Kokugakuin University Guide for International Students: Admissions, Tuition, Scholarships, Exchange, and Student Life

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus that blends deep cultural roots with modern city life? Kokugakuin University (Kokugakuin Daigaku) in Tokyo offers just that—a humanities-driven, Shinto-affiliated private university with two convenient campuses in Shibuya and Yokohama. Expect curriculum strengths in Japanese culture, history, law, economics, education, and a distinctive Faculty of Shinto Studies you won’t find elsewhere. With clear English pages for admissions and ample support for exchange students, Kokugakuin is a practical pick for students who want to live in the center of Tokyo while studying Japan from the inside out.

Symbolic Photos of Kokugakuin University (Attribution Required)

Quick Facts

Type (National/Public/Private)	Private (Shinto-affiliated)
Total Students	11,109 total (Undergraduate 10,840; Graduate 269) as of May 1, 2024. Source: Student Body
Campuses	Shibuya (main, Tokyo); Tama Plaza (Yokohama). Access & Maps
Faculties/Schools	Faculty of Letters; Faculty of Shinto Studies; Faculty of Law; Faculty of Economics; Faculty of Human Development; Faculty of Tourism & Community Development. Faculties & Departments
Tasas de matrícula	First-year totals (AY2025): approx. ¥1,315,300–¥1,375,300 depending on faculty (e.g., Letters ¥1,315,300; Law ¥1,318,300; Human Development ¥1,375,300). Official Tuition (JP, PDF)
Gender Ratio	Male 53.5% / Female 46.5% (all students, May 1, 2024). Student Body
Intl-Student %	~0.8% (85 students: 40 undergrad, 45 grad) as of May 1, 2018 (latest breakdown on EN site). International Students (Data)
Students per Staff	≈42:1 (11,109 students ÷ 265 full-time academic staff; 2024/2025). Academic Staff Numbers

Campus Maps

Shibuya Campus (Tokyo; Main)

Address: 4-10-28 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8440, Japan

Tama Plaza Campus (Yokohama)

Address: 3-22-1 Shin-ishikawa, Aoba-ku, Yokohama 225-0003, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Kokugakuin University’s identity is rooted in the late 19th century when Japan was redefining knowledge and modern education. The university’s parent institution, the Koten Kokyūsho (Institute of Japanese Classics), was established in 1882 under the guidance of Prince Arisugawa Takahito to foster scholarship on Japan’s classical heritage and to train Shinto priests. Within that framework, “Kokugakuin” (literally, “Academy of National Learning”) developed as a hub for humanities and social sciences while preserving a unique focus on Shinto Studies—a rare faculty even among Japanese universities. History · Academic Genealogy

The founding philosophy emphasizes “inquiry into fundamentals”—a stance that encourages students to question received knowledge, understand Japan within world contexts, and co-exist with people from diverse backgrounds. You can see this in the university’s official English pages describing a mission to “question, learn from each other, and coexist,” and to “promote the understanding of Japan by studying the country and its culture and disseminating knowledge to the world.” Founding Philosophy · About (Mission)

Kokugakuin’s two-campus setup also tells its story. The main Shibuya campus places students in the heart of Tokyo—minutes from glass-and-steel business towers, creative industries, and centuries-old shrines. The Tama Plaza campus in Yokohama serves Human Development and Tourism & Community Development, reflecting the university’s commitment to education and the social sciences alongside its humanities core. Students who walk between classes pass by the university museum and archives, where artifacts and curated exhibits make history tangible. Access · Faculties

Institutionally, Kokugakuin continues to invest in research and education about Japan for domestic and international audiences. Since 1955, the Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics (IJCC) has conducted wide-ranging research on Japanese beliefs, literature, and cultural practices—promoting scholarly exchange with researchers in Japan and abroad. This serves both as an academic backbone and as a “bridge” for students who want to translate classroom learning into real projects. IJCC (Overview, EN) · IJCC History (EN)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship: Shinto Studies & Japan-Focused Humanities

Kokugakuin is known nationally for its humanities and Shinto-related scholarship. The Faculty of Shinto Studies—rare among universities—offers coursework that examines Shinto’s history, rituals, texts, and contemporary significance. This stands alongside a large Faculty of Letters with majors spanning Japanese language and literature, history, philosophy, art, and comparative cultural studies. Together they form a distinctive academic offering: you can study Japan deeply while still engaging with global perspectives. Faculties & Programs

Multiple “flagship” pillars in practice

Faculty of Shinto Studies: Japan’s only Shinto-focused faculty on this scale, preparing graduates for careers in cultural institutions and religious administration as well as broader public-facing roles. Faculty of Letters: a comprehensive humanities hub connecting literature, history, philosophy, and arts to contemporary debates about identity and society. Both faculties underpin the university’s research mission through the IJCC.

