Study at Toyo University for International Students: Admissions, Tuition (¥), INIAD/GIS, Scholarships, Careers

Thinking about earning a degree in Tokyo with a campus vibe that mixes classic humanities with cutting‑edge tech? Toyo University might be your match. Founded in 1887 by philosopher Enryo Inoue, Toyo grew from a philosophy academy into a comprehensive private university of nearly 32,000 students across four campuses, with the main base in central Tokyo’s Hakusan. You’ll find English‑medium options, an IoT‑rich IT faculty (INIAD), and a big partner‑university network—plus student support in English, international residences, and a budget‑friendlier cost of living than many Western cities. Below is a practical overview for overseas applicants: facts, standout programs, campus life, and what to expect in Tokyo.

Toyo University — Symbolic Photos (free to use with attribution)

Quick Facts

Item	Details (AY2024–2025 where noted)
Type	Private university (est. 1887)
Total Students	≈31,885 (as of May 2024)
Campuses (Main)	Hakusan (main, Bunkyō, Tokyo); Akabanedai (Kita, Tokyo); Kawagoe (Saitama); Asaka (Saitama)
Faculties / Schools	Letters; Economics; Business Administration; Law; Sociology; Global & Regional Studies; International Tourism Management; Information Networking for Innovation and Design (INIAD); Design for Welfare Society; Health & Sports Sciences; Science & Engineering; Information Sciences & Arts; Life Sciences; Food Life Sciences
Tuition Fees (Undergrad, first‑year)	Humanities (Letters/Law/Sociology): ~¥1,274,000–¥1,315,000 Economics/Business: ~¥1,312,000–¥1,325,000 International Tourism Management: ~¥1,542,000 INIAD: ~¥1,677,500 Health & Sports Sciences: ~¥1,527,900 Science & Engineering: ~¥1,685,000 Information Sciences & Arts: ~¥1.52M (approx.) Life Sciences: ~¥1.66M (approx.) Food Life Sciences / Nutritional Sciences: ~¥1.63M–¥1.71M
Gender Ratio	Approx. 6:4 (male:female)
Intl‑Student %	≈4.9% degree‑seeking (about 1,560 / 31,885)
Students per Staff	≈40:1 (based on 803 full‑time faculty)

Data sources and details are linked throughout the article (see “Facts & Figures,” “Campus Facilities,” and “Tuition & Fees” references).

Campus Maps

Hakusan Campus (Main, Bunkyō, Tokyo)

Address: 5-28-20 Hakusan, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8606, Japan

Akabanedai Campus (Kita, Tokyo)

Address: 1-7-11 Akabanedai, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-8650, Japan

Kawagoe Campus (Saitama)

Address: 2100 Kujirai, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama 350-8585, Japan

Asaka Campus (Saitama)

Address: 48-1 Oka, Asaka-shi, Saitama 351-8510, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Toyo University began in 1887 as the Private School of Philosophy (哲学館), founded by the philosopher Enryo Inoue. At a time when Japan was rapidly absorbing Western ideas, Inoue argued that education needed a strong backbone: philosophy. He believed students should investigate “the essence of things” and cultivate an inner compass that guides practical action. These ideas—summed up in the university’s Founding Spirit and Educational Principles—still shape Toyo’s identity today.

Over decades, Toyo expanded from philosophy and humanities into social sciences, law, business, tourism, information science, engineering, life sciences, sports science, and design for welfare. Its main base sits in Hakusan, a leafy corner of central Tokyo (Bunkyō ward), with additional campuses in Akabanedai (Kita ward), Kawagoe (Saitama), and Asaka (Saitama). Each campus houses focused strengths: Hakusan for humanities and social sciences; Akabanedai for INIAD and health/sports; Kawagoe for engineering and information arts; and Asaka for life and food sciences.

The university also embraced internationalization early. Today it maintains hundreds of exchange and collaboration agreements worldwide, alongside on‑campus services that support global learning—English‑medium subjects, language‑exchange zones, international residences, and structured study‑abroad programs. While its roots emphasize deep thinking, Toyo’s modern identity balances that heritage with applied learning in labs, makerspaces, and industry partnerships.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

INIAD: A Cloud‑Native, Design‑Driven IT School

Toyo’s Faculty of Information Networking for Innovation and Design (INIAD) is a standout for students who want modern computing with strong design and real‑world project orientation. Its Akabanedai campus features signature buildings by architect Kengo Kuma and a “paperless, bookless” environment centered on tablets, a digital media library, and an IoT‑saturated infrastructure (over 5,000 devices). The campus is geared for collaboration across programs—from computer science and data to UX and social infrastructure.

English‑Medium Options: GIS & Graduate “English Track Curriculums”

Want to study fully in English in Tokyo? Two routes stand out. First, the undergraduate Department of Global Innovation Studies (GIS) delivers a liberal‑arts style curriculum in English with a strong overseas study requirement (typically 6–12 months), preparing students for global careers in business, policy, and social innovation. A concise public overview of GIS’s English delivery and mandatory study‑abroad appears on educations.com. Second, at the graduate level, Toyo offers the English Track Curriculum (Graduate) where you can complete your degree entirely in English.

