Study Art in Japan at Joshibi University of Art and Design: A Practical Guide for International Students

Thinking about studying art and design in Japan—at a university built for women, with studio culture, mentorship, and an alumni network that stretches across creative industries? Joshibi University of Art and Design (JOSHIBI) is one of the country’s most storied names. Below, you’ll find a practical snapshot (campuses, faculties, tuition ranges) plus deeper dives into mission, strengths, international student life, climate, and career outcomes—all linked to official sources so you can verify key facts quickly.

Quick‑Facts Table

Figures draw on the university’s official English/JP pages and nationwide references (JASSO, JMA). Where possible, recent numerics are shown with source links.

Type	Private women’s university (undergraduate & junior college). Graduate School is co‑ed. Official (EN)
Total Students	≈ 3,090 total (College of Art & Design 2,597; Graduate School 98; Junior College 395) as of May 1, 2021. Number of Students (EN, PDF)
Campuses	Sagamihara (main), Kanagawa; Suginami (Tokyo). Official (EN)
Faculties/Schools	College of Art & Design (Departments: Fine Arts; Design & Crafts; Cross‑Disciplinary Art & Design); Graduate School of Art & Design; Joshibi College of Art & Design (Junior College). Program structure (EN, PDF)
Biaya Pendidikan	Reference range for Japan (annual tuition): National ≈ ¥820,000–¥900,000; Private ≈ ¥1,100,000 (undergrad; excluding medical/dental/pharm). First‑year totals vary by school (entrance & facility fees extra). Academic Fees (Study in Japan)
Gender Ratio	Undergraduate & Junior College: women only; Graduate School: co‑ed. Official (EN)
Intl‑Student %	340 international students in 2023 (Grad 64; College 267; JC 9). This is roughly ≈ 11% when compared with the 2021 total (3,090). International Students 2023 (JP, PDF)
Students per Staff	College of Art & Design: 21.2 (incl. assistants) / 12.9 (excl.); Junior College: 36.5 / 25.7 (as of May 1, 2023). Faculty & ratios (JP, PDF)

Campus Maps

Suginami Campus (Headquarters, Tokyo)

Address: 1-49-8 Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-8538, Japan

Sagamihara Campus (Kanagawa)

Address: 1900 Asamizodai, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-8538, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Founded in 1900, Joshibi opened the doors of higher art education to women in Japan and has continued to center women’s artistic independence and professional growth ever since. Today the undergraduate and junior-college divisions remain women‑only, while the Graduate School is co‑educational. Across more than a century, the university has expanded from fine arts into design, crafts, cross‑disciplinary media, museum studies, and fashion, while maintaining studio‑based teaching with small cohorts and intensive critique.

The institution operates on two campuses: Sagamihara (main) for large‑scale studio and museum facilities, and Suginami (Tokyo) for cross‑disciplinary and graduate activity. Its mission combines technical mastery with the social role of art—encouraging students to contribute to communities in Japan and abroad. See the university’s English overview for current initiatives like the Joshibi Creative Laboratory, Artist‑in‑Residence (JOSHIBI AIR), and the Drawing Center. Official (EN)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Museum‑Level Collections & Textile Archive

The Sagamihara campus houses the Joshibi Art Museum (JAM) and significant textile holdings, giving students direct access to curated collections for coursework and research. These resources enrich majors from Japanese Painting (Nihonga) to Media Art and Craft specializations. Official (EN)

Flagship Studios in Fine Arts & Design

Under the College of Art & Design, three departments anchor learning: Fine Arts; Design & Crafts; and Cross‑Disciplinary Art & Design. Within these, studios span Oil Painting/Printmaking, Japanese Painting, Sculpture, Art Education; Visual & Product Design, Environmental Design, Crafts (ceramics, glass, textiles, dyeing, embroidery); and Media/Healing/Fashion/Space/Creative Produce. The program matrix and headcounts are published in English for transparency. Structure & numbers (EN, PDF)

Artist‑in‑Residence (JOSHIBI AIR) & Global Practice

JOSHIBI AIR invites creators from Japan and abroad to produce, teach, and collaborate with students—an on‑campus pipeline to contemporary practice. The 2025 open call is posted publicly, and activity reports document the program’s educational role. Open call (EN) / Activity report (JP, PDF)

Small‑Group Teaching & Studio Access

Joshibi publishes faculty counts and student‑to‑staff ratios each year. For 2023, the College of Art & Design shows 21.2 students per staff member (including assistants) or 12.9 (excluding), reflecting hands‑on studio teaching; the Junior College shows 36.5 / 25.7. Faculty & ratios (JP, PDF)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs, Circles & Community

Arts universities in Japan run a wide range of student clubs (circles)—from illustration and photography to dance, music, and sports—giving exchange and degree‑seeking students easy ways to connect across studios.

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

General pre‑arrival information on residence status, housing, and costs is centralized by JASSO’s Study in Japan portal. Use it alongside Joshibi’s International Center information. Life in Japan (Study in Japan)

Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs

Many Japanese universities pair international students with domestic “buddies” for language and campus orientation; check the International Center for periodic calls and sign‑ups as the academic year approaches. Living costs overview (Study in Japan)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

If your home university has a formal exchange with Joshibi, you can often transfer credits and apply for JASSO’s short‑term exchange scholarship (typically ¥80,000/month) via your coordinator. Always confirm availability and deadlines locally. JASSO Exchange Scholarship (EN) / MEXT overview (EN)

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Tokyo/Sagamihara have four distinct seasons. Over the last five years, monthly mean daily maximum dan minimum temperatures for central Tokyo are published by Japan Meteorological Agency (WMO station 47662). Expect hot, humid summers (August max average mid‑30s °C on peak days) and cool winters (January min averages around low single digits °C). Check JMA’s latest monthly tables before you pack. Max table: JMA Max (EN) / Min table: JMA Min (EN) / Normals (1991–2020): JMA normals (EN)

On cost of living, JASSO’s national survey puts average monthly expenses for privately‑financed international students around the ¥100,000 level (housing varies widely; Tokyo tends to be higher). Cost of living (EN)

International Student Statistics

Joshibi reports 340 international students in 2023 (Graduate School 64; College 267; Junior College 9). The university also maintains an English program headcount sheet by department/major (2021) to help you gauge cohort sizes in your field. Intl. students 2023 (JP, PDF) / Dept/major counts (EN, PDF)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Joshibi publishes an English “After Graduation” factsheet with annual employment and career decision rates and samples of employers. For FY2020 graduates, the career decision rate exceeded 90% across both the College and Junior College. Use this as a baseline; check the latest cohort update when you apply. After Graduation (EN, PDF)