Thinking about earning a degree in Japan without getting lost in megacity crowds? Yamagata University offers a public, research‑driven experience across four compact campuses in one of Japan’s safest, most affordable prefectures. This guide walks you through essentials—programs, labs, costs, student life, exchange options, climate, and career pathways—so you can judge whether YU fits your goals. Every fact is linked to official sources you can open in a new tab.
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Credit: 掬茶 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Source: Commons file page.
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Credit: Suz-b via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Source: Commons file page.
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Credit: Heart's ease via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain). Source: Commons file page.
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Quick-Facts Table
Figures reflect the latest English “Fast Facts” and other official pages. Totals are shown in numbers wherever possible.
| Type | National (Public) Fast Facts |
| Total Students | 8,555 total = 7,282 undergraduate + 1,273 graduate (as of May 2024) Source |
| Campuses | Kojirakawa (main), Iida, Yonezawa, Tsuruoka Campus Info |
| Faculties/Schools | 6 Faculties + 1 School: Humanities & Social Sciences; Education, Art & Science; Science; Medicine; Engineering; Agriculture; School of Collaborative Regional Innovation & Data Science (CID) Faculties & Schools / Undergraduate Schools |
| Biaya Pendidikan | Undergraduate/Graduate: Application ¥17,000–¥30,000; Admission ¥282,000; Tuition ¥535,800 per year. Non‑degree & research student fees listed. Tuition & Fees |
| Gender Ratio | 34% female : 66% male THE 2025 |
| Intl‑Student % | ≈ 3% (257/8,555; May 2024) Source |
| Students per Staff | 9 THE 2025 |
Campus Maps
Kojirakawa Campus (Yamagata City)
Address: 1-4-12 Kojirakawa-machi, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan
Iida Campus (Yamagata City)
Address: 2-2-2 Iida-nishi, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan
Yonezawa Campus (Yonezawa City)
Address: 4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa-shi, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
Tsuruoka Campus (Tsuruoka City)
Address: 1-23 Wakaba-machi, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata 997-8555, Japan
Mission, History & Founding Story
Yamagata University (YU) is a national university formed in 1949 from older schools dating back to 1878, including teacher training and engineering colleges that served the region’s industries and communities. Today YU remains mission‑driven: to provide comprehensive, public higher education that advances research and supports society across Yamagata Prefecture and beyond. The university’s four campuses—Kojirakawa (main), Iida, Yonezawa, and Tsuruoka—allow students to learn in focused settings rather than sprawling megacampuses, with strong ties to local schools, hospitals, businesses, and cultural institutions. Fast Facts | Introduction
YU is structured around six faculties—Humanities & Social Sciences; Education, Art & Science; Science; Medicine; Engineering; and Agriculture—plus the newer School of Collaborative Regional Innovation & Data Science (CID). This mix reflects YU’s dual heritage in education and applied science, and it supports both liberal arts foundations and hands‑on research. The Institute of Arts & Sciences anchors general education (liberal arts), while specialized units run labs and fieldwork that connect with industry and local government. Faculties & Schools | Institute of Arts & Sciences | Study at YU
As a public institution, YU maintains nationally set tuition (¥535,800/year) with separate application and admission fees, and it participates in scholarship and tuition‑reduction programs for eligible students. The university’s English site provides consolidated details by student category (degree, research, non‑degree/special auditing). Tuition & Fees
Key Strengths & Unique Features
Organic Electronics & Industry Collaboration
YU is internationally recognized for organic electronics—printed and flexible devices that power next‑gen sensors and displays. The Research Center for Organic Electronics (ROEL) and the Innovation Center for Organic Electronics (INOEL) link academic labs with companies, offering pilot‑scale facilities and consortium projects. For prospective students, this means access to equipment, internships, and applied thesis topics that map directly to growth industries. ROEL | INOEL | Research Groups
Soft Robotics & Printed Sensors
