Hoikuen, Yochien and Daycare in Japan: Choosing Early Childhood Care

Compare nurseries, kindergartens and certified centers in Japan, learn how the three certification categories work, and see how families apply through the municipality.

Published October 20, 2026 at 1:42 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan has three main types of early childhood facility: hoikuen (nursery schools, ages 0 to 5, for families who need childcare), yochien (kindergartens, ages 3 to 5, focused on education with shorter hours), and nintei kodomoen (certified centers combining both). Families apply through their municipality, and under a national policy, fees for ages 3 to 5 are generally free at these facilities.

Three main types of facility

Early childhood care in Japan is built around three main facility types. A hoikuen, or nursery school, cares for children from birth to age five whose guardians cannot provide daytime care at home because of work or family duties. A yochien, or kindergarten, is for children aged three to five and focuses on early education as a foundation for school. A nintei kodomoen, or certified center, combines features of both.

The Children and Families Agency explains these types in its guide to the child and child-rearing support system, published in Japanese. Each type has a different daily rhythm, so the first step is to think about what your family needs: full-day care, a shorter educational day, or flexibility for the future. Visiting several facilities, where possible, helps you see which atmosphere suits your child. Ask about hours, meals, the daily schedule and how staff communicate with parents who are still learning Japanese.

Hoikuen: nursery schools

A hoikuen is designed for families who need childcare. The Children and Families Agency describes care running until the evening, with extended hours available at some facilities. Children may attend from the age of zero through five, so it can cover the whole span before elementary school. Parents who need to return to work are the main group it is designed for.

Admission depends on a need for childcare, which the agency lists in several forms. Employment is the main one, now including part-time, night and home-based work. Other reasons include pregnancy or childbirth, illness or disability of a guardian, caring for a family member, job seeking, schooling, and other situations that the municipality recognizes. Standard childcare time can be up to 11 hours, and short childcare time up to 8 hours, depending on the guardian's situation.

Yochien: kindergartens

A yochien serves children aged three to five. According to the agency, it focuses on early education as a foundation for later schooling, and regular hours end around early afternoon. Some kindergartens offer extra care in the afternoon, on Saturdays or during long holidays, which can help working parents who prefer an education-focused setting.

There are no work-related conditions for enrolling a child in a kindergarten, so parents who are home during the day can apply too. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology notes that kindergartens follow Courses of Study and that it aims for every young child to have access to quality pre-school education. Some private kindergartens have not moved to the newer system, so ask each school how it handles applications and fees.

Nintei kodomoen: certified centers

A nintei kodomoen is a center that provides education and childcare in an integrated way. The agency describes it as combining the strengths of kindergartens and nursery schools, with certification by prefectures or equivalent authorities. Reference material says the system was established in the 2006 fiscal year to unify education and childcare, and the ministry encourages its use.

For ages three to five, children attend together regardless of their guardians' work status, with education until early afternoon and childcare until the evening where needed. For ages zero to two, the center works like a nursery for eligible families. Families who do not enroll can still use parenting consultations and parent-child activities at some centers, which can help anyone who wants advice or a place to meet other parents.

The certification categories

The system uses three categories. Category 1 covers children aged three to five who want education only, and it applies to kindergartens and certified centers. Category 2 covers children aged three to five who need childcare, and it applies to nurseries and certified centers. Category 3 covers children under three who need childcare, and it applies to nurseries, certified centers and community-based childcare.

Community-based childcare serves ages zero to two in smaller settings. The agency lists home-based care for up to five children, small-scale care for six to nineteen, workplace childcare and in-home childcare. Smaller settings often have a linked facility to help children move on after age three. Knowing the category helps you read municipal pages, because forms and deadlines use these numbers.

How to apply

All applications go through your municipality. For kindergartens and certified centers under Category 1, you apply to the facility first, receive an offer, then apply through the facility for certification and sign a contract. For nurseries and Category 2 or 3 places, you apply to the municipality for certification, request specific facilities, and the municipality coordinates placement by ranking applicants according to need and available spaces.

Priority may go to households such as single-parent families or those with a child with a disability. Availability differs by area, and in some areas places can be limited, so ask the municipal counter about deadlines and the usual timetable. Bring your residence card and any employment documents the office requests. Rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

Fees and support

The Children and Families Agency's page on free early childhood education says that, generally from the April 1 after a child turns three until entry to elementary school, fees at certified centers, kindergartens and nursery schools are free. For ages zero to two, it describes free access for households exempt from resident tax, with the second child at half price and the third child and later free. Parents may still pay for items such as transport, events and meal ingredients.

Conditions apply to some facility types, including kindergartens outside the new system, where support is capped at a monthly amount, and unlicensed facilities, so read the agency's page and your municipality's guide carefully. Support differs by household income, child age and birth order. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. Municipal counters can explain how the numbers apply to your family, and municipalities often publish guides on their websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a hoikuen and a yochien?

A hoikuen is a nursery for children from age zero to five whose guardians need childcare, with care until the evening. A yochien is a kindergarten for ages three to five with an education focus and shorter hours. A nintei kodomoen combines both. Check each facility for hours and conditions.

Where do I apply for a nursery place?

You apply through the municipality where you live. For nurseries, the municipality certifies the need for childcare, takes your facility requests and coordinates placement. For kindergartens and certified centers, you usually begin with the facility. Ask your municipal counter about forms, deadlines and any language support.

Are early childhood fees free in Japan?

Under a national policy, fees for ages three to five at certified centers, kindergartens and nursery schools are generally free, according to the Children and Families Agency. For ages zero to two, free access applies to households exempt from resident tax. Some costs remain, and conditions vary, so check your municipality.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Building a Life in Japan is available on Amazon.

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More guides from Tokyo Paul: Enrolling Foreign Children in Japanese Public Schools: The Process, Tourist Information Centers in Japan: What They Offer and How to Use and Yochien: How Japanese Kindergartens Differ From Daycare.