it will probably take more time. If you get a bike, you’d still need to consider what to do on days when it rains. Some facilities do now allow parents to drop their kids off by car so make sure you ask them during your visit. 

Cost of childcare in Japan

If you’re sending your child to a ninka(1), ninsho(2) some nintei kodomoen(4) the cost is based on your household income the previous year. If you’re not sure what it is, some municipalities will have websites that help you figure out what it is, like this page from Machida City. If you are looking at ninkagai(3) and other private facilities, there is usually a fixed price so the best is to ask them directly. In some areas, there are allowances available so check with your local municipality on the requirements.

Language 

If you are a multilingual family, the language that is used in the facility has a direct impact on not only the child but also you as parents and guardians. There are very few online resources in Japanese that talk about how to choose a facility for multilingual families so the best is to do your research in English. Most of the facilities are in Japanese but if you’re looking for something in English, you might consider an international preschool in Japan or English speaking baby-sitters

It’s a good idea to choose not just one but to have a list of places. This is to ensure that even when there aren’t any openings for your first preference you’ll still have other options to look at. 

There are also a few choices for international schools once your child reaches preschool age or above.

Step 6. Apply 

Once you’ve identified your choices, the next is to begin the application process. Each facility or service has different steps to follow and this article will not cover each one. Generally, if you’re sending your child to a facility, after submitting the application documents, there is an evaluation and selection process. For processes managed by the municipality, there is a point system based on various factors such as the parents' employment conditions. Then there is a notification of their results which are usually done by phone or by email. This is followed by an interview and a health check conducted at the facility. Finally, you sign the contract and begin on the agreed date.

Make sure you know exactly when the deadlines are and what documents are needed. Often, they will ask for a 就労証明書 shuro shomeisho or employment certificate which needs to be completed by your workplace. This may take some time so add some buffer time when preparing for application. Many places will also call you to double-check something so keep your phone close during this time.

FAQ

1. How much does it cost to send a child to nursery school? 

For children between 0-2 years old, cost will vary depending on the types of service you choose, where you live, and if you have more than one child or not. Some sources say the average estimate for the monthly cost of licensed nursery schools is about 42,000 JPY while for unlicensed facilities, the cost can be from 40,000-60,000 JPY. For licensed nursery schools, the cost is calculated by the municipality based on the household income from the previous year. For unlicensed facilities, and business-owned facilities, there is a fixed cost but some municipalities provide allowances in some cases. 

 

1. Is childcare free?

Childcare in general is not free in Japan. However, For children aged 3 to 5 years, the cost of yochien (7), hoikuen (1, 2, 3) and nintei kodomo en (4) is free. For children aged 0 to 2 years from households exempt from residential tax, up to 42,000 JPY per month can be covered. For details, please check Children and Families Agency’s website.

 

1. At what age can children start nursery schools?

Children can start nursery schools from as young as 0 years old. Some nurseries accept infants from 4 to 6 months old but this depends on the facility. Other facilities start from 1 year olds.

 

1. What time do daycares open in Japan?

Most facilities that accommodate working parents open between 7:30-9:00 AM. Some municipalities, like Setagaya, will list the exact hours for each registered facility. For some places, there are options to keep the children for longer hours but you will need to specify in your application that you are intending on using the extended hours.

 

1. How long is childcare leave?

If you are a full-time employee 正社員, ikukyu or parental leave is the period requested by the employee until the child reaches one year of age which can be extended until the child reaches 2 years of age. If both parents take the leave, there is a provision called パパ・ママ育休プラス papa mama ikukyu plus which allows the leave to be until 14 months of age.

Conclusion

Navigating the childcare system in Japan as an international family can be a daunting process. Japan offers a variety of childcare options tailored to different needs, from licensed and unlicensed facilities to specialized services like home-visit daycare and support for sick children. Understanding the characteristics of each of these options and knowing what to look for in a facility will help you make informed decisions for your child's care and support.

The key steps in deciding which facility or service to utilize include researching and collecting information, checking their location, visiting the facilities, and after deciding, to actually apply. Especially in an international family where factors like language may vary, discussing with your partner and guardians is a vital step.

Choosing the best childcare facility or service is about finding an option that matches your family’s unique needs. Thorough research, consideration, and evaluation will help you take the best steps forward in providing a support system for the whole family—not just for your child but for you too.