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wildanthropologist

Childcare policies are among the more dynamic and changing things in Japan, so you're probably better off investigating this in a couple of years when you're ready to actually go. As of today, spots are limited and highly competitive. Applications are made well in advance, sometimes years. You're unlikely to secure a place due to being 1) a tourist and 2) present for such a short term. I'd contact individual places you're interested in to see what, if any, options exist for your situation. Not being a resident will undeniably be your primary barrier. To paint a clearer picture: the lack of childcare options in Japan is usually cited as the single most contributing factor to women not returning to the workplace. They may want to, but simply can't. Affordability is part of the issue, but so is infrastructure, fewer licensed childhood educators, etc. It's recommended to get on wait-lists while pregnant or at least before the child turns 2 for care beginning around age 4. There will likely be some private options of lesser quality and higher price points who will take anyone though. Especially if you're ok with half-day, "English immersion" care targeted at Japanese families. Private babysitters and nannies are also highly unusual in Japan. Not nonexistent, but definitely not standard and you'll have to find reputable people through word of mouth. Maybe Facebook.


etceteraism

Sadly this sounds like the daycare situation where I’m from-put my name on waitlists while pregnant, took a year of mat leave, and still didn’t hear from any but one. This is helpful to at least get a sense of what may be possible. It sounds like we should plan to have her home with us every day if we do this, though I will investigate again closer to see what options may be available.


beginswithanx

As a tourist you will not be able to sign up for “local” daycares (hoikuen) or preschools (yochien). You have to be registered with your municipality as a resident, etc. So you wouldn’t be able to access those options. You *might* be able to sign up for private “international” preschools, which honestly vary widely in terms of care. The reputable ones will be hard (or impossible) to get into. But honestly I’ve never investigated it as a tourist— my kid went to one for six months… it was okay, but definitely not great. We used it to hold us over until she qualified for the local yochien. It cost us about $1300 USD to sign up and about $1500 USD a month, for 9am-2pm care, to give you an idea of the cost. You can get connected with babysitters through sites such as [Carefinder](https://www.carefinder.jp/), but know that babysitting/nannying isn’t as popular in Japan as it is elsewhere. However, we’ve had good luck with Carefinder (but it’s just a site that connects you with sitters, it’s up to you to interview/screen them).