Thinking about a medical degree in Japan? Kawasaki Medical School (KMS) in Kurashiki, Okayama blends a tight-knit residential culture with full-scale clinical training across its own university hospitals. This guide gives international applicants a practical, source-backed look at KMS—mission and history, what makes it distinctive, how student life works, exchange and research options, climate and costs, and where graduates go. If you want a rigorous MD curriculum inside one medical ecosystem (university + hospitals + research centers), KMS is a compelling option to shortlist.
A representative exterior view of Kawasaki Medical School’s main campus in Kurashiki.
Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: Husky600. License: Public Domain (author’s own work).
The university’s educational museum focusing on modern medicine and public outreach.
Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: JPWorks. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.
Main facade of the university hospital serving the region with advanced clinical care.
Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: tatushin. License: Public Domain (author’s own work).
A Doctor-Heli BK117 series air ambulance stationed at the university hospital’s heliport.
Source: Wikimedia Commons — Photographer: Nissy-KITAQ. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.
A prominent urban medical center in Okayama City operated by the Kawasaki academic group.
Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: Yama0904. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.
A wooded green area on campus, offering a tranquil environment for students and visitors.
Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: Nissy-KITAQ. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.
Quick‑Facts Table (Kawasaki Medical School)
| Item | Details (latest available) |
|---|---|
| Type | Private medical school Official “About” (EN) |
| Total Students | 873 total = 794 undergraduate (School of Medicine) + 79 graduate (Graduate School of Medicine), as of May 1, 2025 Public Information – Students |
| Campuses | Main campus: Matsushima, Kurashiki (Okayama Prefecture) About (address) |
| Faculties / Schools | School of Medicine (Undergraduate); Graduate School of Medicine (Graduate Programs). Department/Chair overviews: Departments |
| Tuition Fees (MD) | Year 1: ¥10,500,000; Years 2–6: ¥7,000,000 / year; (reference) Academic Fees (医学部学納金) |
| Gender Ratio | Not explicitly published for 2025 on the English site; historically male‑majority in School of Medicine (see Factbook). Factbook 2022 (JP‑PDF) |
| Intl‑Student % | ≈0.11% (1 of 873; as of May 1, 2025) Public Information – Students |
| Students per Staff | 1.42 (Undergraduate: 794 students / 556 full‑time faculty), as of May 1, 2025 Public Information – Faculty |
Notes: KMS uses a residential model for first‑year students and runs education, research, and multi‑site clinical training within one group ecosystem (school + hospitals + centers). See About.
Campus Maps
Kawasaki Medical School (Main Campus, Kurashiki)
Address: 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki City, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
Mission, History & Founding Story
Kawasaki Medical School (KMS) was founded in 1970 in Kurashiki, a historic city in Okayama Prefecture. The founding philosophy—often rendered in English as “Liberal Humanity, Sound Body, and Profound Knowledge”—sets a clear expectation: competent physicians must cultivate character, resilience, and continuously advancing medical knowledge. KMS states this ethos explicitly on its English “Philosophy of Establishment” page. Philosophy of Establishment (EN)
In structure, KMS is part of Kawasaki Gakuen (Kawasaki Educational Institution), a group that also includes university hospitals and allied schools—designed to link learning, research, and clinical care. This “one ecosystem” idea shows up in KMS’s facilities and curriculum: an on‑campus OSCE/clinical skills center, a central research center, and group hospitals for rotations. About (EN)
For a deeper historical record of the broader Kawasaki Gakuen, the official 50th‑anniversary publication (multivolume) is available from the school foundation’s site. Kawasaki Gakuen 50th Anniversary Book (JP‑PDF)
Key Strengths & Unique Features
Integrated Education–Research–Clinical Ecosystem
KMS runs education and clinical training across its own hospitals and centers, giving students exposure to care pathways from early years. Facilities include an OSCE/skills center and departmental labs. See the official “About” overview and department pages for examples. About (EN) ・ Departments (JP/EN mixed)
