Kyoto International Students Information Site
If you are an international student new to Kyoto, the first thing you should do is sign up to the Kyoto International Students Information Site!
By doing so, you can receive invitations to free events such as classical concerts and "Kyogen" for example. You can also gain access to other useful information.
We also recommend you to enrich your study abroad experience through using the “Ryugakusei Okoshiyasu Pass”, which gives you free access to Nijo Castle, Nidec Kyoto Tower, Kyoto Zoo and many other places!
Living in Kyoto (Kyo-kara yomimono) is a blog sent out for foreigners living in Kyoto. Mainly foreign students are writing about various topics including seasonal and traditional events, traveling, and foods
Log into the “kokoka Member Site”.
From the “kokoka Member Site” you can sign up for the “Kyoto International Students Information Site”, apply for the “PICNIK” (Program for InterCultural Nexus In Kyoto), and kokoka’s email newsletter.
Latest Information
- ＊Information on free events, etc. To apply, you will need a “kokoka Member Site” ID. You can get the ID on this page. Please scroll down.
- ＊Please check the schedule carefully before applying so that you do not have to cancel.
| Day | The name of event | Time | Place | Application period | Who can participate | Notes | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2(Fri) - 2026 March 6(Fri) | Gion Corner Performance | 2 December 2025 - 6 March 2026 (47 days in total) Two performances per day, at 18:00 and 19:00. |
Gion Corner | First-come, first-served; registration required | 8 international students per performance | Free of charge | Apply |
| February 28 (Sat), 2026 / March 1 (Sun) | Join "the Special Kyoto Tour” We are recruiting guest participants for a city sightseeing tour, to be guided by trainee tour guides on either of the stated dates. |
8:30-17:00 | Fushimi Inari Taisha→ Nijo Castle → End at Kiyomizu-dera | Registration required. If applications exceed capacity, selection will be by lottery. | International students | Participants will receive 10,000 yen (transportation, lunch, and admission fees are at their own expense). | Apply |
| February 28(Sat) | NEW!A hands on experience -making sushi- | 15:00 - 17:00 | Yamabana Heihachi Tea House | Registration required. apply by February 10(Sat) (lottery) |
20 Japanese and international students | 2000yen | Apply |
| Feb. 18（Wed.） | Global Interaction Interview Day | 8:30 ～ 15:15 | Sagano High School | Apply until February 10th, 12:00pm |
International students | Notes : This event is all in English. On this day our high school students would like to meet you and interview you about what it means to be “a good global citizen”. They may ask you questions about how you chose your university major or about why you came to study in Japan. More details will follow if you email us to indicate you would like to participate. You will receive a tax-free reward of 5,000 yen for the day. You must be available for the full day, from 8:30 - 15:15. Lunch is not provided, but there will be a location where you can eat the lunch you bring with you. | Apply: email: taprogram@sagano.org Please send your name and school you are attending and indicate you would like to participate. |
| January 1(Thu) - February 28(Sat) | Ryugakusei Okoshiyasu Pass Free admission to the designated facilities during this period. |
It varies by facility. | Eligible facilities | Until February 28(Sat) | International students enrolled in Designated Schools | Free admission *Please show the image of your Okoshiyasu PASS and your student ID at the entrance. |
*For details, please contact the facility. |
| February 1(Sun.)-28(Sat.) | NEW!Snack Bar Hopping Night in Kyoto | 20:00-22:00 | Meet at the North Exit of Keihan Nakashijima Station | First-come, first-served; registration required | Foreign nationals aged 20 or older | 3,600yen（Regular price: 12,000 yen） Includes 4 drinks and light snacks. We'll visit two snack bars. Inquiry：075-365-7722（JTB KYOTO OFFICE） |
Apply |
| February 15（Sun.） | International Students' Day Free invitation to the Collection Exhibitions |
9:30-17:00 (Entrance: until 16:30) |
Kyoto National Museum （527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto) |
No advance reservation is required. | International students ※Please present your student ID at the museum entrance. | Admission Free Inquiry： Tel.075-531-7504 (10:00～12:00, 13:00～17:00 on weekdays ) E-mail： event_kyohaku＠nich.go.jp ※E-mail correspondence is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. |
