Tamagawa University Guide for International Students: Programs, Tuition, Campus Life, and Study Abroad

If you’re exploring study options in Japan, Tamagawa University offers a rare mix of a green, self-contained campus just outside central Tokyo and a curriculum that blends liberal arts with distinctive strengths in engineering, brain science, agriculture, and the arts. With a campus-wide English-as-a-Lingua-Franca program, hands‑on research institutes (from honeybees to quantum tech), and easy access to the city’s career ecosystem, Tamagawa is a practical—and surprisingly serene—launchpad for international students. This guide brings together key facts, program highlights, student life, exchange options, and outcomes to help you judge whether Tamagawa fits your goals.

Quick‑Facts Table

Item	Detail
Type (National/Public/Private)	Private　Official site (EN)
Total Students	Undergraduate: 6,092 / Graduate: 109 / Special course: 1 → Total: 6,202 (as of May 1, 2025)　Enrollment Numbers (JP)
Campuses	1 (Main: Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo)　Access (EN)
Faculties/Schools	8 faculties / 17 departments: Education (1,284), Arts (944), Agriculture (961), Engineering (908), Business Administration (505), Humanities (539), Liberal Arts (658), Tourism & Hospitality (293)　Overview (EN) ・ By Faculty (JP)
Tasas de matrícula	First-year total (2025): ¥1,772,330–¥2,081,330 depending on faculty. Examples: Business: ¥1,772,330 / Humanities: ¥1,774,330–¥1,783,730 / Education: ¥1,793,070 / Liberal Arts: ¥1,786,330 / Tourism: ¥1,783,330 / Agriculture: ¥1,906,330–¥1,927,330 / Engineering: ¥1,978,330–¥1,992,330 / Arts: ¥2,070,330–¥2,081,330　Tuition & Fees (JP)
Gender Ratio	Undergraduate total: Male 3,133 (51.4%) / Female 2,959 (48.6%) (as of May 1, 2025)　Gender Breakdown (JP, PDF)
International Student %	International students: 8 (Male 2 / Female 6) ≈ 0.13% of total university + graduate enrollment (6,201) (as of May 1, 2025)　International Students (JP, PDF) ・ Enrollment Numbers (JP)
Students per Staff	18.6 students per full-time university faculty (6,092 ÷ 327) (as of May 1, 2025)　Faculty Numbers (JP)

Campus Maps

Main Campus (Machida, Tokyo)

Address: 6-1-1 Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo 194-8610, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

“Zenjin” (Whole‑Person) Education is the core of Tamagawa’s identity. Conceived by educator Kuniyoshi Obara, Zenjin aims to nurture not only intellect but also character, creativity, physical well‑being, and a sense of contribution to society. The philosophy is articulated through the university’s well‑known “Twelve Precepts of Education” and continues to shape curriculum design, student support, and campus life today. Mission (EN)

Tamagawa Academy (K‑12) was founded in 1929; the university component was later approved in 1947. What makes Tamagawa unusual is its single green campus that hosts education from kindergarten through graduate school—over 150 acres of hills, wooded paths, labs, studios, and athletic spaces a short ride from Shinjuku. The one‑campus model fosters continuity in values and community while enabling shared use of research infrastructure and cultural spaces. History (EN)

From its early years, Tamagawa put emphasis on learning by doing (“rosaku” — diligent work and creation). That ethos appears today in required first‑year seminars, capstone projects, and institute‑linked coursework that plugs students into live research and community initiatives. Whether you major in Engineering, Agriculture, Education, or the Arts, you’ll find studio‑lab hybrids, field plots, and maker spaces embedded in the curriculum. First‑Year Education (EN)

The university’s international outlook has deepened in the past decade. In 2013–2014 it launched the English as a Lingua Franca (ELF/CELF) initiative—now engaging 2,000+ students per semester—and created a dedicated Center for English as a Lingua Franca with a multilingual faculty and its own research journal. More recently, Tamagawa opened the Center for International Programs with short‑term summer schools and tailored inbound/outbound opportunities. ELF Program (EN) ・ CELF (EN) ・ International Programs (EN) ・ CELF Journal (Vol.5, PDF)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Global English Core (ELF/CELF): Multilingual by Design

Unlike English programs that chase a single “native” norm, Tamagawa’s campus‑wide ELF model trains students to communicate across accents and cultures—what they call the real “multilingual reality” of global English. Courses are taught largely in English by instructors from Asia, Australasia, the Americas, and Europe, and are taken by students from all eight colleges each term. For international students, this means you can study your major while strengthening practical English through presentations, group work, and a tutor system. ELF Program (EN) ・ CELF (EN)

Brain, Bees, and Bio‑Inspired Science

Tamagawa is home to a distinctive cluster in life and brain sciences. The Brain Science Institute advances systems neuroscience, cognition, and brain‑mind‑society research, while the Honeybee Science Research Center investigates collective behavior, navigation, and communication in bees—work that informs ecology, AI, and human‑robot interaction. Students benefit from seminar‑sized labs and cross‑disciplinary projects. Brain Science Institute (EN) ・ Honeybee Center (EN)

