Kanazawa College of Art (KCUA) Guide for International Students: Admissions, Programs, Tuition, Student Life, and Exchange Options

Thinking about studying art and design in Japan? Kanazawa College of Art (KCUA), a municipal public university in the heart of Ishikawa Prefecture, blends rigorous studio training with the craft traditions that made Kanazawa a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. With a brand-new campus in Kodatsuno, small cohorts, and faculty actively engaged in Japan’s art and design scene, KCUA is a strong fit for students who want hands-on making, intimate mentorship, and direct exposure to galleries, makers, and industry. This guide gathers essential facts, admissions-relevant insights, campus life tips, international opportunities, and local living intel—all in one place, with official sources linked throughout.

Quick Facts

Data points below are taken from KCUA’s official pages (English/Japanese) and related public agencies. Where helpful, we link to the primary source for verification.

Item	Detail
Type (National/Public/Private)	Public (Municipal) — Kanazawa City Source: University Organization (JP)
Total Students	749 (as of Apr 1, 2025) — 644 undergrad, 105 graduate Source: University Organization (JP)
Campuses	Main: Kodatsuno Campus (Kanazawa) Campus move completed in AY2023. Campus Move (JP)
Faculties/Schools	Undergraduate: Department of Fine Art (Japanese Painting, Oil Painting, Sculpture, Art Theory); Department of Design (Holistic Design, Industrial Design); Department of Craft. Graduate: Graduate School of Art & Design (Master’s and Doctoral). Sources: KCUA English Site → Undergraduate/Graduate nav
Học phí	Undergraduate annual tuition: ¥535,800; entrance fee: ¥282,000 (Kanazawa City residents) / ¥423,000 (others). Master’s & Doctoral annual tuition: ¥535,800; entrance fee same bands as above. Source: Tuition & Living Costs (JP)
Gender Ratio	Approx. Male 23% / Female 77% (total 749; undergrad 141♂/503♀, grad 33♂/72♀). Source: University Organization (JP)
Intl-Student %	~4.0% (30 international students out of 749; breakdown by level/origin below). Source: University Organization (JP)
Students per Staff	~12.9 : 1 (749 students / 58 teaching staff). Source: University Organization (JP)

Campus Maps

Main Campus (Kodatsuno, Kanazawa)

Address: 2-40-1 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8656, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Founded in 1946 and becoming a full university in 1955, Kanazawa College of Art (KCUA) was created to nurture artist–designers capable of advancing culture and industry in a craft-rich region. The university’s educational philosophy emphasizes “thinking with your hands, creating with your heart,” a through line visible in its studios, critiques, and public exhibitions. Historically, KCUA has collected and displayed thousands of art and craft works (including local lacquer, gold leaf, and metalwork), using them as living “texts” in courses and exhibitions. This close coupling of collection and classroom reflects Kanazawa’s identity as a city of crafts, gardens, and design, and it frames student learning as both culturally grounded and forward-looking. (See overview and timelines on the official site in Japanese.) University Organization (JP)

In 2023 (AY2023), the university transitioned to a new, integrated campus in Kodatsuno to better connect workshops, labs, galleries, and public space. The relocation consolidated teaching and exhibition areas and improved access for visitors—part of a broader effort to make KCUA a more open, community-facing arts hub. Campus Move (JP)

Kanazawa’s location also matters: the Hokuriku Shinkansen offers convenient rail access from Tokyo, and the city itself supports makers with public museums, craft studios, and galleries. The university’s English pages outline key campus and city context, including transit. Location & Transportation (EN) | History & Study Environment (EN)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Studio-Intensive, Craft-Rooted Education

KCUA’s pedagogy balances rigorous studio time with exposure to Japan’s craft heritage. Students study, handle, and analyze works from the university’s collections and partner institutions, then apply that insight to their own making—be it painting, sculpture, craft, or design. Department pages (English) outline core studios and seminar formats: Fine Art | Design | Craft.

