L I V I N G
Daycare and Kindergarten in Tokyo for Foreign Families
The difference between hoikuen and yochien, how the points system works, what documents foreign families need, and how Tokyo's free childcare policy covers your costs.
Hoikuen, Yochien, and Nintei Kodomoen: What’s the Difference?
Tokyo has three main types of childcare facilities.
| Hoikuen (認可保育所) | Yochien (幼稚園) | Nintei Kodomoen (認定こども園) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 0 to school age | 3 to school age | 0 to school age |
| Hours | Around 7am–6pm (extended care varies by facility) | Around 9am–2pm (some offer extended care until ~6pm) | Depends on enrollment type |
| Parent employment | Required (“childcare necessity” certification) | Not required | Depends on enrollment type |
| Supervised by | Children and Families Agency | Ministry of Education | Children and Families Agency |
| Meals | Provided (required by regulation) | Varies (many require a packed lunch) | Provided |
| Apply to | Ward office | Each facility directly | Depends on enrollment type |
Hoikuen (認可保育所 — licensed daycare centers) are designed for working families. Yochien (幼稚園 — kindergartens) focus on early education and are open to any family regardless of employment. Nintei kodomoen (認定こども園) combine both functions.
If both parents work and your child is under 3, hoikuen is the only realistic option. For children 3 and older, yochien becomes a possibility — especially if one parent works part-time, since many yochien offer extended care until around 6pm. That said, extended care is often suspended during long school holidays (summer break is around 40 days), so check carefully if both parents work full-time.
Types of Hoikuen in Tokyo
“Hoikuen” isn’t one single thing — Tokyo has several categories.
Ninka hoikujo (認可保育所 — licensed daycare) — Facilities that meet national standards (staffing ratios, room sizes, equipment) and hold prefectural government certification. Fees are set by the ward based on your household’s resident tax amount, so every licensed facility in the same ward costs the same. As of 2024, licensed daycare capacity across Tokyo reached approximately 320,000 slots.
Tokyo Ninshō hoikujo (東京都認証保育所 — Tokyo-certified daycare) — A Tokyo-only certification for facilities that don’t fully meet national licensing standards but pass Tokyo’s own criteria. These are often located near train stations and are required to be open 13 hours or more per day. Fees are set by each facility, but the monthly cap for children under 3 is ¥80,000 for up to 220 hours. Some wards set higher caps — Nerima Ward’s cap is ¥104,000 — and subsidy availability varies by ward.
Ninkagai hoiku shisetsu (認可外保育施設 — unlicensed facilities) — Everything else, including international preschools. Fees are set freely by the facility and vary widely.
How to Apply to Yochien
There are public and private yochien, and the application process differs.
Private yochien (the vast majority in Tokyo):
- Attend open days and info sessions from spring through summer
- Application forms distributed from October 15
- Submit application on November 1 (standard date for Tokyo private yochien)
- Interview (format varies by facility)
- Acceptance notice and payment of enrollment fee
- Enrollment the following April
Private yochien tuition varies significantly, but the government’s free childcare policy covers up to ¥25,700 per month.
Public yochien are operated by each ward, and the enrollment process varies by ward. Tuition is covered by the free childcare policy, though materials fees and PTA fees are still charged. There are approximately 800 private yochien in Tokyo versus far fewer public ones, so there may not be a public option near you.
Hokatsu: The Daycare Application Timeline
“Hokatsu” (保活 — short for hoikuen katsudō, or “daycare hunting”) is the process of securing a spot in a licensed daycare. For April enrollment, the official application window is October–November of the previous year. But given how much preparation is involved, most families start much earlier. The table below is based on Arakawa Ward’s 2026 April enrollment schedule, with general timelines for visits and research added.
| Period | What to do |
|---|---|
| April–June (prior year) | Research. Get the enrollment guide booklet from your ward’s childcare section |
| May–September (prior year) | Visit facilities. After April, when new enrollees have settled in, is ideal for tours |
| Early October | Application forms distributed (Arakawa: Oct 1) |
| October–November | First-round application window (Arakawa: Oct 27–Nov 10) |
| December | Deadline for changing preferences and submitting missing documents |
| Late January | First-round results (Arakawa: Jan 23) |
| January–February | Second-round applications (if not matched in first round) |
| Mid–late February | Second-round results |
| March | Enrollment preparation (interviews, health checks) |
| April 1 | Enrollment begins |
Each facility visit takes about an hour. Since you’ll be ranking multiple facilities on your application, visiting several helps with comparison. Most facilities require advance booking for tours, so call ahead.
Application methods vary by ward — some accept online submissions, others require in-person or postal applications.
Mid-year enrollment is also possible, but you can only apply for facilities with open spots, so options are limited. Deadlines vary by ward; contact your ward’s childcare section for details.