Deep Collections, Research Institutes & Public Outreach

The IJCC curates online and on-campus resources—ranging from the Encyclopedia of Shinto to public lecture series—that help students and visitors approach Japan through primary materials and expert commentary. For English-language learners especially, these resources make specialized topics approachable and actionable for coursework and independent projects. IJCC (EN) · History of IJCC

Global Exchange & the K-STEP Short-Term Program

Kokugakuin maintains international partnerships and welcomes exchange students each year, most of whom join the Kokugakuin Short-Term Exchange Program (K-STEP) combining intensive Japanese with English-medium classes on society and culture. The university reports that roughly 15–20 exchange students arrive annually, supported by K-STEP Assistants and a “Japanese Language Partner” scheme that makes everyday life and conversation practice easier. K-STEP Assistant & Language Partner · Online Museum Playlist (YouTube)

Tokyo Learning Environment: Shibuya at Your Doorstep

The main campus sits in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward—one of the city’s liveliest hubs for business, media, fashion, and creative industries. Students can reach campus on foot from Shibuya, Omotesando, or Ebisu; Tama Plaza in Yokohama is also only one Den-en-toshi Line ride away. The location makes it easy to attend events, build networks, and find internships while pursuing humanities and social science degrees. Access & Directions

Tourism & Community Development: A Newer, Applied Focus

Complementing Kokugakuin’s traditional strengths, the Faculty of Tourism & Community Development (based at Tama Plaza) integrates fieldwork with coursework in regional revitalization, hospitality, and sustainable development. For students targeting careers that bridge culture, heritage, and local economies, this faculty offers a practical pathway grounded in social science methods and real-world community engagement. Tourism & Community Development

Student Life for International Students

Clubs & Circles

Kokugakuin lists 80+ athletic divisions y 130+ academic/cultural circles, ranging from martial arts and team sports to tea ceremony, calligraphy, traditional music, and contemporary pop‑culture societies. These groups are a great way to make Japanese friends and practice language in real settings. (Japanese pages) Clubs & Circles (Overview) · Athletics · Academic/Cultural

Dedicated Support Offices

The International Exchange Programs Office provides counseling on overseas study (outbound), exchange, and campus internationalization (Mon–Sat, 9:00–12:50 & 13:50–17:00). It is located on the 1st floor of Building 06 on the Shibuya campus. Office & Hours

Language Exchange & Buddy Programs

Incoming exchange students can request a Japanese Language Partner, and domestic students volunteer as K‑STEP Assistants to help with airport pickup, campus navigation, and everyday language practice. K‑STEP Assistant & Language Partner

Housing (Dormitory & Private Options)

Kokugakuin maintains dorm options including the women’s Tokiwagi Dormitory (Yokohama). The university also points students to additional housing resources and “welfare dormitories.” You can combine on-campus services with external providers that cater to international students. Dormitory (Tokiwagi) · Campus & Facilities · External Housing (Nasic)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Emphasis)

Partner Network. As of April 2024, Kokugakuin reported partnerships with 36 universities and institutions worldwide supporting student exchange, research exchange, and academic collaboration. Overseas Partnerships

Study Abroad Tracks. Kokugakuin offers “partner exchange” (tuition waived at the host) and language-study options at partner institutions. Information sessions are held annually (Go Global Week & fall briefing), and competitive selection follows posted guidelines. (JP) Exchange (Outbound)

