Toyama Prefectural University Guide for International Students: Programs, Tuition, Student Life & Careers

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus that blends hands‑on engineering, a friendly cost of living, and quick access to big‑nature? Toyama Prefectural University (TPU) sits between the Japan Alps and Toyama Bay, with strong programs in Engineering, Information Engineering, and Nursing. This guide compiles official facts (tuition, size, faculties), campus feel, weather, exchange options, and graduate outcomes—so international applicants can decide quickly if TPU belongs on their short list. All data points are footed to university or government sources you can open in a new tab.

Toyama Prefectural University — Free to use photos (with attribution)

Quick Facts (TPU at a Glance)

Snapshot metrics below are from JPCUP (Japanese College & University Portraits) and TPU’s English site. Open the blue links to confirm specifics.

Type	Public (Prefectural) — JPCUP Overview
Total Students	≈ 2,393 (May 1, 2024) — JPCUP Data Collection
Campuses	Imizu (main); Toyama (Nursing) — JPCUP Campus Location
Faculties/Schools	Engineering — JPCUP Faculty of Engineering Information Engineering — JPCUP Faculty of Information Engineering Nursing — JPCUP Faculty of Nursing
Frais de scolarité	Annual tuition (typical): ¥535,800; Admission fee: ¥282,000 (prefectural standard) — Engineering / Information Eng. / Nursing
Gender Ratio	Male 62.5% : Female 37.5% (reference) — Career‑Tasu profile (JP)
Intl‑Student %	≈ 1–2% (institution level, recent figures) — JPCUP Data Collection
Students per Staff	≈ 10–11 : 1 (derived from recent student & faculty counts) — JPCUP Data Collection
Official English Site	TOYAMA Prefectural University (EN)

Campus Maps

Imizu Campus (Engineering & Information Engineering)

Address: 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan

Toyama Campus (Nursing)

Address: 2-2-78 Nishinagae, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0975, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

TPU’s stated mission is to contribute to the people of Toyama through practical, industry‑linked education and research. The university traces its modern roots to 1990, when it opened as a four‑year institution with a focus on engineering; it has since expanded and now includes a dedicated Faculty of Nursing and, as of 2024, a Faculty of Information Engineering. See the university’s official outline here: About TPU (EN). (Foundational principles in Japanese are also posted on the university site.) University Principles (JP)

TPU is public (prefectural), co‑educational, and organized around three key faculties. English snapshots appear on JPCUP, which aggregates institutional profiles nationwide: Institution Profile. TPU’s Imizu Campus hosts Engineering and Information Engineering, while the Toyama Campus is home to Nursing—see English campus pages here: Imizu Campus (EN) and the JPCUP campus locator: Campus Location.

Academically, TPU’s identity is anchored in applied engineering fields—mechanical systems, electrical and electronic engineering, environmental & civil, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical engineering—alongside information systems, data science, and intelligent robotics. For program‑by‑program snapshots, consult the JPCUP entries for the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Information Engineering, and the Faculty of Nursing.

Being in Toyama also matters. The prefecture brands itself as Japan’s “capital of pharmaceuticals,” with a long manufacturing tradition and an ecosystem linking universities, industry, and government. An English brief is available from the prefectural government (PDF): Pharmaceutical Industry in Toyama.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Cutting‑Edge Engineering & Intelligent Robotics

TPU’s strongest reputation sits in applied engineering and robotics. The curriculum and research strengths are detailed on the JPCUP pages for Engineering et Information Engineering, with departments in Mechanical Systems, Electrical & Electronic, Environmental & Civil, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems Engineering, and Intelligent Robotics. Expect lab‑heavy coursework, project‑based classes, and pathways to manufacturing and IT employers.

Toyama’s Pharma Cluster & Industry Ties

Toyama’s pharmaceutical ecosystem links companies and universities via the “Medicine of Toyama” initiative and a regional consortium. See the prefecture’s English brochure: Pharmaceutical Industry in Toyama (EN), the consortium overview: Toyama Pharma Consortium, and participating firms: Companies Introduction.