The Points System (Riyō Chōsei Shisū)
Licensed daycare spots don’t go to everyone who applies — when applications exceed capacity, wards use a points system called riyō chōsei shisū (利用調整指数) to prioritize families.
Household points = parent A’s base score + parent B’s base score + adjustment score
Using Arakawa Ward as an example:
| Employment situation (per parent) | Base score |
|---|---|
| 20+ days/month, 8+ hours/day | 20 |
| 20+ days/month, 6–8 hours/day | 18 |
| 16+ days/month, 8+ hours/day | 18 |
| Pregnant or recently gave birth | 12 |
So two full-time working parents (20 days × 8 hours each) would score 40 base points, before any adjustments.
Bonus points (Arakawa Ward examples): Returning from parental leave (+4), sibling already enrolled at the same facility (+2), single-parent household with employment (+4)
Penalty points (Arakawa Ward examples): Grandparent under 65 living with the household and able to provide care (−6), overdue daycare fees for 6+ months (−20)
Important: every ward uses a different scoring system. Arakawa Ward gives 20 points per full-time parent (20 days × 8 hours), while Edogawa Ward gives 50 points for full-time work (20 days × 7 hours). The thresholds and scoring are completely different, so don’t try to compare scores across wards. Always check your specific ward’s criteria.
When two households have the same score, ward-specific tiebreakers apply — single-parent households often take priority, as do households with lower resident tax assessments.
Documents Foreign Families Need
Required documents vary slightly by ward, but the following are commonly required across Tokyo.
All households:
- Childcare enrollment application form (教育・保育給付認定申請書)
- Proof of childcare necessity (employment certificate, medical certificate, etc.)
- My Number (個人番号) verification documents
Additional requirements for foreign families:
- Copy of residence card (在留カード), front and back
- If working on a “Dependent” (家族滞在) visa: proof of permission to engage in activity other than that permitted (資格外活動許可 — recorded on the back of the residence card)
- Foreign-language documents require a Japanese translation attached (Minato Ward example: translation must be done by a third party, not the applicant)
Employment certificates are issued by your employer, but the forms are in Japanese. If your company can only issue an English-language employment letter, you’ll need to attach a Japanese translation.
Application forms themselves are Japanese only — no English versions were found for any ward. The most practical approach is to visit the ward office’s childcare section in person and ask for help filling out the forms (see “Multilingual Support” below).
Costs and the Free Childcare Policy
National Free Childcare Program
Japan’s free early childhood education and care policy, launched in October 2019, has significantly reduced childcare costs for most families.
| Who | Facility | What’s covered |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 3–5 (all households) | Licensed daycare | Fully free |
| Ages 3–5 | Kindergarten | Up to ¥25,700/month |
| Ages 3–5 | Kindergarten extended care | Up to ¥11,300/month |
| Ages 3–5 | Unlicensed facilities | Up to ¥37,000/month |
| Ages 0–2 (non-taxable households) | Licensed daycare | Fully free |
| Ages 0–2 (non-taxable households) | Unlicensed facilities | Up to ¥42,000/month |
The policy doesn’t cover everything. Transportation costs, meal ingredient fees, and event participation fees are still charged to parents.
Tokyo’s Additional Subsidies
Tokyo has added its own free childcare programs on top of the national policy:
- From October 2023: Licensed daycare fees for second and subsequent children ages 0–2 are free
- From September 2025: Licensed daycare fees for first children ages 0–2 are also free (no income cap)
In practical terms, from September 2025 onward, the base daycare fee at licensed facilities in Tokyo is effectively free for all ages 0–5 (meal ingredient fees, transportation, and other actual costs are still charged separately).
For unlicensed facilities, fees are set by each facility and anything above national or Tokyo subsidies is out-of-pocket. Some wards add their own subsidies for Tokyo-certified daycare — Nakano Ward, for example, subsidizes up to ¥70,000 per month.
Multilingual Support for Foreign Families
The Japanese-only paperwork is a real barrier, but support exists.
Tokyo Multilingual Consultation Navi (TMC Navi)
A free telephone consultation service where you can ask questions about daycare applications in 14 languages.
- Phone: 0120-142-142 (toll-free)
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm (excluding public holidays and year-end/New Year)
- Languages: Japanese (plain language), English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Hindi, Nepali, Russian, Tagalog, French, Indonesian (14 languages total)
- Services: General living consultations, referrals to specialist agencies, interpreter support, free multilingual legal consultations (by appointment)
Interpreter Services at Ward Offices
Some wards offer interpreter support at their counters:
- Minato Ward: Three-way phone interpretation service (select a language on a smartphone or tablet → an interpreter relays your conversation with the staff member). Available in 13 languages.
- Ota Ward: Multilingual interpreter service (three-way call between you, interpreter, and staff)
- Toshima Ward: Foreign resident consultation counter
Before calling your ward’s childcare section, check their official website first by searching for “外国人相談” (foreign resident consultation) or “多言語” (multilingual) to see what support they offer.