Flagship Departments & Pathways

Fine Art

Japanese Painting (Nihonga), Oil Painting, Sculpture, and Art Theory anchor KCUA’s traditional-and-contemporary fine art training. Faculty are active practitioners and curators; critique culture is central. Program overview (EN)

Design (Holistic Design & Industrial Design)

Design teaching spans visual communication, products, environments, systems, and mobility—paired to real-world briefs and exhibitions. The two design tracks—Holistic Design and Industrial Design—reflect broad thinking plus build-ready practice. Program overview (EN)

Craft

Ceramics, lacquer, metal, and glass draw strength from Kanazawa’s centuries-old craft ecosystem. Students learn traditional process control and contemporary applications, often exhibiting locally and regionally. Program overview (EN)

International Exchange & Visiting Artist Ecosystem

KCUA hosts lectures by foreign artists and maintains exchange ties with institutions in Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Notable partners include the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Ghent, Belgium), École nationale supérieure d’art de Nancy (France), SUNY Buffalo (U.S.), Valand Academy (Sweden), and leading art/design schools in China. Details: International Exchange (EN)

City as Classroom: Museums, Craft Houses, and Design Firms

Here, gallery and studio visits aren’t extras—they’re a lifestyle. Students regularly access craft houses (lacquer, gold leaf, metal, textiles) and contemporary art venues. The city’s official travel portal offers practical guides to moving around and planning visits. Getting Around Kanazawa (EN)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

KCUA offers a variety of cultural and athletic clubs—an easy on-ramp to meet Japanese peers. Lists and notes (JP): Campus Life and related FAQs (sports clubs examples): Admissions FAQ (JP)

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

Student counseling (in Japanese, with information for incoming students) is handled by the on-campus counseling office, with appointment details online. Student Counseling Office (JP)

For cost-of-living benchmarks (rent, utilities, average monthly expenses), KCUA provides estimates: Tuition & Living Costs (JP). City-level multilingual living guidance is also available: A Guide to Living in Kanazawa (EN, PDF)

Language-Exchange & Community Programs

Beyond campus, the Kanazawa International Exchange Foundation (KIEF) runs multilingual community events—conversation cafés, family workshops, and international festivals—helpful for practicing Japanese in a friendly setting. See the English newsletter for examples. KIEF News (EN, PDF)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

KCUA’s exchange network supports short-term and semester-length mobility. Representative partners include: The Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Ghent), École nationale supérieure d’art de Nancy (France), SUNY Buffalo (USA), Valand Academy (Sweden), Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design (China), and others. Program descriptions and photos are on the university’s English page. International Exchange (EN)

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Kanazawa has four distinct seasons. Summers are warm-to-hot and humid; winters are cold with periodic snowfall. Expect peak summer daytime highs in the low 30s °C and mid-winter nighttime lows around or slightly below 0 °C. For month-by-month data (updated monthly) see the Japan Meteorological Agency’s official tables—select “KANAZAWA (WMO 47605)” and the variables you need. JMA Monthly Climate Tables (EN)

The city is compact, bikeable, and bus-friendly, with major museums (21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art), heritage sites (Kenrokuen), and craft studios concentrated near the center. For transit, walking routes, and tips, see: Getting Around Kanazawa (EN) and KCUA’s own transit page: Location & Transportation (EN)

International Student Statistics

As of Apr 1, 2025: 30 international students (~4.0% of total 749). Breakdown (per official data) skews toward China and Taiwan and is concentrated in the graduate school.

Level / Status	Headcount	Notes
Đại học	1	China
Master’s	12	China (11), Taiwan (1)
Tiến sĩ	11	China (9), Taiwan (2)
Non-degree / Research	5	Research Students (China)
Special International Student	1	Short-term category
Total International	30	~4.0% of 749 total

Source: Official headcounts (JP). University Organization (JP)

Career & Graduate Prospects

KCUA’s strength is preparing “creative professionals” who can move between fine art, craft, product/visual/environmental design, and cultural sectors. The university maintains a Career Support Office (listed in its official organization pages), and a Social Co-Creation Center that brokers collaboration with companies and public bodies. University Organization (JP) | Social Co-Creation Center (JP)

Typical next steps include placements in product and industrial design studios, visual communication agencies, craft ateliers and workshops, museum/gallery roles, cultural nonprofits, and graduate research. As a notable example of alumni impact, Nintendo’s legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto studied industrial design at Kanazawa College of Art—a widely reported detail in international media. Washington Post (2025)

For scholarships affecting affordability (including for privately funded international students), see KCUA’s aid overview and Japan-wide schemes listed there. Tuition & Scholarships (JP)