Kagawa University: Study-in-Japan Guide for International Students — Programs, Tuition, Exchange, and Campus Life

Thinking about studying in Japan and craving a friendly, midsized national university with real research punch and a relaxed coastal lifestyle? Kagawa University, in sunny Takamatsu on Shikoku Island, balances approachable class sizes with distinctive strengths—from world-leading “rare sugar” science to human-centered engineering & design—plus practical student support and sensible living costs. This guide gives overseas applicants a clear picture of Kagawa’s programs, campus life, climate, exchange options, and career outcomes, with fresh data and official sources linked throughout.

Quick Facts: Kagawa University at a Glance (for Overseas Applicants)

Type	National (Public)
Total Students	≈ 6,321 (THE data)
Campus (Main)	Saiwai-cho (Takamatsu)
Other Campus Areas	Ikenobe (Miki) – Agriculture; Ohta – Medicine; Hayashi-cho – Engineering & Design (units vary by faculty)
Faculties/Schools	Education, Law, Economics, Medicine, Engineering & Design, Agriculture; multiple graduate schools incl. Science for Creative Emergence
Tasse scolastiche	Undergrad & Graduate tuition ¥535,800/year; Admission fee ¥282,000; Exam fee ¥17,000 (UG) / ¥30,000 (Grad); Research student ¥29,700/month
Gender Ratio	≈ 42% F : 58% M (THE 2025)
Intl-Student %	≈ 2% (THE 2025; see also KU stats)
Students per Staff	≈ 9.8 (THE 2025)

Evidence Links: Quick Facts ・ Faculties & Programs ・ Fees ・ Times Higher Education profile

Campus Maps

Saiwai-cho Campus (Takamatsu, Main Campus)

Address: 1-1 Saiwai-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 760-8521, Japan

Hayashi-cho Campus (Takamatsu, Engineering & Design)

Address: 2217-20 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa 761-0396, Japan

Miki-cho Campus (Faculty of Medicine)

Address: 1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan

Miki-cho Campus (Faculty of Agriculture)

Address: 2393 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0795, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Kagawa University is a national university founded in 1949 in Takamatsu, the gateway to Shikoku. Its roots are older: teacher-training schools and a higher school of commerce in Kagawa were reorganized and merged after World War II. Today’s Kagawa University carries a dual identity—community-embedded yet outward-looking. The university charter emphasizes “rigorous pursuit of the truth” and returning the fruits of research to society, fitting a region long known for maritime trade and innovation across the Seto Inland Sea.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Kagawa sharpened its profile by developing world-class niches and reorganizing educational structures to better match regional and global needs. The establishment of the Faculty of Engineering & Design (with a human-centered approach) and the Graduate School of Science for Creative Emergence signal a focus on interdisciplinary problem-solving. Meanwhile, rare sugar research—pioneered locally—matured into an internationally recognized field with real social applications, while clinical and community health, agriculture, and regional policy remain pillars that connect campus to community.

Evidence Links: University Charter ・ History ・ Quick Facts ・ Science for Creative Emergence (Global/Outreach – JP)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

World-Leading Rare Sugar Research (IIRSRE)

Kagawa University is internationally known for “rare sugar” science—monosaccharides that occur in tiny amounts in nature but can be produced and applied at scale. The International Institute of Rare Sugar Research and Education (IIRSRE) consolidates research from enzyme discovery through functional foods, medical materials, and industrial applications. Public communications and events show a lively pipeline: symposiums, exhibitions, and collaborations with government and industry. If you’re a chemistry, food science, or bioengineering applicant, this ecosystem is a standout.

Evidence Links: IIRSRE (Institute site) ・ IIRSRE Outline ・ Kagawa Prefecture: History of Rare Sugar ・ Glycoforum feature (2024–25 series)

Human-Centered Engineering & Design

Kagawa’s Faculty of Engineering & Design emphasizes user-centric problem solving, spanning mechanical systems, information systems/security, architecture & urban environment, and crisis/risk management. Labs like Komizunai Lab (intelligent mechanical systems, nursing support robotics, tangible interfaces) showcase hands-on, interdisciplinary work. The program theme lines up well with industry needs in Shikoku and the Kansai/Setouchi region (manufacturing, mobility, infrastructure), with graduate employment into household-name firms and public agencies.

