Part of our Living in Tokyo with Kids guide. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Tokyo has a reputation as one of the world’s most expensive cities, and parents moving here often brace for huge childcare and school bills. The reality is more nuanced. Thanks to free licensed daycare, free children’s medical care and regular cash benefits, some of the biggest costs in other countries are close to zero in Tokyo. But international schooling and housing can push a family budget the other way. This guide breaks down the real costs, category by category.
Figures are indicative ranges for planning. Your costs will depend on your ward, your choices and your employer’s benefits.
The single biggest decision: Japanese or international education
Almost everything else is secondary to this. A child in Japanese daycare and public school costs a fraction of a child in international preschool and school — potentially a difference of millions of yen a year, per child. Decide this early, and check what your employer covers.
Childcare (ages 0–5)
- Licensed daycare (hoikuen): the base fee is free for ages 3–5 nationwide and, in Tokyo, for ages 0–2 too. You’ll still pay for some meals, supplies and extended hours. See how to apply.
- Kindergarten (yochien): tuition is covered up to a monthly cap for ages 3–5; entrance fees, uniforms, lunches, transport and after-care add up.
- International preschool: typically charged privately, often in the range of 1 to 3 million yen a year, with partial subsidy possible for ages 3–5 if you’re certified as needing care.
- Babysitters: private sitters commonly charge a few thousand yen an hour. Tokyo-backed subsidies for babysitting by approved providers can cover up to 2,500 yen an hour for daytime care in participating wards — check your ward.
School (ages 6–18)
- Japanese public school: tuition and textbooks are free, and Tokyo’s wards have moved to free school lunches. Expect one-off costs for a school bag and equipment, and modest ongoing costs for materials, trips and the PTA. See enrolling in a Japanese public school.
- After-school club (gakudō): ward-run clubs typically charge a modest monthly fee; private after-school programs cost considerably more.
- International school: tuition at the larger schools is roughly 2 to 4.5 million yen a year, plus enrollment, capital or building fees, buses, lunches and trips. See our international schools guide.
Healthcare
- Medical care: in Tokyo’s 23 wards, the child medical subsidy covers co-payments for insured care until the March after age 18, so doctor visits and prescriptions are typically free or close to it. See our health insurance guide.
- Routine vaccinations and infant checkups: free through the ward.
- Optional vaccines such as flu: often subsidised by the ward. See flu shots for kids.
- Dental: insured dental care is covered by the subsidy; orthodontics and some treatments aren’t.
- Childbirth: largely offset by the 500,000 yen lump-sum allowance, though Tokyo hospitals often cost more. See giving birth in Tokyo.
Housing: the hidden cost of children
For many families, the biggest child-related cost isn’t childcare — it’s the extra bedroom. Family-sized apartments in popular central wards carry a significant premium, and moving to a larger home or a less central ward is the most common way families manage the cost. See our neighborhoods comparison.
Everyday costs
- Diapers, formula and baby food: widely available at drugstores and supermarkets; imported brands cost more.
- Clothes and gear: second-hand markets, local swap groups and international community sales are popular and good value.
- Activities: swimming, music, sport and language classes typically run several thousand to over 10,000 yen per month per activity.
- Travel home: often a major annual cost for international families, especially in peak seasons.
What you get back: regular support
- Child allowance (jidō teate): 15,000 yen a month under age 3; 10,000 yen a month from 3 to high school age; 30,000 yen for third and later children.
- Tokyo 018 Support: 5,000 yen a month per child aged 0–18.
- Pregnancy and newborn support: national pregnancy support payments and Tokyo’s newborn gift program.
See our child benefits guide for how to apply.
Two example budgets
Illustrative only, for one child aged 4, excluding housing.
Family A: Japanese daycare route
- Licensed daycare base fee: free
- Meals, supplies and extended hours: modest monthly costs
- Medical care: largely free
- One weekly activity: several thousand yen a month
- Minus child allowance and 018 Support: 15,000 yen a month back
Net direct cost: low — in many cases the benefits cover most of the day-to-day costs.
Family B: international preschool route
- International preschool: often 1–3 million yen a year, partly subsidised if eligible
- Uniform, lunches, transport: extra
- Medical care: largely free
- Activities: as above
- Minus child allowance and 018 Support: 15,000 yen a month back
Net direct cost: high — and rising further when the child moves to international school.
FAQ
Is Tokyo cheaper than London, New York or Sydney for families?
For families using Japanese daycare and public schools, often yes — childcare and healthcare are far cheaper than in many big Western cities. For families using international schools, total costs can be comparable or higher.
Do employers usually cover school fees?
Some expatriate packages do; local contracts often don’t. Clarify this before you accept a role or choose a school.
Sources and official information
- Children and Families Agency — Child allowance (Japanese)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government — 018 Support (English)
- Nerima City — Babysitter use subsidy (Japanese PDF)
- Inagi City — Free childcare benefits (English)
Costs vary widely by family and ward. See our editorial policy.
Featured image: Kamezuka Koen cherry blossoms over playground by Drdann, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
