The independent, democratic, free schools in Japan and the history of the free school movement

History of the free school, democratic school movement in Japan

Meiji, Taisho, Showa eras (up to World War II)

Japan’s first law on the school system, modeled after France, was proclaimed in 1872,[7] but the word “compulsory education” did not appear in the law until 1886.

“The New Education (Neue Erziehung) movement” started at a British school Abbotsholme (founded in 1889) reached Japan, where it turned into “Taisho-era Free Education Movement” (Taisho Jiyu Kyoiku Undo 大正自由教育運動). They tried to establish a system focusing on children’s interests and to provide a liberal learning environment instead of the standardized inflexible system. Schools were founded, both public and private, based on this concept.

All public schools built under this new movement were subjected to the Militaristic and Nationalistic government control and turned into National Schools (Kokumin Gakko 国民学校) in 1941, modeled after Nazi’s primary education system. Many private schools survived and still exist today. Almost all of them maintain the Western influence, however some have lost its roots and enthusiasm. Others are still strongly known as a “unique school” such as Jiyu Gakuen (自由学園) for its high student-autonomy and seikatsudan curriculum, and Tamagawa Gakuen (玉川学園) as the only Round Square member school in Japan.

After World War II

Japan’s recovery efforts from the World War II and the subsequent so-called post-war economic miracle encouraged the mass production of educated work force and the highly competitive entrance exams, which gave little space for alternative education. All children with disabilities, regardless of the severity, were finally allowed to Special Schools (Yogo Gakko養護学校) in 1979.

To this date Japanese education has been run as a nation-wide standardized system under the full control of the Ministry of Education. The only alternative option has been accredited private schools that have more freedom to offer different curriculum including the choice of textbooks (public schools can use only the government approved textbooks) and foreign languages, teaching methods, hiring guidelines. However, almost all of these private schools require competitive entrance examination and tuition with very few scholarships available.

In the 1970s and early 1980s school violence was the major problem. Private non-accredited Totsuya Yacht School (戸塚ヨットスクール), one of such schools for correctional education, had multiple deaths and missing incidents.

Some public and private schools, usually non-competitive ones, had been functioning as American-equivalent of alternative schools to accept “at-risk” students, though most of them never claimed themselves as one. A private boarding High school, Hokusei-Gakuen Yoichi (北星学園余市高等学校), being one of the few exceptions, admitted its status as the alternative school and started to accept High school drop outs from all over the country since 1988 (read article about school).

1980s to present

Since 1980s the problem shifted from violence against people and property to ijime (bullying by peers) to drive the victim into School refusal, Hikikomori (acute social withdrawal) and the worst case, suicide. It is 1980s that the second wave of alternative education movement came in.

There exist two different forces that triggered the interest in alternative education: Ijime and Globalization.

Ijime and Free Schools

Free school is the term used in Japan to describe a non-profit groups or independent schools specialized in the care and education of children who refused to go to school.

Tokyo Shure (東京シューレ founded in 1985, modeled after the American democratic school) was the beginning of the Free School emergence in Japan. It started as a shelter for children who avoid school environment, then introduced homeschooling in 1998, creating several branches around Tokyo. It was approved as a Non-profit organization in 2000 to run a college. Japanese free schools have various policies and curricula. Though most of them are democratic schools, there are Jukus (cram schools) that house school-refusal children. More about Tokyo Shure here.

Learned from China’s Special Economic Zone policy, Japan introduced Special Zones for Structural Reform (構造改革特別区域) in 2003, which enables to open a government-accredited school that provides alternative education. The first school founded in 2005 under the new law was a charter school called Gunma Kokusai Academy ぐんま国際アカデミー, an English immersion school for grades 1 through 12. Tokyo Shure also started a free school-based junior high school in 2007 in the special zone of Katsushika, Tokyo.

Democratic schools.

Most of these were modeled on the Summerhill International School (formerly JAC), the oldest existing democratic school founded in 1921. This list also includes sub-branches of democratic schools such as Sudbury schools inspired by the Sudbury Valley School and certain free schools that align with the broad principles of democratic education.

There are over 250 free schools that are members of the Japan Free School Association.

