Planning to study sport sciences, physical education, or education in Japan? Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences (OUHS) in Kumatori, Osaka, is a focused, hands‑on university with elite facilities—think IRB‑certified rugby turf, six full gyms, and a track used by national teams. This guide sums up what overseas applicants care about most: quick facts, admissions context, strengths, student support, climate and lifestyle, exchange options, and graduate outcomes. We cite official sources throughout so you can check details fast.
Source: Wikimedia Commons · Photo: KENPEI · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Source: Wikimedia Commons · Photo: KENPEI · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Source: Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Rsa · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Source: Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Rsa · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Source: Wikimedia Commons · Photo: 紫煙 (Shien) · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Source: Wikimedia Commons · Photo: KENPEI · License: CC BY 3.0
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Source: Wikimedia Commons · Photo: KENPEI · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick Facts
| Item | Data (Source links in blue) |
|---|---|
| Type (National/Public/Private) | Private |
| Total Students | 2,843 (as of May 1, 2025) OUHS Information Disclosure |
| Campuses | Kumatori (Main Campus). See access map in the official English pamphlet OUHS Pamphlet 2025 |
| Faculties/Schools | School of Sport Sciences; Faculty of Physical Education; School of Education; Graduate School of Sport & Exercise Sciences OUHS Pamphlet 2025 |
| 수업료 | Undergraduate tuition: ¥960,000/year (AY 2023–2025). First‑year total typically ¥1,231,000 (AY 2023–2025). OUHS Tuition (Undergrad) Graduate tuition: ¥700,000/year (+ fees). OUHS Tuition (Graduate) |
| Gender Ratio | Not officially published by OUHS |
| Intl‑Student % | ≈0.5% (15 international students / 2,843 total, 2025). Sources: Intl Students (OUHS), Total Students (OUHS) |
| Students per Staff | 32.3 : 1 (as of May 1, 2025) OUHS Staff & Ratio |
Campus Maps
Kumatori (Main) Campus
Address: 1-1 Asashirodai, Kumatori-cho, Sennan District, Osaka 590-0496, Japan
Mission, History & Founding Story
OUHS was founded in 1965 as western Japan’s first dedicated sports and physical education university. The timing was not an accident—Japan’s 1964 Tokyo Olympics ignited a nationwide push to professionalize physical education, coaching, and sports science. The university’s mission is concise and practical: to “cultivate mind, virtue, and body through ceaseless effort in order to serve society.” You’ll see this ethic repeated across course descriptions and campus life, emphasizing leadership, safety, and evidence-based training. OUHS Pamphlet 2025; Wikipedia (overview)
In its early decades, OUHS focused on training physical education teachers and coaches while gradually expanding into allied fields like sports management, athletic training, health sciences, and sport psychology/counseling. Today the School of Sport Sciences and the School of Education (together with the Faculty of Physical Education and the Graduate School of Sport & Exercise Sciences) offer a matrix of courses that connect theory with lab work and practical coaching. The campus facilities reflect that breadth: an all-weather track, multiple soccer and baseball fields, six large gymnasia, and a rugby ground certified by the sport’s world governing body. OUHS Pamphlet 2025
OUHS continues to position itself as a “comprehensive university of sports,” but with a distinctly Kansai personality—pragmatic, collaborative, and plugged into regional sports ecosystems (school districts, clubs, companies). The university marks its 60th anniversary in 2025, underscoring a stable history and deep alumni networks across education, public service, and professional sports. OUHS Official Site
Key Strengths & Unique Features
Elite, Purpose‑Built Sports Facilities
If you want a training‑intensive environment, OUHS is unusually well equipped. The campus has six gymnasia (including a strength & conditioning room and a dedicated gymnastics floor), an all‑weather 400m track (renovated in 2022), a large soccer pitch with lighting, baseball fields (including an indoor practice field), tennis courts, and a rugby field officially certified by the International Rugby Board (now World Rugby). The library holds ~200,000 books, ~3,200–3,300 magazine titles, and 15 newspapers—useful if you’re writing in English and Japanese. These figures and facility details are summarized in the official English pamphlet. OUHS Pamphlet 2025
Flagship: Sport Sciences & Physical Education
