Jinseki International School, founded in 2020, is a pioneering nature-based international school located in the rural highlands of Jinsekikogen in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The school was established with a visionary mission to provide an education that reconnects children with nature while developing the academic skills, creativity, and resilience they need to thrive in the modern world. Set within a stunning natural landscape of forests, rivers, and mountains, Jinseki offers a bilingual education in English and Japanese, teaching the Japanese national curriculum integrated with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). It is an Article 1 school under Japan's School Education Act, and the country's first full-boarding elementary school. The school's curriculum is deeply integrated with the natural environment, using the surrounding landscape as a living classroom for science, environmental studies, arts, and personal development. Teaching at Jinseki is inquiry-based and experiential, with small class sizes and dedicated educators who encourage children to explore, question, and discover. The campus includes purpose-built classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, science and art studios, and facilities for a range of sports and physical activities. Outdoor education is at the heart of the Jinseki experience, with students spending significant time each week engaged in activities such as forest exploration, river study, organic gardening, animal care, and seasonal outdoor projects. The arts are valued, with programs in music, visual arts, and drama that draw on both Japanese and international traditions. Sport and physical activity are promoted as essential elements of a healthy and balanced education. The school's boarding program provides a supportive and nurturing environment for students living away from home, with staff who are dedicated to creating a warm, family-like community. Pastoral care is comprehensive, with a focus on social-emotional learning and the development of each child's character and confidence. The school's small size means that every student is known and valued as an individual. Jinseki's location in the Hiroshima highlands provides a safe, peaceful, and inspiring setting for education, far from the distractions of urban life. For families seeking an innovative, nature-centered international education in Japan, Jinseki International School is a truly unique and inspiring choice.
Key Highlights
- Pioneering nature-based school in the Hiroshima highlands
- Bilingual education in English and Japanese
- Japanese national curriculum integrated with the IPC
- Extensive outdoor education using forests and rivers
- Small, intimate community with personalized attention
Programs
Areas of Focus
Accreditations
Admissions
There is no deadline, which is the trap. Assessment runs all year and transfers are taken whenever a year group has room — but each year is capped at twenty-four and the new Grade 1 intake is twelve places.
Registration deadline
None published. Assessment is held on a rolling basis; the school recommends attending its summer camp in the K3 year before entering Grade 1 the following April.
In person or online
An individual online briefing is the school's own first step, so a family abroad can begin without travelling. The school visit and the assessment take place at the school. A two-night taster stay is offered.
Fees
- Registration fee
- ¥50,000
- Acceptance fee
- ¥500,000, plus a ¥1,000,000 deposit
- Tuition
- About ¥7.56m a year, including tuition, boarding and facilities
Tests and benchmarks
Individual assessment
English for transfer entry
Outcomes
Contact
This school has not published direct contact details in the guide. Use the school website for admissions enquiries.