中文 · Bahasa Melayu · Bahasa Indonesia
By Jason Lim, REN 84424 · IQI Realty · Checked on 4 November 2026
This guide is for Japanese and Korean families, retirees and buyers thinking of living in Johor Bahru. The short answer: JB has a full-time Japanese school with its own Japanese association, two Korean weekend schools listed by Korea’s education centre in Malaysia, and Japanese and Korean food in many malls. There is no Japanese or Korean consulate in Johor, so official matters go to the embassies in Kuala Lumpur, and most flights from Japan and Korea arrive via Singapore Changi or KLIA, not Senai.
Quick answer
- Japanese school: The Japanese School (Johor), ジョホール日本人学校, in Bandar Seri Alam, Masai, about 25 km north-east of central JB. Primary and lower secondary, on Japan’s national curriculum.
- Korean schooling: Korea’s education centre in Malaysia lists two weekend Korean schools in JB. The nearest full-time Korean school is in Cyberjaya, Selangor.
- Embassies: Johor is served by the Embassy of Japan and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, both in Kuala Lumpur. Japan’s JB consular office closed at the end of 2014.
- Flights: no Japan or Korea routes from Senai when I checked in November 2026. Fly to Singapore Changi or KLIA, then cross the Causeway or take a domestic flight.
- Community size: about 19,690 Japanese residents in Malaysia (MOFA Japan, 2025) and 17,979 overseas Koreans (Overseas Koreans Agency, end-2024). Neither gives a Johor figure.
- Buying: foreigners can generally buy Johor homes only from RM1 million (about ¥39 million in early November 2026).
How big are the Japanese and Korean communities?
Neither government publishes a figure for Johor alone, so here are the national numbers. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs counted 19,690 Japanese residents in Malaysia in 2025, on its Malaysia page updated on 26 October 2026. Korea’s Overseas Koreans Agency counted 17,979 overseas Koreans in Malaysia at the end of 2024: 16,530 under the embassy in Kuala Lumpur and 1,449 under its branch office in Kota Kinabalu (2025 edition of its overseas Koreans report).
These totals include JB residents but do not say how many live here, and I have not found an official source naming the JB neighbourhoods where Japanese or Korean families live, so I won’t guess. The community’s institutions, below, are easier to pin down.
The Japanese School (Johor)
Johor has a full-time Japanese school. It is registered with Malaysia’s Ministry of Education as The Japanese School (Johor), ジョホール日本人学校, and it marks its 30th anniversary in Japan’s 2026 school year. These are the details from the school’s own website, checked on 4 November 2026:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | No. 3, Jalan Persiaran Seri Alam, Bandar Seri Alam, 81750 Masai, Johor |
| Location | About 25 km north-east of central Johor Bahru, in the Seri Alam township. The site has a school building, gymnasium, swimming pool and sports field. |
| Founded | 1997, by the Japan Club of Johor (ジョホール日本人会). Moved to its current site in April 1998. Certified by Japan’s education ministry (MEXT) as an overseas Japanese school in December 1997. |
| Levels | Primary (小学部) and lower secondary (中学部) together |
| Curriculum | Japan’s national Courses of Study (学習指導要領), as in schools in Japan |
| English | English conversation lessons taught entirely in English, in three ability groups. The school lists 2 hours a week in Grades 1–2, 3 hours in Grades 3–4 and 4 hours plus 2 hours of English in Grades 5–6. |
| Contact | Tel 07-386 4562 · jsj@jsj.edu.my |
Who can enrol, and what it costs
The school’s admissions page sets clear conditions. The child must hold Japanese nationality and be of compulsory school age, and live in Johor or nearby. Regular classes need Japanese suited to the child’s age. At least one parent must be a member of the Japan Club of Johor and hold a long-term pass such as an employment pass, with dependant passes for the family. New pupils normally start at the beginning of the school year.
| Fee | Amount listed |
|---|---|
| Tuition, primary | RM920 a month (RM11,040 a year) |
| Tuition, lower secondary | RM1,050 a month (RM12,600 a year) |
| Entrance fee (one-time) | RM4,000 |
| Facility fee | RM3,000 one-time, plus RM50 a month |
| Japan Club donation (one-time) | RM4,000, unless the employer has already paid |
| School bus | About RM400 a month, booked with the bus operator; varies with the number of riders |
Because of the 25 km distance from the city centre, the school run matters when you choose a home. My page on homes near the Japanese school covers the nearby options, and the Japanese-language schools and family page explains schooling in more detail. Families who want an English-medium education look at JB’s international schools instead; see my schools and family life guide.