A list of the better known free schools in Japan follows:

Tokyo Shure (Tokyo) (Free School Tokyo Shure)

Summerhill International School (formerly JAC)

Tokyo Sudbury School (Tokyo)

Okinawa Sudbury School (Ginowan City, Okinawa-ken)

Kobe Sudbury School (Nishinomiya City)

Democratic School Makkuro-Kurosuke (Kanzakigun) This is also a Sudbury school

Democratic School Sola (Nishinomiya City) / 2-15 Hirota Cho Nishinomiya City, Hyogo 662-0837 34683 / Phone / Fax 81/0798-70-0777 Email: staff@ds-sola.com

Global Community School (Takasago City)

Kinokuni Children’s Village (Hashimoto-shi)

Mie Shure (Tsu-city, Mie Prefecture)

Nihon Gakuin (NKG) a.k.a. Japan International Institute (Kashiwa, Chiba) – externally linked here

Terakoya Houjousya (Aizuwakamatsu Fukushima)

Tomoe Gakuena.k.a. Rose Yochien / Kita Osaka group of free schools that emphasizes the importance of awareness with nature and one’s environment, cultivating the free and independent as well as right civic values.

Sapporo Jiyugaoka Gakuen

Shonan Sudbury School (Kanagawa)

Friends School (a.k.a. Furendo Gakuen), Minato, Tokyo (the only Quaker school in Japan, see the school website for more)

Jiyu Gakuen, (Tokyo)

Tagawa Fureaigijyuku a.k.a. Tough Personal Love (TFG) School (Tagawa, Fukuoka)

Takasaki Gakuen (Tokyo)

Tabunka (Multicultural) Free School (Arakawa ward, Tokyo)

Free School Foro (Osaka)

Madowaku Gakuin / Free Stage Madowaku (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka) in the news

Learnnet Global School(Kobe)

Free Space Tamariba (Kawasaki)

Dream Planet International School (Okinawa)

Note: Seikatsudan schools have 14 locations throughout Japan see here (including Sapporo, Tokyo (Setagaya), Nagoya, Kobe, Yokohama, Osaka. For preschool locations listed here For other school locations, phone: 078-241-9213 or contact via email the Seikatsudan group for a listing.); For the yochien group see this website. You can also join the e-list seikatsudan@yahoogroups.jp by sending an email to their list.

:::::::

Below are the some 250 free schools that are members of the Japan Free School Association:

Nihon Gakuin – NKG (aka Japan International Institute) 3-9-3 Akebono, Kashiwa city, Chiba 277-0841 (read more here)

Free House (grade 1 – 18 years old) / 12-3 Sakae-cho, Kushiro-city, Hokkaido 085-0013 / Phone: 0154-24-2745

Sesami Caravan Juku (15 years old – ) / 2F Felis Nishino 6-2-10 Nishino 2 Jou, Nishi-kum Sapporo-city, Hokkaido 063-0032 / Phone: 011-667-3161 Fax: 011-667-3162

Sapporo Koinonia Gakuen (grade 4 – 9) / 14-1-28 Minami 22 Jou Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-city, Hokkaido 064-0922 / Phone: 011-532-8482 Fax: 011-532-8482

Sapporo Jiyugaoka Gakuen (13 – 20 years old) / Akasia Building, 4 Kita 22 Jou Nishi, Kita-ku, Sapporo-city, Hokkaido 001-0022 / Phone: 011-736- 5065 Fax: 011-736- 5075

Free School Satoporo (6 years old – ) / 6-2-40 Kita 33 Jou Nishi, Kita-ku, Sapporo-city, Hokkaido 001-0033 / Phone: 011-736-5065 Fax: 011-736-5075

Setana Folkehojskoler (15 years old – ) / 925 Kyowa, Setana-cho, Setana-gun, Hokkaido 049-4827 / Phone: 01378-7-2064 Fax : 01378-7-2064

Komatsushima Kodomo no Ie / 7-1 Komatsushima Sintei, Aoba-ku, Sendai-city, Miyagi 981-0906 / Phone: 0222-3301755 Fax: 022-234-6304

Platz K / 6-11 Matsugaoka, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-city, Miyagi 980-0021 /Phone: 022-229-9744 Fax: 022-229-8233

Space Manabi Kimura Juku /11-2 nangou, Kesennuma-city, Miyagi 988-0043 /Phone: 0226-24-3029 Fax: 0226-24-3029

Zao Ikoi no Sato (Boarding School for 10 – 30 years old) / 2561-1 Nagano aza Zaou-san, Kaminoyama-city, Yamagata 999-3114 /Phone: 0236-79-2214, 5 Fax: 0236-73-2610

