Fashion Schools in Japan

As one of the pillars of the Silk Route, the land of the rising sun is one of the oldest societies with vast tradition toward fashion. With dozens of generations that relied on the craftmanship and trade of dyes and silk, Japan offers an incredible heritage that is worth checking through its fashion schools in Tokyo and the rest of the country.

The east Asian nation is home to big fashion retailers like Uniqlo, Asics, and Mizuno, as well as the cradle of Japanese designers such as Tadashi Shoji, Issey Miyake, Hanae Mori, and more. Pursuing a career or getting educated with the Japanese fashion perspective might be a beneficial option.

Nevertheless, there is too much information about fashion schools in Japan on this page. To avoid a messy reading, here is a table of contents where you can find what interests you about the topic.

How to go to Japan?

If you are considering coming to Japan to study fashion design, you should look into the basic requirements you need to start your studies. However, If you are Japanese, feel free to skip this section.

Must be 18 years old or older

To make a big decision like this, you will need to be of legal age to be able to apply for bureaucratic documentation. In this case, Japan’s legal age is 18. Furthermore, all courses taught in English require you to be 18 years old or older at least.

Must have been sponsored by the fashion institute

Firstly, to obtain a permit to study, you must receive approval from any fashion school in Tokyo or any other city in Japan. In this case, each institution has its own requirements, but the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is the most common prerequisite. The test consists of Japanese language, science, mathematics, and arts knowledge. You can find official information about it here.

Need a specific and limited visa

International students who intend to study in Japan must get a student visa from a Japanese embassy or consulate outside of Japan in order to enter the country.

As a result, a student visa requires endorsement from a Japanese educational institution as well as proof of sufficient money to pay any expenses during your stay because this visa doesn’t allow you to work (not even part-time). Additionally, residence permits are issued for terms ranging from 3 months to 4 years and 3 months, and they are renewable.

If you really need to get a job or reduce costs through paid work, you can request a special permission. You can check specific details here.

Learn Japanese

Obviously, knowledge of the Japanese language is a must, even if you apply for an English-taught course. The admissions test, bureaucracy, digital tools such as websites and apps, and daily activities all require a basic understanding of the Japanese language, especially if you are studying outside of Tokyo. As a matter of fact, Japan has one of the lowest proficiency levels of the English language among industrialized countries.

Which are the Fashion Schools in Japan?

Japan is a world unto itself, filled with diverse realities that may provide the perfect answer to your dreams. Given these circumstances, it’s crucial to determine in advance the type of education you desire.

In the following sections, you will find all the fashion schools in Tokyo and Japan, divided by region. Apart from the official links on the name. On the right side you will find the type of school (if it is public or private) and the language that the course is taught.

Kanto

The biggest region of Japan and home of its capital, Tokyo. The megametropolis is the world’s largest and full of opportunities for creativity. In this matter, fashion schools in Tokyo are globally recognized and offer a great base for those who aim for a career in Asia. Additionally, Tokyo hosts an edition of the Fashion Week, widely regarded as the most significant fashion event in Asia.

Kansai

Kansai is Japan’s cultural heart. The region is home to historical cities (and old Japanese capitals), such as Kyoto and Nara. Moreover, Osaka is the biggest cosmopolitan city in the region, so it is also the home of most fashion schools in the region. In case you want to understand the essence of Japanese culture and design, you may find a good opportunity here.

Osaka

UEDA College of Fashion (Private, Japanese)
Professional Institute of International Fashion (Private, Japanese)
Vantan Design Institute (Private, Japanese)
Osaka Fashion Art College (Private, Japanese)
Mode Gakuen (Private, Japanese)

Kyoto

Kyoto Institute of Design (Private, Japanese)
Kyoto Seika University (Private, Japanese)

Tohoku

Considered as a remote region due to its distances from big cities, Tohoku is a charming but isolated region in the north of Japan. The largest city, Sendai, is home to the two primary regional fashion schools in Tohoku.

Sendai

Miyagi Bunka Fashion College (Private, Japanese)
Fashion Culture College Doreme (Private, Japanese)

Koriyama

Imaizumi Fashion College (Private, Japanese)

Chubu

Chubu, located in the middle of Japan, is a mountainous region with plenty of traditional villages and breathtaking landscapes. Due to its unique nature, Chubu only has one large city, Nagoya, unlike its counterparts Kanto and Kansai. Nagoya is a manufacturing and industrial city, serving as a bridge between Tokyo and Osaka.

Nagoya

Professional Institute of International Fashion (Private, Japanese)
Vantan Design Institute (Private, Japanese)
Nagoya Fashion College (Private, Japanese)
Mode Gakuen (Private, Japanese)

Nagano

Oka Gakuen Total Design Academy (Private, Japanese)

Fukui

Fukui Bunka Fashion College (Private, Japanese)

Niigata

Niigata Design College (Private, Japanese)

Chugoku

With mountains and bays, Chugoku is a historical region where the silk route and trade with China passed through its coast to Osaka. Hiroshima is the largest city in the region, and Okayama is where most of the fashion schools are located.

Okayama

Chugoku Design College (Private, Japanese)
Okayama Fashion School (Private, Japanese)
Okayama Business College (Private, Japanese)

Kyushu

Kyushu serves as the Japanese gateway to the world. By being the first region in Japan to contact Western traders, Kyushu is loaded with traces of tradition and design. Fukuoka is the largest city, and Nagasaki is the most symbolic.

