Daito Bunka University for International Students: Admissions, Tuition, Programs, Exchanges & Student Life

If you’re picturing a Japan study-abroad experience that blends green suburban space with Tokyo’s urban energy—and lets you major in languages, international relations, business, law, sports science, or even calligraphy—Daito Bunka University (DBU) deserves a close look. With campuses in Tokyo (Itabashi/Shinanomachi) and nearby Saitama (Higashi-Matsuyama), DBU is a private liberal-arts university known for Asian language education, distinctive cultural programs, and active student life. Below is a clear, evidence-backed overview to help you gauge academic fit, costs in ¥, campus vibe, weather, and career outlook—so you can decide if DBU should make your shortlist.

Quick Facts

Type (National/Public/Private)	Private (Times Higher Education profile)
Total Students	Approx. ~12,000; official count 11,895 (as of May 1, 2015) THE, DBU Enrolled Students
Campuses	Main administrative base: Itabashi (Tokyo); undergraduate base for Years 1–2: Higashi-Matsuyama (Saitama); Law School (J.D.): Shinanomachi (Tokyo). Campus overview
Faculties/Schools	Literature; Economics; Foreign Languages; Law; International Relations; Business Administration; Sociology; Sports & Health Science. JPSS (faculties list in English)
Tuition Fees	Typical undergraduate tuition around ¥733,000/year (varies by faculty) + admission fee ¥210,000; see official PDFs. DBU Tuition & Fees (English), JPSS 2025 figures
Gender Ratio	Male ~66% / Female ~34% (2015 total). DBU Enrolled Students
Intl-Student %	~3.3% (391 international students in 2015). DBU International Students (by country)
Students per Staff	≈12:1 (≈12,000 students / ≈1,000 faculty & staff). THE, EduRank

Notes: DBU publishes detailed counts (in English) as of May 1, 2015. For a current ballpark, Times Higher Education reports “nearly 12,000 students” and “around 1,000 lecturers and professors,” which aligns with a ~12:1 student–staff ratio. Always confirm your target program’s latest fee table before applying. DBU official stats / THE profile.

Campus Maps

Maps to be embedded later. For campus overview, see DBU Campus (English).

Itabashi Campus (Tokyo)

Address: 1-9-1 Takashimadaira, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 175-8571, Japan

Higashi-Matsuyama Campus (Saitama; Undergraduate base for Years 1–2)

Address: 560 Iwadono, Higashi-Matsuyama-shi, Saitama 355-8501, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Daito Bunka University traces its roots to 1923 and a founding vision centered on Asian studies and cultural exchange. That ethos—learning from Asia and building bridges across languages and societies—still defines the university’s profile today. DBU’s English-language admission policy highlights a century-long commitment to Asian culture research, a global alumni body of 100,000+, and a network of 100+ sister universities that facilitates the outbound study of “more than 400 students a year.” Admission Policy (English).

DBU operates across multiple sites with complementary roles: the Itabashi campus in Tokyo serves as the administrative hub and upper-division base; the Higashi-Matsuyama campus in Saitama is a green, spacious setting that hosts many first- and second-year courses and athletic facilities; and the Shinanomachi site houses the Juris Doctor program. This “green-to-urban” path is attractive to students who want a quiet start and a city-connected finish. Campus overview, THE campus notes.

The university’s character stands out in areas where “culture” is both academic and lived practice—language education (including less commonly taught Asian languages), Japanese and East Asian studies, and calligraphy. DBU is widely recognized for calligraphy as an academic discipline (undergraduate to doctoral level) and for associated research institutes that connect tradition with contemporary inquiry. Calligraphy (Undergraduate); Calligraphy (Graduate).

Over time, DBU has broadened into eight faculties—Literature; Economics; Foreign Languages; Law; International Relations; Business Administration; Sociology; Sports & Health Science—while retaining a “cultural arts and humanities” backbone. Today, the student body sits just under the 12,000 mark, taught by roughly 1,000 faculty and staff, and supported by an International Center that helps both incoming and outgoing students navigate applications, visas, and overseas placements. Faculties (JPSS), THE, International Center.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Strength: Languages & Asian Studies

Faculty of Foreign Languages (English, Chinese, Japanese)

DBU’s language programs combine practical skills with cross-cultural literacy. For example, the English Language department features small-group foundational seminars and multiple tracks aligned to student goals—from communication to area-focused study—so learners build both language and applied competencies. English Language (Undergraduate).

Faculty of International Relations (Area Studies + Language)

International Relations at DBU is closely tied to learning across Asian regions and languages, with study-abroad pathways and field experiences cultivated through the university’s 100+ partner network. As a result, students encounter both classroom rigor and on-the-ground immersion. Partner-university & outbound overview, International Center.

Calligraphy as a University-Level Discipline

Few universities worldwide offer a full spectrum in calligraphy—from undergraduate training in technique and history to graduate research and conservation. DBU’s calligraphy programs emphasize both artistic expression and scholarly inquiry (e.g., cultural property studies), backed by dedicated research institutes and interdisciplinary projects. Undergraduate Calligraphy, Graduate Calligraphy, University Journal Online (English article).

A “Green-to-Urban” Learning Arc

The Higashi-Matsuyama campus in Saitama offers a quieter, greener environment—ideal for first- and second-year study and sports—while Itabashi in Tokyo connects you to internships, professional events, and the capital’s cultural life. The Law School’s Shinanomachi site further anchors DBU in central Tokyo. This blend broadens your network and daily routine, from bicycling on a leafy campus to interning near major rail hubs. Campus overview (English), THE campus descriptions.