International New Life College / 74 Souri matsusaku, Ishikawa-cho, Ishikawa-gun, Fukushima 963-7808 / Phone: 0247-26-2236 Fax: 0247-26-7926

Harmony Center Souma Pony Bokujo (10 – 18 years old) / 59 Kami Tochikubo aza Senosawa, Kashima-cho, Souma-gun, Fukushima 979-2462

Phone: 0244-47-2458 Fax: 0244-47-2535

Furusato Ryugaku Taketonbo Gakuen (Boarding school) / 1-36 Samekawa mura Yanagisawa, Higashi Shirakawa-gun, Fukushima 963-8400 / Phone: 0247-49-3344 Fax: 0247-49-2250

Shinyu Sya (6 – 17years old) / 1-27-15 Nishi Oshima, Hitachinaka-city, Ibaraki 312-0041 / Phone Fax: 029-274-6235

Andante / 940 Takeda, Hitachinaka-city, Ibaraki 312-0025 / Phone: 029-273-0770

Rakuda Benkyo-sitsu / 33-41 Fujimidai, kukisaki-cho, Inasiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-1263 / Phone: 0298-76-3129 Fax: 0298-76-3129

Free School Shirakaba-Juku ( – 19 years old) / Dai 2 kanaya Heights, 2-14-31 Toride, Toride-city, Ibaraki 302-0004 / Phone: 0297-77-8764

Sudachi (13 – 30 years old) / 2125 Koibuchi, Uchihara-cho, Higashi Ibaraki-gun, Ibaraki 319-0323 /Phone: 029-259-2774

Free School Kashi no Ki (pre-school – ) / 1912-15 Kosaka-cho, Ushiku-city, Ibaraki 300-1145 / Phone: 0298-73-7452

Freedom 21 / 5-12-20 Hakusan, Toride-city, Ibaraki 302-0023 / Phone: 0297-77-0048

Tochigi YMCA Free Space (6 years old – ) / YMCA East, 4-3-15 Hanawada, Utsunomiya-city, Tochigi 320-0027 / Phone: 0286-21-9885 Fax: 0286-21-9885

Seisei sya (6 years old – ) / 4-3-15 Hanawada, Utsunomiya-city, Tochigi 320-0027 /Phone & Fax: 0286-21-9885

Yasuragi no Ie / 1301 Nemoto, Mooka-city, Tochigi 321-4311 / Phone: 0285-84-7109 Fax: 0285-84-7109

Pasu no Kai / 338-3 Iizuka, Tamamura-cho, Hawa-gun, Gunma 370-1102 / Phone: 0270-65-1738 Fax: 0270-65-1738

Yokobori Home (boarding School) / 1860-7 Horikoshi, Taiko-cho, Seta-gun, Gunma 371-0231 / Phone: 0272-83-6855 Fax: 0272-83-6812

Daishigi Juku (junior high – ) / 1700 Tukuda, Akagi mura, Seta-gun, Gunma 379-1103 / Phone: 0279-56-8510 Fax: 0279-56-8520

Jagaimo Tengoku (boarding school) / 227-1 Tsukida, kasukawa mura, Seta-gun, Gunma 371-0203 / Phone & fax: 027-285- 5453

Akagi Sizen Gakuen (elementary – high school) / 1140 Akagi yama, Fujimi mura, Seta-gun, Gunma 371-0101 / Phone and Fax: 027-288-3956

Saisei Gakusya (elementary school – ) / 2-12-33 Daitou, Urawa-city, Saitama 336-0902 / Phone & Fax: 048-884-1234

Ringo no ki (Apple Tree) / Yuugaku sya, 1-25-14 Sengendai Nishi, Koshigaya-city, Saitama 343-0041 / Phone: 0489-77-3288

Baku no Kai / 316-21 Yamaguchi, Tokorozawa-city, Saitama 359-1145 / Phone: 042-924-5808

Niigashi Gakusyujuku / 8-43 Terao, Kawagoe-city, Saitama 350-1141 / Phone & Fax: 0492-42-2822

Konshin Juku (grade 1 – 9 ) / 2168 Kamagata, Arasiyama-cho, Hiki-gun, Saitama 355-0225 / Phone: 0493-62-2617 Fax: 0493-62-9750

Otenki Benkyo Kai (grade 1 – 9) / 1-75-3 Honcho, Kitamoto-city, Saitama 364-0033 / Phone: 0485-91-8002