What If You Miss the October Deadline?
If you missed the first-round application, or your application wasn’t matched, here are your options.
Second-round applications — Facilities that didn’t fill all spots in the first round hold a second round. Most wards automatically roll unsuccessful first-round applicants into second-round consideration, but confirm with your ward.
Mid-year enrollment — You can apply for open spots each month, but vacancies during the year are scarce and competition is high.
Use an unlicensed facility in the meantime — Using a Tokyo-certified or unlicensed daycare as a stopgap until a licensed spot opens up. Some wards award bonus points on next year’s application if your child is already enrolled in an unlicensed facility.
Tokyo’s Babysitter Subsidy Program — For parents of waitlisted children (ages 0–5) or parents returning from parental leave after one year who couldn’t find daycare. Babysitter fees are reduced to ¥150 per hour (up to 11 hours per day) as a temporary measure until a licensed daycare spot opens.
The Waitlist Situation Is Improving
Worries about not getting into daycare are understandable, but the situation has improved significantly.
Tokyo’s waitlisted children count was 339 as of April 2025 — a dramatic drop from the peak of 8,586 in 2017. Thirty-three of Tokyo’s 62 municipalities have achieved zero waitlisted children. A total of 323,420 children are using childcare services, representing 61.3% of all preschool-age children in Tokyo.
That said, there are still gaps by area. Setagaya Ward (47 waitlisted), Machida City (40), and some other areas still have waitlists. Popular facilities and neighborhoods can be competitive, so always list multiple preferences on your application.
Other Options
Beyond licensed daycare and kindergarten, Tokyo has additional options.
Corporate-sponsored daycare (企業主導型保育事業) — A government-supported program where companies set up daycare facilities for employees. Most have two types of spots: employee spots and community spots — the community spots are open to the general public.
International preschools — English-language early education facilities, mostly operating as unlicensed facilities. Fees vary widely, but for children ages 3–5, you may be able to claim up to ¥37,000/month under the national free childcare policy.
Family Support Centers (ファミリー・サポート・センター) — A community mutual-aid program where you can arrange occasional childcare or pickup/dropoff. Rates are around ¥800–1,000 per hour depending on the ward. Not a substitute for regular daycare, but useful when you need to stay late or have a sudden errand.
Related Guides
- Registering Your Move at a Tokyo Ward Office — Residency registration is a prerequisite for daycare applications
- Health Insurance and Pension for Foreigners in Japan — Children’s medical costs are covered by health insurance
- First-Time Moving Out in Tokyo — Tips for finding a family-friendly neighborhood
Knowing the hokatsu timeline makes a real difference. Once you know the October deadline, you can fit in summer visits, sort your documents, and go in prepared. The language barrier is real, but between TMC Navi and ward office interpreter services, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
This article is based on information available as of February 2026. Childcare policies are updated annually. For the latest information, check your ward’s childcare section or the Children and Families Agency website.
References:
- Children and Families Agency, “Overview of Free Early Childhood Education and Care” https://www.cfa.go.jp/policies/kokoseido/mushouka/gaiyou (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Welfare Bureau, “Licensed Daycare Centers” https://www.fukushi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kodomo/hoiku/ninka (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Welfare Bureau, “Tokyo-Certified Daycare Center List” https://www.fukushi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kodomo/hoiku/ninsyo/ichiran (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Arakawa Ward, “April 2026 Enrollment Applications” https://www.city.arakawa.tokyo.jp/a037/kosodate/r0704.html (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Arakawa Ward, “Priority Score Table” https://www.city.arakawa.tokyo.jp/a037/kosodate/hoikuen/shisu.html (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government, “Childcare Services Status in Tokyo (April 2025)” https://www.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/information/press/2025/08/2025082917 (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Tokyo Tsunagari Sōsei Foundation, “TMC Navi” https://tabunka.tokyo-tsunagari.or.jp/soudan/navi.html (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Private Kindergarten Association, “Enrollment” https://www.tokyo-kindergarten.jp/raise_children/admission/ (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Welfare Bureau, “Babysitter Subsidy Program” https://www.fukushi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kodomo/hoiku/bs/bs7nendo (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Tokyo Open Data Portal, “Daycare Capacity and Waitlisted Children” https://portal.data.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/visualization/capacity-daycare-centers-children-waiting-lists/ (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Welfare Bureau, “Family Support Centers” https://www.fukushi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kodomo/kosodate/famisapo (accessed 2026-02-28)
- Minato Ward, “Ward-Run Kindergartens” https://www.city.minato.tokyo.jp/gakkouuneishien/kodomo/gakko/yochien/kuritsuyochien.html (accessed 2026-02-28)
* This article was translated from the original Japanese with the help of machine translation. Some expressions may not read naturally.
