Thinking of studying in Japan at a women’s university with strong roots in teacher training, nutrition & life sciences, design/ICT, and nursing? Sugiyama Jogakuen University (SJU) in Nagoya blends century‑long heritage with practical, career‑focused programs. This guide covers fast facts (fees in ¥), academics, international support, exchange options, student life, climate and costs, and job outcomes—all with verified sources so you can evaluate fit and plan next steps confidently.
Sugiyama Jogakuen University — Symbolic Photos (Free Media)
Source: Wikimedia Commons (file) · Author: 円周率３パーセント · License: CC BY-SA 4.0
A clean, modern facade with a curved corner profile reflects the university’s contemporary urban character in Nagoya’s Hoshigaoka area.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (file) · Author: 円周率３パーセント · License: CC BY-SA 4.0
The curved gateway and leafy boulevard form a recognizable entrance sequence leading into the core of the Hoshigaoka campus.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (file) · Author: 円周率３パーセント · License: CC BY-SA 4.0
A minimalist glass curtain wall provides abundant daylight to classrooms and study spaces while maintaining a calm academic look.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (file) · Author: 円周率３パーセント · License: CC BY-SA 4.0
This low-rise block faces the neighborhood streetscape, blending campus architecture with planted edges and pedestrian paths.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (file) · Author: Asturio Cantabrio · License: CC BY-SA 4.0
An open commons where students move between classes and gather for events, framed by bridges and stepped seating.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (file) · Author: Psjk2106 · License: CC BY-SA 4.0
A compact, modern library adjacent to the History & Culture Hall — a study hub supporting coursework and research.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (file) · Author: Ocdp · License: CC0 1.0 (Public Domain)
The suburban Nisshin site features a spacious entry and wooded surroundings, offering a quieter learning environment outside central Nagoya.
Quick-Facts Table
Figures prioritize official university disclosures. Tuition is shown in Japanese yen (¥). Where SJU publishes multiple values (e.g., per faculty), we give a realistic range.
| Type (National/Public/Private) | Private women’s university (undergraduate); graduate schools are co-ed — History (official) |
|---|---|
| Total Students | 5,412 students on campus; 216 faculty members — SJU in Numbers |
| Campuses | Hoshigaoka (main), Nisshin (suburban) — Access (official) |
| Faculties / Schools | Life Studies; Foreign Studies; Human Sciences; Information & Social Design; Modern Management; Education; Nursing — Academics (official) |
| Tuition Fees (1st year) | Approx. ¥1,119,660–¥1,729,300 depending on faculty (+ one-time admission fee ¥200,000) — official fee table (JP, PDF) Nationwide context (private undergrad): ~¥1,100,000/year — จาสโซ่ |
| Gender Ratio | Undergraduate: women-only; Graduate schools: co-ed — official |
| Intl-Student % | ≈0.30% (16 / 5,412; includes exchange, per SJU dashboard) — SJU in Numbers |
| Students per Staff | ≈25:1 (5,412 / 216; indicative) — SJU in Numbers |
Campus Maps
Hoshigaoka Campus (Main Campus, Nagoya)
Address: 17-3 Hoshigaoka-motomachi, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8662, Japan
Nisshin Campus (Takenoyama, Aichi)
Address: 3-2005 Takenoyama, Nisshin, Aichi 470-0136, Japan
Mission, History & Founding Story
Founded in 1905 and chartered as a university in 1949, Sugiyama Jogakuen University grew from a school committed to women’s education into a comprehensive women’s university with seven undergraduate schools and four graduate schools across two campuses in Greater Nagoya. SJU’s long‑standing motto effectively centers on “nurturing humanity,” and its modern tagline, “I Choose Myself,” signals the aim to help students think independently and design their own lives with agency. The Kongosho bell, introduced in 1931 and still rung on school days, remains a symbol of that tradition—quietly reminding students each morning that their education is both personal and communal. History (EN)
SJU today spans Hoshigaoka (an urban campus near central Nagoya) and Nisshin (a suburban site), with libraries on both campuses, single‑room dorms, four cafeterias, and on‑site medical offices. The academic portfolio includes Life Studies (nutrition, environmental design), Foreign Studies, Human Sciences (psychology, human relations), Information & Social Design (information design, social design), Modern Management, Education, and Nursing—areas that align with the region’s needs in healthcare, education, manufacturing/services, and community design. Access ／ Academics ／ Campus Life
Key Strengths & Unique Features
Women’s University Focus with Practical Outcomes