Atlier Yuu / 303 Arai building, 3-205 Daimon-cho, Oomiya-city, Saitama 330-0846 / Phone and Fax: 048-656-2552

Kodomo Mondai Kenkyusyo Free Space Frame / 1509-1-307 Katsuse Nakasawa, Fujimi-city, Saitama 354-0031 / Phone & Fax: 0492-66-2398

Terakoya / 2-275 Sin Matsudo Minami, Matsudo-city, Chiba 271-0063 / Phone and Fax: 0473-46-0041

Friend Space Matsudo (grade 5 – ) / 2F Nakazato Building, 2-1-3 Kitamatsudo, Matsudo-city, Chiba 271-0063 / Phone: 047-364-7332 Fax: 047-362-4065

Space Umi / 1-194 Soga-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-city, Chiba 260-0822 / Phone: 043-261-0924 Fax: 043-268-4733

Kodomo no Mori Yamane Alternative School ( 5 years old – ) / 443-3- Ookido-cho, Midori-ku, Chiba-city 267-0057 / Phone & Fax: 043-294-8728

Yuubi Chisana Gakuen (5 – 15 years old) / 360-2 Toyoshiki, Kashiwa-city, Chiba 277-0863 / Phone: 0471-46-3501 Fax: 0471-47-1491

Seikatsu Juku Eru Free School (7 years old – ) / 3-5-4 Kita Kashiwa, Kashiwa-city, Chiba 277-0832 / Phone: 0471-66- 9252

School Big ban Space BB / 3-9-4A Minami-Nagareyama, Nagareyama-city, Chiba 270-0163 / Phone & Fax: 0471-58-8769

Free Pallet / 8-7-3 Namiki, Abiko-city, Chiba 270-1165 / Phone: 0471-84-2692 Fax: 0471-85-5233

Ain Gakuin (junior high – ) / 1-18-53 Maruyama, Kamagaya-city, Chiba 273-0103 / Phone: 047-444-4211

Free Space Friends (grade 1 – 9) / 2F Tsudanuma Dai6 Shoubou Bundan, 1-12-8 Tsudanuma, Narashino-city, Chiba 275-0016 / Phone: 0474-74-1687

Kodomo no Mori (grade 1 – ) / 443-3 Ookido-cho, Midori-ku, Chiba-city, Chiba 267-0057 / Phone: 043-295-3137

Frene Kyouikua / 1-10-12 Yachiyodai Higassi, chiyo-city, Chiba 276-0032 / Phone: 0474-84-8563

Door Club / 3-245-2 Mukaikogane, Nagareyama-city, Chiba 270-0143 / Phone & Fax: 0471-73-5573

Eimei Juku / 2-7-13 Hirai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 132-0035 / Phone & Fax: 03-3682-6190 e-mail: eimei@super.xin.or.jp

Manabi sya / 1-19-6 20C machiya, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo 116-0001 / Phone: 03-3895-1893

Manabi no Hiroba / 2-23-12 Minami-cho, Kokubunji-city, Tokyo 185-0021 / Phone & Fax 042-322-7160

Yu yu sya / 1-10-16 Nishi, Kunitachi-city, Tokyo 186-0005 / Phone 042-575-2124

Takasaki Gakuen (7 – 19 years old) / 3-27-4-301 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 250-0003 / Phone: 03-3409-2390 Fax: 03-3409-2390

Cosmos Plan (6 – 18 years old) / 6-9-14 Honcho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0071 / Phone & Fax: 03-3376-5962

Busyu Seminar / 3-1-18 Maebara-cho, Koganei-city, Tokyo 184-0013 / Phone: 0423-85-2700

Japan Frene (grade 1 – ) / 2-8-17 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 /Phone: 03-3352-3135 Fax: 03-3352-3039 e-mail: jfreinet@d1.dion.ne.jp

Tokyo YMCA Open Space Liby / 2-18-12 Nishi Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0051 / Phone: 03-3202-1836 Fax: 03-3202-0329

Asobi no Kai Yuugaku sya / 2-28-19 Misyuku, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0005 / Phone: 03-3411-3605 Fax: 03-3421-4482

Terakoya Izumi (9 – 18 years old) / 5-5-18-2F Fukazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0081 / Phone: 03-3420-9998

Open Space Be / 1-15-13 Akatsutsumi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo / phone: 03-5300-5581 Fax: 03-5300-5583

Free School Bokunchi (elementary school – adults) / 4-24-5-25 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0033 /Phone & Fax: 03-3327-7142

