Tokyo Medical University (TMU) Guide for International Students: Programs, Fees, Campus Life & Careers

Thinking about studying medicine or nursing in Japan? Tokyo Medical University (TMU) is a long‑established private institution in central Tokyo with three teaching hospitals and a strong record in clinical training. This guide gathers essential facts—programs, fees, facilities, student support, exchange options, and local climate—so overseas applicants can quickly see what life and study at TMU look like. We rely on the university’s English/Japanese sources and recent government data, and we keep all figures in ¥ for easy budgeting.

Quick‑Facts Table

Type	Private university (Official EN site)
Total Students	≈1,336 (Medicine 766; Nursing 337; Grad. Medicine 229; Grad. Nursing 4) — as of May 1, 2025. Source: Students & Staff (JP, PDF)
Campuses	Main campus: Shinjuku Campus (Tokyo); Teaching hospitals: Nishi‑Shinjuku University Hospital, Hachioji Medical Center, Ibaraki Medical Center. Addresses: Contact/Access (EN) / Access (JP)
Faculties / Schools	School of Medicine (M.D. program); School of Nursing (B.N.); Graduate School of Medicine (Master/Doctor); Graduate School of Nursing. See: Programs (EN)
Tuition Fees (first year)	Medicine: ¥6,800,000; Nursing: ¥1,800,000; Grad. Nursing (M): ¥1,200,000 (reference). Sources: Medicine Fees (EN) / Nursing Fees (EN) / Grad. Nursing Fees (EN)
Gender Ratio (new entrants)	Medicine tends to be male‑majority; Nursing tends to be female‑majority. External reference (JP): Passnavi – TMU
Intl‑Student %	Small overall (<~1%). Verified example: Medicine undergraduates 2 international students / 766 total (2025). Source: Student Stats – Medicine (JP, PDF)
Students per Staff	Medicine 0.95; Nursing 10.53; Grad. Medicine 0.54; Grad. Nursing 0.29 (May 1, 2025). Source: Students & Staff (JP, PDF)

Campus Maps

Shinjuku Main Campus (University Headquarters)

Address: 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan

Tokyo Medical University Hospital (Nishi-Shinjuku)

Address: 6-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan

Hachioji Medical Center (Hachioji Campus)

Address: 1163 Tatemachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0998, Japan

Ibaraki Medical Center (Kasumigaura Campus)

Address: 3-20-1 Chuo, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-0395, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Tokyo Medical University (TMU) traces its roots to the early 20th century, emerging from a community of physicians dedicated to training practical, patient‑centered clinicians in Tokyo. Over more than a century, the institution evolved into a comprehensive medical university with two undergraduate schools (Medicine and Nursing), graduate programs in both fields, and a multi‑campus hospital network integrating education, research, and clinical care. TMU’s guiding ethos emphasizes self‑directed learning and service: cultivating doctors and nurses who combine scientific rigor with compassion for patients and society. An overview of the university’s most recent structure and activities is available in the official University Overview (EN), which collects data, organizational charts, and snapshots of current initiatives.

The university’s footprint is concentrated in central Tokyo (Shinjuku), where first‑ and second‑year medical students and undergraduate nursing students are taught on the main campus. Clinical education takes place primarily at Tokyo Medical University Hospital in Nishi‑Shinjuku, opened in 2019, within walking distance of metro stations and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government district. Beyond the city center, two major affiliated centers—Hachioji Medical Center in western Tokyo and Ibaraki Medical Center in Ami‑machi, Ibaraki—anchor regional care, provide clinical training opportunities, and support research collaboration. This ecosystem allows students to experience a range of urban and suburban clinical settings while maintaining a tight academic home base downtown. See: TMU (EN), University Hospital (EN), Hachioji Medical Center (EN), and Contact/Access (EN).

