Hoshi University: A Practical Guide for International Pharmacy Applicants

Thinking about studying pharmacy or drug discovery in Japan? Hoshi University (Hoshi Yakuka Daigaku) in Tokyo is a tightly focused private institution known for training clinical pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. This guide walks you through fast facts, the campus setting, mission and history, strengths that matter to international applicants, student life and support, exchange options, local climate and costs, and career outcomes—curated from official sources and kept practical so you can decide if Hoshi fits your path.

Hoshi University — Main Campus (Ebara, Shinagawa, Tokyo)

Address: 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan

Quick‑Facts Table

Campus Maps

Hoshi University — Main Campus (Ebara, Shinagawa, Tokyo)

Address: 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Hoshi University traces its roots to a staff-education division established by Hoshi Pharmaceutical Company in 1922. The institution evolved through specialist phases and gained full university status in 1950. Today it operates as a single-subject private university in Tokyo with two undergraduate tracks—clinical pharmacy (six years) and pharmaceutical sciences (four years)—and a graduate school in pharmaceutical sciences. The university’s founding ethos emphasizes cultivating professionals who can contribute to society through pharmacy and health. For an English overview, see the official page History (EN) and general university information Official English.

In university policy documents, Hoshi states its aim to teach and research the theory and application of pharmaceutical sciences while shaping well-rounded professionals who contribute to medical care, welfare, environmental hygiene, and culture. Its curriculum policies and internal quality assurance are publicly posted (JP) Policies (JP), with information disclosure consolidated on the “Information Disclosure” page (JP) Information Disclosure (JP). These pages detail admissions principles, student numbers by year, and outcomes.

Independent evaluation is conducted in Japan by the Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA). Recent documentation on Hoshi can be found on JUAA’s site (JP) JUAA Evaluation 2025 (JP, PDF). Always consult the latest JUAA materials for current status as these reports are periodically updated by the accreditor.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Undergraduate Programs

6‑Year Pharmacy (Clinical Pharmacist Training)

Hoshi’s 6‑year program is oriented toward national pharmacist licensure and clinical readiness, emphasizing pharmacotherapy, patient safety, and rotations aligned with Japan’s standards. Curriculum and policy references are published (JP) Policies (JP). Campus life resources are in English University Life (EN).

4‑Year Pharmaceutical Sciences (Drug Discovery)

The 4‑year track focuses on discovery and development—medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, biopharmaceutics, and related lab work—preparing students for R&D paths or advanced study. See lab listings (EN) for the breadth of specialties Laboratories (EN).

Research Hubs & Industry Collaboration

Hoshi operates collaborative research centers such as the Alignment Innovation Center, working on technologies that bridge bench research and practical use (JP) Alignment Innovation Center (JP). University news highlights joint initiatives and cooperation agreements with external institutes (JP) University News (JP).

Global Exposure: Exchanges & Short Programs

Students can gain overseas experience through institutional partnerships. Recent activity includes bilateral research with Julius‑Maximilians‑Universität Würzburg (Germany) (JP) Würzburg Collaboration (JP), faculty visits and events with Chulalongkorn University (Thailand) (JP) Chulalongkorn Visit (JP), and JASSO “Student Exchange Support Program (Agreement-based)” adoption for Pacific University (USA) and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Ireland) (JP) JASSO Adoption (JP). Student voices: Pacific University report (JP) Pacific Student Report (JP); RCSI report (JP) RCSI Student Report (JP).

Tokyo Advantage & Compact Campus

Located in Shinagawa, the single campus helps students build close relationships with labs and faculty while enjoying Tokyo’s connectivity. See student clubs and facilities (JP) Clubs & Circles (JP) and the English “University Life” page University Life (EN).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

From music ensembles to sports like badminton, tennis, and martial arts, clubs provide a community beyond classes (JP) Clubs & Circles (JP).

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counselling)

Student support policies and contacts are public (JP) Student Support Policy (JP, PDF). For general living guidance in Japan (housing, insurance, part‑time work rules), use the official “Study in Japan” portal (EN) Life in Japan (EN).

Language Exchange & International Events

International exchange events are active throughout the year—talks, student presentations, and exchange meetups are listed (JP) International Exchange News (JP).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Outbound short programs and exchanges have recently included: Würzburg University (Germany) (JP) Würzburg Collaboration (JP); Chulalongkorn University (Thailand) (JP) Chulalongkorn Visit (JP); and JASSO‑adopted practice programs with Pacific University (USA) and RCSI (Ireland) (JP) JASSO Adoption (JP). See student reports for Pacific (JP) Pacific Student Report (JP) and RCSI (JP) RCSI Student Report (JP).

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather Patterns (Tokyo)

Tokyo summers are hot and humid (daily highs commonly exceed 30°C), while winters are cool with lows near freezing. For monthly means, highs, and lows over recent years, consult Japan Meteorological Agency’s (JMA) English tables for Tokyo station (WMO 47662) JMA Monthly Climate (EN). JMA’s climate briefs also note record‑high summer heat in 2024 (EN PDF) JMA Climate Press (EN, Oct 18, 2024).

Cost of Living Snapshot

National guidance puts first‑year fees for private pharmaceutical programs around ¥3,200,000, and typical monthly housing averages ¥41,000 nationwide vs. about ¥57,000 in Tokyo (EN) Academic Fees (EN) / Living Costs (EN). Use the Hoshi fee schedule for exact university amounts (JP) Hoshi Fee Schedule (JP).

International Student Statistics

Hoshi publishes international student outcomes yearly (employment, further study). For 2023 (as of April 1, 2024) see the official chart (JP) International Students’ Outcomes 2023 (JP). Total student counts and breakdowns are posted annually (JP) Students 2024 (JP).

Career & Graduate Prospects

Career data and employment distributions are included in the university’s annual reports and disclosure pages (JP). See the information disclosure hub (JP) Information Disclosure (JP) and 2023 business report materials for outcome snapshots (JP) FY2023 Business Report (JP, PDF). The English site also summarizes campus life and labs for potential research pathways Official English.