Nishimachi International School

Head of School's Welcome

Karen O'Neill, Head of School

Hello and welcome to Nishimachi. Tané Matsukata founded the school in 1949 and her legacy continues today within a strong academic, activity based learning program.

Nishimachi is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and by the Council of International Schools (CIS), which attests to our high academic standards and to the quality of the overall program and services offered. We are committed to school improvement and use the accreditation process to drive our strategic plan.

We are very fortunate to employ a well-qualified, enthusiastic, energetic faculty and staff who work industriously to provide excellent care and high quality learning opportunities for students both inside and outside of the classroom.

The school’s reputation is internationally well known and is firmly established. We offer a vibrant education, which has been carefully developed based on our unique history, English-Japanese language programs, and multicultural approaches to learning.

Nishimachi traditionally benefits from the committed and dedicated support of parents and alumni. This greatly enhances community life and defines the character of the school. Each year we receive many applications from both expatriate and local families who express a very positive interest and commitment in having their children experience a Nishimachi education.

Nishimachi students are sought after and excel in their high school and university destinations.

Nishimachi is...

• Academically rigorous.
• A Pioneer... in English and Japanese language education in Japan.
• Multicultural... with a student body of some 470 children representing some thirty countries.
• Small and intimate... which enables us to promote the optimal well-being and growth of each individual.
• Co-educational and non-sectarian... Kindergarten through Grade 9.
• Accredited... by WASC (Western Association of Schools Committee), CIS (Council of International Schools), and recognized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
• Conveniently located... in a residential area of central Tokyo favored by the diplomatic and expatriate communities.

Locations and Facilities

The main campus is located in Moto Azabu area of Minato-ku, Tokyo, one of the most popular areas for foreign residents for its convenience to parks, multinational corporate headquarters, and many embassies. It comprises six buildings: the Matsukata House, the Ushiba Memorial gymnasium/auditorium, the kindergarten building in the nearby Moto Azabu Hills complex, the primary building housing grades 1-2, the upper elementary and middle school building housing grades 3-9, and the Yashiro Media Center. Matsukata House was the original family residence of Nishimachi's founder, Tané Matsukata, and now serves as the school's main administrative building. The Yashiro Media Center, built in 2008, housed in its own three-floor building, contains about 14,000 items in both English and Japanese.

Nishimachi's outdoor education center, Camp Rioichiro Arai "Kazuno," is in Gunma Prefecture, 150 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, where students in grades 4 through 8 spend overnight field trips each year. The site is comprised of three buildings; main building, refurbished Japanese country house, and old kura warehouse with modern conveniences.

Other facilities:

• Science lab
• Music Room
• Art rooms
• Internet access campus-wide
• Middle School Common Room
• Multi-purpose area
• 3 Roof-top playground spaces
• Ground level play and meeting area