This page is general information from Kumamoto City’s official page. Places are decided by the city. For your own case, ask the Health and Children Section (保健こども課) of your ward office.
For a nursery place in Kumamoto City from April 2027, the first round of applications runs in October 2026. Post and online applications close a week earlier than the counters, so check which way you will apply. How the system works is in Nursery schools in Kumamoto City; this page is about the April 2027 dates.
In short
- First round for April 1, 2027: from Thursday, October 1, 2026.
- By post or online: closes Wednesday, October 14, 2026 (online until 23:59; post must arrive by that day).
- At a counter (your first-choice nursery or a ward office): closes Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Second round: January 5 to 11, 2027 by post or online, or to January 18 at a counter.
Checked with official pages on September 28, 2026.
1. When are the deadlines?
Kumamoto City
| Round | Post or online | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| First | Oct 1–14, 2026 | Oct 1–21, 2026 |
| Second | Jan 5–11, 2027 | Jan 5–18, 2027 |
The city plans to post first-round results in late December 2026 and second-round results in late February 2027.
The date you apply does not affect your chances; the city scores each application and offers places from the highest score down. The city will not publish vacancies for the first round, so ask each nursery when you visit. Vacancies for the second round are due on December 23, 2026.
2. How do I apply?
Kumamoto City
- Visit the nurseries you want, with your child. The city asks you to contact each nursery and visit before you hand in the form.
- Get the forms. The FY2027 guide and application form are handed out at each ward’s Health and Children Section and at nurseries, and are on the city’s page (Japanese).
- Fill them in with a pen that cannot be erased. The city will not accept forms written with erasable pens or corrected with correction tape. Cross out mistakes with two lines.
- Hand them in. At your first-choice nursery or a ward office’s Health and Children Section by October 21; by post to the General Administration Center (総合行政事務センター), 1-1 Tetorihoncho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City 860-8601, arriving by October 14; or online through Mynaportal with a My Number Card by October 14, 23:59. Online applications open at 8:30 on October 1.
Important
The city cannot answer questions about whether a posted application arrived. It suggests a mail service that keeps a record.
3. Who do I ask?
Kumamoto City
Health and Children Sections (保健こども課): Chuo Ward 096-328-2421, Higashi Ward 096-367-9130, Nishi Ward 096-329-6838, Minami Ward 096-357-4135, Kita Ward 096-272-1104. The city’s page does not say whether the counters can help in English. For interpreting, see Where to get help in your language.