Examples of Past/Listed Partners

Public documents list partners across North America, Europe, and Asia, such as the University of Manitoba (Canada), Binghamton University (SUNY) (USA), York St John University (UK), Nankai University & Fudan University (Chinese Language & Literature) (China), Shih Hsin University & Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan), KU Leuven (Faculty of Arts) (Belgium), and ARA Institute of Canterbury (New Zealand).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo & Yokohama)

Weather Patterns

Tokyo (Shibuya) y Yokohama (Tama Plaza) share a temperate climate with cool, relatively dry winters and hot, humid summers. Based on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s 1991–2020 normals, average daily means range roughly from ~6–7°C in January to ~26–28°C in August; precipitation peaks in the June “rainy season” and often again in September during typhoon season. For precise monthly/annual figures, consult JMA’s climate tables. JMA Climate Normals · JMA Monthly Stats – Yokohama

Safety, Transport & Everyday Convenience

Shibuya and Yokohama are well‑connected by rail and bus, with frequent trains, IC cashless payments, and abundant day‑to‑day conveniences (convenience stores, affordable eateries, clinics). University bus directions and walking routes are posted on the official Access page. Access & Directions

Cost of Living (Reference)

Government resources for international students estimate monthly housing at ~¥57,000 in Tokyo (national average ¥41,000), with overall costs varying by lifestyle and location. Kokugakuin also advertises its own international student scholarship and dorm options; exchange students in K‑STEP may receive rent‑waived dorms and meal plans via partner arrangements. Study in Japan: Cost of Living

International Student Statistics

The university’s English Disclosure of Information page provides the latest detailed breakdown (in English) for 2018. As of May 1, 2018, Kokugakuin recorded 85 international students: 40 undergraduates y 45 graduate students. Undergraduate distribution included Letters (14), Economics (23), and History (3). Graduate totals (mostly Letters) were 41, plus Economics (4). International Students (Data)

Affiliation (2018)	Male	Female	Total
Undergraduate (Letters / Economics / History)	24	16	40
Graduate Schools (mostly Letters)	17	28	45
Total	41	44	85

Note: The English site’s most recent detailed international‑student breakdown is for 2018. Overall enrollment totals and staff numbers cited elsewhere in this article reflect May 2024/May 2025 updates on other official pages.

Career & Graduate Prospects

Kokugakuin publishes annual outcomes for graduates. For AY2023, the university reported 2,121 employed out of 2,196 job‑seeking graduates (plus 428 continuing education and 935 “other/neutral” statuses), indicating a job placement of roughly ~96.6% among active job‑seekers. Career After Graduation (English)

Outcome (AY2023)	Count	Notes
Employed	2,121	Among 2,196 job‑seeking graduates (~96.6%)
Graduate School (Advancing)	428	Includes Master’s/Professional programs
Other/Neutral	935	Not actively seeking employment

Typical Employers & Pathways

Humanities and social‑science graduates often enter roles in publishing/media, tourism, culture and heritage institutions, education, finance and services, IT/business support, and public service. For Shinto Studies majors, careers at shrines and cultural organizations are common; for instance, public bios note alumni serving at major shrines such as Meiji Jingū in Tokyo. Example alumni bios (UPenn)

Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships (Pointers)

Admissions & Tuition (Official). For entrance exam formats and tuition notes (undergraduate/graduate), start with Kokugakuin’s prospective student pages and document request portal. Tuition differs by faculty; see the latest schedule (JP, PDF) for specifics. Entrance & Tuition (EN) · Document Request · Tuition Table (JP, PDF)

Scholarships. Kokugakuin runs its own scholarship for international undergraduates (up to ¥200,000) and posts other opportunities. Exchange students in K‑STEP may receive rent‑waived dorms and meal plans via partner arrangements. Always verify current terms before applying. International Student Scholarship (directory) · Cost Reference · K‑STEP Brochure (ENG, partner site)

Why Kokugakuin for Overseas Students?

If you want to engage deeply with Japanese culture and society—y have Tokyo on your doorstep—Kokugakuin is an appealing option. The combination of unique humanities strengths (Shinto Studies, Letters), practical faculties (Law, Economics, Human Development, Tourism), active research institutes (IJCC), and an accessible international office gives you a clear runway from classroom learning to real‑world opportunities. Add extensive clubs and an easy‑to‑navigate urban location, and you’ve got a student experience that’s both grounded and globally open.