Bus Service
While many of NIS families drive their children to school, NIS students can also use one of several bus routes provided by the Nagoya International School Bus Association, depending on seat availability. First priority is given to students who sign up for full service (morning and afternoon seats).
The “Kozoji shuttle bus” runs between NIS and the nearest station (Kozoji station, JR Chuo Line). This bus departs from the station once in the morning to NIS, and returns twice in the afternoon. This bus service is highly recommended for those parents who will allow their older children to commute to and from Kozoji using the train system. This makes it easier for students to participate in after-school sports activities and get home via the JR trains. There is an additional after-school shuttle option that leaves NIS for Issha station in the afternoon for both Primary and Secondary students who stay after school for "After School Activities" (requires registration), and another later run to Issha for only Secondary students who are participating in co-curricular activities until 5:40 pm. These Issha shuttle runs operate in the afternoon only.
The other five buses (Buses #1. #2, #3, #4 and #5) start from the middle or southern part of the city, traveling from through major neighborhoods in the Showa-ku, Chikusa-ku and Meito-ku “wards”. These buses have one pick-up time in the morning at certain points along the route, and leaves NIS at 3:40 after school finishes. Bus stops do not change according to where students live; rather, students must get to one of the bus stops.
NIS does not publicize the bus routes, stops or pick-up/drop-off times online in an open webpage. Please inquire about the bus service as part of the admissions process if you are interested in learning more about the NIS bus service.
Note on Kozoji Station: It takes roughly 25-30 minutes from Nagoya station to Kozoji (catch the Chuo line on either track #7 or #8, heading for “Nakatsugawa”, “Mizunami” or “Kozoji”). All trains heading out from Nagoya station on the JR Chuo line stop at Kozoji, and the cost from Nagoya is 420 yen.
Bus Registration
The NIS Bus Association provides bus service to and from school for students who pay the fee and abide by the rules (read the Student Bus Agreements). Since there is no adult bus monitor on any of the buses, students are asked to self-monitor their behavior while riding the bus. Each bus is equipped with a camera. Continued or frequent disregard of the bus rules will result in suspension or removal of bus privileges and parents will then be responsible for the delivery and pick-up of their child to and from school.
Students must register for the bus service through the Business Office. First priority for seating is given to registered students. Non-registered bus users may purchase a one-way ticket from the Business Office, depending on seating availability.
If you have any questions about bus registration, please contact the office to confirm registration, bus number, etc.
Submit the School Bus Registration Form HERE. Please note that by signing and submitting the bus registration form, you are agreeing to all of the rules and policies outlined in the "NIS Student Bus Agreement" above.
Bus Capacity/Wait-Lists
When a bus reaches capacity, a wait-list will be created and students will be able to register for and use the bus once a seat becomes available. Students on wait-lists have priority for seat registration if seats become available.
Young Children (ELC Preschool-Gr. 3)
Students in ELC-Gr. 3 are designated as young riders. NIS will issue a colored bag tag noting their name and bus stop. The bus driver will not allow any ELC-Gr. 3 student to dismount the bus unless collected by a parent or designee. Parents of Gr. 2 & 3 students may opt-out of the scheme and parents of older students (Gr. 4 and above) may opt-in by writing to the NIS Bus Association, but all ELC and Gr. 1 students must be tagged.
Should a parent or designee fail to meet a child tagged as a ‘young rider’ at the bus stop on time, the student may be returned to school where they must be picked up by the parents. An invoice may be issued for this extra bus service.
Bus Fees
The bus fees for the 2024-25 school year are as follows:
- Kozoji/Issha Shuttle Bus = 195,000 yen (750 yen for one-way ride for non-registered users)
- Bus #1-#7 = 395,000 yen (1,400 yen for one-way ride for non-registered users)
Students registering for the bus service mid-year (after the school year begins) are charged the bus fee quarterly regardless of the start date within the quarter. Refunds are NOT prorated and are granted by semester only.