Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus that blends hands‑on science with a relaxed, livable setting? Ishikawa Prefectural University (IPU) could be a great fit. Based in Nonoichi City (next to Kanazawa), IPU is a small public university focused on agriculture, environment, and food—fields that connect directly to daily life and real industries. This guide covers what matters to international candidates: what the university teaches, how learning feels day‑to‑day, research strengths, campus life, weather and lifestyle, exchange options, and career support. All facts and figures come from official sources linked throughout for easy verification.
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Source: Hirorinmasa via Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0.
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Source: Hirorinmasa via Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0.
Quick Facts: Ishikawa Prefectural University
Numbers are the latest available from official pages. “Total Students” reflects May 1, 2025 (undergrad + graduate). International‑student share and staff figures are from the JPCUP (as of May 1, 2024). Evidence links are included on each relevant row.
| Type (National/Public/Private) | Public (Prefectural) — JPCUP: Ishikawa Prefectural University |
|---|---|
| Total Students | 604 (UG 546 + Grad 58) — May 1, 2025 Official student numbers |
| Campuses | Nonoichi (Main) — 1‑308 Suematsu, Nonoichi City, Ishikawa Access |
| Faculties/Schools |
Undergraduate: Faculty of Bioresources & Environmental Sciences (3 departments: Bioproduction Science; Environmental Science; Food Science) — Faculty overview (JPCUP) Graduate: Graduate School of Bioresources & Environmental Sciences — Graduate study info |
| Tuition Fees | Undergraduate tuition ¥535,800/year; typical admission fee ¥282,000 (prefectural residents) / ¥423,000 (others). See “Tuition and Fees” on the faculty page — Tuition & Fees (JPCUP) |
| Gender Ratio | Undergraduate: Female 288 (52.7%) / Male 258 (47.3%) — May 1, 2025 Official student numbers |
| Intl‑Student % | ≈0.5% (3 of 597) — May 1, 2024 (Undergrad 2; Grad 1) JPCUP totals |
| Students per Staff | ≈9.3 (597 students / 64 full‑time faculty) — May 1, 2024 JPCUP data |
Campus Maps
Main Campus (Nonoichi, Ishikawa)
Address: 1-308 Suematsu, Nonoichi, Ishikawa 921-8836, Japan
Mission, History & Founding Story
Ishikawa Prefectural University (IPU) is a public institution located in Nonoichi City, next to the cultural hub of Kanazawa. Its roots trace back to a prefectural agricultural junior college established in 1971; the institution was later chartered as a university in 2005 with a single integrated faculty focused on bioresources and the environment. This concentration gives IPU a crisp profile: practical science that links food, ecosystems, technology, and communities. Background references confirm the public (prefectural) status and the one‑faculty structure at the undergraduate level. See the brief English overview on Wikipedia and the university’s official profile on JPCUP.
From start to present, IPU’s mission has been tightly aligned with regional strengths. Ishikawa Prefecture spans the Sea of Japan coast and mountainous inland, producing abundant agricultural and fishery products—a natural classroom and living lab for students. The university emphasizes hands‑on learning and fieldwork across plant and animal production, environmental systems, and food science. JPCUP highlights “hands-on experiences” and access to facilities like experimental fields, laboratories, and centers that support research and teaching—plus a campus designed to be barrier‑free and student friendly. See the “Overview,” “Facilities and Services,” and “Academic Support” sections of the JPCUP institution page.
Because IPU is compact, students often interact closely with faculty and staff, a point you can sense in the published data. As of May 1, 2024, JPCUP lists 64 full‑time academic staff for 597 students (≈9.3 students per full‑time faculty member). The official university data for May 1, 2025 shows 546 undergraduates and 58 graduate students (total 604). These figures suggest a learning environment where individual advising and lab access are more attainable than at mega‑campuses. Verify the staff and 2024 totals via JPCUP and the 2025 student numbers on the official student‑numbers page.
Key Strengths & Unique Features
Flagship Faculty: Bioresources & Environmental Sciences
IPU’s undergraduate programs are all hosted within a single faculty designed around real‑world challenges in food, land, water, and ecosystems. The three departments—Bioproduction Science, Environmental Science, and Food Science—offer coherent pathways from fundamentals to application. The official faculty portal (English outline via JPCUP) explains the program profile, typical coursework, and post‑graduate pathways. Admissions, estimated total costs, and “Tuition & Fees” are also consolidated there. See the faculty page on JPCUP.