SJU is one of Japan’s established women’s universities, offering a focused environment where students prepare for roles in education, healthcare, business, design/ICT, and public service. The university highlights strong graduate outcomes; recent “in numbers” data report a 98.6% employment status for graduates, reflecting robust advising and ties to local industries. Women’s-university context ／ SJU in Numbers
Flagship Schools & Programs
School of Life Studies
With tracks in Human Nutrition and Human Environmental Design, Life Studies blends science with practice—preparing registered dietitians and designers who can improve wellbeing and everyday environments. ภาพรวม
School of Nursing
SJU’s Nursing program emphasizes clinical readiness, public health, and disaster awareness—vital themes in Aichi Prefecture and beyond. Fees include lab/practicum costs as detailed in the official fee schedule. Fee table (JP)
School of Education
Rooted in SJU’s legacy, Education prepares teachers for early childhood through secondary levels. Practica and licensure pathways are structured and clearly disclosed on SJU’s academic pages. ภาพรวม
Information & Social Design: Blending ICT with Society
The School of Information & Social Design trains students to apply ICT and design thinking to social problems—covering information design, media, tourism, and community topics. Coursework mixes creative practice with fieldwork and project‑based learning. Program details
Career Support & High Placement Rate
SJU’s career support emphasizes internships, employer outreach, and mentoring. The university’s official materials report a 98.6% employment status for recent graduates—consistent with its strong advising and industry connections. Employment figure ／ Career brochure (JP, PDF)
Student Life for Internationals
Clubs, Circles, & Daily Facilities
Campus life features four cafeterias, two libraries, medical offices, and many student organizations. Dorms offer single rooms with private bath and kitchen—useful for short‑term exchange or degree study alike. Campus Life
Dedicated Support Offices
The Center for International Exchange Programs (CIEP) supports inbound exchange, paperwork, housing coordination, and campus integration. Direct contact: ciep@sugiyama-u.ac.jp. International Students (EN) ／ CIEP contact
Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs
SJU runs “StudyMate” and exchange‑student supporter schemes to help internationals practice Japanese, join cultural events, and navigate life on campus. Details ／ CIEP Newsletter 2025 (EN, PDF)
Partner Institutions & Exchange Options
SJU lists seven partner universities and runs active inbound/outbound exchanges. In 2024, SJU welcomed 22 inbound exchange students (14 spring; 8 fall) and sent students abroad to Shanghai Normal University (China), Sripatum University (Thailand), and Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysia). SJU also signed new agreements with King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (Thailand) and Seoul Women’s University (South Korea). SJU in Numbers ／ CIEP Newsletter 2025 (PDF)
Example of a long‑running partner program on the U.S. side: Lehman College (CUNY) maintains an exchange listing for SJU in Nagoya. CUNY—Lehman × SJU
Local Climate & Lifestyle (Nagoya)
Weather at a Glance
Nagoya has hot, humid summers (peaking around late July–August) and cool, dry winters (January–February coldest). Expect summer daytime highs commonly around the low 30s °C and winter nighttime lows near 1–3 °C. For planning, use official Japan Meteorological Agency (station 47636) and third‑party climate summaries. JMA station 47636 ／ WeatherSpark overview
Safety, Support & Costs
Japan is generally safe and well‑prepared for emergencies. Keep these handy: JNTO emergency guidance and the Nagoya International Center’s disaster‑prep resources (including multilingual PDFs). JNTO: Emergencies ／ Nagoya International Center
Cost of living (Greater Nagoya): a reasonable ballpark for a student is ¥60,000–¥90,000 per month for daily expenses, excluding rent. University dorms help control housing costs. Local reference (NUCB)
International Student Statistics
SJU’s English dashboard shows “16 International Students,” likely counting short‑term/exchange. The formal disclosure (2025‑05‑01) lists a small number of degree‑seeking and research students: 1 undergraduate in Psychology (China), 1 in Information Design (Vietnam), and 1 research student in the Human Relations master’s program (Korea). Inbound exchange in 2024 totaled 22 students (14 spring; 8 fall). SJU in Numbers ／ Official disclosure (PDF) ／ CIEP Newsletter 2025
Career & Graduate Prospects
SJU cites a 98.6% employment status for recent graduates. Career support focuses on “quality of placement,” teacher licensure pathways, healthcare roles, and private‑sector placements in Greater Nagoya’s manufacturing and service economy. Employment figure ／ Career brochure (JP, PDF)