School Willing / 2-22-1 Ikejiri Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0001 / Phone & Fax: 03-5430-5478 Email: dver-t@246.ne.jp

Free Space Egg /5-23-20-201 Minami karasuyama, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0062 / Phone & Fax: 03-3307-6559

Otanko bouzu no niwa /6-15-10 Ueno, Taitou-ku, Tokyo 110-0015 /Phone: 03-3841-1586 e-mail: canyou@mb.infoweb.ne.jp

Renge sya (grade 5 – ) / 1-4-2-15 Ogawa, Machida-city, Tokyo 194-0003 /Phone & Fax: 042-796-0132 e-mail: info@rengesha.com

Cooking House / 1-10-5 Nunoda, Chofu-city, Tokyo 182-0024 / Phone & Fax: 0424-88-6369

Hino Tobu Kyoushitsu (7 – 25 years old) / 3-6-18-106 Sinmyou, Hino-city, Tokyo 191-0016 / Phone & Fax: 042-585-4165 e-mail: tobu-kyoushitsu@pop12.odn.ne.jp

Shizen ni manabu Kujiraya / 1-49-3 Minami-cho, Fucyu-city, Tokyo 183-0026 / Phone & Fax: 042-336-2909

Chuo Koutou Gakuin / 2-21-8 Kichijoji Honcyo, Musashino-city, Tokyo 184-0004 / Phone: 0422-22-7787 Fax: 0422-22-7731

Sugaku juku Mure / 2-11-3 305 Nishikubo, Musashino-city, Tokyo 180-0013 / Phone & Fax: 0422-55-0563

Tame Juku (elementary school – ) / 1-12-5 Kamihira, Fukuo-city, Tokyo 197-0012 / Phone: 0425-53-2575 Fax: 0425-51-6759

Tamariba Negibozu / 3-19-4-110 Kamisyakujii, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 177-0044 / Phone & Fax: 03-3594-0210

Ikiiki mura (6 years old – ) / 2-36-5 Tagara, Nerima-city, Tokyo 179-0073 / Phone: 03-3977-7758 Fax: 03-3977-3038

Jiyu Gakko (Free School) Yuu / 3-11-2-102 Naka, Kunitachi-city, Tokyo 186-0004 / Phone & Fax: 0425-71-0970

Free School Koppie (elementary – high school) / 1-10-1 Izumi honcho, Komae-city, Tokyo 201-0003 / Phone: 03-5438-3910 Fax: 03-3480-8758

Bunka Gakusyu Kyoudou Center (elementary school – ) / 1-14-3 Simorenjaku, Mitaka-city, Tokyo / Phone: 0422-47-8706 Fax: 0422-47-8706

Hanegi Play Park no Kai / 4-38-52 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0033 / Phone: 03-3324-9284 Fax: 03-3322-9877

Eiseigakuin Support Free school (elementary – high school) / 6-6-4 Kawabe cho, Ome-city, Tokyo 198-0036 / Phone: 0428-23-3174 Fax: 0428-23-3185 e-mail: eisei@lily.ocn.ne.jp

Committed Academy (post junior high) /2-6-10 Higashi Tsutusjigaoka, Chofu-city, Tokyo 182-0005 / Phone & Fax: 03-5384-1577

Eikyouken, Shibuya Free School / 3-1-15 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0042 / Phone: 03-3464-8830 Fax: 03-3464-7995 e-mail: aoba@lily.ocn.ne.jp

International Columbus Academy / 11-8 Nishimachi, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 235-0007 / Phone: 045-751-9449 Fax: 045-751-9460 e-mail: columbus@cds.ne.jp

Andersen Gakuin (12 – 18 years old) / 9 Kanazawacho, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 236-0015 /Phone: 045-781-5860 Fax: 045-782-1253

Wakaime no kai (grade 1 – 20 years old) / 777-12 Nasecho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 245-0051 / Phone: 045-812-0115 Fax: 045-812-0115

Rakuda Juku Yuu ( 6 years old – ) / 2005-201 Nagayacho, Minami-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 233-0017 / Phone & Fax: 045-823-5220

Kusunoki Gakuen (16 – 18 years old) / 2482-1 Kozukuecho, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 222-0036 / Phone: 045-473-7880 Fax: 045-47-8225

Sharlock Holmes / 3-1 Miyagaya, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 200-0006 /Phone & Fax: 045-314-3686 e-mail: QZl14352@nifty.ne.jp

