Education

Entrance to a Municipal Kindergarten
There are nine municipal kindergartens in the city, all of which offer two-year programs for children. Applications for entrance are accepted every year around November. If there are vacancies, applications are accepted during the fiscal year as well. For mid-year entrance, please apply to the kindergarten of your choice. When you apply, you will need a copy of the child’s resident card (for foreign residents, a certified copy of the Foreign Resident Registration. Admission is authorized if, after an interview at the kindergarten (parent and child) and a health checkup by the kindergarten doctor, it is determined that there will be no problems for the child to participate in the group children’s program.
Inquiries: Entrance Consultation Subsection, Nursery Section, Tel: 5742-6725

Elementary and Junior High School
Compulsory education in Japan includes six years of elementary school (six to 12 years of age) and three years of junior high school (12 to 15 years of age) for a total of nine years. In addition, there are three years of high school and four years of university, for a six-three-three-four-year system of education. All schools begin the academic year in April.
Although foreign residents are not obliged to attend school, parents may enroll or transfer their children into a municipal elementary or junior high school if they are of age. Please contact the number below if you would like to enroll your child in a municipal school.
Inquiries: School Administration Subsection, School Affairs Section, Tel: 5742-6828

Children’s Centers
Children’s centers are facilities with the goal of promoting the healthy development of children, and anyone is welcome to use them.
There are 25 children’s centers in the city which hold various programs and events to share fun with children in the local neighborhoods.
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Inquiries: Home Child-Raising Support Subsection, Child-Raising Support Section
Tel: 5742-6720

Smile School
There are Smile Schools in public elementary schools in the city and children are able to study and play after school if they register.