Hands‑On Anatomy & Pre‑Clinical Training
The Department of Anatomy publishes its education approach in English, including course structure and activities for first‑year students. Regular updates and lab news are openly posted. Anatomy – Activities (EN) ・ Anatomy – News (EN)
General Medicine & Early Exposure to Primary Care
KMS established “General Medicine” early among Japanese medical schools and emphasizes broad‑based clinical reasoning, continuity of care, and community orientation—valuable for students considering primary care or hospitalist paths. Department of General Medicine (EN)
English for Medical Purposes (EMP) & Communication
KMS teaches EMP and medical communication—helpful for non‑Japanese speakers building clinical English and for Japanese students planning electives abroad. Department page (EN): Department of Languages (EN)
Philosophy‑Driven, Small‑Community Learning
The founder’s philosophy (“Liberal Humanity, Sound Body, Profound Knowledge”) threads through residential life and close faculty–student interaction. KMS highlights this on the official English page. Philosophy of Establishment (EN)
Student Life for Internationals
Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students
KMS has a range of student clubs and circles—sports and cultural. The club directory (JP) is public: Club & Circle List (JP). Student voices also showcase club life and the joint campus festival within the wider educational group. Student Life Voices (JP)
Support Desks (Advising, Housing, Visa)
KMS provides information on student support, study support, and career support under its Public Information pages and site menus. Prospective exchange activities are summarized here: Public Information Hub (JP) ・ International Education (JP)
Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Style Opportunities
Within the Kawasaki Gakuen group, there are English‑language teaching/research units and frequent international news from the sister university (Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare). Students commonly engage across the group, which can function as a practical “buddy network.” KUMW International (EN)
Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outgoing from KMS)
KMS lists official exchange partners and outreach activity under its Public Information page for International Exchange. Current partners include Green Templeton College, University of Oxford (UK), University of Freiburg (Germany), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (China), and North‑Eastern Federal University (Russia), among others. International Exchange – Public Info (JP) ・ General intro: International Education (JP)
Local Climate & Lifestyle (Kurashiki / Okayama)
Weather Snapshot (Recent Years)
Okayama is known for relatively sunny weather in Japan. Expect mild winters (typical January highs around single digits °C) and hot, humid summers (August highs around low 30s °C). For a clear visualization and monthly ranges, check these references: WeatherSpark – Okayama ・ nearby Kurashiki climate averages: timeanddate – Kurashiki ・ official monthly tables (Okayama station, English): JMA monthly climate (Okayama)
Safety & Living Costs
The U.S. State Department currently rates Japan “Level 1: Exercise normal precautions” (May 15, 2025). U.S. Travel Advisory – Japan. For emergency info in English inside Japan: JNTO Emergency Guidance (EN). For cost benchmarking, third‑party indices suggest Okayama/Kurashiki rents and daily prices are lower than Tokyo; check representative snapshots here: Numbeo – Okayama ・ Numbeo – Kurashiki ・ Livingcost.org – Okayama
International Student Statistics
As of May 1, 2025, KMS reports 1 international undergraduate student (and 0 in the graduate school), i.e., roughly 0.11% of total enrollment (1 / 873). Official breakdowns and time series are updated on the Public Information page. Public Information – Students (JP)
Career & Graduate Prospects
KMS publishes national licensing exam outcomes and first‑destination residency placements annually. For the 2024 exam (119th), overall pass rate reported was 86.4% (new grads 87.5%). Placement lists cover KMS’s own hospitals and many national university hospitals and major private centers across Japan. See the official 2024 breakdown here (JP). Public Information – Students & Employment
Fees & Funding Pointers
Tuition/fees for the MD program are listed on the official “Academic Fees” page (JP). Year 1 is ¥10,500,000; each of Years 2–6 is ¥7,000,000. Always confirm the latest schedule and any institutional support programs directly with the university. Academic Fees (医学部学納金)
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