Outbound Mobility & Global Network

DBU’s International Center coordinates exchange and direct-enrollment links with 100+ partner universities and sends 400+ DBU students abroad each year—primarily across Asia but also in North America, Europe, and Oceania. That scale helps with credit mapping, scholarships, and practical guidance. Outbound figures & partners (English), International Center.

Competitive Sports Culture (Ekiden & Rugby)

DBU’s athletics are well known, especially distance running. The university has a historic presence in the Hakone Ekiden—Japan’s most famous university relay marathon—with multiple overall titles and deep alumni engagement in corporate athletics. This tradition supports strong student clubs, training facilities, and an active campus community. Hakone Ekiden overview (English).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome You

Exchange and degree-seeking students consistently recommend joining a circle early to build friendships and practice Japanese. Voices from past students mention how clubs accelerate language gains and expand your social life on campus. Student Voices (English).

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Daily Life)

DBU’s International Center supports visa documentation (Certificate of Eligibility), arrival, and day-to-day questions (banking, insurance, part-time work rules, etc.). You’ll also find English FAQs that answer practical questions from “Can I work part-time?” to “How do I re-enter Japan during breaks?” International Center, Visas (English), How To (English FAQs).

Language-Exchange or Tutor (“Buddy”) Programs

Past participants recommend applying for a tutor to boost your Japanese and make friends—a low-barrier way to meet local students and navigate campus life together. Student Voices (tutor mention).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Focus)

DBU reports cooperation with 100+ sister universities—mainly across Asia—and sends 400+ students abroad each year through semester, year, and short-term programs. These links underpin summer language courses, research stays, and exchange terms. You’ll find partner-based fact sheets circulating at overseas universities, too (e.g., in Taiwan and the U.S.), which detail campus locations, which departments study where, and Japanese-language class availability for exchange students. Outbound overview (English), Example partner info sheet (NSYSU, English PDF).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo & Saitama)

Weather at a Glance (Recent Years)

Expect mild winters (typical daytime highs ~8–12°C; overnight lows around 0–3°C) and humid summers (daytime highs commonly 30–35°C). Over the last five years, Japan set nationwide heat records—2023 was the warmest year on record globally, 2024 brought record-hot midsummer months in Japan, and August 2025 saw new national highs—so plan for serious heat precautions in July–September. WMO (2023 warmest year), JMA News Releases (English), Japan 2025 heat records (news).

Safety & Cost of Living

Tokyo consistently ranks among the world’s safest big cities, according to Economist Impact’s Safe Cities Index (2021 edition: Tokyo in the global top five). Safe Cities Index (Economist Impact). For budgeting, the government’s Study in Japan site estimates national average housing at ~¥41,000/month (Tokyo ~¥57,000), with total monthly student expenses typically around ¥100,000–¥150,000 depending on lifestyle and location. Study in Japan: Cost of Living, U.S. Embassy “Study in Japan” Guide (2023).

International Student Statistics

DBU’s English stats page provides a country-by-country snapshot (May 1, 2015). The data show ~391 international students, with Asia representing the majority—especially China, plus Korea, Taiwan, and others. Use this as a historical baseline while you confirm current-year figures with DBU’s International Center.

Top Sending Countries (DBU English page, 2015)

Country/Region	Total Students
China	309
Nepal	14
Taiwan	14
Korea	16
USA	4
Vietnam	4
Others (incl. Europe, Middle East, Oceania)	30+

Source: DBU International Students (English). For overall gender distribution and totals, see DBU Enrolled Students.

Career & Graduate Prospects

While DBU does not publish a single, institution-wide English employment rate, several indicators point to practical preparation and active pipelines. Business Administration is cited as the most popular course at DBU, and the Tokyo location (Itabashi/Shinanomachi) supports internships and networking. THE profile.

Graduates head into a wide range of sectors—trade and logistics, manufacturing and tech-adjacent roles, finance and services, education/culture (e.g., calligraphy and language education), and public service. DBU’s athletics tradition (notably in long-distance running) also links students to Japan’s corporate team ecosystem, where many athletes continue competing as they launch careers. Hakone Ekiden (context).

For graduate study, DBU offers master’s/doctoral programs across literature (including calligraphy), economics, foreign languages, business administration, law/political science (selected tracks), and sports & health science. These programs often allow multilingual coursework and research supervision in English/Japanese. Graduate: Foreign Languages, Graduate: Business Administration.

Admissions & Tuition (Quick Pointers)

International admissions policies and exam components vary by faculty/department. Be sure to check whether JLPT (N1/N2) and EJU are required for your intended program, as well as any departmental tests or interviews. For fees, confirm the current PDF for your year; typical undergraduate tuition is around ¥733,000/year with a one-time admission fee (commonly ¥210,000), plus other fees by program. JPSS (English, program-by-program), DBU Tuition & Fees (English).

Why Shortlist Daito Bunka University?

DBU is a strong fit if you want: (1) Asian languages/area studies with real exchange options; (2) a rare calligraphy pathway from B.A. to Ph.D.; (3) a two-campus lifestyle that starts green and shifts urban; and (4) Tokyo proximity for internships and careers—while keeping tuition in the typical private-university range for Japan (quoted in ¥). If that’s your profile, DBU’s combination of cultural strengths and practical supports is hard to beat. DBU English homepage.