STEM Depth at Kawagoe & Asaka: Engineering, Life & Food Sciences

If you lean STEM, Kawagoe Campus concentrates science and engineering (mechanical, biomedical, electrical/electronic, applied chemistry, civil/environmental, architecture) with modern labs and maker‑style spaces. Asaka Campus hosts life sciences and food/nutritional sciences, including specialized kitchens, analytics rooms, and sports/health facilities on the Akabanedai side. These setups are designed for experiments and hands‑on coursework—good news for students who learn best by doing.

Global Links & Study‑Abroad Engine

Toyo reports hundreds of agreements with institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia. In 2024, the university listed 369 agreements with 268 institutions in 41 countries/areas, plus 1,657 classes taught in English across the university. For structured outbound programs (exchange, short‑term, or career‑oriented tracks like business‑Japanese plus internships), check the International Affairs pages and program fact sheets—e.g., the IUEP & 3+1 program fact sheet (2025 Fall) and the 3+1 program application guide (2026 Spring).

Career Education with High Placement

Career support is integrated—skills workshops, industry talks, and coaching across faculties. Toyo’s self‑reported undergraduate employment rate for AY2023 grads was 98.5%. International students additionally receive visa/life guidance and job‑hunting support. See the “Facts & Figures” page in the English guidebook and the international student guide for the latest outcomes and services linked below.

Flagship Faculties (Examples)

INIAD (Information Networking for Innovation & Design): English‑friendly, digitally enabled, with a strong computing‑plus‑design ethos. INIAD Admissions.
Global & Regional Studies – GIS: Liberal‑arts core in English with mandatory long‑term study abroad. Program overview (educations.com).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

Toyo lists a large range of student organizations—sports and cultural circles. One English page highlights 77 athletic clubs e 229 other student clubs, which is great for language practice and making friends through activities rather than class alone. See “Japanese Cultural Events and Interactions with Japanese Students” in the Guide Book (EN).

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

The International Affairs Office runs orientation for exchange/visiting students covering immigration procedures, local ward registration, National Health Insurance, opening a bank account, housing, and campus life. The university’s student‑services infrastructure also includes medical offices and professional counselors (Student Support Offices / Consultation Rooms). For a quick read, see the exchange fact‑sheet (HPU copy, PDF) and Toyo’s latest English guides linked on this page.

Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs

Toyo’s co‑curricular lineup includes the English Community Zone (ECZ), the Language Exchange Program (LEP), International Student Meeting (ISM), and weekend homestay opportunities—simple, social ways to boost Japanese and meet local students. Details appear on the “Japanese Cultural Events & Interactions with Japanese Students” page (EN) in the Guide Book.

Housing: International Residences

Toyo runs two international residences—AI‑House HUB‑4 and the International House—with furnished rooms, staff on site, and programming run by Resident Assistants. As a price reference (subject to change), the Guide Book lists monthly residence fees and meal plan options in English; see International Residences (EN). See also Toyo’s English news on AI‑House HUB‑4 here.

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Focus)

Toyo emphasizes outbound mobility through exchange, short‑term intensives, and career‑linked offerings (e.g., business Japanese + internships). In mid‑2024, Toyo reported 369 agreements with 268 institutions in 41 countries/areas, creating many destinations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Program formats and eligibility vary by faculty and year, so always cross‑check the latest English materials posted by the International Affairs Office, including up‑to‑date factsheets like Exchange Factsheet (2026 Spring) e IUEP/3+1 (2025 Fall).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo Area)

Weather patterns (recent years): Tokyo has four distinct seasons—mild winters, a spring rainy spell, hot/humid summers, and pleasant autumns. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (Tokyo station), recent five‑year data show August’s monthly mean of daily maximum temperature often around or above 33°C (e.g., ~34.1°C in 2020, ~34.3°C in 2023), while January daily maxima hover near ~10–12°C. See JMA’s English “Tables of Monthly Climate Statistics” for station 47662 (Tokyo): JMA data.

Safety: Tokyo consistently ranks among the top cities for urban safety worldwide. In the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index 2021, Tokyo placed 5th out of 60 cities. See the official page here: Safe Cities Index.

Cost of living: Expenses depend on lifestyle and location. As a broad third‑party reference, Numbeo’s Tokyo page tracks current averages for food, transit, and rent by neighborhood. Compare your budget with Numbeo: Cost of Living in Tokyo. Also review Toyo’s residence fees for campus‑affiliated housing (linked above) to cross‑check.

International Student Statistics

Toyo reported ≈1,560 degree‑seeking international students (May 2024) out of about 31,885 students, which is roughly 4.9%. Students come from dozens of countries; an English JICA/JDS profile mentions 51 countries represented. Note that separate, non‑degree inbound exchange students may be tallied outside the “degree‑seeking” figure. For the latest counts, see the English At a Glance gateway and the Guide Book (EN) below.

Career & Graduate Prospects

For undergraduates, Toyo reports a 98.5% employment rate (AY2023). International‑student outcomes are also strong: a recent English guide indicates an international‑student employment rate above 80%, and among those employed, the vast majority found jobs in Japan. Typical industries include manufacturing, ICT, finance, logistics/retail, consulting, and tourism. Toyo’s career centers offer job‑hunting seminars, resume/interview coaching, and employer networking for internationals.

Campuses & Faculties — Handy Links (EN)

Toyo University “At a Glance” (EN) / Guide Book (EN, PDF) / English Track Curriculum (Graduate, EN) / JASSO School Profile (EN)