Thinking about studying in Japan and looking for a women’s university with strong liberal-arts traditions, arts-and-culture depth, and practical career support? This guide introduces Jissen Women’s University (JWU) in Tokyo. With two campuses (Hino and Shibuya), Jissen blends classic humanities strengths (including a renowned Genji collection) with hands-on learning, caring student support, and growing exchange pathways. Below you’ll find quick facts, campus context, signature programs, life for international students, study‑abroad options, local climate and lifestyle notes, and recent career outcomes—all with sources you can verify.
Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Abasaa. License: Public Domain (PD-self).
Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: しんぎんぐきゃっと. License: CC BY 4.0.
Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Abasaa. License: Public Domain (PD-self).
Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Syced. License: CC0 1.0 (Public Domain).
Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Unknown. License: Public Domain (Japan old photograph).
Quick Facts
| Type | Private women’s university (some graduate programs accept men). About (EN) / Wikipedia (EN) |
|---|---|
| Total Students | 4,564 (as of May 1, 2025). Official data (JP) |
| Campuses | Hino (main) & Shibuya (Tokyo). Access (EN) / Hino Campus Map (JP) |
| Faculties / Schools | Faculty of Letters; Faculty of Human & Social Studies; Faculty of International Studies; Faculty of Environmental Design; Faculty of Human Life Sciences; Graduate Schools (Letters, Human Life Sciences, Human Society). Academic (EN) |
| Tuition Fees (Undergrad) | Approx. ¥1,163,000–¥1,283,000 per year (excl. entrance fee; varies by major; 2025 schedule). 2025 Fee PDF (JP) / Tuition & Scholarships (JP) |
| Gender Ratio | Women‑only at undergrad; some graduate programs accept men (e.g., Graduate Art History). Graduate Art History (JP) |
| Intl‑Student % | n/a (not publicly specified as a %). Exchange/activity data is available. Info Disclosure (JP, PDF) |
| Students per Staff | ≈ 35:1 (4,564 students / 129 core faculty as of May 1, 2025). Students (JP) / Core Faculty 2025 (JP, PDF) |
Campus Maps
Headquarters — Hino Campus (Tokyo)
Address: 4-1-1 Osakaue, Hino, Tokyo 191-8510, Japan
Shibuya Campus (Tokyo)
Address: 1-1-49 Higashi, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-8538, Japan
Mission, History & Founding Story
Founded in 1899 by Utako Shimoda, a pioneer of modern women’s education in Japan, Jissen Women’s University began with a clear, practical mission: empower women to live independently and contribute to society. The Japanese word jissen (実践) means “to put into practice,” and that ethos remains central today—linking academic study with real-world application through internships, service, and problem‑based projects. About (EN), Why Jissen (EN).
After wartime destruction in the 1940s, the institution rebuilt and was chartered as a university in 1949. Today it operates across two Tokyo sites: the leafy Hino Campus (main) and the urban Shibuya Campus. The university’s humanities tradition shines through its stewardship of resources tied to The Tale of Genji alongside the Kosetsu Memorial Museum dedicated to women’s artistic activities. These collections support both scholarship and public outreach via digitization, exhibitions, and publications. Academic / Centers (EN).
Institutionally, Jissen is evaluated under Japan’s accreditation framework; you can review an English summary of its mission and quality assurance in the certified evaluation report. Accreditation summary (EN, PDF). This public accountability aligns with the university’s long‑standing motto often paraphrased as “when women change society, they change the world,” updating its meaning for contemporary careers and global civic life. Background (EN).
Key Strengths & Unique Features
Genji Scholarship & the Kosetsu Memorial Museum
Jissen’s humanities identity is anchored by collections and research related to The Tale of Genji and women’s artistic activities. The Kosetsu Memorial Museum highlights women painters and makes materials accessible through exhibits and digitization, while the Center for Research of Literature advances scholarship with extensive manuscripts and annual reports. For students considering literature, art history, or museum studies, these resources offer a rare, women‑centered perspective at the heart of Tokyo. Academic overview (EN).