Recent publications from YU’s labs showcase flexible, screen‑printed pressure and force sensors integrated into robotic grippers—illustrating how materials science meets robotics for healthcare, manufacturing, and IoT. Robotics at YU also extends to telerobotics relevant to extreme environments. Explore lab pages and faculty profiles for detailed project lists and opportunities. Kumaki Lab | Recent Results | Tsumaki (Telerobotics)
Practice‑Forward Teacher Education & Liberal Arts Core
YU’s Faculty of Education, Art & Science offers practical training and interdisciplinary courses that feed into Japan’s school system and community programs. The university’s Institute of Arts & Sciences supports the liberal‑arts core for all undergraduates, including language and information literacy, which helps international students acclimate academically. Faculty of Education, Art & Science | Institute of Arts & Sciences
Collaborative Regional Innovation & Data Science (CID)
The School of Collaborative Regional Innovation & Data Science (CID) blends management, social sciences, and data analytics to develop problem‑solvers for local and regional challenges—from tourism and agriculture to mobility and disaster response. It is a solid option if you want a social‑impact angle with strong data skills. CID overview
World‑Noted Research in Archaeology (Nazca)
A YU‑led team used AI to accelerate field surveys in Peru’s Nazca region, confirming 303 new figurative geoglyphs and advancing conservation science. Read the university’s English news and mainstream coverage for the story. YU News (Sept 24, 2024) | Kyodo News | The Asahi Shimbun AJW
Flagship Faculty Snapshot: Engineering
Engineering at YU emphasizes small‑group learning, early lab participation, and strong links to graduate programs. The department list and admission policies outline pathways from foundational math and physics into specialized tracks (electrical, mechanical systems, informatics, bio‑systems, chemical/biochemical engineering, and a flexible evening “Systems Innovation” course). Engineering (Admission Policy)
Student Life for Internationals
Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students
With ~140 student organizations across campuses, you’ll find sports, culture, and community activities. Festival season (mid‑Oct–early Nov) is a highlight. Events for International Students | Campus Life
Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)
YU centralizes services (visa guidance, counseling, health, student services) with pages in English. Bookmark these before you arrive. Handbook for International Students | Student Services Offices | Housing | Cost of Living
Language‑Exchange & Peer Events
YU runs orientations, cultural trips, and seasonal events that make it easy to meet local and international peers. While program names may change, the Events for International Students page lists current options.
Partner Institutions & Exchange Options
YU’s short‑term exchange program (STEP‑YU) accepts nominated students from partner universities for one or two semesters, with application forms and guidelines provided in English. STEP‑YU. If you’re a YU degree student seeking to study abroad, consult the Kojirakawa International Center page. To students interested in study abroad. YU also maintains overseas offices to support recruitment and collaboration, including its long‑running Hanoi office. Overseas offices
Local Climate & Lifestyle
Yamagata Prefecture has four distinct seasons: snowy winters (popular ski areas near Zao), mild springs with cherry blossoms, warm summers, and colorful autumns. For recent climate normals and monthly high/low temperatures, consult the Japan Meteorological Agency’s English data portal and compare with the university’s cost‑of‑living estimates. JMA Data (English) | Cost of Living | Yamagata International Student Portal
International Student Statistics
As of May 2024, YU reports 257 international students among 8,555 total students (~3%). The English “Fast Facts” page summarizes the headline numbers; detailed breakdowns by category appear in YU’s Japanese materials. Fast Facts | International Student Handbook (JP PDF)
Career & Graduate Prospects
YU offers career seminars tailored to international students and company visits within the prefecture, helping you navigate Japanese recruiting cycles. Faculties publish employment outcomes in Japanese; the central admissions site hosts English guidance and contacts. Career Support | Employment Status (JP)
Admissions, Tuition & Funding
International applicants should review the relevant admission category (undergraduate, graduate, research/non‑degree) and plan finances around nationally set fees. The English Tuition & Fees page lists application, admission, and annual tuition, with per‑credit fees for non‑degree study. Faculty pages may provide additional details. Tuition & Fees | Other Programs (Non‑degree) | Faculties & Schools
Useful Official Links
Yamagata University (English Top) | Fast Facts | Campus Information | Undergraduate Schools | Tuition & Fees | THE Profile