Nihon University (Nichidai) Guide for International Students: Programs, Campuses, Tuition, Scholarships, Admissions

Thinking about a big, urban campus with a wide spread of majors—and a huge student community? Nihon University (often called “Nichidai”) might be your match. Founded in 1889 as Nihon Law School and now one of Japan’s largest private universities, Nichidai spans 16 colleges across the Tokyo area and beyond, with options from Law and Economics to Art, Engineering, and Bioresource Science. This profile pulls together verified, English‑language sources so you can quickly scan degrees, tuition, support, climate, and outcomes—then dive deeper via official links. If you’re aiming for an English‑friendly environment with plenty of choices and a vibrant student scene, keep reading.

Nihon University Head Office (Chiyoda, Tokyo)

The university’s administrative headquarters in central Tokyo—often the face of Nihon University in official communications.

Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 / GFDL).

Ochanomizu Square Building (Surugadai/Ochanomizu)

A modern landmark near Ochanomizu—home to cultural facilities like Casals Hall and a recognizable symbol of the Surugadai area presence.

Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Historic Nihon University Library — Reading Room (1929)

A rare archival look at the university’s library reading room—showing the academic atmosphere in the early Shōwa era.

Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain).

College of Economics — Main Building (Chiyoda)

The core building for Economics—situated in central Tokyo and close to government, finance, and business hubs.

Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain by uploader).

School of Medicine — Itabashi Hospital (Tokyo)

The teaching hospital of the School of Medicine—an important hub for clinical training and community healthcare.

Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain by uploader).

College of International Relations — Mishima Campus (Shizuoka)

A green, compact campus near Mt. Fuji—home to International Relations and known for an international student-friendly environment.

Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

College of Engineering — Building No. 70 (Kōriyama, Fukushima)

The engineering faculty’s facilities in Fukushima—representing the university’s strong footprint beyond Tokyo.

Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

School of Pharmacy (Narashino/Funabashi, Chiba)

The pharmacy school’s main building—supporting advanced training in pharmaceutical sciences and research.

Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 / GFDL).

College of Commerce (Setagaya, Ōkura)

A representative view of the College of Commerce—one of Nihon University’s historic and popular faculties.

Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA / GFDL).

Quick‑Facts Table

Type	Private University (founded 1889 as Nihon Law School). History
Total Students	Total enrollment across colleges >70,000 (largest scale in Japan). See official breakdowns (2020) in Facts & Figures. Facts & Figures
Campuses	Main areas: Tokyo metropolitan (Chiyoda, Setagaya, Nerima, Itabashi) + nearby prefectures (Chiba, Kanagawa, Fukushima, Shizuoka). Main campus name to list: Ochanomizu Square (HQ) / Kanda (College of Law). Undergraduate Colleges
Faculties / Schools	16 Colleges: Law, Humanities & Sciences, Economics, Commerce, Art, International Relations, Science & Technology, Industrial Technology, Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Dentistry at Matsudo, Bioresource Science, Pharmacy, Risk Management, Sports Sciences. Example: College of Art (Photography/Cinema/Music/Design, etc.). College of Art
Tuition Fees (annual)	Private‑university averages (first‑year totals, Japan): National benchmarks ~¥1,100,000 for private universities (program‑dependent). Academic Fees (JASSO) ・ Admissions steps at Nichidai: Matriculated Course
Gender Ratio	See Facts & Figures (by program/year). Facts & Figures
International Students	International students by college & degree level available (2020 snapshot). Facts & Figures
Students per Staff	Teaching & admin staff totals listed (2019); compare with student totals for rough ratio. Facts & Figures
HQ / Admissions Contact	Office of International Division; Admissions Division (Kudan‑minami). Admissions (Matriculated)

Campus Maps

College of Law (Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda)

Address: 2-3-1 Misakicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-8375, Japan

College of Economics (Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda)

Address: 1-3-2 Kanda-Misakicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-8360, Japan

College of Commerce (Kinuta, Setagaya)

Address: 5-2-1 Kinuta, Setagaya City, Tokyo 157-8570, Japan

College of Humanities & Sciences (Sakurajosui, Setagaya)

Address: 3-25-40 Sakurajosui, Setagaya City, Tokyo 156-8550, Japan

College of Art (Ekoda, Nerima)

Address: 2-42-1 Asahigaoka, Nerima City, Tokyo 176-8525, Japan

College of Science & Technology (Funabashi, Chiba)

Address: 7-24-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi City, Chiba 274-8501, Japan

