Matsumoto University Guide for International Students: Programs, Tuition, Campus Life, Exchanges & CareersQuick-Facts Table

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus with mountains outside the window, friendly class sizes, and strong links to industry and community? Matsumoto University, a private institution in Nagano Prefecture, could be a great fit. Below you’ll find clear, practical details—faculties, study options, partner schools, student support, campus life, weather, and career outcomes—so you can quickly judge whether “Matsu‑dai” matches your goals. All facts are sourced from official pages in English or Japanese and kept easy to scan for international applicants.

Matsumoto University – Symbolic Photo Gallery (Free to Use with Attribution)

Quick‑Facts Table

Type	Private (School Corporation: Matsusho Gakuen). Source (EN)
Total Students	1,859 (as of May 1, 2025; University + Graduate Schools). Official PDF (JP)
Campuses	1 — Main Campus: Niimura 2095-1, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1295. Access (EN)
Faculties / Schools	• Faculty of Comprehensive Management (Departments: Comprehensive Management; Tourism & Hospitality) • Faculty of Human Health Science (Departments: Health & Nutritional Science; Sports & Health Science) • Faculty of Education (Department: School Education) • Graduate School of Health Science; Graduate School of Comprehensive Management Faculties (EN) | Graduate Schools (EN)
Tasas de matrícula	Undergraduate (academic fees only: admission + tuition + facility + lab if any) • Comprehensive Management: 1st year ¥1,250,000; Years 2–4 ¥1,000,000/year. • Human Health Science — Health & Nutritional Science: 1st year ¥1,500,000; Years 2–4 ¥1,250,000/year. • Human Health Science — Sports & Health Science: 1st year ¥1,400,000; Years 2–4 ¥1,150,000/year. • Education (School Education): 1st year ¥1,400,000; Years 2–4 ¥1,150,000/year. Note: Additional association/insurance/alumni fees apply (e.g., first year ≈¥62,010; later years ≈¥33,000; final-year alumni fee ¥30,000). Official fee tables (JP, 2026 Guidelines) Graduate • Health Science (Master’s): 1st year ¥1,000,000; 2nd year ¥800,000. • Health Science (Doctoral): 1st year ¥730,000; 2nd–3rd years ¥530,000/year. Official fee tables (JP)
Gender Ratio	Male 1,076 (≈58%) / Female 783 (≈42%) — University + Graduate Schools (May 1, 2025). Official PDF (JP)
Intl-Student %	Not disclosed by the university.
Students per Staff	≈23:1 (80 academic staff; 1,848 students as of May 1, 2024 — 1,859 in 2025). Students & Staff (EN) | 2025 Total (JP PDF)

For direct inquiries: Official Contacts (JP)

Campus Maps

Matsumoto University — Main Campus (Headquarters)

Address: Niimura 2095-1, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1295, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Matsumoto University is a private university operated by the Matsusho Gakuen school corporation in the city of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. The university opened in April 2002, building on a more than century‑long educational tradition in the local community. That tradition—emphasizing human relationships and practical learning anchored in local society—continues to shape the university’s philosophy and curriculum today. History (EN)

The university’s “Educational Ideal” focuses on cultivating graduates who can communicate clearly, act independently, analyze modern society from a broad perspective, and contribute tangible value to their communities and future workplaces. These values are embedded through a coherent combination of basic (liberal arts), career‑related, and specialized subjects. In 2022, Matsumoto University and its junior college received certification from JIHEE (Japan Institution for Higher Education Evaluation), affirming the quality of its systems and continuous improvement processes. Educational Ideal & JIHEE (EN)

From the beginning, Matsumoto University set out to be a “front‑line” institution for the region, not an ivory tower. You will see that intent in the university’s signature approach to off‑campus learning and community‑embedded projects. Students frequently engage with local organizations, municipalities, schools, and companies—absorbing real‑world expectations while testing ideas outside the classroom. This loop between region and curriculum is what gives Matsumoto University its distinctive learning feel: academics that stay grounded and employable. History (EN)

The campus sits in Niimura, an easy two‑minute walk from the Kita‑Shin/Matsumoto University‑mae station on the Kamikōchi Line, with Tokyo/Osaka/Nagoya access described on the official site. The surrounding area is known for natural beauty (the Japanese Alps, Kamikōchi), arts and culture (e.g., Seiji Ozawa’s festival), and a balanced lifestyle that lets you focus on study without big‑city costs. Major employers like Epson are part of the local economy, strengthening internship and networking opportunities. Access (EN)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Human Health Science: From Nutrition to Sports (Flagship Area)

If your interests lean toward food science, public health, or sports performance, Matsumoto University’s Human Health Science field stands out. The undergraduate Faculty of Human Health Science includes two departments—Health & Nutritional Science and Sports & Health Science—while at graduate level you’ll find the Graduate School of Health Science. Teaching emphasizes applied and basic sciences with a strong thread of community health engagement. Career paths span the medical/welfare/education sectors, among others. Faculty overview (EN) / Graduate School (EN)

Health & Nutritional Science

Students aim to become professionals who can design diets to maintain and promote health as well as prevent illness—acting as local leaders who bring together food systems and well‑being. Coursework builds advanced scientific knowledge plus communication skills needed for outreach. Source