No advance reservation is required. |
| February 13(Fri.) | Kyoto Symphony Orchestra : The 708th Subscription Concert | 19:00- (18:00 doors open) | Kyoto Concert Hall | by Feb.6 (Fri) 17:00 | International students enrolled in Designated Schools *Number of tickets: 50 (lottery) |
Free of charge *Student ID required on the day of the event |
Apply |
| February 6(Fri.) | Kyoto Entrepreneur MEETUP 「Networking with International Entrepreneurs in Kyoto」 | 18:00-20:00 | STC³ （ASTEM Building 8th Floor） |
by Feb. 5(Thu.) | Foreigners living in Kyoto and its surrounding areas who want to start a business People who want to connect with them |
Free of Charge | Apply |
| January 31(Sat) | Make your original Elephant poop paper! | 10:00- (Meet up at Kyoto City Zoo east gate at 9:50） | Kyoto City Zoo | by Jan.27(Tue) |
20 International and Japanese students enrolled in Designated Schools | Free of charge *OKOSHIYASU Pass and Student ID required on the day of the event |
Apply |
| January 25(Sun.) | Sports Day for International Youth – Basketball | 13:00-15:00 | Kyoto Fushimi Youth Activity Center | No registration required ＊Please come directly on the day. |
oreign residents aged 13 to 30 who live, study, or work in Kyoto City | Free of charge ＊Please bring indoor shoes for sports. |
Inquiry：075-611-4910／fushimi@ys-kyoto.org（Kyoto Fushimi Youth Activity Center） |
| January 25 (Sun) | Kyoto Guide Club "English Rakugo" Tour | 13:00-16:00 ＊Rain or Shine |
Goou Jinja Shinto Shrine | by Jan.17（Sat) | 70 people （ages 15 and up; reservation required; first-come-first-served; priority given to foreign participants） | Free of charge | Apply |
| January 23(Fri.) | Kyoto Symphony Orchestra : The 707th Subscription Concert | 19:00- (18:00 doors open) | Kyoto Concert Hall | by Jan.16 (Sun) 17:00 | International students enrolled in Designated Schools *Number of tickets: 60 (lottery) |
Free of charge *Student ID required on the day of the event |
Apply |
| January 18（Sun.） | Free invitation for internatinal students! Gaetano Donizetti: Opera “L’elisir d’amore” |
14:00- | ROHM Theatre Kyoto Main Hall | by Jan.11（Sun.) | 200 international students : Reservation required | Free of Charge |
Apply |
| January 11（Sun.） | Kyoto Symphony Orchestra Special Concert: New Year Concert | 14:30- (13:30 doors open) | Kyoto Concert Hall | by Jan.4 (Sun) 17:00 | International students enrolled in Designated Schools *Number of tickets: 54 (lottery) |
Free of charge *Student ID required on the day of the event |
Apply |
| January 11（Sun.） | Free invitation for internatinal students! A Musical Feast for Five Pianos and Five Pianists |
12:30～ | ROHM Theatre Kyoto South Hall | by Jan.5（Mon.) | 150 international students for each stage: Reservation required | Free of Charge |
Apply |
kokoka Family Program
The "kokoka Family Program" involves matching Kyoto families with international students to support their life in Kyoto.
PICNIK (Program for InterCultural Nexus in Kyoto)
Would you like to share your country’s culture with elementary and middle school students?
Ryugakusei Okoshiyasu Pass
What is the Ryugakusei Okoshiyasu Pass?
If you are an international student in Kyoto, in order to enrich your experience here you are able to enter various locations free of charge. When you visit a given location, you will need to show the “Ryugakusei Okoshiyasu Pass” (provided here) and your student ID card.
| Number of times it can be used | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Designated Schools (Please check if you belong to a designated school to confirm eligibility) |
| Period of Usage | July - August，January - February Locations able to visit throughout the year: Nidec Kyoto Tower (～2026/3/31, except May 1~6, Aug.13~17, and Jan.1~4 ), Garden Museum Hiei (4/19 (Saturday) - 12/7 (Sunday), closed on Wednesday (*exception: we open on 6/4(Wed) and close on 6/3(Tue).). Please contact directly for further information) |
| Facilities | List of facilities you can enter |
Ryugakusei Okoshiyasu Pass for Japanese Students
If a Japanese student is with an international student and both belong to designated schools, then they too can gain free access to various locations free of charge. Please note that the number of Japanese students should be the same as, or less than the number of international students. At the entrance of the venue, the Japanese student will need to show their student ID card and display the Ryugakusei Okoshiyasu Pass (for Japanese students) to staff.
