University of Toyama Guide for International Students: Programs, Admissions & Scholarships

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a place that blends serious research with nature, safety, and everyday affordability? The University of Toyama (UT) could be your sweet spot. With three campuses across Toyama City and nearby Takaoka, UT is a national university known for integrative medicine, materials science, engineering, art & design, and a friendly international support ecosystem. Below you’ll find a compact, data-backed overview—from quick facts and mission to research strengths, student life, climate, and career outcomes—so you can decide if UT fits your goals.

Quick‑Facts Table

Item	Data / Notes
Type	National (Public). Source: JPCUP University of Toyama
Total Students	8,890 (World University Rankings 2025 profile). Source: Times Higher Education
Campuses	Gofuku (Main), Sugitani (Medicine/Pharmacy), Takaoka (Art & Design). Source: JPCUP Campus Info
Faculties / Schools	Humanities / Education / Economics / Science / Engineering / Sustainable Design / Medicine / Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences / Art & Design; multiple Graduate Schools. Source: UT Schools & Graduate Schools
Tuition Fees (National Standard)	Typical annual tuition ¥535,800; admission fee ~¥282,000 (programs vary). Sources: School of Science (JPCUP) / School of Education (JPCUP)
Gender Ratio	38% F : 62% M. Source: THE Profile
International Students	~3%. Source: THE Profile
Students per Staff	~10.7. Source: THE Profile

Campus Maps

Maps to be added here later. For a quick overview of campus locations, see the JPCUP campus section: Campus info (JPCUP).

Gofuku Campus (Main)

Address: 3190 Gofuku, Toyama City, Toyama 930-8555, Japan

Sugitani Campus (Medicine / Pharmacy)

Address: 2630 Sugitani, Toyama City, Toyama 930-0194, Japan

Takaoka Campus (Art & Design)

Address: 180 Futagami-machi, Takaoka City, Toyama 933-8588, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

The University of Toyama’s mission brings together academic rigor, regional contribution, and a global perspective. UT highlights the creation of knowledge that benefits society, cross‑disciplinary collaboration across medicine–pharmacy–science–engineering, and the cultivation of graduates who can act ethically and practically in the real world. See the official statement here: Philosophy & Goals.

UT’s current structure dates to October 2005, when three institutions merged: the former Toyama University (est. 1949), Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University (est. 1975), and Takaoka National College (est. 1983). This merger created a comprehensive national university spanning the sciences, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, the humanities, economics, and the arts—distributed across Gofuku (main), Sugitani, and Takaoka campuses. A brief historical timeline appears in the official History page. A compact, standardized institutional snapshot is also provided by the NIAD‑QE “Japanese College and University Portraits (JPCUP)” portal: UT profile (JPCUP).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Traditional & Integrative Medicine (Global‑class Collections & Research)

UT is widely recognized for scholarship in Japanese/Asian traditional medicine alongside Western biomedicine. The Institute of Natural Medicine (INM) and its Museum of Materia Medica maintain historically significant collections and databases (see database overview: MMMW DB overview). Clinical education and research are reinforced through the Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine and hospital practice, encouraging cross‑talk between pharmacognosy, pharmacology, and modern medical science.

Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing (Robotics, Electronics, Materials)

UT’s School of Engineering is home to programs in electrical/electronic engineering, information, mechanical, life sciences & bioengineering, and applied chemistry. Program gateway: School of Engineering (overview) and the department page: Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE). Research and industry engagement in robotics, sensing, and production systems show up across labs and special projects (for example, community‑accessible special issues like MDPI’s Intelligent Robots reflect active collaboration topics).

Institute of Light Metals

Materials is a UT specialty. The Institute of Light Metals focuses on lightweight, high‑strength alloys and processing—areas that sync with automotive and aerospace. UT has also participated in national and industry networks/events (see, e.g., an English landing page from a prior joint center: ILM 2021 site).