Sports & Health Science

The sports track blends exercise physiology, coaching, and health promotion. You’ll practice designing interventions that improve community health while cultivating leadership and teamwork valued by employers. Graduate‑level study further deepens research literacy for roles in education, health care, and sport organizations. Source

Business with a Regional Edge: Comprehensive Management & Tourism

The Faculty of Comprehensive Management (including the Tourism & Hospitality Department) prepares students to spot opportunities in regional economies and visitor industries. Matsumoto’s location—gateway to Nagano’s outdoor experiences—creates abundant live cases for hospitality, place branding, and sustainable tourism. Coursework pairs theory with real projects through off‑campus study and collaboration with local firms/municipalities. EN Faculties / Off‑campus learning (History)

International Exchange You Can Afford

Matsumoto University’s International Exchange Center (IEC) offers semester‑ or year‑long exchanges and short seasonal programs. Credits earned abroad can be recognized at MU, and in exchange arrangements you pay MU tuition (often avoiding host tuition). The IEC also runs language and TOEIC support, and the alumni association supports scholarships for international students. IEC (EN) / Short Programs (EN)

A Commuter‑Friendly, Car‑Friendly Campus

You can reach the campus in about 2 minutes on foot from Kita‑Shin / Matsumoto University‑mae Station (Kamikōchi Line). First period begins at 9:40 a.m., a practical start for commuters. If you drive, on‑campus student parking offers around 560 spaces and a low daily fee (¥170/day). Commuting & Location (JP) / Class time & access (JP) / Parking (JP)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

From culture clubs and music to e‑sports and athletics, the student association (Gakuyūkai) hosts a wide array of groups that welcome new members—including exchange students who want to meet local friends fast. Browse current groups and contact details here: Gakuyūkai Clubs (JP)

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counselling)

The International Exchange Center advises on immigration procedures and student life, while the Health & Safety Center offers first aid, annual health checks, and consultation for physical/mental well‑being. IEC (JP) / Health & Safety Center (JP)

Note on dorms: MU does not operate a general student dormitory on the main campus (some club‑specific and international arrangements exist). Official listings confirm the lack of a general dorm while pointing to private rental options commonly used by students. UP‑J official school info (JP)

Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Style Interaction

MU’s exchange ecosystem creates daily opportunities to mix with Japanese classmates—both in class and through clubs and short programs that bring visiting students to campus. The IEC regularly shares exchange activities and seasonal program updates. Programs (EN) / IEC (EN)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Matsumoto University lists partner institutions in Asia, Europe, and beyond. Below are examples (see IEC for the latest list and program specifics; credit recognition policies apply): IEC partners (EN)

Partner	Region	Typical Option
Dongshin University	Asia (Korea)	Exchange / Short‑term
Jeju National University	Asia (Korea)	Exchange / Short‑term
Lingnan Normal University	Asia (China)	Exchange / Short‑term
University of Pardubice	Europe (Czechia)	Exchange
Renmin University of China	Asia (China)	Exchange
University of Notre Dame	North America (USA)	Short‑term
University of Newcastle (with Shohoku College)	Oceania (Australia)	Short‑term

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Matsumoto sits in a basin ringed by the Japanese Alps—cooler than Tokyo in summer, crisp and dry in winter, with big sky and strong sunlight. Using Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) data (1991–2020 normals), the annual mean temperature at the Matsumoto station hovers around 11–12°C, with average daily highs in August around 30°C and average daily lows in January around −4°C. Always check the latest figures once you arrive, but the range below gives you a reliable planning baseline. JMA normals (Matsumoto) / Monthly history

Lifestyle highlights: MU is a commuter‑friendly campus next to the local train station; first period starts 9:40 a.m. Many students live in nearby apartments and bike or walk to class. The parking system is inexpensive for drivers (typ. ¥170/day), and the city offers outdoor sports year‑round. Compared with megacities, rent and daily costs are moderate, while access to Tokyo/Osaka/Nagoya remains reasonable for internships and networking. Class time & access (JP) / Parking (JP) / Access (EN)

International Student Statistics (Japan Context)

At the national level, Japan hosted 336,708 international students as of May 1, 2024, according to JASSO. Of these, 92.5% came from Asia, 4.0% from Europe, and 1.3% from North America. Use these figures as context while you evaluate campus diversity at MU. (University‑specific percentages are not publicly summarized.) JASSO 2024 (HTML) | JASSO 2024 detailed PDF

Origin Region (Japan overall, 2024)	Share
Asia	92.5%
Europe	4.0%
North America	1.3%
Other regions	2.2% (combined)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Career education at MU is tightly coupled with regional employers and public institutions. In the education field, for example, the Teaching Center regularly reports outcomes on public school teacher exams and runs practical workshops; recent updates show continued activity and results through 2024–2025. Teaching Center news (JP)

For health and sports, graduates commonly enter the medical/welfare/education sectors, or pursue further research in the Graduate School of Health Science. Business and tourism students often aim for roles in services, manufacturing, local government, and destination development, supported by the university’s community‑embedded learning model—and by the region’s industrial base (e.g., Epson). Graduate outcomes (EN) / Regional industry (EN)

If you need detailed outcomes (placement rates by faculty, employer lists), consult MU’s Information Disclosure pages—where the university posts annual numbers on enrolment, graduation, and employment trends. Information Disclosure: Students (JP)