Tama Art University Guide for International Students: Programs, Costs, Admissions, Student Life

Thinking about studying art and design in Japan? Tama Art University (often called “Tamabi” or TAU) is one of the country’s most respected art schools, with a legacy of shaping creative leaders in design, fine arts, media, and architecture. This guide gives international applicants a plain‑English overview of what makes TAU distinctive—its programs, two-campus lifestyle in Tokyo, costs, support for overseas students, climate and safety, global exchange options, and where grads go next. All facts and links are pulled from official sources so you can decide if TAU fits your goals and timeline.

Quick-Facts Table

Type	Private art university (About TAU)
Total Students	4,758 = 4,405 (Undergrad) + 353 (Graduate) (as of May 1, 2024) Source
Campuses	Main: Hachioji (Tokyo) Details / Kaminoge (Setagaya) Details
Faculties/Schools	Faculty of Art & Design (Japanese Painting, Oil Painting, Graphic Arts, Sculpture, Ceramic/Glass/Metal Works, Graphic Design, Product Design, Textile Design, Architecture & Environmental Design, Information Design, Art Studies, Integrated Design, Scenography Design/Drama/Dance) + Graduate School Programs (EN)
Studiengebühren	Undergrad (first-year total): ¥1,909,000–¥1,940,000 Source / Graduate (annual): ¥1,759,000 Source / Research Student: ¥922,000 (one-time at enrollment) Source
Gender Ratio	Male 29% (1,378) / Female 71% (3,380) — totals above. Source
Intl‑Student %	≈13.1% (625 / 4,758) (as of May 1, 2025) with regional breakdown on official page. Source
Students per Staff	≈6.8 students per faculty member (4,758 students / 696 faculty & instructors) Faculty Count / Student Count

Campus Maps

Hachioji Campus (Main Campus, Tokyo)

Address: 2-1723 Yarimizu, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0394, Japan

Kaminoge Campus (Setagaya, Tokyo — Head Office)

Address: 3-15-34 Kaminoge, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8558, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Tama Art University’s guiding idea is “Freedom and Will”—the belief that creative growth happens where autonomy and responsibility meet. The university’s English about page explains how this ethos informs teaching across fine arts and design. TAU’s origins go back to 1935, when the predecessor school was founded; it became Tama Art University in 1953, launched its Graduate School in 1964 (the first of its kind among private art universities in Japan), and steadily expanded programs and facilities through the move to the Hachioji campus in the 1970s and later investments in museums, libraries, and studios. You can trace milestone dates—from faculty openings and campus development to international links—on the official history timeline.

Today, TAU operates on two Tokyo sites with distinct vibes. Hachioji (western Tokyo) is the larger, nature‑framed production campus with specialized studios and galleries. Kaminoge (Setagaya, closer to central Tokyo) houses Integrated Design and Scenography/Drama/Dance alongside administrative offices, giving students access to the city’s creative scene. Across both campuses, the university emphasizes hands‑on practice, critique culture, and collaboration across departments—values that tie back to its mission of creative freedom rooted in disciplined making.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Departments & People

Graphic Design

TAU’s Graphic Design has long been a national reference point. Alumni include creative director Kashiwa Sato, whose national‑museum retrospective underscored his cultural impact (National Art Center, Tokyo). The program blends typography, identity, packaging, signage, and media design with strong concept development and critique. See degree outlines under Academic Programs.

Integrated Design

At Kaminoge, Integrated Design explores product, service, experience, and systems thinking. The ecosystem is enriched by figures like Naoto Fukasawa, known globally for humane industrial design. The program overlaps with Product and Textile Design and Information Design, so students learn to move from concept to model to user testing—skills that travel well into industry studios and startups. Program pages: Academic Programs.

