Kyoto and Kyoto Women's University
Kyoto Women's University is committed to the pursuit of personal development in the traditional yet modern city of Kyoto, blessed with an unequalled wealth of history and culture.
Kyoto dates back to 794 when the imperial capital of Japan was moved from Nara to this newly built city and renamed "Heiankyo." Since then, Kyoto has long prospered as a center of sophisticated culture, and now boasts an established reputation as one of Japan's representative cities where a population of 1.46 million live in harmony with the beautiful green environment. Throughout its long history, Kyoto has always been active in introducing innovations from other parts of Japan and even from foreign countries, while preserving tradition. Kyoto's current prosperity is largely attributable to this enterprising spirit, which has continuously been a driving force behind new challenges and developments.
It is this very enterprising spirit that also underlies the founding philosophy of Kyoto Women's University. Since its establishment in 1910, Kyoto Women's University has taken root in the City of Kyoto and has developed a close bond with local citizens. Our University places high importance on personal development, faithful to the Buddhist philosophy advocated by Shinran, founder of the Jodo Shinshu. Highly reputed as an "academic institution focused on personal development," we are very proud of our educational tradition, which will no doubt continue to make a significant contribution to society.
In recent years, there has been a trend among universities and colleges in Kyoto to relocate to suburban areas. Kyoto Women's University, however, will remain in the center of Kyoto, surrounded by the greenery of the Higashiyama area where students enjoy campus life in a calm and peaceful environment. Historical spots, old temples and shrines are literally everywhere, making Kyoto an ideal city for learning Japanese culture first-hand.