OUHS’s signature strength is producing professionals who can teach, coach, and manage sport safely and effectively. Courses combine pedagogy with biomechanics, psychology, and health promotion so that graduates can lead teams, design training plans, and reduce injury risk in real‑world settings. OUHS Pamphlet 2025
School of Sport Sciences — Course Examples
Sport Education; Physical Education; Sport Psychology & Counseling; Sport Management; Athletic Training; Health Sciences. Each course blends classroom study with labs or fieldwork. OUHS Pamphlet 2025
Teacher Preparation with Real‑World Pipelines
Education majors train for K‑12 teaching roles (elementary through high school PE and special needs), supported by practicum placements and exam prep. OUHS reports consistently high employment outcomes across both schools (see the Career section below). Employment Results (OUHS)
Location: 15–30 minutes to Kansai Airport & Osaka City
The campus sits on a hill in Kumatori, with quick rail/bus links to Kansai International Airport and downtown Osaka (Namba/Tennoji). Being near a major hub matters for global exchanges, team travel, and internships. Access routes are shown in the official pamphlet. OUHS Pamphlet 2025
Student Life for Internationals
Clubs & Circles
Expect a sports‑heavy roster—soccer, baseball (including indoor practice), rugby, track & field, tennis, swimming, martial arts (kendo, judo, naginata), and more. Facilities pages and the pamphlet give a good overview. OUHS Pamphlet 2025
Support Offices (visa, housing, counseling)
OUHS’s International Exchange Center is the front door for overseas students—handling inbound support and life guidance—and for outbound study counseling. On campus, the Student Counseling Office provides academic and mental‑health support; the OUHS Seminar House accommodates groups for training camps and short stays. International Exchange Center (OUHS) / Pamphlet – Facilities
Language Exchange / Buddy Options
OUHS does not publicize a formal “buddy program” on its English pages at this time. Practically, international students connect through classes, clubs, and the learning commons. The International Exchange Center also serves as a hub for advice and referrals to campus resources. International Exchange Center (OUHS)
Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound‑focused)
OUHS lists partner institutions including Shanghai University of Sport (China), Xi’an Physical Education University (China), Western University (Canada), National Taiwan Sport University (Taiwan), and Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore). A 2023 announcement notes up to 30 students per academic year can join exchanges with Nanyang Polytechnic (including training, workshops, and internships). International Partners (OUHS) / Nanyang Polytechnic Agreement
Local Climate & Lifestyle (Osaka/Kumatori)
Recent years in Osaka bring hot, humid summers and cool, relatively mild winters. Typical summer daytime highs hover around the low‑to‑mid 30s °C; mid‑winter lows often sit near 1–3 °C. Always check the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) table for up‑to‑date monthly averages and extremes. JMA Monthly Statistics (Osaka)
Cost of living is lower than Tokyo in most categories (rent, restaurants, groceries). For ballpark estimates and comparisons, see Numbeo’s Osaka page and Tokyo‑vs‑Osaka comparison. Numbeo: Osaka / Numbeo: Tokyo vs Osaka
International Student Statistics
As of May 1, 2025, OUHS reports 15 international students across levels (undergraduate & graduate), against a total enrollment of 2,843—about 0.5%. Breakdown by academic level (2025): undergraduate schools (Sports Sciences/Physical Education): 6 combined; School of Education: 0; Graduate School (Master’s/Doctoral): 9. OUHS does not publicly list a country/region split on its English site. Sources: International Students (OUHS) / Total Students (OUHS)
Career & Graduate Prospects
OUHS discloses very strong outcomes: the 2024 recruitment cycle shows a 98.4% employment rate. Graduates go into teaching (public and private K‑12), public service (police, fire, municipal), and well‑known companies including Mizuno, Asics, Keyence, Recruit, JR West, and more. Some student‑athletes sign with professional clubs. See the university’s breakdowns for details and year‑by‑year trends. Employment Results (OUHS)
Budget Snapshot (Context)
Japan’s national universities such as The University of Osaka charge uniform tuition of ¥535,800/year (as of FY2025), which provides a helpful benchmark when comparing OUHS (a private university). The University of Osaka (tuition reference)
Extra References & Profiles
Third‑party snapshots can be useful, but always verify with OUHS first: uniRank profile / StudyAbroadAide / EduRank / Edarabia. For faculty research presence, examples include ResearchGate profiles such as Yuwako Sakai.