Libraries & Museum as Learning Hubs

TAU’s Hachioji Library is considered an architectural icon and a daily creative resource; the Kaminoge Library concentrates on photography, film, and theater arts (≈48,000 books, 300 periodicals, plus notable special collections). See the official overview of both libraries here, and a general reference entry here. The Tama Art University Museum runs exhibitions and manages collections; its dedicated site lists access and updates (Museum site). Together these spaces enable students to research, document, and contextualize their studio practice.

Studios, Workshops & Making Culture

From printmaking and metalwork to glass, ceramics, textile labs, and digital fabrication, TAU emphasizes “learning by making.” The campus has galleries for critiques and public shows, dedicated workrooms, and equipment lending. A third‑party overview of facilities gives a quick snapshot (JPSS), but for the most accurate info consult the Hachioji campus und Kaminoge campus pages.

Global Networks & Exchange

TAU partners with art/design schools around the world for student mobility, joint projects, and exhibitions. Browse the official list of partner institutions, and see how inbound/outbound exchanges work via the Student Exchange Program. These networks help students build international portfolios and adapt their practice to different cultural settings.

Two‑Campus Advantage in Tokyo

Hachioji offers green space and room for large‑scale making; central‑city Kaminoge places you near galleries, agencies, studios, theaters, and design offices. This balance helps students test ideas across contexts—exhibition‑oriented work at Hachioji and industry‑adjacent exploration at Kaminoge.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles: About 20% of students join clubs/circles, ranging from music and dance to ceramics, manga, photography, and more. The Japanese club list is published under “クラブ・サークル.” See current clubs (JA)

Support offices: The International Exchange Center handles exchange programs and MEXT acceptance letters. Contacts are listed on the official page. Contact TAU (EN) The “For Students” hub links to counseling, health services, disability support, housing (dorms), and student guidelines. For Students (JA) / Student Support Policy (JA)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Outbound exchange is a proven way to grow your portfolio and global network. TAU publishes its partner list here and explains application procedures for exchange students here. For MEXT scholarship procedures (research student “letter of acceptance”), read the university’s guidance (MEXT at TAU). General scholarship options for self‑funded international students and outside foundations are also listed on official pages. Principal Scholarships / Outside Scholarships

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather Snapshot (Recent Years)

For Tokyo’s observed monthly temperatures and precipitation, check the Japan Meteorological Agency (Tokyo station 47662). JMA Monthly Tables. Nationally, 2024 was Japan’s hottest year on record according to media summaries of the JMA’s reporting Kyodo News. Expect humid summers (late June–September), mild springs and autumns, and cool winters with limited snow in central Tokyo; Hachioji, being farther west and hillier, can be a bit cooler than central wards.

Safety & Living Costs

Japan’s police publish crime situation reports in English—useful context for evaluating safety. NPA statistics (EN). For a clear, current snapshot of reported crime trends, see this March 2024 analysis (EN). Nippon.com

Estimated student living costs come from the official Study in Japan site. Tokyo housing averages are higher than the national average, and most international students live off‑campus. Cost of Living / Accommodation

International Student Statistics

As of May 1, 2025, TAU reports a total of 625 international students across undergraduate, graduate, and research categories. By region/country the largest cohorts are from China (437), Korea (146), Taiwan (19), and “Other” (23), with additional students from Hong Kong, the U.S., Thailand, Macao, Singapore, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Brazil, Malaysia, Serbia, Turkey, Lebanon, Canada, Jordan, and Germany. Full breakdown on the official page. International Students (EN)

Career & Graduate Prospects

TAU publishes annual “Admission data & Graduate Careers” reports with outcomes by department/major, including employment and further‑study paths. Use the English hub here and open the latest available PDFs for details by cohort. Graduate Careers (EN)

Given TAU’s footprint in graphic/communication design, product & integrated design, architecture/interiorund art/media, typical career routes span design consultancies, in‑house design at consumer brands and electronics companies, production houses, museums/galleries, publishing, advertising/branding, and graduate school (in Japan or abroad). For program‑specific screening content (e.g., written exams, portfolios, interviews) and study language, check the admissions pages for each degree. Admissions (EN) / Master’s / Doktorat