Japan High School Football Program · Ages 15–18
Full enrollment at a Japanese high school with a strong football club — train daily and join practice matches with the team, live the culture, and grow for a semester, a year, or all three years.
StayDream Group places international players aged 15–18 into Japanese high schools with strong football clubs. Students enroll on a student visa, training daily and joining practice matches with the school football team, and live in a dormitory or homestay — for one semester, one year, or a full three-year course. We handle school matching, applications, visa documentation and daily life support.
Before you apply
High school systems differ around the world. In Japan, high school (高校 / kōkō) is a three-year program for students aged 15–18 — equivalent to Grades 10–12 in the US, Years 10–12 in Australia, or the Bachillerato in Spain (which is only two years). Understanding this difference is important when considering enrollment.
Starts in April and ends in March. Three terms separated by summer, winter and spring breaks.
Football is a bukatsu (school club activity). Players train every day after class, compete in official leagues and tournaments, and are coached by dedicated school staff.
Students enter at age 15 (Year 1) and graduate at 18. This makes 15 the ideal application age. Transfers at age 16 or 17 are difficult — most schools do not accept mid-course entry for international students.
Why high school football in Japan
Japan's National High School Soccer Championship fills professional stadiums and is broadcast nationwide. High school football here is not a school hobby — it is one of the most intensive youth development environments in Asia.
Top football high schools play in the Premier and Prince Leagues alongside J-League academies, producing players who go on to professional clubs and universities every year. Stars like Honda Keisuke (AC Milan) and Nakata Hidetoshi (AS Roma) came through the high school system.
Students train daily with their club while completing a real Japanese high school education — discipline, language and life skills included.
What the program includes
We match the player to the right high school by football level, academics and personality.
Documents, entrance procedures and communication with the school, handled end to end.
Long-term stay done properly — we support the visa process together with the school.
Safe, supervised living arranged with the school — meals included.
On-the-ground support in Japan for the player and regular updates for parents.
Full member of the school team: daily training, matches and tournaments.
Have questions? Message us directly — we reply within minutes.
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How it works
Send the player's profile: play video, football CV and academic records.
We propose the high school(s) that fit the player's level and goals.
The school reviews the player. On acceptance, enrollment procedures begin.
Student visa documentation, dormitory arrangement and pre-departure guidance.
Airport pick-up, school orientation and the start of life as a student-athlete in Japan.
Track record
Through our program, international players have already enrolled at a national-level football high school in Japan — attending as full students and training with the club. Our founder played for one of Japan's most famous football high schools himself, and knows this world from the inside.
Partner school
One of our partner schools already accepting international enrollment. A nationally recognized football program in Kumamoto, led by head coach Haruo Hiroyama.
Former Verdy Kawasaki (now Tokyo Verdy) player and Shizuoka Gakuen graduate — Japan's most prestigious technique-focused football school. After his playing career, he trained in Brazilian futsal before founding Esporte Clube Fujisawa in 1998.
As a technical advisor, he helped Seiwa Gakuen reach the National High School Championship within 9 years of founding their program — building what became known as Japan's "dribble army." He has since advised national-level programs across Japan, including Kagoshima Jitsugyo and Toyokawa High School. He is also a published author of five coaching books on dribbling and 1v1 technique.
Shugakukan is one example. We also work with other football high schools across Japan and match each player to the right school for their level and goals.
Who guides the placement
FAQ
International players aged 15–18 who want to study at a Japanese high school and play for its football club — for one semester, one year, or the full three-year course. Both boys' and girls' programs can be discussed.
Not fluently at the start. Schools provide Japanese language support for international students, and daily immersion in the club and classroom is the fastest way to learn. Basic preparation before arrival is recommended and we can guide you on this.
The high school reviews each applicant. You will need a play video, a football CV (clubs and achievements) and recent academic records. We prepare and present your application to the school.
Costs consist of school tuition, dormitory/meals and our support fee, and vary by school and length of enrollment. Every placement is quoted individually after consultation.
No — this is an education-based program. The player enrolls as a student and plays for the school club. It is a development pathway, not a professional transfer, and fully complies with the rules for international students.
No. Program players participate in daily training sessions and practice matches, but are not eligible for official competitions under federation regulations. This is an immersive development program — the value lies in training every day inside a top-level environment.
Apply
Send us the player's profile and preferred start date. We usually reply within 3 business days with next steps.