Visit 12 Tokai Area Schools in One Place
Comparing international schools in Nagoya usually means separate campus visits, scattered information, and trying to decode different curriculum approaches on your own.
On February 23, that process gets simpler. The Tokai International School Association is bringing 12 schools together at Station Ai for a four-hour fair where families can talk to staff, sit in on panels, and figure out what questions they actually need to ask.
This is one of the first large-scale international school fairs in the Tokai region, and participating schools range from preschool through high school. All are TISA members, an association that connects international schools across the region.
The event takes place on Monday, February 23 (National Holiday), from 11:00 to 15:00. Admission is free with advance registration requested, though registration is also available at the event.
What to Expect
Each school will have a booth staffed by people who can answer questions directly. The program includes guest speakers, school presentations, and panels with parents whose kids are currently enrolled. There are also sessions on bilingualism and early English education.
The theme is "What is International Education?" but the practical value is more straightforward - you can compare schools side by side in a single afternoon instead of coordinating multiple visits across different weeks.
TISA formed in 2019 to help schools share resources and maintain education standards across the region. This fair is their first public-facing event at this scale.
Why Attend?
School fairs are particularly useful when you're navigating education decisions in a second country, or when you're a dual-culture family trying to balance language development, cultural identity, and practical realities like commute and cost.
Normally, comparing international schools means separate campus visits across different parts of the city and surrounding areas, coordinating schedules with admissions offices, and trying to keep track of which school said what about their approach. This event condenses that process into one afternoon in one location.
For families early in the decision process, the fair saves weeks of logistics and makes it easier to narrow down which schools are worth deeper investigation. Hearing multiple schools explain their approach in the same setting makes differences more visible. The event includes panels with parents whose kids are currently enrolled - they can offer perspectives that school websites alone can't provide.
Questions to Ask
The most useful questions are the practical ones that affect daily life and long-term planning.
Ask how English literacy develops for students starting as beginners. Ask what Japanese language instruction looks like and how it's balanced with English. Ask about the teaching staff - their backgrounds, training, what makes the program distinct.
For families with younger children, ask where students typically go after they complete the program. Some schools cover preschool through elementary, others extend through high school. Understanding the pathway helps you plan ahead.
Ask about university outcomes for schools with graduating classes - where students end up, whether that's Japanese universities, programs abroad, or international schools overseas. If you're considering the IB program, ask how it works in practice and whether it matches your child's learning style.
Ask about support systems. What happens when a child needs learning support or counseling? How are school meals handled - are they provided, what's the school's approach to nutrition and healthy minds?
Ask about costs beyond tuition and whether the location works with your commute.
Broad philosophy questions have their place, but specific answers about day-to-day operations tell you which school fits your particular situation.
Participating Schools
All TISA member schools are participating.
Programs range from preschool through high school across the Tokai region.
Discovery International School
Hisaya International Preschool
Kakuozan International Preschool
Kouzouji Kids Garden Preschool
Maple Leaf International School
No Borders International School
The Details
Tokai International School Fair
Venue:
Station Ai
1F Event Space
1-2-32 Tsurumai
Showa-ku, Nagoya
Venue Website
Date:
Feb, 23, 2026
(Monday/National Holiday)
Times:
11:00–15:00
Price:
Admission is free.
Registration
Register in advance with Peatix online
On-site registration also available
TISA Website
Getting There
By JR (from Nagoya Station)
From Nagoya Station, take the JR Chuo Line (local) toward Tajimi.
Nagoya → Kanayama → Tsurumai Station
Tsurumai Station is two stops from Nagoya Station.
From JR Tsurumai Station, it is a 6-minute walk to STATION Ai.
By Subway
Take the Tsurumai Line to Tsurumai Station (T10).
From Tsurumai Station, STATION Ai is approximately a 6-minute walk.
By Car or Bicycle
Please use STATION Ai’s hourly parking lot or bicycle parking lot.
Charges apply.
Nagoya Subway Map
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