Evidence Links: Faculty of Engineering & Design (EN) ・ Location & Access (E&D) ・ Komizunai Lab (EN) ・ Robogaku: Kagawa robotics listing

Professional Faculties with Strong Local Links

Flagship areas (examples)

Agriculture – Rare sugars, food science, and regional agribusiness form a distinctive cluster. NIAD-QE lists the Graduate School of Agriculture with English info; Kagawa Prefecture also brands rare sugar as a strategic innovation. NIAD-QE (Graduate School of Agriculture) ・ Kagawa Pref: Rare Sugar history

Medicine & Community Health – Regional care networks and collaboration with local government and hospitals. (See KU student life pages for health-related supports and facilities.)

Economics & Law – Policy, public administration, and local industry linkages stand out. Post-graduate pathways are shown in the official NIAD-QE database. NIAD-QE (Faculty of Economics)

Student-Centered Internationalization

The International Office centralizes support, exchange coordination, and outreach. English pages cover accommodation, part-time work rules, and facilities like the Global Café (a relaxed hub for conversation and workshops). The university also publishes proceedings from international symposia hosted in Takamatsu—useful to see KU’s network in action.

Evidence Links: International Office (EN) ・ Accommodation ・ Part-time Work (rules) ・ Facilities (Global Café) ・ International symposium proceedings (PDF)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles welcoming overseas students

KUFSA (Kagawa University Foreign Student Association) organizes welcome parties, day trips, and local exchange. See this official outline for activities and contacts (JP): KUFSA (Kagawa Prefecture info)

Dedicated support offices (visa, housing, counseling)

The International Office and International Student Center provide orientation, advising, and career support tailored to international students, and coordinate with faculty offices on academic matters. Start with the orientation pack (JP/EN handouts) and the dedicated career support page:

Orientation for New International Students (JP/EN) ・ Career Support for International Students (JP)

Language-exchange & community spaces

The Global Café on Saiwai campus is a casual space for study groups, workshops, and language exchange. It’s one of the easiest places to meet new friends across faculties: Global Café & facilities

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Emphasis)

Kagawa University lists exchange programs run both by faculties and the International Office, including options across Asia and beyond. A distinctive highlight is the Six-University Initiative Japan-Indonesia (SUIJI), a service-learning framework connecting KU with Indonesian and Japanese partners for project-based fieldwork—great for students interested in sustainability, agriculture, and community development.

Evidence Links: Exchange Programs (EN) ・ Trilateral Symposium Proceedings (example) ・ SUIJI overview (Agriculture, EN)

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Takamatsu (WMO station 47891) enjoys a mild Seto Inland Sea climate: warm, sunny springs; hot summers with highs commonly in the low-to-mid 30s °C; comfortable autumns; and cool but generally not severe winters. Over the past five years, monthly average highs range from the single digits (°C) in January to the low 30s in August, while average lows run from near freezing in winter to the mid-20s in summer. The area is known for high sunshine percentages and comparatively low rainfall versus Japan’s Pacific coast. For precise, most-recent monthly normals and extremes, use the Japan Meteorological Agency’s English tables:

JMA: Tables of Monthly Climate Statistics (choose “TAKAMATSU 47891”)

Cost of living is manageable by Japanese urban standards: private apartments near campus often run about ¥20,000–¥60,000/month via local agencies or the Co-op, and the university offers dormitory options for international students. See: Accommodation ・ Living Costs ・ Part-time Work guidelines

International Student Statistics

Kagawa University publishes annual breakdowns by faculty/graduate school and by country/region (as of May 1 each year). The latest graphs and PDFs are available on the International site (JP): International Students & Employment (stats hub)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Outcomes are faculty-specific, but trends show strong placement into manufacturing, IT/communications, public sector roles, and regional employers across Shikoku, Chugoku, and Kansai—plus Tokyo-area firms in some fields. Engineering & Design posts detailed graduate destinations by course (including mechanical systems, information systems/security, architecture/urban environment, disaster/risk management). Economics publishes annual snapshots by industry and region, including public-sector hiring.

Evidence Links: Engineering & Design: Graduate destinations (JP) ・ Economics: Employment status (JP) ・ THE “Key stats” (students/staff, intl %)