Hajime-juku ( 6 years old – ) / 1-11-7 Shiroyama, Odawara-city, Kanagawa 250-0045 / Phone: 0465-34-6033 Fax: 0465-32-4077

Tamariba / 620 Hisachi, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-city, Kanagawa 213-0032 /Phone: 044-833-7562 Fax: 044-833-7534

Gathering Space (10 – 18 years old) /2-7-32 Yabe, Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa 229-0032 / Phone: 0427-58-9803

Kodomo Chikyu Club (Children’s Earth Club) / 13-18-113 Cyuo, Yamato-city, Kanagawa 242-0021 / Phone & Fax: 0462-63-2412

Sagamiko Free School (grade 3 – 9) / 39 Yosemoto-cho, Ssagamiko-matchi, Tsukui-gun, Kanagawa 199-0102 / Phone & Fax: 0426-84-3565

Free Space Dream (7 years old – ) / 516-2 Tsukahara, Minami ashigara-city, Kanagawa 250-0117 / Phone: 0465-70-3500 e-mail: yume@dream21.gr.jp

Tatami House / 2054-3 Izumi-cho, Izumi-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 245-0016 / Phone & Fax: 045-803-7771

My Space / 4-15-1-309 Chigasaki Minami, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 224-0037 / Phone & Fax: 045-942-5331

Free Space Kayo-bi / 2-1-40-503 Kamiizumi, Ebina-city, Kanagawa 243-0431 / Phone: 0462-35-1846

Free Space Nobi-Nobi /25-3 Toyohara-cho, Hiratsuka-city, Kanagawa 254-0911 / Phone: 0463-34-8978

Sugina no Kai / 1710-4 Ichikawa Daimon-cho, Nishi Yatsushiro-gun, Yamanashi 409-3601 / Phone: 0552-72-1848 Fax: 0552-72-8109

Chikyu Kodomo no Ie, Shimojo Syougai Gakusyu Center (Global Children’s house, Shimojo Life-long study center) (junior high – )

4767-1 Mutsusawa, Shimojo-mura, Shimoina-gun, Nagano 399-2101 / Phone & Fax: 0260-27-3014

Nozomi Gakuen / 414 Higashi Ina, Komagane-city, Nagano 399-4321 / Phone & Fax: 0265-83-4064

Free School Saku / 185-1 Sarukubo, Saku-city, Nagano 385-0011 / Phone: 0267-67-8986

Space (teenagers) / 158-15 Matsushiro Onsen, nagano-city, Nagano 381-1226 / Phone & Fax: 026-278-7223

Daichi Juku / 5428-6 Urasa, Yamato-cho, Minami Uonuma-gun, Nigata 949-7302 /Phone: 0257-77-2187 Fax: 0257-77-3422 e-mail: CQl00201@nifty.ne.jp

Eisu Seminar Free Room / 3-5-3 Jintsu-cho, Toyama-city, Toyama 930-0009 / Phone & Fax: 0764-41-7843

Kanazawa Amenity School / 1-3-16 Teramachi, kanazawa-city, Ishikawa 921-8033 / Phone: 076-241-4488 Fax: 076-244-5973

Oneness School Kanazawa Machi no Kyositsu / 1-33 Hogo, kanazawa-city, Ishikawa 921-8052 / Phone: 076-240-3335 Fax: 076-249-8494 e-mail: hone@space.nsk.ne.jp

LITS, Life School (10 years old – ) / 1603-1 Jinno, Seki-city, Gifu 501-3203 / Phone: 0575-29-0480 Fax: 0575-29-0348

Sizen Gakusya Sinjuku (8 – 37 years old) / 852 Terada, Gifu-city, Gifu 501-0104 / Phone: 058-253-9350

Shisui Juku Aladdin Free Space (9 – 15 years old) / 1644-1 Itsukahorinouchi, Yaizu-city, Shizuoka 425-0077 / Phone & Fax: 054-629-9590

e-mail: aladdin-k@thn.ne.jp

Matsuura Juku (7 years old – ) / 5-13-23 Toro, Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka 422-8033 / Phone: 054-285-9000 Fax: 054-285-5118

Genki Juku ( 6 – 39 years old) / 2-2-27 Inagawa, Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka 422-8062 /Phone 054-283-8141 Fax: 054-283-8142

Denmark Bokujo, Kodomo no ie (boarding school) / 591-367 Yamasaki, Fukuroi-city, Shizuoka 437-1311

