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Temple Japan offers a specialized spring semester architecture program for students majoring in architecture, architectural studies, and urban design/studies. The program is designed to introduce you to the world of Japanese architecture – its history, traditions and influences, as well as its highly unique contemporary forms, challenges, practices and innovations. Beginning in Spring 2025, this program will be hosted in Kyoto.

Japan possesses one of the most exciting architectural landscapes in the world, encompassing exquisite wooden temples, minuscule micro-houses and futuristic skyscrapers on seismic fault lines. Yet Japan is also facing unprecedented architectural challenges; such as the rebuilding of Tohoku, rapidly changing demographics, global economic uncertainty and ever-increasing issues related to the environment and sustainability. What Japan does next in terms of the built environment and urban planning will be watched by architects worldwide.

About Temple Japan

Administration

TUJ is led by Dean Matthew Wilson, who has a long history of dedication to Temple, beginning with his own experience studying abroad at Temple Japan as a student in Temple's law school. He returned to TUJ in 2003 as the Law Program Director and later became TUJ’s general counsel and senior associate dean. Following several years as president of multiple American universities, Dean Wilson returned to lead TUJ in 2020.

Dean Wilson is supported by a team of faculty and staff, including the Office of Student Services and Engagement, who collaborates closely with Education Abroad & Overseas Campuses to create an enriching experience for all students.

Academics at TUJ

TUJ offers courses in a variety of academic disciplines across majors available at TUJ, including art, Asian studies, communication studies, computer science, economics, international affairs, international business studies, Japanese, political science, psychology and tourism, hospitality and event management, as well as GenEds and internships.

TUJ also offers a specialized architecture program (spring term in Kyoto).

Offerings vary by term and campus location. View more details about the Temple Japan-Tokyo and Temple Japan-Kyoto academic programs.

World Society GenEd Waiver: Temple students who successfully complete (with a C- or better) credit-bearing coursework worth at least three semester hours on this or any approved summer or semester study abroad program with a minimum stay abroad of 28-days will satisfy the World Society (GG) requirement.

Faculty & On-site Support

Temple Faculty

Temple Japan is proud to have a faculty committed to providing you with the best academic experience during your time in Tokyo. 

View program faculty.

On-site Support

When you study at Temple Japan, you'll have the support of the caring staff of the campus, including a dedicated Office of Student Services and Engagement team (OSSE), Counseling Services, Learning Center, Accessibility Services, Career Development, and more.

Health & Safety

Staying healthy and safe abroad requires good planning and strong support. Review our health and safety page for important steps to prepare to study abroad, and details about international travel medical insurance and assistance provided by Temple.  

Japan is a relatively safe destination with little crime. Quality medical care is available, but it's important to understand cultural differences, especially related to mental health matters in Japan. TUJ has a Counseling Office, which often operates with a waitlist, and teletherapy is available through our global assistance provider, but additional English-speaking mental health care may be limited. We will provide accepted students with more information and resources, and TUJ's counseling office provides information about bringing medications into Japan. We encourage you to speak with Education Abroad or our global assistance provider if you have any questions.

Contact

For more information, contact:

Location, Housing, and Activities in Kyoto

Location & Facilities

The new TUJ campus is housed in a multi-building complex on the campus of Seibo Jogakuin (Seibo) school. Seibo’s campus in Kyoto is less than 1 kilometer from the famous Fushimi Inari shrine and is close to public transportation for easy access to nearby towns and the train to Tokyo. 

View the TUJ Kyoto photo galleries.

Housing

Students will be able to take advantage of TUJ-arranged housing, or can choose to find their own housing in Kyoto or nearby Osaka. 

Activities & Excursions

activities and excursions in Kyoto

About the Temple Japan Architecture program

Expand the menu items below for more details about the Temple Japan Architecture program in Kyoto. 

