There are thousands of dance schools in Japan ranging from those that offer classes as a fun hobby to schools which train students for a career in professional dance. The following list of schools welcome foreign students and in most cases, conduct their classes in either English or a mix of English and Japanese.

If you are comfortable in an all-Japanese environment then there will be many other options available to you so you might want to begin with asking other neighborhood mothers whether they know of any dance schools in your area. The Japanese phone directory will also have listings of schools in your area. Some international preschools and schools also offer after-school dance classes, and welcome children not enrolled as students. Ward offices can also be a good source of information as sometimes there are dance classes held in their community halls. Stores that sell dance supplies may also be a good source of information. If you know of a dance school that is foreigner-friendly, please let us know so we can include them on this list.

In addition to the tuition fees, there may be other costs you should confirm before signing up. Often there will be an initial joining fee that will most likely be non-refundable. The school may require students to have particular dance attire. Especially important is whether the school puts on a recital and whether you will be required to help pay for it. At some schools they can be quite elaborate affairs and cost up to ¥100,000 or more.

Don't forget to check the directory item Dance & Gymnastics Wear for places to buy your leotards and dance shoes.