Quantum ICT & Advanced Robotics

On the engineering side, the Quantum ICT Research Institute drives research in quantum information, photonics, and next‑gen communications; related robotics and intelligent systems labs connect brain science with machine learning. Undergraduates can access institute seminars and project‑based courses that mirror industry R&D. Quantum ICT Research Institute (EN)

Flagship Faculties: Where Tamagawa Stands Out

College of Engineering

Information & Communication Engineering, Software Science, Design Science, and related programs emphasize project‑based learning and access to research infrastructure (e.g., Quantum ICT; robotics within BSI). Studios and labs are interlinked with makerspaces and external collaborations around Tokyo tech corridors. Faculties list (EN)

College of Agriculture (with Honeybee Science)

Agriculture at Tamagawa interfaces with ecology, food systems, and bio‑inspired technologies. The proximity of the Honeybee Center gives undergraduates unusual opportunities to connect field ecology with data analysis, behavior modelling, and even robotics. Honeybee Center (EN)

College of Tourism & Hospitality

Located near one of the world’s busiest travel markets, the college leverages industry access in Greater Tokyo and a campus culture rich in performing arts, cultural exchange, and language. Courses often dovetail with ELF offerings, preparing students for service‑sector careers requiring cross‑cultural communication. Faculties list (EN)

One Campus, Many Stages: Arts & Public Performance

The campus is known for student performance, most famously the Tamagawa University Taiko & Dance troupe that tours the U.S. each spring and performs at venues like the Kennedy Center. Even if you’re not an arts major, these stages create opportunities for intercultural teamwork and representation. Kennedy Center artist page ・ Event profile (JapanPhilly)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students

Student‑run communities include the UNESCO Club (inter‑university UNESCO activities), cultural performance groups such as Taiko & Dance, and language‑learning circles connected to CELF. These are friendly gateways for exchange students and degree‑seekers to plug into campus life. Education (EN, club context) ・ Tamagawa UNESCO (EN)

Dedicated Support (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

For short‑term programs, Tamagawa’s International Programs office provides visa documentation and may arrange designated housing (participants receiving visa support are required to use the university’s reserved hotel). Degree‑seeking students typically rent private apartments near Tamagawagakuen‑mae; English‑language housing services exist for newcomers. Health and student‑life support are coordinated on campus through university divisions. International Programs FAQ ・ Housing example (EN) ・ Support Divisions (EN)

Language‑Exchange & Buddy Options

The CELF Tutor Service and ELF‑linked learning communities create regular opportunities to practice conversation, presentation, and academic English with multilingual instructors and peers—useful for both exchange and degree students. CELF (EN) ・ ELF Program (EN)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound)

Tamagawa’s Center for University International Programs manages the Study Abroad Experience (SAE) and other short‑/long‑term options, many operated under bilateral agreements. Programs combine language training with homestay or campus integration and include logistics/credit coordination. Tamagawa also participates in regional academic networks (e.g., Western Metropolitan Area University Association) that broaden course opportunities via cross‑registration. International Programs (EN) ・ Network context

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather Patterns (Last ~5 Years)

Machida’s weather broadly tracks central Tokyo. Based on Japan Meteorological Agency data for Tokyo Station (WMO 47662), recent years show August as the hottest month with monthly mean daily highs typically in the low‑to‑mid‑30s °C and mean daily lows in the mid‑20s °C; January is coolest with mean daily highs around ~9–11 °C and mean daily lows near ~1–4 °C. Expect humid summers with intermittent heavy rain and mild, dry winters. JMA climate tables (EN)

Safety & Cost of Living

Tokyo ranks as a generally safe global city; the 2025 mid‑year Numbeo Safety Index lists Tokyo around the mid‑70s (higher is safer). Budget‑wise, student living costs vary, but recent estimates suggest a single student can expect living expenses (excluding tuition) in the ¥90,000–¥120,000/month range depending on rent and lifestyle—use as planning figures. Cross‑check local data before committing. Numbeo Safety: Tokyo ・ Numbeo COL: Tokyo ・ Expatica Cost of Living (2025) ・ UK FCDO safety advice

International Student Statistics

At Tamagawa (institution‑specific): As of this writing, an official English‑language breakdown by country/region isn’t published on the university site. The International Programs pages confirm a growing inbound portfolio (short‑term and degree pathways) and highlight campus internationalization through ELF/CELF. International Programs (EN)

In Japan overall (context): JASSO’s nationwide survey shows East and Southeast Asia as the largest cohorts (notably China and Vietnam), followed by Nepal, South Korea, and others. Use this as a directional guide to the likely diversity you’ll encounter. JASSO International Students 2022 (PDF)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Being in the Tokyo metro area (with Odakyu Line access to Shinjuku and proximity to Yokohama) gives Tamagawa students a practical edge for internships and first jobs across tech, media, education, hospitality, and creative industries. The first‑year success program, ELF/CELF training, and institute projects help you build a portfolio of presentations, code/design artifacts, and research experience—assets that play well in Japan’s hiring culture.

In the cultural sector, Tamagawa’s performance traditions—especially Taiko & Dance—offer real‑world touring and event experience that translate to roles in the broader creative economy. Meanwhile, engineering and science students can reference institute experience (Quantum ICT, BSI, Honeybee) when applying to R&D, UX/ID, data, or sustainability‑focused roles. Colleges & Programs (EN)