Fukuoka

Koran College of Fashion Design (Private, Japanese)
Kyushu Designer Gakuin (Private, Japanese)
Omula Beauty Fashion College (Private, Japanese)

Kukamoto

Kukamoto Design (Private, Japanese)
Hiro Design College (Private, Japanese)

Shikoku

It’s the smallest region in terms of size and population, but it’s still important for the country’s history. Its mountainous and isolated nature created ‘a past bubble” of traditions and culture.

Kochi

Kochi-Bunka Fashion College (Private, Japanese)

Matsuyama

Matsuyama Designer College (Private, Japanese)

Hokkaido

Hokkaido, located in the north, is the heart of Japanese agriculture. Furthermore, the region is home to the Ainu people, the oldest population to live on the island. Hokkaido preserves the Ainu tradition and culture, and its diverse weather offers plenty of fashion aesthetics for all tastes, including winter fashion and handcrafted fashion, for example.

Sapporo

Doreme’s Fashion Design College (Private, Japanese)
Hokkaido Bunka Fashion College (Private, Japanese)
Miyajima Hokkaido Fashion College (Private, Japanese)
Sapporo Designer College (Private, Japanese)

The Best Fashion Schools in Japan

Evidently, not all fashion schools in Tokyo and Japan offer the same resources and opportunities. Due to the lack of uniformity and standards in fashion education in Japan, it is difficult to rank which fashion school is the best. As a result, here is a list of the most popular and well positioned fashion schools in the country and the yearly tuition fees of the course (for 2024). The values are in Japanese yen (¥).

Bunka Fashion College (Equally for all students: 260,000 for admission, 1,080,000 for tuition, and 155,204 for materials.)
Sugino Fashion College (Equally for all students: 300,000 for admission, 621,000 for tuition.)
Mode Gakuen (Equally for all students: 250,000 for admission, 1,159,000 for tuition and materials.)
Ueda College of Fashion (Equally for all students: 300,000 for admission, 1,160,000 for tuition and materials.)
ESMOD Tokyo (Equally for all students: 300,000 for admission, 1,350,000 for tuition and 12,000 for insurance.)
Professional Institute of International Fashion (Equally for all students: 300,000 for admission, 1,340,000 for tuition.)
Vantan Design Institute (Equally for all students: 100,000 for admission, 1,510,000 for tuition.)
Koran College of Fashion Design (Equally for all students: 200,000 for admission, 803,000 for tuition.)

How much will it cost?

Firstly, in case you want to study in Japan, you need to be aware that you cannot work under any circumstances with your current student visa. You can request permission to work a part-time job up to 28 hours a week, but you will still need external support to be able to study in Japan.

Having Japanese citizenship certainly makes the process easier. In fact, plenty of fashion schools in Japan offer scholarships, and there are also loan services to help you with the payment of your studies.

In the following sections, you will find important tips and links that can help you understand the hidden costs of your dream.

Tuition fees

Japan is a country that prioritizes higher education. Nevertheless, the fashion industry and its academic essence lack support from public institutions. Because of this reality, the vast majority (if not all) of fashion schools in Tokyo and Japan are private entities.
Even though private institutions teach the majority of the courses, the tuition costs are typical for higher education in the nation.
The tuition fees are normally charged by the semester, apart from other expenses like learning materials and accommodation (optional in most cases). In addition, you will need to pay an admission fee in the first year.

Visa and Bureaucracy costs

You must request the student visa in your home country. Furthermore, the Japanese consulate in the country will be responsible for all the processes for obtaining the student visa.
The visa process is not free. In this case, the cost is 3,000 yen for a visa process and 700 yen for a transit visa.
After 3 months, every non-Japanese has to subscribe to the National Health Insurance Program. This program provides basic healthcare insurance, which covers up to 70% of your medical bills. The first year’s cost for students is up to 2000 yen per month, and it will increase if they have an income in the following years.

Travel costs

Japan is expensive for those traveling on airplanes from Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas due to its location in Asia. The flight can range between 10 hours to 1 day, so be aware you probably will need to pay for transfers.
You can find good offers for traveling, but it depends on the season, and it’s drastically affected by the weather.
It’s always beneficial to bring some cash, especially in Japan. The maximum amount of cash that can be brought into the country without declaration is 1 million yen, but it is highly recommended that you have Japanese yen in cash (it’s difficult to exchange currency, especially outside of Tokyo).

The daily costs

It all depends on what city you choose to study in. This is due to the significant economic disparity between Tokyo and other cities. This reality also applies to fashion schools in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.
If you plan to study in Tokyo or a large city such as Osaka or Nagoya, using public transport is a must. Tokyo has the world’s largest metro system, but it is efficient and offers plenty of options for daily commuters.
In case you decide to study in a midsize city or countryside, the public transport is still good, but for more freedom, you will need to have a car. In this matter, you will need a special driver license to be able to rent or drive a car in Japan.
Supermarkets and convenience stores are prevalent throughout the city, and the cost of groceries is relatively low. In Tokyo, the logic is different because it is the country’s capital and economic center.
Japan is a country that still relies heavily on cash. On public transport and in small stores, you will only be able to pay in cash. In the countryside, the cash is king.

Housing and Rent

Fashion schools in Japan offer a variety of accommodation options to their students. Some schools offer their own dormitories with a specific monthly fee, which is cheaper than renting by yourself.
Most of the students rent a place on their own. In fact, 79% of the students live in private rentals. The reason behind this is that there are not so many school dormitories and subsidized rooms for all the students, so renting privately is the only option for the majority.

Official websites and contact

The Japanese government has created official websites and guidelines for potential new students wanting to study in Japan. Here are the official links for each situation in which you may require specific orientation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Official website to check the requirements for the student visa.

Study in Japan

Official website for tips for studying in Japan.

Japan Student Services Organization

Official website provides specialized and detailed information for students in Japan.

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