College of Industrial Technology — Tsudanuma Campus (Narashino, Chiba)

Address: 1-2-1 Izumi-cho, Narashino City, Chiba 275-8575, Japan

College of Industrial Technology — Mimomi Campus (Narashino, Chiba)

Address: 2-11-1 Shinei, Narashino City, Chiba 275-8576, Japan

College of Engineering (Koriyama, Fukushima)

Address: 1 Nakagawara, Tokusada, Tamuramachi, Koriyama City, Fukushima 963-8642, Japan

School of Medicine (Itabashi, Tokyo)

Address: 30-1 Oyaguchi-Kamicho, Itabashi City, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan

School of Dentistry (Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda)

Address: 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-8310, Japan

School of Dentistry at Matsudo (Chiba)

Address: 2-870-1 Sakaecho-Nishi, Matsudo City, Chiba 271-8587, Japan

College of Bioresource Sciences (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Address: 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan

School of Pharmacy (Funabashi, Chiba)

Address: 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi City, Chiba 274-8555, Japan

College of International Relations (Mishima, Shizuoka)

Address: 2-31-145 Bunkyocho, Mishima City, Shizuoka 411-8555, Japan

College of International Relations — Mishima Station North Exit Building

Address: 1-9-18 Bunkyocho, Mishima City, Shizuoka 411-8588, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Nihon University’s origin is law—and growth. Established in 1889 as Nihon Law School, Nichidai expanded steadily through the early 20th century, adding Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Art, and more, and reorganizing into a broad private university after World War II. Today it stands among Japan’s largest institutions by enrollment, with colleges and research institutes spread across Tokyo and surrounding prefectures. What makes Nichidai distinct is its “big tent” approach: a huge network of programs, practical industry ties, and clubs/circles that support different interests and career paths, all while staying rooted in the founding law‑school spirit of social contribution and professional training.

If you’re coming from overseas, this scale is a strength. It gives you options—for example, English‑friendly information at the college level, multiple campus communities, and access to internships in greater Tokyo. The official Facts & Figures page provides program‑level snapshots (students by college, international enrollments, staffing, and finances). Combine that with each college’s English page to see course structures and labs, then map them against entry routes and visa guidance delivered centrally by the university.

Read more: History ・ Facts & Figures ・ Undergraduate Colleges.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Breadth of Colleges—From Law to Art to Science & Tech

Nichidai’s 16 colleges cover everything from law, business, and social sciences to film, music, and design—plus multiple engineering tracks and health sciences. For example, the College of Art offers departments such as Photography, Cinema, Fine Arts, Music, Literary Arts, Drama, Broadcasting, and Design, while the science and technology colleges span civil engineering, architecture, mechanical/aerospace, materials, and information science. The scale means you can move toward research‑intensive paths or applied professional training within the same university network.

Undergraduate Colleges (overview) ・ College of Art.

Admissions, Tuition & Visa—Clear Central Guidance

International degree‑seeking students follow the Matriculated Course route, with a step‑by‑step time line (choose college, obtain the admission guide, sit exams, and complete enrollment). Tuition at Japanese private universities varies by program; for planning, refer to JASSO’s national averages and confirm exact figures in your target college’s guidelines. Visa status is “College Student,” and the university’s English pages outline procedures for status of residence, COE/visa, and key deadlines.

Matriculated Course ・ Academic Fees (JASSO) ・ Immigration & Visa.

Scholarships & Financial Support—University & College‑Level Options

Nichidai provides multiple layers of support. University‑wide pages cover scholarships, tuition reduction/exemption, and budgeting resources, while some colleges (e.g., College of Law) publish their own scholarship menus. Pair these with housing guidance to estimate your monthly spend; costs in Tokyo are higher than the national average, but dorms can reduce the burden.

University Scholarships ・ Financial Support ・ Housing ・ College of Law Scholarships.

Flagship Areas to Explore

Law (Founding College)

The College of Law in Kanda (central Tokyo) remains a signature strength, with departments in Law, Political Science & Economics, Journalism, Business & Law, and Public Policy & Affairs—plus small‑group “research seminar” culture and dedicated international‑student support.

Departments ・ Research Seminar Groups ・ International Student Affairs

Science & Technology / Engineering

Multiple pathways—Science & Technology (Tokyo/Chiba), Industrial Technology (Chiba), and Engineering (Fukushima)—cover civil, architecture, mechanical/aerospace, electrical/electronic, materials, information sciences, and more. Graduate applicants can find English information and guidelines by department.