Academic Program

Key Features

  • You will register for the following architecture classes:
    • A six-credit design studio course (ARCH 3233/8233 | Architecture Design Studio in Japan) provides the academic cornerstone for architecture students.  
    • An additional three-credit architecture seminar (ARCH 3242/8242 | Urban Seminar in Japan) is required for all architecture students. 
  • You will gain an understanding of the history and sources of Japanese architecture and urbanism and become conversant in contemporary thought and practice in Japanese architecture and urban planning. 
  • Kyoto itself will become your classroom, as you'll engage in frequent class trips in the city with your professors and guest lecturers. A planned excursion to Tokyo will further enhance your studies.
  • You will complement your study with rotating course offerings in various disciplines.
  • A typical course load is 12-18 credit hours. 
  • You're strongly encouraged to consider taking Japanese language and/or Asian Studies courses. 

Best term to study at Temple Japan

With a structured curriculum, architecture students often ask when they should attend Temple Japan. Below is a guide, but please contact Education Abroad if you have questions about the appropriate term for you.

Student BackgroundTerm to Study Abroad at Temple Japan
Temple architecture majorsTypically junior or senior year; master of architecture students may also participate.
Temple facilities management majorsYou may take the three-credit architecture seminar during your semester in Japan and should discuss the best timing with your academic advisor.
Non-Temple architecture majorsConsult with your home institution to determine the appropriate semester to study abroad.
Program Dates

Coming soon!

Program Costs

Program Deposit

Students will pay a non-refundable program deposit of $400 within 2 weeks of acceptance to the program, or 2 weeks after the application deadline, whichever is earlier. This non-refundable deposit is credited to your program fees as a prepayment. 

Tuition and Fees

Temple students and non-Temple students are charged the non-matriculated student rate based on residency. For the 2024-25 academic year, PA residents are charged $9,432 and non-PA residents are charged $16,956 for a full-time courseload of 12-18 credits. *Non-Temple students: your program costs may vary depending on your home institution's billing model. Please check with your study abroad office about your school's billing policies.

All students pay the Japan Program Fee, estimated at $375

If you are placed in program-arranged housing, you also pay the Japan Housing Fees, estimated at $4200-4600.

For complete details about billable costs and estimate for non-billable expenses, such as airfare, meals, and personal expenses, view the program cost sheet.

View detailed program costs.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Education Abroad offers competitive, need-based scholarships for this program. Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.

Eligibility Requirements

Temple programs are open to qualified students matriculated at any U.S. or Canadian college or university.

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following requirements.

Are enrolled fulltime and will have completed 2 semesters before studying abroad
  • You are enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at the time of application as well as during the semester prior to studying abroad.
  • You will have completed at least two (2) semesters of college-level study by the program start.
Are in good academic standing and meet minimum GPA requirement for the program

You meet minimum cumulative GPA requirement from all colleges/universities attended. As of May 2025, the GPA requirement for most programs is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Exceptions include:

  • Rome Internships: 3.0
  • Exchange Programs: 2.75
  • External Programs: varies, provider requirements may differ from Temple's

You remain in good academic standing from the time of application until the start of your term abroad; students on academic warning are not eligible to participate.

Have a valid passport

You will need a passport, valid well beyond the length of your program, by the application deadline.

View deadlines and validity requirements for your host country.

Are in good disciplinary standing

You must be in good disciplinary standing at the time of application and remain so through the start of your term abroad. Students who have been found responsible for a code of conduct violation and will not be in good disciplinary standing (including disciplinary probation) may submit a petition for review.

Meet the minimum age requirement

You are at least 18 years old at the time of application.

For Temple Japan Architecture, there are no additional eligibility requirements. 

Application Requirements

The standard application requirements pertain to all students applying to Temple programs.

    In addition, students who wish to enroll in the six-credit design course must submit a portfolio.

    Admissions Timeline

    Temple and non-Temple students may apply up to the standard application deadline. Application review will begin after the application deadline, not on a rolling admissions basis. After the application deadline, you should expect a decision within (2) weeks. 

    Additional application notes

    • If the program in Japan fills, you may be considered for the architecture program at Temple Rome. You will be asked to indicate if you would like to be considered for either term and location in the application.  
    • Non-Temple students are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline, as the process to obtain the required Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is lengthy. If you apply by standard application deadline, you must be ready to submit your COE materials immediately upon submission of your application. Education Abroad will provide guidance and instructions.

    Apply

    Don't miss your chance to study abroad!