Electrical & Electronic Engineering + Robotics Projects

EEE ties into robotics, controls, and IoT. A readable industry example in English—showcasing Japan‑wide directions in social robots and interfaces—is this NEC corporate blog article (not UT‑exclusive, but gives you the flavor of the tech stack UT labs work around).

Designing for Sustainability (Flagship: School of Sustainable Design)

UT trains creators and engineers for the era of decarbonization and resilient cities through the School of Sustainable Design (undergraduate) and Sustainability‑related graduate studies (see JPCUP entry: School of Sustainable Design). At the graduate level, UT also offers an English‑taught Master’s, the Global Sustainability Science Program, aimed at cross‑border sustainability competencies.

Comprehensive University with the “Sea of Japan” Advantage

Because UT spans humanities, education, economics, science, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, and art & design, you’ll find unusual course combinations and lab collaborations. Location‑wise, Toyama sits on the Sea of Japan side with Shinkansen access to Tokyo—great for fieldwork that looks north to East Asia or across Japan’s central mountains. See official faculties: Schools & Graduate Schools.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

UT has a range of clubs/circles and facilities documented via JPCUP. You’ll find sports and cultural clubs plus campus facilities across Gofuku, Sugitani, and Takaoka: Facilities & activities (JPCUP).

Dedicated Support (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

UT’s Organization for International Education & Exchange (OIEE) runs orientation, counseling, and information desks for new international students: Student Life Support (OIEE). Dormitory/house options are noted on JPCUP: Dorms & housing (JPCUP), and OIEE pages link you through housing steps.

Language‑exchange & Buddy Programs

International Supporters (student buddies) help with resident registration, mobile phone setup, transport, and more—especially during your first weeks: About International Supporters. UT also offers Japanese language classes (Intensive, Extracurricular, General). Course info here: Japanese language courses (OIEE).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

As of February 28, 2025, UT lists 51 university‑level exchange agreements in 21 countries/regions. See the official International Exchange page and the partners subpage: International Exchange (overview) / University Exchange Relationships. For faculty‑ and program‑level opportunities (e.g., Pharmacy abroad training, engineering overseas programs), also check individual school sites and lab pages.

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather. Toyama’s winters are cold and snowy with significant snowfall; summers are warm and humid. For official, station‑level monthly climate tables (English) from Japan Meteorological Agency, select “TOYAMA (WMO ID 47607)” here: JMA climate tables (English).

Daily life & attractions. Toyama is known for the Tateyama Mountain Range, Kurobe Gorge/Dam, and fresh seafood from Toyama Bay. A short English overview is available at the government’s Study in Japan site: Toyama – Study in Japan (official).

Cost of living & safety. For crowd‑sourced but frequently updated local price references, check: Numbeo — Cost of Living (Toyama) and basic safety indicators: Numbeo — Crime (Toyama). For official support and local living tips in English, OIEE’s “About Toyama” page is also helpful: About Toyama (OIEE).

International Student Statistics

According to the World University Rankings 2025 profile, international students make up about 3% of UT’s student body, with a student‑to‑staff ratio of ~10.7 and total enrollment of ~8,890: THE profile. JPCUP pages for individual schools also show student breakdowns and international headcounts (see, e.g., School of Art & Design “Students” tab). A consolidated students section is included on the UT JPCUP profile: Students (JPCUP).

Career & Graduate Prospects

UT’s Employment & Career Support Center provides listings, counseling, internships, and employment data in coordination with faculties: Employment & Career Support Center. OIEE also connects international students to national networks and job‑hunting resources, including the “Career Support Network for International Students in Japan”: see the bottom of the Student Life Support page (OIEE – Student Life Support).

Department pages and JPCUP school pages often summarize “post‑graduate pathways.” For example, see the Art & Design JPCUP entry for employment/continuation data: School of Art & Design – Post‑graduate Pathways. UT’s International section also posts information and notices for international students, including career status after graduation/completion: Career status of International Students.