CST Graduate Admissions (PDF)

International Relations & Global Programs

The College of International Relations in Mishima (Shizuoka) focuses on international and intercultural studies with outbound mobility options, while the central Office of International Division lists a wide partner network for exchanges, internships, and collaborative projects.

International Academic Partnerships ・ International Programs & Lectures (CHS PDF)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

With so many colleges and campuses, student circles are diverse—sports, music, film production, volunteer groups, language exchange, and more. Check college pages and student affairs links to find active groups in English, especially at larger campuses like Kanda (Law), Setagaya (Humanities & Sciences/Commerce), and Nerima (Art).

Dedicated Support (Visa, Housing, Scholarships)

• Visa & Residence: Status and visa steps are outlined for international applicants. Immigration & Visa
• Scholarships & Finances: University schemes + college‑level awards (see Law for examples). Scholarships (University) ・ Financial Support ・ Law Scholarships
• Housing: Dorms and guidance for Tokyo and other campuses. Housing (University)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound from Nichidai)

Nihon University lists a large partner network across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. While most exchanges require strong Japanese for coursework, some partners allow English‑medium study. Short‑term tracks and summer schools are also available via colleges and partner institutions—use the central partner list as your first map and then check the relevant college office.

International Academic Partnerships ・ International Programs & Lectures (CHS PDF).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo area + Kanto/East Japan)

Most Nichidai campuses sit in the Tokyo metropolitan area (humid subtropical climate) or nearby Kanto/Chiba/Shizuoka/Fukushima locations. Expect hot, humid summers (peaking in August), a rainy season around June, and typhoon‑influenced rainfall in late summer/early autumn. Winters are cool with low snowfall in central Tokyo, though northern/eastern sites can be colder. Japan’s 2023 summer was the warmest on record, so plan for heat management and good rain gear.

Recent Climate Snapshot (Tokyo)	Typical Range
Average high (August)	~31–33 °C
Average low (January)	~1–3 °C
Rainfall peaks	June & September (rainy/typhoon period)

JMA monthly climate (Tokyo) ・ WMO: 2023 global record ・ Safe Cities Index 2021.

International Student Statistics

University‑reported snapshots (2020) indicate more than 1,500 international students across undergraduate and graduate programs, with the majority from Asia and notable cohorts from Europe and North America. Use the Facts & Figures tables to see program‑level breakdowns, and then verify current numbers with the target college’s office (figures vary by year).

Facts & Figures (intl breakdown).

Career & Graduate Prospects

Nihon University’s size translates into an extensive employer network and alumni presence across Japanese industry, public sector, media/creative fields, and health systems. College of Law and business‑related colleges place many students into corporate roles and public service; engineering colleges feed infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology; Art graduates flow into film/TV, music, design, and publishing. Use the university and college career pages for fairs, job‑hunting schedules, and counseling.

Career Support (University) ・ Career Development (Law).

Admissions, Tuition & Funding Snapshot

For degree programs conducted in Japanese, expect entrance exams and JLPT‑equivalent proficiency (often N1) unless stated otherwise by your college. Typical first‑year totals at private universities hover around ¥1,100,000 (program‑dependent). Combine national averages with each college’s admission guide for precise figures and deadlines. Tuition reduction/exemption and scholarships exist at both university and college levels.

Academic Fees (JASSO) ・ Matriculated Course (Admissions) ・ Scholarships (University).

How This Profile Helps You Decide

• Want lots of options? Start with the colleges overview, then short‑list by department strength and campus location.
• Need a budget view? Use JASSO’s national fee table and Nichidai’s scholarships/financial pages to build a realistic plan.
• Prefer central Tokyo? Explore Kanda (Law), Ochanomizu (HQ/admin), Setagaya (Humanities & Sciences/Commerce), Nerima (Art).
• Thinking global? Map outbound partners and summer programs, then check language requirements.
• Like communities? Look at circles and seminar groups to plug into campus life quickly.

Full Source List (English)

1. History / Facts & Figures
2. Undergraduate Colleges / College of Art / Matriculated (Admissions)
3. Academic Fees (JASSO) / Immigration & Visa
4. Scholarships (NU) / Financial Support (NU) / Housing (NU)
5. NUCL Research Seminar Groups / NUCL Departments / NUCL Scholarships
6. International Academic Partnerships / International Programs & Lectures (CHS PDF)
7. JMA Tokyo monthly climate / WMO 2023 record / Safe Cities Index 2021
8. Career Support (NU)
9. CST Grad Admissions (PDF)