The list of the facilities you can enter with the Ryugakusei Okoshiyasu Pass
- 1. Nijo Castle
- 2. Murin-an
- 3. Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art (only the collection room)
- 4. Kyoto City Zoo
- 5. Kyoto International Manga Museum
- 6. Kyotomangekyo Museum
- 7. Kyoto Municipal Science Center For Youth
- 8. Kyoto Municipal Museum of School History
- 9. Otani University Museum
- 10. Kyoto Institute of Technology Museum and Archives
- 11. Kyoto University Museum
- 12. Kyoto Museum for World Peace
- 13. Forest of Life
- 14. Ryukoku Museum（series exhibition only）
- 15. Kyoto Botanical Gardens
- 16. Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
- 17. Tomomi Iwakura former secluded residence
- 18. Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design
- 19. Nidec Kyoto Tower
- 20. Garden Museum Hiei
Designated Schools
| Universities etc. | 1. | Ikenobo College |
|---|---|---|
| 2. | Otani University | |
| 3. | Kyoto Kacho University and Kacho Junior College | |
| 4. | Kyoto University | |
| 5. | Kyoto University of foreign Studies・Kyoto Junior College of Foreign Languages | |
| 6. | Kyoto University of Education | |
| 7. | Kyoto College of Economics | |
| 8. | Kyoto Institute of Technology | |
| 9. | Kyoto Sangyo University | |
| 10. | Kyoto Women's University | |
| 11. | Kyoto City University of Arts | |
| 12. | Kyoto Seika University | |
| 13. | Kyoto University of Arts and Design | |
| 14. | Kyoto Tachibana University | |
| 15. | Kyoto Prefectual University | |
| 16. | Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine | |
| 17. | Kyoto Pharmaceutical University | |
| 18. | Kyoto Koka Women's University | |
| 19. | Kyoto Saga University of Arts | |
| 20. | Shuchiin University | |
| 21. | Doshisha University | |
| 22. | Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts | |
| 23. | Kyoto Notre Dame University | |
| 24. | Hanazono University | |
| 25. | Bukkyo University | |
| 26. | Ritsumeikan University | |
| 27. | Ryukoku University | |
| 28. | Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics | |
| 29. | Heian Jogakuin College | |
| 30. | Kyoto University of Advanced Science | |
| 31. | Kyoto Arts and Crafts University | |
| 32. | Kyoto College of Nursing | |
| 33. | Kyoto Study Center, the Open University of Japan | |
| Japanese Language Schools | 1. | ARC Academy Kyoto |
| 2. | Kyoshin Language Academy Kyoto Chuo School | |
| 3. | Academy of Kansai Language School | |
| 4. | Kyoto International Academy of Japanese Language | |
| 5. | Kyoto Japanese Language Training Center | |
| 6. | KJLS Kyoto Japanese Language School | |
| 7. | Kyoto Institute of Culture and Language | |
| 8. | Kyoto Minsai Japanese Language School | |
| 9. | Kyoto Reigaku International Academy | |
| 10. | Kyoto YMCA College Japanese Course | |
| 11. | JCL Foreign Language School | |
| 12. | Nihongo Center | |
| 13. | Katugaku Shoin | |
| 14. | SCG Japan Language School | |
| 15. | Japan International Language Academy kyoto | |
| 16. | YIC Kyoto Japanese Academy | |
| 17. | ISI Language School, Kyoto | |
| 18. | Kamei Japanese Language School | |
| 19. | Kyoto Asuka Academy | |
| 20. | Kyoto Language and Culture Gakuin | |
| 21. | Kyoto Language Academy | |
| Kyoto Prefecture Advanced Vocational Schools | 1. | Kyoto Architectual College |
| 2. | Kyoto Institute of Technology and Automobile Engineering | |
| 3. | Kyoto Computer Gakuin Kyoto Ekimae | |
| 4. | Kyoto Computer Gakuin Kamogawa | |
| 5. | Kyoto Computer Gakuin Rakuhoku | |
| 6. | Kyoto Institute of Automobile Technology | |
| 7. | Kyoto Butsugen Educational School | |
| 8. | Kyoto Barber & Beauty College | |
| 9. | Amuse Hair Beauty College | |
| 10. | Kyoto Beauty College | |
| 11. | YIC Kyoto Beauty College | |
| 12. | YIC Kyoto Pet General College | |
| 13. | Kyoto Culinary Institute | |
| 14. | Kyoto Pastary & Bakery Art College | |
| 15. | Kyoto College of Nutritional & Medical Sciences | |
| 16. | Kyoto College of Social Welfare | |
| 17. | Kyoto Medical Welfare College | |
| 18. | Kyoto YMCA International College of Welfare | |
| 19. | Kyoto Animal College | |
| 20. | Kyoto Institute of Design | |
| 21. | Kyoto College of Hotel, Tourism & Bridal Management | |
| 22. | Ohara College of Business and Bookkeeping | |
| 23. | Kyoto Shika Eisei Gakuin Senmon Gakko | |
| 24. | Kyoto Public Official & IT Accounting College | |
| 25. | Academie de Ballet de Kyoto | |
| 26. | Urasenke School of Tea | |
| 27. | Sundai Yobi gakko(Preparatory Schoo)l Kyoto School | |
| 28. | Kyoto Career College of Foreign Languages | |
| 29. | Kyoto Kawakami Fukushoku Senmon Gakko | |
| 30. | Knitted Fashion College | |
| 31. | Butsuryu Colege | |
| 32. | Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini School of Nursing | |
| 33. | Kyoto College of Health and Hygiene | |
| 34. | Kinki Technical College of Nursing | |
| 35. | Kyoto College of Dental Hygienists & Technicians | |
| 36. | Kyoto Culture and Medicine College | |
| 37. | Kyoto College of Medical Health | |
| 38. | Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daiichi School of Nursing | |
| 39. | Rakuwakai Kyoto Health School | |
| 40. | The Nursing Schol of Kyoto Medical Association | |
| 41. | Kyoto Chuo Nursing and Insurance College | |
| 42. | Kyoto Katsura Nursing School | |
| 43. | National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center School of Nursing and Midwifery | |
| 44. | Kyoto Kinki Joho Upper Secondary Specialized Training Scool | |
| 45. | Kyoto Design & Technology | |
| 46. | Kyoto Prefectural Welfare Center for the Visual Imaratient |