The Japan Club of Johor
The Japan Club of Johor (ジョホール日本人会) shares the school’s address in Bandar Seri Alam (tel 07-380 5029). Its website posts safety information and seminars, community notices, a list of shops with member offers and information on the Japanese cemetery in Johor, and explains how to join. Membership matters in practice, because the school asks for it. It is the natural first contact for newcomers.
Korean schooling in Johor Bahru
There is no full-time Korean school in Johor. The Malaysia–Korea Education Centre (말레이시아한국교육원), which is attached to Korea’s Ministry of Education, lists eight Korean language schools in Malaysia, two of them weekend schools in JB:
| School | Type | Listed address |
|---|---|---|
| Johor Bahru Korean School (조호바루 한글학교) | Weekend Korean school | Block B, 1 Tebrau, Jalan Tebrau, Johor Bahru |
| Johor Bahru Milal Korean School (조호바루밀알한글학교) | Weekend Korean school | Block H, Komersil Southkey Mozek, Kota Southkey, Johor Bahru |
| Korean School of Malaysia (말레이시아한국국제학교) | Full-time Korean international school | Cyberjaya, Selangor. Opened in September 2016. |
| International schools in JB | British, IB, Australian and other curricula | Iskandar Puteri, the city and the Tebrau side |
Weekend schools help children keep up Korean while they attend an international or local school during the week. For international school choices, see the Korean-language schools and family page.
I could not find an official public page for a Korean association in Johor. The embassy in Kuala Lumpur is the best place to ask about community groups.
Moving to JB from Japan or Korea?
Tell me who is moving, which school you need (the Japanese school, a weekend Korean school or an international school) and your budget. I’ll send areas and homes that keep the school run and the airport trip short.
WhatsApp JasonEmbassies and consular help
There is no Japanese or Korean consulate in Johor. Passports, registrations and certificates are handled in Kuala Lumpur:
| Mission | Address | Notes for Johor residents |
|---|---|---|
| Embassy of Japan in Malaysia | 11, Persiaran Stonor, off Jalan Tun Razak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. Tel +60 3-2177 2600 | Serves Johor, along with Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Pahang. Japan’s Penang consulate-general covers six northern states, and its Kota Kinabalu office covers Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. |
| Japanese consular office in Johor Bahru | Closed | It ran from 1999 and closed at the end of December 2014. MOFA’s list of Japanese missions in Malaysia shows no JB office. |
| Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia | No. 9 & 11, Jalan Nipah, off Jalan Ampang, 55000 Kuala Lumpur | Korea’s other office in Malaysia is a branch in Kota Kinabalu, so Johor falls under the embassy. |
Register with your embassy when you move: Japanese nationals abroad submit a residence registration (在留届), and Koreans can register as overseas residents (재외국민등록). For a home purchase, the embassies mainly help with documents a bank or lawyer may ask for.
Japanese and Korean food and groceries
Japanese and Korean restaurants, from ramen and sushi to Korean barbecue, are common in the large malls and township commercial areas. Supermarkets carry Japanese and Korean sauces, noodles and snacks, and Korean marts sell kimchi, gochujang and frozen goods. I won’t recommend individual shops, as they change often; ask the Japan Club or other parents.
- AEON. The Japanese retail group runs several malls in JB, including AEON Mall Tebrau City, anchored by an AEON supermarket and department store, with more than 250 retailers and a Tsutaya Bookstore (Tourism Malaysia). Other AEON malls are in Bukit Indah and Bandar Dato’ Onn.
- Pork and halal. Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country, so many restaurants are halal and serve no pork or alcohol. Non-halal Japanese and Korean restaurants, and supermarkets’ non-halal sections, are where you find pork dishes.
- Budget. For groceries, eating out and school fees in ringgit, see my cost of living guide for Johor Bahru. For malls by area, see shopping malls and weekend life in JB.
