When deciding where to live, there are some key factors to consider such as the surrounding environment, good access to work and school, and distance from the station. If your child wants to attend a public elementary school or junior high school in Japan, you need to live within the designated area where you can attend the school of your choice. Therefore, in this article, we will explain the "school district" that is useful to know when deciding on the area to live in.

What is School District?

A school district is a system in which the board of education of each municipality designates a public school that can be attended according to where you live. In consideration of children's safety, elementary schools are often designated within walking distance, while junior high schools are often designated for short bicycle-riding distance.

In Japan, there are "public schools" established by the local governments, "national schools" established by the national government, and "private schools" established by the private sector.

There are no school districts for national or private elementary schools, but many schools have designated areas within which students can commute to school.

How to Find School District

The information is posted on each municipality's website. Although there are other websites that allow you to check school districts nationwide, we recommend that you check directly with your local government's website, as updates and changes made by local governments may not always be reflected on such other websites.

Can Your Child Go to a School Outside the School District?

In some regions, there is a "school choice system" that allows students to choose their school. However, not all regions have this system. In addition, there may be restrictions on schools that can be attended, such as in the case where “only schools in the areas adjacent to the school district may be selected”.

Summary

We think it is very important for you to choose a house that is within the school district and commutable area so that your child can have an enjoyable school experience and have as little burden as possible in going to and from school.
What kind of house, which is built in what kind of place, will you live in? There are many things to consider when searching for a house, and many people may be confused.

Our website Japan Living Guide contains a variety of useful information for house-hunting, as well as useful local information. If you need any assistance in finding a place to live, please feel free to contact us. Our experienced agents will help you find a great place to live.