About Us
International Language House (ILH) began as a homestay house for foreigners visiting Japan. From this experience, our President, Yoshiko Kurobe, started an English study program connecting English-speaking foreigners with local Japanese families looking to learn the language, and established ILH as an official company under her namesake company, Kurobe Corporation, Ltd.
In 2012, ILH Kindergarten was created in Yokohama with the vision of "Connecting Japan with the World. Connecting the World with Japan". Since then, the company has expanded into three privately-owned and operated preschools, two bilingual licensed nurseries and a Dispatch/Placement program that serves over 150+ facilities throughout the Tokyo and Kanagawa area. We also manage multiple afterschool programs and a Community School dedicated to teaching adult learners through fun and engaging activities!
At each location, our team of passionate educators is committed to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning. We offer a dynamic curriculum that integrates bilingual language learning, creative arts, and music/dancing to create a stimulating environment for all who join to enjoy the process of learning. Discover how we inspire curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence every day by accessing our schools' and program pages in the header above!
The "Bob" Logo
When Language House was still a homestay house for foreigners, a 12-year-old boy named Andy came with his Hawaiian mother and French father. They stayed in Japan for a year and when they left, Andy wrote Bob on a piece of cardboard as a thank you gift. The original is still on display in Language House - Kindergarten.
The letters in the colorful alphabet were the logo for the preschool that we started before the kindergarten program. The Japanese mother who designed it now lives in Okinawa. We have registered this logo as a trademark, and we look forward to seeing it grow with Bob in the future.
Our Team
Yoshiko Kurobe
Founder, President
Junko Uranishi
ILH Preschool, Facility Manager
Kaori Komine
CFO
Eriko Tanahara
Language House Nakajima, Principal
Carlos Barbour
General Manager
Saki Matsumoto
Language House Fujisaki, Principal
Nami Serizawa
ILH Kindergarten, Facility Manager
Mayumi Matsuno
Community School, Facility Manager
Apr 1905 Kurobe Shoten established in Kannai, Yokohama
Jul 1984 Establishment of Kurobe Ltd.
Apr 2003 Started offering English study programs taught by foreign instructors
Dec 2009 Changed the company name as “Kurobe Corporation”
Apr 2012 International Language House Kindergarten established
Apr 2013 International Language House Preschool established
Apr 2017 Received the 100-year member company award from the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Company History
Oct 2019 Acquired Paid Employment Placement Business Permit
May 2020 Acquired license for General Worker Dispatching Undertakings
Apr 2020 Language House Nakajima Nursery School established
Apr 2021 Language House Fujisaki Nursery School established
Jun 2023 International Language House Kamakura established
May 2025 Kawasaki Afterschool Program established
Our Locations
Note: The above shows only ILH owned and operated (i.e. licensed bilingual nurseries) locations. It does not include Dispatch/Placement programs partner locations.