About Us
We believe that every child has a superpower.Our mission is to help unlock this unique potential and support each learner to navigate their own future.
Opening in Fall 2027
AHIS is developing its educational program informed by international best practices. Our classes emphasize student agency, deep understanding, and global awareness.
Eligible grades
AHIS provides a continuous education program from K3 through Grade 10
For 2027 school opening, enrollment will be open for K3 through Grade 1*
* Children who are age between 3 to 6 as of August 31, 2027
Grade placement
Grade placement is determined by a child’s age as of August 31 of the academic year
Admission
Admission process is planned to begin in fall 2026. More details will be updated accordingly.
Background
Our Story
Learn about what inspired Akiya Hayama International School, who we are and what we value
In a time of profound global change, education must continue to evolve
Children have always learned best through curiosity, relationships, and meaningful experiences. That has not changed. What has changed is the world around them. In a time of rapid social and technological change, education must remain deeply human, purposeful, and connected to real life. Learning should help children make sense of the world, not feel detached from it. Preparing children for the future is not about predicting it. It is about nurturing the curiosity, resilience, and integrity they need to navigate change. At AHIS, we blend nature and technology to support creativity, reflection, and problem-solving. Through this balance, children discover their own strengths — their individual “superpowers” — and develop voice, agency, empathy, and a strong sense of belonging.
Children shape their own paths by learning in nature and with technology
Every child brings a unique mix of strengths, interests, and ways of seeing the world. We call these their “superpowers.” At AHIS, we take the time to notice these superpowers and support each child in developing them.
We do this by offering children a wide range of experiences and creating an environment that gives them the courage to try, make mistakes, reflect, and try again. Our learning approach is intentional and metacognitive. Children work with technology not just as a tool, but as something to be understood thoughtfully by exploring how it can support creativity and purposeful action. As they use technology, children are encouraged to pause, reflect, and consider what matters most in a world shaped by rapid change.
Equally important is time spent learning in and from nature. While technology often offers quick answers, the natural world invites curiosity, patience, and careful observation. Through regular experiences in the sea and mountains of the Akiya-Hayama area, children learn to collaborate, adapt, and respond with care to real situations.
Through these everyday experiences, students build empathy, resilience, and sound judgment—qualities that grow slowly and last a lifetime. Together, these experiences help children develop the confidence and sense of purpose to shape their own journeys.
Strong foundations create real freedom
A strong foundation is essential to nurture one's "superpower." This is why we place great importance on the basics: the ability to express ideas clearly through language and writing, to understand meaning, to recognize patterns and relationships, and to try and make sense of the world around us.
A solid foundation gives children options. When basic skills are secure, students are free to think more deeply, ask better questions, and take greater ownership of their learning.
This approach is reflected in the Japanese philosophy of Shu–Ha–Ri: children first master core skills, then learn to question assumptions, and eventually develop approaches of their own. True independence comes not from skipping the basics, but from mastering them.
Education is not about finding the right answer, but about learning how to shape a meaningful life.
Build your own journey
Our founder
Yusuke Umeda
Yusuke began his career at Corporate Direction and UBS Securities. In 2008, he co-founded Uzabase, where he served as CEO, to build services such as SPEEDA and NewsPicks. He left Uzabase in 2022 and currently serves as CEO of Monochrome, a company developing next-generation solar roofs and home energy management systems (HEMS). Becoming a parent sparked a deeper interest in education and the learning environments children need today. He is now working toward establishing Akiya Hayama International School, planned to open in 2027.
Becoming a parent sparked a deeper interest in education and the learning environments children need today. He is now working toward establishing Akiya Hayama International School, which is planned to open in 2027.
Our belief
Our values
At AHIS, we cultivate five core values that guide our approach to education. These values permeate our school, curriculum, culture and customs.
01
Hands-on
Active learning through hands-on experience has a significantly greater educational impact than passive participation. By taking advantage of the rich natural environment of the Akiya-Hayama area, we emphasize the value of learning through direct, tangible experiences—from agriculture to technology. Students are encouraged to ask their own questions, engage in real-world activities, apply their creativity, and build something meaningful with their own hands to share and present.
Active learning through hands-on experience has a significantly greater educational impact than passive participation. By taking advantage of the rich natural environment of the Akiya-Hayama area, we emphasize the value of learning through direct, tangible experiences—from agriculture to technology. Students are encouraged to ask their own questions, engage in real-world activities, apply their creativity, and build something meaningful with their own hands to share and present.
02
Grow from failure
Trial and error, along with the willingness to take on challenges, naturally involve many failures. By failing early and often—and learning from those experiences—students develop a sense of ownership and build a strong foundation of self-confidence. Equally important in moments of failure is the feedback they receive from those around them. Mistakes and setbacks encountered during the process are embraced as valuable learning opportunities. We strive to foster a culture that supports and encourages one another, embraces failure, and maintains a forward-thinking mindset focused on continuous improvement.
Trial and error, along with the willingness to take on challenges, naturally involve many failures. By failing early and often—and learning from those experiences—students develop a sense of ownership and build a strong foundation of self-confidence. Equally important in moments of failure is the feedback they receive from those around them. Mistakes and setbacks encountered during the process are embraced as valuable learning opportunities. We strive to foster a culture that supports and encourages one another, embraces failure, and maintains a forward-thinking mindset focused on continuous improvement.
03
In the moment
In a world of constant digital stimulation, it has become increasingly difficult to truly focus. By intentionally setting aside time to immerse themselves in their interests and passions, students learn to be present, challenge themselves, and experience deep engagement. In these moments of focus and flow, they discover their own sense of isshoukenmei — doing something with wholeheartedness.
In a world of constant digital stimulation, it has become increasingly difficult to truly focus. By intentionally setting aside time to immerse themselves in their interests and passions, students learn to be present, challenge themselves, and experience deep engagement. In these moments of focus and flow, they discover their own sense of isshoukenmei — doing something with wholeheartedness.
04
Mash-up
We value diverse expressions of leadership that go beyond conventional expectations. We foster an environment where students are encouraged to question norms and discover a leadership style that aligns with their authentic selves. To support this, we create opportunities for people of all ages—including experts from various fields and active members of the local community—to come together, share knowledge, and learn from one another across disciplines. By welcoming a wide range of individuals into the school to both learn and occasionally teach alongside students, we expand students’ horizons, allowing them to explore new perspectives and deepen their understanding.
We value diverse expressions of leadership that go beyond conventional expectations. We foster an environment where students are encouraged to question norms and discover a leadership style that aligns with their authentic selves. To support this, we create opportunities for people of all ages—including experts from various fields and active members of the local community—to come together, share knowledge, and learn from one another across disciplines. By welcoming a wide range of individuals into the school to both learn and occasionally teach alongside students, we expand students’ horizons, allowing them to explore new perspectives and deepen their understanding.
05
Basics first
Whatever path one chooses to pursue, developing a strong educational foundation is essential. This includes not only reading and writing, but also the ability to think logically, organize thoughts clearly, and engage in deeper reflection. These core skills serve as the starting point for meaningful exploration across various fields and for shaping a path that is uniquely one’s own. At AHIS, we place great importance on these fundamentals and provide support at a pace that meets each student’s individual needs.
Whatever path one chooses to pursue, developing a strong educational foundation is essential. This includes not only reading and writing, but also the ability to think logically, organize thoughts clearly, and engage in deeper reflection. These core skills serve as the starting point for meaningful exploration across various fields and for shaping a path that is uniquely one’s own. At AHIS, we place great importance on these fundamentals and provide support at a pace that meets each student’s individual needs.