TMU’s mission blends rigorous science with clinical practice. Curricula emphasize basic and clinical sciences, simulation‑based training, interprofessional teamwork, and exposure to advanced therapies at the university hospitals. As a private institution, TMU adapts quickly to emerging health priorities and educational innovations. Its Institute of Medical Science supports translational research and fosters collaboration across departments and hospitals, while international exchange programs—organized via a dedicated center—connect students and faculty globally. For a current summary of departments and initiatives, check the latest university overview and international exchange pages: University Overview 2024 (EN, PDF); International Exchange (EN).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship: School of Medicine & University Hospitals

TMU’s flagship is its M.D. program paired with a three‑hospital training network. Tokyo Medical University Hospital (Nishi‑Shinjuku) is an advanced treatment hospital with direct metro access; Hachioji Medical Center is designated for emergency and specialized care in western Tokyo; Ibaraki Medical Center serves the Tsukuba–Kasumigaura area. Together they offer rich clerkships, early clinical exposure, and capstone rotations across emergency, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, and community medicine. Sources: University Hospital (EN); Hachioji MC (EN); Overview 2024 (EN, PDF).

Simulation & Skills: Institute of Medical Science

TMU’s Institute of Medical Science (IMS) supports practical training, simulation, and translational research. Many courses integrate skills labs before clinical placements, helping students transition smoothly to wards. Learn more: IMS (EN).

Global Links & Exchange

Through the Center for International Education and Research, TMU offers outbound exchanges, research placements, and short programs. These links focus on clinical observation, joint seminars, and research mentorships. See current opportunities: International Exchange (EN) and partner highlights in the Overview 2024 (EN, PDF).

Transparent Program Pages & Fees

All major programs have English pages with outlines, admissions information, and fee tables—useful for initial planning. See: Programs (EN), Medicine Fees (EN), Nursing Fees (EN), and Graduate Nursing Fees (EN).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

Sports and cultural clubs help international students meet local peers. For a current flavor of activities on the admissions site, see this official feature video (JP): Clubs & Circles.

Support Offices

For visas, housing advice, and counseling, start with the university’s contact hub and relevant policies: Contact/Access (EN) and Privacy & Student Information Policy (EN). Housing options around Shinjuku and western Tokyo are abundant; the university historically maintained some student residences, and many students rent nearby apartments.

Language Exchange & Buddy Culture

Formal “buddy” programs vary by year and department, but international students commonly build study groups and informal tandems with classmates—especially during skills labs and clinical rotations. Ask your faculty office or the international exchange division for current matching opportunities: International Exchange (EN).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

TMU’s center coordinates outbound exchanges for short‑term clinical observations and research placements. Program availability changes each year based on departmental collaboration. Start here: International Exchange (EN), and check recent partner snapshots within the university overview: Overview 2024 (EN, PDF).

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather at a Glance

Tokyo’s winters are cool (January normals around 5–6 °C) and summers are hot/humid (July normals around 25–26 °C). You can browse month‑by‑month tables for Tokyo station (ID 47662) here: JMA Monthly Tables (EN) and detailed recent monthly data: Tokyo 2024 (JP/EN UI), Tokyo 2023 (JP/EN UI). JMA reported that 2024 ranked as the warmest since 1891 in preliminary global statistics, consistent with the recent heat patterns seen in Japan: JMA Press (2024‑12‑25, EN, PDF).

Lifestyle & Costs

Shinjuku is a lively, convenient area with excellent transport. Living costs vary by neighborhood and housing type. For benchmarks, see the official Study in Japan (JASSO) pricing and monthly cost dashboards: Living Costs & Expenses (EN). Expect higher rent near campus and budget for commuting if living further out.

International Student Statistics

International enrollment at TMU is modest overall. Verified example: in the School of Medicine, there were 2 international undergraduates among 766 total students (May 1, 2025). University‑wide, totals are approximately 1,336 students across undergraduate and graduate schools. Sources: Student Stats – Medicine (JP, PDF) and Students & Staff (JP, PDF). Graduate student counts and distribution appear in the university overview: Overview 2024 (EN, PDF).

Career & Graduate Prospects

Most graduates enter residency or clinical roles in the TMU hospital network and partner institutions across the Kanto region. Nursing graduates often secure positions at TMU’s hospitals; for example, Hachioji Medical Center actively recruits new nurses each year. See: Hachioji MC – Nursing Recruitment (JP). For medical applicants, past entrance exam questions are published to help you gauge academic level: Medicine – Past Exams (JP). For detailed program information and pathways after graduation, consult each faculty page: Programs (EN).