Flights from Japan and Korea
Senai International Airport, JB’s own airport, had no routes to Japan or Korea on AirAsia’s Senai page when I checked on 4 November 2026; its international flights go to cities in China, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Most people fly into Singapore or Kuala Lumpur:
| Route | Non-stop options found | Then to JB |
|---|---|---|
| Japan to Singapore Changi | Singapore Airlines: Tokyo Haneda and Narita, Osaka Kansai, Nagoya and Fukuoka (summer 2026 schedule), plus Sapporo from December to February. Scoot: 45 weekly flights to Haneda, Narita, Kansai, Sapporo and Okinawa (February 2026). | By road across the Causeway or the Second Link |
| Korea to Singapore Changi | Singapore Airlines: Seoul Incheon (28 weekly) and Busan (7 weekly), summer 2026 schedule | By road across the Causeway or the Second Link |
| Japan to Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) | Malaysia Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA, Batik Air and AirAsia X to Tokyo Narita or Haneda, and Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia X and Batik Air to Osaka Kansai (JNTO, as of 28 May 2026). About 7 hours from Tokyo. | Domestic flight to Senai, or by road |
| Korea to Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) | AirAsia X flies to Seoul and planned to restart Kuala Lumpur–Busan four times a week from 17 June 2026 (The Star, January 2026) | Domestic flight to Senai, or by road |
Changi is usually the quicker choice for central and eastern JB, while Senai suits a connection through KLIA. The RTS Link train between Bukit Chagar in JB and Woodlands North in Singapore is due to open in early 2027 (see my RTS Link update). For buses, Grab and the border, see getting around JB without a car and my viewing trip guide from Singapore.
Entry, time and money
- Visas. The Malaysian Embassy in Tokyo says Japanese nationals need no visa for a social visit, including tourism and business, of up to 90 days (updated January 2025). Korean visitors should check the Immigration Department or the Malaysian Embassy in Seoul. Most foreign visitors must also submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before arrival. Living here needs a long-term pass, such as an employment pass or MM2H.
- Time. Malaysia is one hour behind Japan and Korea.
- Yen. At the 6pm close on 4 November 2026 the ringgit was at RM2.5636 to RM2.5669 per ¥100 (Malay Mail, from Bernama), about ¥39 per ringgit.
- Utilities and phones. See my guide to utilities and internet in JB.
For MM2H, I coordinate with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent and handle the home side; approval is decided by the authorities. Start with the MM2H eligibility checker and the MM2H FAQ.
Buying a home in Johor from Japan or Korea
Japanese and Korean buyers follow the normal foreigner rules. In Johor the minimum price is generally RM1 million for most residential property, with exceptions such as designated zones (New Straits Times, April 2026). Since 1 January 2026, residential transfers to foreign buyers carry 8% stamp duty, and Johor state consent and a state levy apply on top. Many families rent first; see renting in JB as a foreigner. My country pages cover the purchase step by step:
- Buying property in Johor from Japan, and the Japanese-language site at /ja/.
- Buying property in Johor from Korea, and the Korean-language site at /ko/.
- Johor’s foreigner minimum price and home loans for foreigners.
- Paying for Johor property from abroad.
Where to buy if this matters to you
- Homes near the Japanese school: for a short school run to Bandar Seri Alam.
- Permas Jaya and Senibong: east-side condos between the city centre and Masai.
- Tebrau, Setia Indah and Molek: near AEON Mall Tebrau City and the weekend Korean school on Jalan Tebrau.
- JB Sentral and Bukit Chagar: the Causeway, the future RTS Link station and the shortest trip to Changi.
- Iskandar Puteri: EduCity international schools and the Second Link to Singapore.
- Kulai and Senai: close to Senai airport for KLIA connections.
Compare them on my JB property map, or see the best areas to live in JB.
More Johor living guides: Chinese-speaking life in JB · Indonesian community life in JB · Gated and guarded homes in JB · Hospitals and healthcare in JB
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Japanese school in Johor Bahru?
Yes. The Japanese School (Johor), ジョホール日本人学校, is at No. 3, Jalan Persiaran Seri Alam, Bandar Seri Alam, Masai, about 25 km north-east of central JB. It teaches primary and lower secondary pupils on Japan’s national curriculum and was founded in 1997 by the Japan Club of Johor.
Who can enrol at the Japanese School (Johor)?
Children with Japanese nationality of compulsory school age who live in Johor or nearby. Regular classes need age-appropriate Japanese, and at least one parent must be a Japan Club of Johor member holding a long-term pass. The admissions page listed primary tuition at RM920 a month when checked in November 2026.