Free Space Terakoya Open Door / 1554-1 Sanpo, Shimizu-city, Shizuoka, 424-0901 / Phone & Fax: 0543-35-3335

Mushin an, Oyako Fureai juku / 668 Aokidaira, Fujinomiya-city, Shizuoka 418-0047 / Phone & Fax: 0544-26-1640

Hokuto ryo / 5-141 Mitani Kita Dori, Gamagoori-city, Aichi 443-0022 / Phone & Fax: 0533-68-8756

Hot Staff / 40-20 Ejima-cho, Toyohashi-city, Aichi 441-8111 Phone & Fax: 0532-47-3973

Free Space Gorone no kai / 2-1 Hachiman-cho, Toyoda-city, Aichi 471-0861 / Phone & Fax: 0565-32-3212 e-mail: y-mori@ma.neweb.ne.jp

Nature School (3 – 18 years old) / 1-5 Yamanokami, Narumi-cho, Midori-ku, Nagoya-city, Aichi 458-0801 / Phone & Fax: 052-896-6820

Manabi to Kouryuu no Ba, NONE (8 years old – ) / 1-81-503 Issya, Meitou-ku, Nagoya-city, Aichi 465-0093 / Phone & Fax: 052-703-9166

Free School Terakoya-juku / 4-9-19 Amagasuka, Yokkaichi-city, Mie 510-8001 / Phone: 0593-63-4990 Fax: 0593-63-4989 e-mail: terakoya@lilac.ocn.ne.jp

Wacky Space / 321-25 Naka Komori-cho, Omi Hachiman-city, Shiga 523-0041 / Phone: 0748-33-7232

Space One / 3-7 Kikusui-cho, Kawachinagano-city, Osaka 586-0012 / Phone & Fax: 0721-54-3301

Make Friends no Kai / 753 Fukai kita machi, Sakai-city, Osaka 599-8271 / Phone & Fax: 0722-78-1531

Nobi-nobi Gakusyu Center ( 7 – 20 years old) / 2-2-19 Kongo, Osaka Sayama-city, Osaka 589-0005 / Phone & Fax: 0723-66-9434

Friend Space Osaka (grade 5 – 30 years old) / 1-10 Tsunashima-cho, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka-city, Osaka 534-0026 / Phone: 06-6351-1927 Fax: 06-6351-5192

Ishii Kodomo to Bunka Kenkyusyo (10 years old – ) / 3-8-16 Hirano Minami, Hirano-ku, Osaka-city, Osaka 547-0031 / Phone & Fax: 06-6708-7758

Free Space Nawate Yuugakujo (6 – 17 years old) / 3-3-25 Hokujo, Daito-city, Osaka-fu 574-0011 / Phone & Fax: 0720-77-4412

Chikyu Gakkou (Earth School) / 525-3 Imazu-cho, Takasago-machi, Takasago-city, Hyogo, 676-0041 / Phone: 0794-42-1473

Kobe Free School (elementary – high school) / 8-8-10 Yamate Dori, chuo-ku, Kobe-city, Hyogo 650-0011 / Phone & Fax: 078-366-0333

Hori Suteki Juku ( 10 years old – ) / 3-2-7 Takaha-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe-city, Hyogo 657-0023 / Phone: 078-821-7012

Learn Net Global School ( 4 years old – ) / 2-3-10 Tsuchiyama-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe-city, Hyogo 657-0022 / Phone: 078-845-2180 Fax: 078-842-5174 e-mail: school@L-net.com

Nishinomiya Free Space SKY / 5-23 Kagura-cho, Nishinomiya-city, Hyogo 662-0977 / Phone: 0798-35-5987 Fax: 0798-23-6170

Chisana Gakkou (small school) / 4-12-4 Higashi Sonoda-cho, Amagasaki-city, Hyogo 661-0953 / Phone & Fax: 0798-53-4426

Kokoro no Free School (6 years old – ) / YMCA Youth Center, 1-14-1, Nishidaiji Kunimi-cho, Nara-city, Nara 631-0823 / Phone 0742-48-0713 Fax: 0742-46-7550

Free School Sakiwai Gakuen / 2-871-4 406 Higashi Nabata, Ikoma-city, Nara 630-0215 / Phone: 0643-75-5668

Place Yu-yu (grade 4 – 9) / 3-8-2 Kudo, Ouji-cho, Kita Katsuragi-gun, Nara 636-0003 / Phone & Fax: 0745-32-1777 e-mail: wtyyky05@yamato.ne.jp

