Kokugakuin University Shinto Studies — Mythology, Ritual Law & Shrine Training for International Students in Tokyo

Thinking about studying the heart of Japan’s indigenous spirituality? At Kokugakuin University, one of only two accredited Shinto‑priest training universities nationwide, the Bachelor and Master Programs in Shinto Studies offer an immersive path into mythology, ritual law and hands‑on shrine practice—all in vibrant Shibuya, Tokyo. This guide unpacks what makes the programs special and how international students can join.

Kokugakuin University at a Glance

Rich Heritage in Central Tokyo

Founded in 1882 to revive Japanese classics, Kokugakuin’s Shibuya campus today blends state‑of‑the‑art learning spaces with an on‑site shrine used for daily rituals. Its English‑language “About” page highlights a diverse student body (40 nationalities) and a mission to bridge Japan and the world. The university’s vast library holds 1.38 million volumes on religion, history and culture, giving Shinto majors primary sources rarely found elsewhere.

Why Shinto Studies Matters Globally

From environmental ethics to community festival management, Shinto perspectives increasingly inform academic and policy debates. Alumni serve as cultural diplomats, heritage‑site consultants and priests who welcome more than 30 million international shrine visitors each year—expertise in high demand as inbound tourism rebounds.

Bachelor of Shinto Studies: Four Years of Living Myth

Curriculum Highlights

Year 1 grounds you in classical texts such as the Kojiki, while Years 2–3 dive into comparative mythology, ritual choreography and shrine architecture. Final‑year capstones pair students with shrines across Japan for field research and community festivals. Classes are mainly in Japanese, but academic Japanese support and select seminars in English help you bridge the gap.

Snapshot: Program Basics

Programm	Duration	Main Language	Annual Tuition (JPY)
Bachelor of Shinto Studies	4 years	Japanese (English support)	≈1,315,300
Master of Shinto Studies	2 years	Japanese / bilingual supervision	≈1,020,000

The tuition figure above covers registration, facilities and activity fees; multiple scholarships (see Section 5) can reduce costs by 30–100 %.

Master of Shinto Studies: Research with Impact

Supervision & Resources

Graduate students work one‑on‑one with professors publishing in English‑language journals on ritual law and folklore. You’ll access digitized archives via the university’s Shinto Portal, plus manuscripts locked behind glass in most institutions.

Career Outcomes

Recent graduates have gone on to doctoral programs, museum curation roles and advisory posts for UNESCO‑listed shrine festivals. If you intend to become a kannushi (Shinto priest), the MA plus shrine practicum fulfils academic requirements set by the Association of Shinto Shrines.

Hands‑On Shrine Training & Ritual Law

Campus‑to‑Shrine Pathway

Every spring, students complete a week‑long immersion at the on‑campus Training Center, learning purification rites, norito chanting and proper use of ritual tools. Those targeting priesthood continue to a one‑month countryside placement approved by Jinja Honchō.

Numbers You Should Know

Kokugakuin qualified 151 new priests in 2023—more than double any other center—underscoring its role as Japan’s primary training ground.

Admissions, Scholarships & Student Life

Application Timeline

Online applications open each September, with an entrance exam fee of 35,000 yen and results released by January for the April intake.

Funding Options

International applicants may combine a Kokugakuin merit scholarship (up to 400,000 yen/year) with the Japanese Government’s MEXT award. Successful MEXT scholars typically receive a 100 % tuition waiver plus a 143,000 yen monthly stipend.

Life Beyond the Classroom

Clubs range from kagura dance to calligraphy, and the International Student Office hosts monthly cultural excursions. Affordable dorm rooms start at 45,000 yen/month within a 20‑minute train ride of campus.

Ready to explore further? Visit Kokugakuin’s English admissions portal to start your journey into Japan’s living mythology.