Practical Learning: Internships, Projects & J‑TAS
True to jissen, the university designs experiential learning through internships, volunteer work, and problem‑based learning with companies and local governments, supported by the Career Support Office and international programs (CLEIP). Jissen’s integrated student‑support platform J‑TAS (Jissen Total Advanced Support) tracks growth and helps coordinate one‑stop services. Why Jissen (EN) / Career Development (EN) / J‑TAS (JP).
Flagship Focus: Art History & Museum Pathways
Among Jissen’s strongest areas, Art History (undergraduate and graduate) stands out for depth across Japanese, East Asian, and Western traditions and for its track‑record of producing museum professionals (curators). The graduate program in Art History welcomes international and male students, reflecting a research‑oriented culture with doctoral options (Doctor of Arts). Students can also pursue curator certification (博物館学課程) linked to hands‑on training. Art History dept. (JP) / Graduate Art History (JP) / Museum/Art careers (JP).
Two-Campus Experience: Green Hino & Urban Shibuya
Students benefit from the quiet, spacious environment of Hino—great for focused study and facilities—alongside Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s most connected neighborhoods for creative industries, culture, and internships. Dining services, counseling, and student clubs run across both sites. Campus Life (EN) / Access (EN).
Student Life for Internationals
Clubs & Circles
Jissen offers dozens of student groups—from cultural clubs (koto, tea ceremony) to sports (archery, dance, naginata) and creative communities (illustration, video). These are friendly gateways to meet Japanese peers. Club directory (JP) / Clubs snapshot (EN).
Dedicated Support Offices
International students can access visa and housing guidance, health/counseling services, one‑on‑one career counseling, and seminars on working in Japan—coordinated by the Career Support Office, CLEIP, and the International Affairs Division. Career Development (EN) / International Students (EN).
Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs
Look for campus initiatives like the Japanese Conversation Partner Program and the student‑led J‑Global Community—they host welcome/farewell parties, city tours, and cultural exchanges that help you practice Japanese and make friends. Community engagement (EN) / Tokyo Guide Tour (EN) / International Exchange Event (EN).
Partner Institutions & Exchange Options
Jissen partners with universities across North America, Europe, and Asia. Examples include University of California, Irvine; San Francisco State University; University of British Columbia; University of Sussex; and Dankook University (KR). Program types range from semester/year exchange to language programs and short‑term cultural immersion. Partner Institutions (EN) and official breakdowns in the information‑disclosure PDF. Exchange data (JP, PDF).
Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo Area)
Weather Snapshot (Recent Years)
Tokyo summers are hot and humid; winters are cool with few snow days. In the last five years, July–August monthly mean daily maxima have often hovered around the low 30s °C, and winter monthly mean daily minima around 1–4 °C, with January daily means near 5–7 °C. For month‑by‑month tables (and yearly values), consult the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Tokyo station (ID 47662). JMA monthly tables (EN) / Temperature tables (EN).
Lifestyle: Safety, Costs & Convenience
The Hino campus offers calm greenery and direct rail links to central Tokyo, while Shibuya places you in a creative/business hub. Daily life is convenient (campus dining, cafés, supermarkets). Costs vary by neighborhood; many students share housing or commute from family homes. For campus access details and neighborhood transport times, see the official access page. Access (EN).
International Student Statistics
Jissen publishes exchange activity and partner‑school data via its information‑disclosure materials. For 2023, inbound exchange examples included students from the Netherlands, Korea, Taiwan, and China, among others; outbound exchange covered the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand, and more. (Degree‑seeking international student headcounts are not published as a single % figure.) See the official PDF for tables and counts. Info Disclosure—Study Abroad & International Students (JP, PDF).
Career & Graduate Prospects
For the class of 2024 (graduated March 2025), the overall university job placement rate reported was 98.4%, with faculty‑level breakdowns posted on Jissen’s official career data page. Representative employers span airlines, publishing/media, apparel/retail, tech, public sector (including police and education boards), hospitality, and manufacturing. International students can access dedicated counseling, seminars on job hunting in Japan, and internships via the Career Support Office. Career data (JP) / Career Development (EN).
Admissions: Where to Start
Degree‑seeking international applicants can apply to four‑year or graduate programs (eligibility check recommended). Exchange students should first consult their home university office. For tuition and scholarship details, see the admissions and fee pages. Admission (EN) / Tuition & Scholarships (JP) / Global (EN).