Is there a Korean school in Johor Bahru?
There is no full-time Korean school in Johor. The Malaysia–Korea Education Centre lists two weekend Korean schools in JB, on Jalan Tebrau and at Kota Southkey. The nearest full-time Korean international school, the Korean School of Malaysia, is in Cyberjaya, Selangor.
Is there a Japanese or Korean consulate in Johor Bahru?
No. Japan’s consular office in Johor Bahru closed at the end of December 2014, and Johor is now served by the Embassy of Japan in Kuala Lumpur. Korean residents in Johor are served by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kuala Lumpur.
Are there direct flights from Japan or Korea to Johor Bahru?
Not to Senai airport when checked in November 2026. Most people fly to Singapore Changi, which has non-stop flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Seoul and Busan, then cross the Causeway, or fly to Kuala Lumpur and take a domestic flight to Senai.
Where can I buy Japanese and Korean groceries in JB?
AEON, the Japanese retail group, runs malls in Tebrau, Bukit Indah and Bandar Dato’ Onn with supermarkets carrying Japanese products, and Korean marts and restaurants operate in malls and township commercial areas. Many restaurants are halal, so look for non-halal outlets for pork dishes.
Can Japanese and Korean citizens buy property in Johor Bahru?
Yes, under the normal foreigner rules: generally a minimum of RM1 million (about ¥39 million in early November 2026) for most Johor homes, 8% stamp duty on residential transfers since 1 January 2026, and Johor state consent and levy. My buying-from-Japan and buying-from-Korea guides cover the steps.
Planning a move from Japan or Korea to JB?
Tell me who is moving, which school or workplace you need to reach, whether you will fly via Changi or KLIA, and your budget. I will shortlist areas and homes that fit, and explain the foreigner rules before you commit to renting or buying. You can also book an appointment for viewings, or a Zoom consultation from Japan or Korea.
Sources: The Japanese School (Johor), home page, checked 4 November 2026; The Japanese School (Johor), school overview (学校概要), checked 4 November 2026; The Japanese School (Johor), admissions and fees (入学・編入学について), checked 4 November 2026; The Japanese School (Johor), English education, checked 4 November 2026; The Japanese School (Johor), contact page, checked 4 November 2026; The Japan Club of Johor (ジョホール日本人会), home page, checked November 2026; Wikipedia (Japanese), ジョホール日本人学校, accessed November 2026; MOFA Japan, Malaysia basic data, updated 26 October 2026; MOFA Japan, Japanese missions in Malaysia, dated 25 November 2021, checked November 2026; Consulate-General of Japan in Penang, area served, checked November 2026; Embassy of Japan in Singapore, notice on closure of the Johor Bahru consular office, 23 December 2014; Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia, location, checked November 2026; Overseas Koreans Agency, 2025 overseas Koreans report (data as of 31 December 2024), file dated 31 March 2026; Malaysia–Korea Education Centre (KECMY), weekend Korean schools in Malaysia, checked 4 November 2026; Wikipedia, Korean School of Malaysia, accessed November 2026; Tourism Malaysia, AEON Mall Tebrau City, accessed November 2026; Tourism Malaysia, guide to shopping malls in Johor Bahru, accessed November 2026; AirAsia, flights to Senai International Airport, checked 4 November 2026; Aviation A2Z, “Singapore Airlines confirms summer 2026 schedule”, 28 January 2026; Aviation A2Z, Scoot’s new Singapore–Tokyo Haneda flights, 27 February 2026; JNTO Malaysia, airlines list (Kuala Lumpur–Japan), as of 28 May 2026; The Star, “AirAsia X resumes popular KL–Busan route”, 12 January 2026; Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo, visa information for Japanese nationals, updated 10 January 2025; Wikipedia, Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (citing the Immigration Department), accessed November 2026; Malay Mail (Bernama), ringgit closing rates, 4 November 2026; Malay Mail, “Johor-Singapore RTS Link fares expected by year-end”, 20 October 2026; New Straits Times, “Foreigners hit Johor property resale wall”, 20 April 2026
Jason Lim, REN 84424, IQI Realty Sdn. Bhd. E (1) 1584/6. General information checked on 4 November 2026, not legal, tax or immigration advice. School rules and fees, embassy services and flight schedules change; confirm with the school, your embassy, the airline and your lawyer before you commit.