Applying for Daycare (Hoikuen) in Japan: A Guide for International Families
To get a place at a licensed daycare (認可保育園, ninka hoikuen) in Japan, you apply through your city or ward office, not to the daycare itself. Places go to families who need childcare, usually because both parents work, and in busy areas they’re allocated by a points system. The main intake is April, and applications for April often close in the autumn or early winter of the year before. Expect Japanese-only forms, proof of employment from both parents and a list of preferred daycares, so start early and get help with the language if you need it.
Types of childcare
| Type | What it is | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| 認可保育園 licensed daycare | Full-day care from babies up to school age, for families who need it. Fees depend on household income. | Through the city or ward office |
| 認可外保育施設 unlicensed daycare | Private daycares outside the city system, including some bilingual ones. Often easier to get into. | Directly with the daycare |
| 幼稚園 kindergarten | Education-focused, usually from age three, often with shorter days. | Directly with the kindergarten |
| 認定こども園 centre for early childhood education and care | Combines daycare and kindergarten. | Depends on the type of place; ask the city |
For children aged three to five, fees at most daycares and kindergartens are largely covered by a national programme, but rules and extra costs vary, so check with your city.
How the application usually works
- Get the guide. Your city publishes a yearly guide (入所案内) with deadlines, forms and the points rules. Some cities offer an English summary.
- Visit daycares. Many families tour several and list them in order of preference. See the phrases below.
- Collect documents. Typically an employment certificate (就労証明書) for each parent, filled in by employers, and proof of income or tax.
- Submit the application at the ward office or online by the deadline.
- Wait for the result. For April entry, results usually arrive in the first months of the year. If you don’t get a place, you can usually stay on the waiting list.
Every city is different, so treat this as an overview and follow your own city’s guide. See Japanese at the ward office.
Phrases for visits and the ward office
| Japanese | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 保育園の申し込みについて相談したいです。 | hoikuen no mōshikomi ni tsuite sōdan shitai desu. | I’d like to ask about applying for daycare. |
| 見学をお願いできますか。 | kengaku o onegai dekimasu ka. | Could we visit (the daycare)? |
| 四月入園の締め切りはいつですか。 | shigatsu nyūen no shimekiri wa itsu desu ka. | When is the deadline for April entry? |
| 英語の案内はありますか。 | eigo no annai wa arimasu ka. | Is there a guide in English? |
| 子どもに食物アレルギーがあります。 | kodomo ni shokumotsu arerugī ga arimasu. | My child has a food allergy. |
Tips for international families
- Start before you arrive if you’re moving for work, and ask your employer early for the employment certificate.
- Apply to an unlicensed daycare as a back-up in case you don’t get a city place.
- Expect lots of paperwork in Japanese once your child starts: contact notebooks, letters and forms. See understanding letters from your child’s school.
- Learn the language of daily drop-off so you can talk with staff. See Japanese for parents in Japan.
How Hanabuddies can help
Our native tutors teach one-to-one online and can prepare you for daycare visits, ward office appointments and everyday conversations with staff. We can translate forms and letters into English for your reference (uncertified), and provide an English–Japanese interpreter, in person or online, for important meetings. We don’t submit applications for you or give advice on eligibility; your city office has the final word.