Toroika / 3-15-1-7-301 Sijaku, Nara-city, Nara 631-0806 / Phone & Fax: 0742-71-9197

Harmony College Pony Boarding Farm / 299 Saiyo, Yatou-cho, Yazu-gun, Tottori 680-0531 / Phone & Fax: 0858-84-3415 / e-mail: hiro_ishii@jsn.justnet.or.jp

Swiss Mura (Swiss Village) (elementary – high school) / Gunai, Kouwa-cho, Hira-gun, Hiroshima 728-0501 / Phone & Fax: 08248-7-2808

Hoshi no Ugi Neko no Tsubasa ( 6 – 18 years old) / 4004-2 Higashikiwa Higashiozawa, Ube-city, Yamaguchi 755-0241 / Phone: 0836-58-3480 Fax: 08336-58-4457

TOEC Free School ( 4 years old – ) / 92 Minami Koujun, Yanagishima-cho, Anan-city, Tokushima 774-0043 / Phone & Fax: 0886-26-3436

Plus Place / 2-1-12-543 Jonan-cho, Tokushima-city, Tokushima 700-8064 / Phone & Fax: 0886-25-5990

Free School Human Harbor / 3-3-7 Ueno-cho, Takamatsu-city, Kagawa 761-8064 / Phone: 090-5503-8413

Kappadoujou (junior high – ) / 1509 Nakayama-cho, Takamatsu-city, Kagawa 761-8004 / Phone : 0878-82-4022 Fax: 0878-81-5906

Free Space Yuuminkan (elementary school – 20 years old) / 2-3-21 Asami, Matsuyama-city, Ehime 791-8023 /Phone & fax: 089-927-5369

Matusyama Free School / 159 Beppu-cho, Matsuyama-city, Ehime 791-8056 / Phone & Fax: 0899-57-3762

Haru no Ie (infant – ) / 58-1 Genkai-cho Oaza Eguchigahara, Munakata-gun, Fukuoka 811-3502 / Phone: 0940-62-1497

Souzou Tanken Juku (6-18 years old) / 1472 Uchidono, Fukuma-cho, Munakata-gun, Fukuoka 811-3205 / Phone & Fax: 0940-42-8600 e-mail: tk8600@aol.com

Open House Yuu / 1-2-28 Hatakegasaka, Oonojou-city, Fukuoka 816-0982 / Phone & Fax: 092-954-1841

Fukuoka Free School Kenkyukai, Nagi no Heya (elementary – junior high school) / 198-16 Murasaki, Chikushino-city, Fukuoka 818-0061 / Phone: 092-923-7152 Fax: 092-922-4199

Space Totoro / 661-52 Tonnno, Nougata-city, Fukuoka 822-0002 / Phone & Fax: 09492-6-3708

Kuge Juku /2-3-12 Kego, Cyuo-ku, Fukuoka-city, Fukuoka 810-0023 /Phone: 092-761-0907 Fax: 092-761-2497

Happy American School (pre-school – ) / 2-7-42 Kumamoto-cho, Kokura kita-ku, Kitakyusyu-city, Fukuoka 802-0044 /Phone & Fax: 093-533-7740

Keyamachi Sougou Gakusyu Center(elementary school – ) / 9-7-102 Keya-machi, Yahata Higashi-ku, Kitakyusyu-city, Fukuoka 805-0014

Phone & Fax: 093-653-0873 /e-mail: takayan1@mm.neweb.net.jp

Terra-koya / 3-1-11 Tojika, Kumamoto-city, Kumamoto 862-0970 / Phone: 096-372-0972 / e-mail: terakoya@po.anoa.or.jp

I.H.Center (10 – 25 years old) / 23-21 Kamiarata-cho, Kagoshima-city, Kagoshima 890-0055 / Phone & Fax: 099-254-3253

Dream Planet International School (boarding school for 6 – 18 years old) / Moon Beach, 1203 Mae Kanehisa, Onnnou-mura, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 904-0414 /Phone: 098-964-7025 Fax: 098-982-5069

Other free school resources:

Fonte (Futoukou Shimbun)

Free School Net

Free School Network

Japan Free School Association

Libera Human Support(Shizuoka Prefecture)

Sources:

Alternative Education in Japan – a thesis by Heather Nelson

Wikipedia

Discussions from our EIJ online community forum