UWC ISAK Japan is a IB Diploma Programme / IB school in Karuizawa, Japan. Founded in 2014. Annual tuition ranges from $41,245 to $44,823 USD.
Location & Getting There
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Key Details
Scholarships Available
Need-based financial assistance only; no merit-based scholarships. Approximately JPY 600 million is awarded annually, with around 70% of students receiving some level of support including full scholarships. Aid is not repayable and is determined by family financial need (income, assets, expenditures, debt). The IB Years Fee is prorated in line with the FA award. Grade 10 entrants may receive partial to full awards; Grade 11 entrants depend on national committee or Global Selection Programme (GSP recipients are not eligible for additional scholarships). Flights and incidental costs are generally not covered.
Key facts
About
UWC ISAK Japan is a private boarding school in Karuizawa, Nagano, authorized by the International Baccalaureate to offer the Diploma Programme. The school provides instruction in English with a coeducational structure and maintains a global student body studying diverse subjects including languages, sciences, humanities, and the arts.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Why Families Choose
UWC ISAK Japan is the only UWC campus in Japan and East Asia, offering a unique three-year boarding programme in a mountain resort setting. Grade 10 serves as a dedicated leadership and project-based Pre-IB foundation year. Outdoor Education is a core curricular element. A distinctive 'Stop and Clean' community practice builds shared responsibility. The student body represents 80+ countries and approximately 70% of students receive need-based financial assistance, including full scholarships, making the school accessible across income levels. The school's IB average of 35 significantly exceeds the world average of 30.
Fees & Financials
Original currency: ¥6,156,000 - 6,690,000. Application fee: $134.
Admissions Process
- 1Review eligibility and program path (Grade 10 or Grade 11 entry via UWC national committee or Global Selection Programme). 2. Create an online application account. 3. Submit registration form; eligibility verified within about one week. 4. If eligible, receive link to full online application. 5. Complete multi-section online application including short/long-answer questions and a 2-minute video. 6. Provide one academic and one non-academic reference; upload transcripts; submit Financial Assistance Request Form if applicable. 7. Pay non-refundable application fee of JPY 20,000 (waiver may be available). 8. First-round review; successful applicants invited to online interview and group assessment. 9. Receive Stage 1 results, complete final assessment, meet commitment deadline. 10. Campus visits available by reservation. 11. Late application period may open if spaces exist; waitlisted applicants considered if funding available.
Admissions Details
A waitlist pathway exists through a late application process. Late applicants may be considered if spaces are available after the main round. Waitlisted applicants who did not request financial assistance may be prioritised over those who did if funding is limited. The late application period is not guaranteed.
Boarding Life
On-campus boarding houses each accommodate 12–18 students with two-person or four-person shared bedrooms, a spacious communal living room, kitchenette, and laundry facilities. Each house is supervised by a House Mentor and Residential Advisors. Most houses are single-gender; blended housing with gender-neutral facilities is available with parental consent. The boarding fee covers dormitory housing and daily meal service during the school year.
Full boarding in on-campus houses accommodating 12–18 students each. Rooms are two-person or four-person with a shared living room, kitchenette, and laundry facilities. Each house is supervised by a House Mentor and Residential Advisors, and students run their own house-management systems. Most houses are single-gender; blended housing with gender-neutral facilities is available with parental consent.
School Day
The school day typically runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Lunches are provided on campus. A distinctive daily routine called 'Stop and Clean' takes place where students, faculty, and staff clean campus spaces together.
Student Life
UWC ISAK Japan operates a house system within its boarding program. Each house runs its own management system to develop student leadership and problem-solving skills, supervised by a House Mentor and Residential Advisors. Most houses are single-gender; blended housing with gender-neutral facilities is available with parental consent.
No separate uniform fee or uniform purchase requirement is listed among the school's published fees and expected additional expenses.
Lunches are provided on campus daily. The boarding fee covers daily meal service during the school year.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
UWC ISAK Japan takes a holistic approach addressing mind, body, and spirit. The Health & Wellness Center houses the Counseling Office (mental health), a clinic (physical health), a meditation room, and an exercise room. Two full-time school counsellors and a pastoral care team led by a Deputy Head of Pastoral are on-site. Two full-time nurses and weekly visits by a local doctor support medical needs. Outdoor Education supports leadership and resilience, and small class sizes and house-based residential teams provide daily pastoral support.
Safeguarding is a stated priority. The Safeguarding Team includes Designated Safeguarding Lead Michelle Rutter and Deputy Leads Jason Underwood and Alastair Wanklyn; concerns can be raised at [email protected]. Policy aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and UWC Common Standards, with a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour, covering training, safe recruitment, and clear reporting and response mechanisms.
Student Demographics
School Background
private