Temple University cherry "T" logo

Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses

Search Keywords

Temple University, Japan Campus: Kyoto 

Beginning in Spring 2025, study abroad students will have the option to study at Temple University, Japan Campus’s new satellite campus in Kyoto.  

Located just 2.5 hours from Tokyo by bullet train, Kyoto offers a unique opportunity to study in the cultural and ancient capital of Japan, while still offering the best of city life. Kyoto is a base for many high-technology industries, commerce, and tourism. Japan’s eighth largest city, Kyoto has been named the “Best Big City in the World” in recent years. It is a livable, affordable city known for its beautiful landscapes, stunning architecture, delicious food, and friendly people.   

Program Overview

Expand the menu items below for more details about the program options in Kyoto. For program dates and costs, as well as information about health and safety and faculty and staff support, please visit the main Temple University, Japan Campus page. 

Academic Program

Course offerings will include Japanese language, Asian studies, GenEds, general electives and select upper-level major courses.  

  • Courses will be held Monday through Thursday (no classes held Fridays), with weekly cultural excursions taking place in Kyoto and Kansai. 

  • With permission from your home institution, you can take one TUJ online course in addition to at least 9 in-person credits. 

Sample academic plan for study abroad students 

  • Japanese 2000: Practical Japanese for Study Abroad Students 

  • Asian Studies 2000: History and Culture of Kyoto 

  • Additional Japanese Culture course or degree requirement 

  • Gen Ed or elective 

  • Online TUJ course or elective 

Course Offerings 

Below is a tentative list of course offerings for Spring 2025 in Kyoto. 

Subject 

Course Number 

Title 

Credits 

Attributes*

Art History    

ARTH

0803 

The Art of Sacred Space 

3 

GA 

ARTH / ASST (Asian Studies)

2815 

Japanese Art 

3 

 

Art    

ARTU

2001 

Kyoto Sketchbook 

3 

 

ARTU

2811

Art Photography: Digital

3 

 

ARTU2812Intermediate Art Photography: Digital3 
ARTU3813Advanced Art Photography: Digital3 
ARTU4848Art Photography Workshop3 
Asian Studies    

ASST

0811 

Asian Behavior & Thought 

3 

GB 

ASST

0871 

Arts in Cultural Context 

4 

GA 

ASST

2000 

History and Culture of Kyoto 

3 

 

ASST

2196 

Writing in the City 

3 

WI 

ASST 

2511 

Introduction to Asian Business 

3 

 

ASST/ANTH (Anthropology)

2373 

Japanese Culture 

3 

 

ASST/HIST (History)

2502 

Introduction to East Asia: Japan 

3 

 

Chemistry    

CHEM 

0821 

Chemistry of Wine 

3 

GS 

CHEM 

0877 

Chemistry of Global Environmental Issues 

3 

GS, SE, SF 

Communication and Social Influence    

CSI 

3701 

Intercultural Communication 

3 

 

English    

ENG 

0837 

Eating Cultures 

3 

GB 

Geography and Urban Studies    

GUS 

0831 

Global Cities 

3 

GG, SI 

Intellectual Heritage    

IH 

0851

Intellectual Heritage I

3 

GY

IH0852Intellectual Heritage II3GZ
Japanese    

JPNS 

1001 

Japanese Elements I 

4 

 

JPNS 

1002 

Japanese Elements II 

4 

 

JPNS 

2000 

Practical Japanese for Study Abroad Students 

3 

 

JPNS 

2701

Intermediate Japanese I

4 

 

JPNS2702Intermediate Japanese II4 
Journalism    

JRNL 

3263 

Travel Writing 

3 

 

JRNL 

3751 

Foreign Studies in Journalism 

3 or 6 

 

Sociology    

SOC 

0845 

Deadly Contagions: Past, Present, and Future Pandemics 

3 

GB, SI 

SOC 

2555 

Sociology on Drugs 

3 

 

*Attributes:

  • GA: GenEd Arts
  • GB: GenEd Human Behavior
  • GS: GenEd Science and Technology
  • GG: GenEd World Society
  • GY/GZ: GenEd Intellectual Heritage
  • WI: Writing Intensive
  • SE: Sustainable Environment course
  • SF: Sustainability Focused course
  • SI: Sustainability Inclusive course
    Location and Facilities

    The new TUJ campus will be 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.  

    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. 

    Kyoto Scholarships up to $4,000

    Any Temple student who completes their spring 2025 application and submits their program deposit by September 1, 2024 will receive an automatic $1,000 award!  

    In addition, need-based scholarships of up to $4,000 are available for study at Temple Japan in Kyoto. To be considered, complete the program application and select “yes” on the question about need-based scholarships. 

    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, on a 4.0 scale from all colleges/universities attended. The requirement varies by program:

    • Temple Semester Programs: 2.75 (Internships: 3.0)
    • Temple Summer Programs: 2.5
    • Exchange Programs: 2.75
    • External Programs: 2.5

    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 are 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 Semester in Kyoto, there are no additional eligibility requirements.

    Application Requirements

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

      Admissions Timeline

      • Admissions is rolling (early applications encouraged).
      • Once you submit your application, you should expect a decision within two (2) weeks.

      How to apply for Spring 2025 

      • Apply to Temple University, Japan Campus for Spring 2025 and indicate your preferred campus location with your program application.
      • Or, apply for Academic Year 2024-2025 and indicate your preference to spend the spring semester in Kyoto (you'll study in Tokyo in the fall).
      • If you have already applied and would like to switch your location, please contact the program management team at program.manager@temple.edu.

      Apply now!

       

      Temple Japan Information Sessions

      Attend a Temple Japan Information Session to learn more about this program. Register for in-person or virtual options using the links below.

      Apply

      Don't miss your chance to study abroad!