Small Scale, Hands‑On: Better Access to Labs & Fieldwork
With around 600 students total, you’re not just a number. JPCUP’s data (597 students and 64 full‑time faculty as of May 1, 2024) points to a low student‑to‑faculty ratio, which typically means more face time, easier lab placements, and quicker feedback loops in research training. The campus supports hands‑on learning through experimental fields, labs, and a research‑friendly environment, as noted under “Facilities and Services” on the JPCUP overview. If you want a preview of course content in English and Japanese titles, browse the open syllabus system here: Syllabus Portal.
Graduate Pathways & Integrated Research Culture
The graduate school continues the same thematic pillars—production, environment, food, and life sciences—with master’s and doctoral programs. Prospective students can review guidance on program structure, labs, and learning support through the graduate information page (note: the site currently resolves to the “guidance‑2” URL). See Graduate Study Information. This vertical integration helps motivated undergraduates move into thesis‑based research without switching institutions or regions.
Regional & International Engagement (with Real Examples)
Ishikawa’s industries—food processing, agriculture, and environmental services—frequently show up in student activities and exchange stories. For instance, the university reported a Thailand overseas training program linked with local company Hachiban and student exchanges with Rangsit University. See the official news item (Sept 7, 2023): Overseas training send‑off ceremony (Thailand). These examples signal that IPU’s international collaborations connect back to regional strengths, giving students applied exposure beyond the classroom.
Student Life for Internationals
Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students
Student clubs span language, culture, sports, and hobbies. For a taste, browse the club directory and a few sample pages: Clubs & Circles Portal, English Club, Board Game Circle, Food Produce Circle.
Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)
IPU outlines learning support, counseling, and related services under “Campus Life.” International students can typically expect help with documentation, housing guidance, and mental health. Start with the Student Life & Counseling page: Student Life & Counseling. For general academic support (including tutors, peer support, and access accommodations), see the “Academic Support” section on JPCUP. There’s also a formal Student Support Program summary in Japanese (PDF): Student Support Program (PDF).
Partner Institutions & Exchange Options
JPCUP lists 9 overseas partner institutions for student exchange (as of May 1, 2024), and the university continues to highlight exchanges and visits in its news feed (for example, visits with Rangsit University in Thailand). Check the official partner‑network indicator on JPCUP and browse recent international‑exchange news here: Overseas training (Thailand).
Local Climate & Lifestyle
Nonoichi and the greater Kanazawa area have four distinct seasons with humid summers and cool, snowy winters—typical of Japan’s Sea‑of‑Japan side. For reliable climate data, use the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) resources in English and the Kanazawa climatology entries. JMA’s climate gateway and monthly statistics tables cover normal values (1991–2020) and links to station data (Kanazawa WMO 47605). Start here: JMA: Climate of Japan (English) and the monthly tables list including Kanazawa: JMA: Tables of Monthly Climate Statistics.
If you prefer an at‑a‑glance visualization, Weatherspark summarizes typical ranges: January daily averages near 1–6 °C (34–43 °F), and peak summer (August) averages near 24–30 °C (75–86 °F). See Weatherspark: Kanazawa. Recent summers in Japan have reached record heat nationally, so plan for robust summer heat‑mitigation habits and pay attention to JMA advisories.
International Student Statistics
JPCUP reports, as of May 1, 2024, a total enrollment of 597 students, including 3 international students (2 undergraduate, 1 graduate). That’s roughly 0.5% of the student body. Year‑to‑year totals can shift; the university’s own student‑numbers page shows 604 total students on May 1, 2025 (undergrad 546; graduate 58), but international breakdowns are not yet posted there. For the latest split, monitor JPCUP faculty stats and the university’s official student numbers.
Career & Graduate Prospects
Career development at IPU is anchored by the Career Center, which provides counseling, seminars, employer connections, and job‑hunting guidance tailored to food, agriculture, environment, and life‑sciences roles. Undergraduate majors commonly lead to quality‑control and product‑development roles in food companies, production and environmental consulting, and public‑sector positions. For details on services and outcomes snapshots, start here: Career Center. Graduate students advance into R&D, labs, and doctoral work aligned with IPU’s research fields.