Nursing with Real‑World Clinical Links

The Faculty of Nursing benefits from proximity to hospitals and public health settings in Toyama City. See program details on JPCUP: Faculty of Nursing. The region’s major medical institutions (e.g., University of Toyama Hospital) illustrate the clinical environment students encounter during practice and placements.

Supportive Scale & Safe Setting

TPU’s total enrollment is under 2,500, so labs and project teams are relatively small, and the surrounding cities rank among Japan’s quieter, safer urban areas. The university’s JPCUP “Data Collection” tab includes student and staff counts (and useful sub‑pages on health care, dormitorieset access).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

TPU hosts a typical range of athletic, cultural, and technical circles. International students often connect through campus events featured under TPU’s “International Exchange” page (English): International Exchange (EN).

Dedicated Support Offices

For administrative help (residence status, health insurance, counseling, on‑campus work permissions), refer to the JPCUP institutional sections for Health Care, Dormitories/School‑supported Housing, and on‑campus Libraries.

Language Exchange & Buddy Programs

The university’s International Exchange office coordinates cultural activities and supports connections among local and overseas students: International Exchange (EN).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

TPU’s “International Networks” appear on JPCUP: International Networks. For outgoing exchange (TPU students going overseas), check the university’s English pages for each faculty: Faculty of Engineering (EN), Faculty of Information Engineering (EN)et Faculty of Nursing (EN). For funding, see JASSO’s scholarship menu (English): JASSO Scholarships.

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Toyama’s climate is humid temperate with snowy winters. For the last several years, monthly means and extremes are accessible via the Japan Meteorological Agency (Toyama Station, WMO 47607). See the English entry point: JMA English Portal, then open the Toyama station detail: Toyama Observations and monthly tables (e.g., 2024 monthly summaries): 2024 Monthly (Toyama). In practical terms, summer daily highs reach the upper 20s °C to low 30s °C; winter daily lows often fall near or below 0 °C with snowfall.

Lifestyle highlights include the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (open roughly mid‑April to late November): Official Site and Toyama Prefecture’s official tourism portal: Visit Toyama (EN). These links help you plan off‑campus adventures and understand seasonality (crowds, closures, and transit).

International Student Statistics

At the institution level, TPU’s international population is modest (≈ 1–2%). For national context, the latest JASSO survey shows 336,708 international students in Japan as of May 1, 2024 (up 20.6% year‑over‑year): see the official 2024 report (PDF, EN): JASSO 2024 Survey and the summary page: JASSO 2024 Overview. For TPU’s own counts, use the JPCUP “Data Collection” tab: Institutional Data.

Career & Graduate Prospects

TPU publishes career outcomes and employer lists by faculty. Start with the university’s career pages (JP): Employment Information and the Career Center overview (JP): Career Center. For visual summaries, TPU’s official digital brochure includes recent placement charts by department (JP): Employment Highlights. Program‑level “Post‑graduate Pathways” are also listed on JPCUP (e.g., Engineering): See Pathways.

Practical Notes for Applicants

Admissions & Exams: Admission information for international students is listed on each faculty’s JPCUP page under “Entrance Exam for International Students.” (Example: Engineering) Entrance Exam (INTL). For general English pages: TPU (EN).

Budgeting: Expect annual tuition around ¥535,800 (national‑prefectural standard) plus an admission fee and living costs. Confirm the latest fees per program: Engineering Tuition & Fees and Nursing Tuition & Fees. Explore scholarship options via JASSO: Scholarships for Study in Japan.

References (Quick Access)

• JPCUP Institution: Toyama Prefectural University
• JPCUP Faculties: Engineering / Information Eng. / Nursing
• TPU Official (EN): Top / Imizu Campus / International Exchange
• JMA Climate: Toyama Observations (EN index: portal)
• Toyama Pharma (EN PDF): Prefectural Brochure
• JASSO International Students in Japan 2024: PDF / Summary
• TPU Employment (JP): Career Outcomes / Employment Highlights
• Visit Toyama (EN): Official Tourism