Thinking about studying nursing in Japan with a safe, student‑friendly campus and strong local clinical ties? Gifu Prefectural College of Nursing (Gifu College of Nursing) sits in Hashima City, just outside Nagoya, and offers a focused pathway from undergraduate nursing to advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) training. This guide walks you through quick facts, degrees and distinctive strengths, student life support, exchange opportunities, climate and living tips around campus, and what graduates go on to do—so you can decide if Gifu is a good fit for your goals.

Quick‑Facts Table
Snapshot of Gifu Prefectural College of Nursing. Sources include Japan’s official university portrait and the college’s website. Where official English figures are not publicly listed, we cite the Japanese page and leave the cell blank rather than guess.
Type (National/Public/Private) | Public (Prefectural) |
Total Students | 356 total = Undergraduate 327 (as of Apr 1, 2025) + Graduate 29 (as of May 1, 2025). UG counts (JP) / Graduate counts (JP) |
Campuses | Main Campus: Hashima (Gifu Prefecture). Campus details (NIAD-QE) |
Faculties/Schools | Faculty of Nursing; Graduate School of Nursing (Master’s with CNS tracks; Doctoral). CNS courses (EN) / Doctorate curriculum (EN) |
Frais de scolarité | Undergraduate tuition ¥535,800/year; Admission fee: ¥226,000 (prefectural residents) / ¥338,000 (others). Official fee page (JP) / NIAD-QE tuition snapshot |
Gender Ratio | Undergraduate: Male 2.2% / Female 97.8% (as of May 1, 2024). Student composition (NIAD-QE) |
Intl-Student % | Undergraduate: 0.0% (as of May 1, 2024). Student composition (NIAD-QE) |
Students per Staff | ≈ 6.0 (356 students / 59 full-time faculty; latest posted snapshots). Faculty count (NIAD-QE) |
Evidence Links | NIAD-QE University Outline / UG counts (JP) / Graduate counts (JP) / College English Top / Tuition (JP) |
Campus Maps
Main Campus (Hashima, Gifu)
Address: 3047-1 Egiracho, Hashima, Gifu 501-6295, Japan
Mission, History & Founding Story
Gifu Prefectural College of Nursing (Gifu College of Nursing) opened in April 2000 to educate highly skilled nurses who can contribute to the health and wellbeing of Gifu Prefecture and beyond. As a single‑focus public institution, the college integrates classroom learning with extensive practicum experiences across hospitals and community facilities in the region. Its mission emphasizes practical innovation in nursing—training professionals who can lead improvements in quality of care, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and serve diverse communities.
Undergraduate education is delivered by the Faculty of Nursing, while the Graduate School of Nursing offers both a three‑year Master’s Course (designed to accommodate working nurses with most classes scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, and summer terms) and a Doctoral Course that cultivates educators and leaders in nursing practice and research. Teaching System (EN) President’s Message (JP)
As a prefectural university, Gifu College of Nursing maintains especially close links with local healthcare providers and municipalities. This ensures students gain supervised exposure to clinical routines, public health initiatives, and community‑based care. The institution also develops international perspectives via its International Exchange policy—sharing best practices globally and sending faculty members abroad for academic exchange. International Exchanges (EN)
Key Strengths & Unique Features
Focused: A Single‑Discipline Public Nursing College
Because Gifu College of Nursing concentrates on nursing alone, resources are channeled toward clinical teaching capacity, simulation, and practicum partnerships. Students benefit from a cohesive learning culture and administrative systems purpose‑built for one field. See the official university portrait and college overview for organizational details. NIAD‑QE University Portrait College English Top
Flagship Graduate Education: Three CNS Tracks (Master’s)
The Graduate School offers three Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) courses—Chronic Care Nursing, Child Health Nursing, and Cancer Nursing—alongside four foundational fields (community‑based fundamental nursing, management in nursing, nursing of children and child‑rearing families, and nursing of adults). Curricula and credit requirements are published in English. CNS Courses (EN) Master’s Curriculum (EN) Four Fields (EN)
Flexible 3‑Year Master’s for Working Nurses
Most master’s classes are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and in summer to let practicing nurses keep their jobs while upskilling. Teaching System (EN)
Hands‑On Facilities & Compact Scale
Students have access to nursing skills rooms, labs, library, and a student activity block with club rooms. The compact size creates an approachable, community feel. Facilities (EN) Facility Guide (JP)
Regional Clinical Network & Outcomes
Recent national nursing exam results are strong (e.g., 98.6% for FY2024 new graduates: 70/71). The college discloses licensure outcomes and typical employers. Licensure & Pass Rates (JP) Employment & Destinations (JP)
Student Life for Internationals
Clubs & Circles
Gifu College of Nursing hosts student government events (e.g., the annual campus festival) and a range of circles (clubs). See the extracurriculars page and facility information for club rooms. Extracurriculars (JP) Student Facilities (JP) Student‑run Event Example (JP)
Support Offices (visa, housing, counselling)
International applicants should contact the college for admission and visa guidance through its English site; Gifu Prefecture has abundant student housing near the campus (see listings below). The college also publishes scholarship/remission information and other student supports in Japanese. Contact (EN) Scholarships/Remissions (JP)
Language Exchange or Buddy Programs
International Exchange activities are coordinated by the college; while the English pages mainly highlight faculty exchange, incoming students can ask about peer support or buddies when contacting the college. International Exchanges (EN)
Partner Institutions & Exchange Options
International exchange is part of the college’s mission. The English page notes recent faculty academic exchanges (e.g., 2023 visit to Middlesex University, UK) and outlines basic policies for collaboration. Prospective students seeking outbound study opportunities should inquire directly with the International Exchange Committee. International Exchanges (EN)
Local Climate & Lifestyle
Hashima/Gifu has hot, humid summers and cool winters. Using Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) data for the Gifu observatory (WMO ID 47632), monthly mean temperatures typically range from ~5°C (Jan) to ~28°C (Aug). Expect summer daytime highs in the low‑to‑mid 30s°C and winter daytime highs near 9–11°C, with overnight lows around 0–2°C in mid‑winter. Check JMA for monthly statistics and normals; you can also consult an English summary for station lists and notes.
JMA Monthly Statistics (JP) / JMA Tables of Monthly Climate Statistics (EN) / JMA Climate Normals Graph (EN)
Lifestyle: the college is in a quiet, safe area with quick access to Nagoya via the JR Tokaido Shinkansen and Meitetsu lines from nearby Gifu‑Hashima/New Hashima stations. For weekend trips and nature/culture ideas in the prefecture, refer to Gifu’s official tourism site in English. Visit Gifu (EN)
International Student Statistics
The English site does not publish a detailed breakdown of international enrollments by country/region. For the most accurate current figures, contact the college directly or consult the official university portrait and the college’s Japanese “education disclosure” section, which aggregate student data. Official University Portrait (JP) / Education Information Disclosure (JP) / Contact (EN)
Career & Graduate Prospects
Gifu College of Nursing publishes annual licensure performance and post‑graduation destinations. Recent nursing national exam pass rates have been very high (e.g., FY2024: 98.6% for new graduates). Many alumni work in regional hospitals, public health, community care, and advanced practice roles after CNS training. Licensure & Qualifications (JP) Employment & Employers (JP)
Housing Near Campus (Reference)
To estimate budgets and commute times, browse major student‑housing portals for listings around Gifu‑Hashima/New Hashima stations and Hashima City. (These are third‑party portals; for official housing guidance, always confirm with the college.) athome (JP) / LIFULL HOME’S (JP) / ApamanShop (JP)