The best IB tuition in Tokyo is the option matched to your child’s exact subject and level, HL or SL, that also plans around the Diploma’s IA, EE and TOK deadlines. For most DP students, that means a one-to-one tutor who teaches the specific course, such as Maths AA HL or Physics SL. Juku and tuition centres suit students who prefer learning in a group; home tutors suit families who prefer in-person lessons.

This guide is written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company. We list ourselves first, and we say plainly where another option may suit your family better.

Key takeaways

• The IB Diploma is scored out of 45: up to 7 in each of six subjects, plus up to 3 points from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.
• HL and SL, and Maths AA and AI, are different courses. The tutor must match both.
• Most juku are built for Japanese entrance exams, not IB papers.
• Judge every option by a trial lesson on your child’s weakest topic.

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IB tuition options in Tokyo compared

Option	Best for	Format	What to watch for
One-to-one online specialist (e.g. Tutopiya)	HL subjects, IA planning, 6 and 7 targets	Live online, matched to subject and level	Needs a quiet space and stable connection
Juku and tuition centres	Group classes and routine	In-person groups	Check they are IB-specific and separate HL from SL
Home tutors	In-person one-to-one	At home	IB experience varies; high demand before exams
Tutor marketplaces	Browsing many tutors	Freelance	Vetting is left to you
School support	Keeping pace with school	Small groups	Not tailored to one student

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1. Tutopiya: one-to-one online IB tutors

Tutopiya is an online tutoring platform for international curricula, used by Tokyo students for the IB Diploma and the IB MYP.

What you get:

• A tutor matched to the subject and level: Maths AA or AI at HL or SL, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Economics, Psychology and more.
• IA and EE guidance within IB rules: topic choice, criteria and planning, with the work staying your child’s own.
• A free trial lesson with no card required.
• Plans from 4 hours a month per subject, paid monthly, quarterly or annually. Tutors set their own rates, shown before you book.
• AI lesson analysis: notes, flashcards and quiz questions built from each lesson.
• Free topic practice in the IB Diploma resource portal.
• Lessons in JST around school, CAS and weekend commitments, without travel across Minato, Shibuya, Setagaya, Meguro and Toyosu.

Probably not the right fit if: your child needs in-person lessons or a group class to stay motivated.

Find a Tokyo IB tutor by subject: Maths AA/AI · Physics · Chemistry · Biology · English

2. Juku and tuition centres

Good for: routine and studying alongside others.

Limitations: check that classes are IB-only and separated by HL and SL. Group lessons rarely leave time for one student’s IA or weak topics.

3. Home tutors

In-person accountability helps some students. Ask about recent IB teaching at your child’s level, especially for HL sciences and Maths AA HL.

4. Tutor marketplaces

Wide choice, but you check each tutor’s IB experience yourself.

5. School support

IB schools provide IA supervision and subject support. Tuition should fill your child’s specific gaps, not repeat school lessons.

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What Tokyo families should plan for

• Japanese universities: many Japanese universities now run admission routes for IB Diploma holders, each with its own requirements. Check them before choosing subjects.
• Dual Language DP: some Japanese schools teach parts of the Diploma in Japanese. Make sure a tutor can work in the language your child is assessed in.
• Juku: most juku prepare students for Japanese entrance exams, not IB papers and IAs, so check the class is IB-specific.

What makes IB tuition different

• HL vs SL: HL courses cover more content, and in Maths HL students also sit Paper 3.
• Maths AA vs AI: different courses. Engineering and physical sciences programmes often prefer AA HL.
• Internal Assessment: every subject has an IA, marked by teachers and moderated by the IB, and the marks are banked before the exams.
• Current science syllabus: Biology, Chemistry and Physics were first examined on the current courses in May 2025, so practice materials must match.
• Predicted grades: set in DP2 and used by universities worldwide.

How to choose, step by step

1. List every subject and its level.
2. Mark the IA, EE and TOK deadlines from the school calendar.
3. Identify the weakest subject or paper from the latest report.
4. Choose the format: one-to-one for HL subjects and IA planning, a group class for routine.
5. Book a trial lesson on a weak topic at the right level.
6. Agree on monthly progress checks, such as topic quizzes and timed past papers marked against markschemes.

When to start

• Start of DP1: the ideal time, especially for HL Maths and sciences.
• After the first DP1 report: a common starting point.
• Before predicted grades in DP2: important for university applicants.
• Final term before the exams: past papers and markscheme technique only.

Questions to ask before you pay

1. Which IB subjects and levels have you taught in the last two years?
2. Do you teach only the IB, or mainly another system?
3. How do you support the IA without doing the work?
4. Do your materials match the current syllabus?
5. What is the total monthly cost, and is there a minimum term?

Related guides for Tokyo families

• University options for Tokyo students with IGCSE, A Levels or IB
• Best IGCSE tuition options in Tokyo

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Summary

For most Tokyo IB Diploma students, one-to-one tuition from a tutor who teaches their exact subject and level is the most targeted support, especially for HL courses and the IA. Juku and tuition centres suit students who prefer learning in a group, as long as they are IB-specific. Start in DP1 if you can, plan around internal deadlines and predicted grades, and judge every option by a trial lesson.

Book a free trial lesson with a Tokyo IB tutor. No card is required, and you see each tutor’s rate before booking.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best IB tuition option in Tokyo? +

For most Diploma students, one-to-one tuition with a tutor who teaches the exact subject and level, such as Maths AA HL or Chemistry SL, is the most targeted option, because HL and SL papers differ. Juku and tuition centres suit students who prefer learning in a group. Compare options with a trial lesson.

Can a juku prepare my child for the IB Diploma? +

Some can, but most juku are designed for Japanese entrance exams, with different question styles and marking. Check that the class is IB-specific and level-specific, or choose a one-to-one IB tutor.

Can a tutor help with the IB Internal Assessment and Extended Essay? +

Yes, within the IB's rules. A tutor can help with topic choice, the assessment criteria and planning, and give feedback that your child acts on. The work must remain your child's own, and the school's supervisor authenticates it.

How much does an online IB tutor cost in Tokyo? +

Rates vary by subject, HL or SL, and tutor experience. On Tutopiya, tutors set their own rates and you see them before booking. Plans start from 4 hours a month per subject, and the trial lesson is free with no card required.

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