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 |
| January 1(Thu) - Feburary 28(Sat) | NEW! Ryugakusei Okoshiyasu Pass Free admission to the designated facilities during this period. |
It varies by facility. | Eligible facilities | Until Feburary 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 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. |
| ①February 7(Sat.) ②January 24(Sat,)，February 14(Sat.) |
NEW! Private Car Tour: ①Explore Minamiyamashiro’s Tea Fields with a Village Tea Concierge ②Discover the Flavors of Minamiyamashiro: Guided Tea Tasting with a Village Tea Concierge |
8:30-12:30 | Minamiyamashiro Village（Meeting/Ending Point: Kyoto Station Hachijō Exit） | First-come, first-served; registration required | International students | Free of charge | Please send an email at least 7 days before the tour date with the following information: Tour name, Preferred date, Number of participants, Representative’s full name and Phone number Email：y.iwasaki481@kntct.com (Kinki Nippon Tourist) |
| January 31(Sat) | NEW! 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) | 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） | Fee：Free |
Apply |
| January 23（Fri.） | NEW!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 |
| December 21(Sun), 24(Wed), 26(Fri) | Kyoto Prefectural Library English-Language Guided Tour | December 21(Sun) 10:00, 24(Wed) 14:00, 26(Fri) 10:00, 14:00 |
Kyoto Prefectural Library Meeting Point: Near the circulation desk on the 1st floor of Kyoto Prefectural Library |
First-come, first-served; registration required |
foreign resident Up to 10 participants per tour |
Free of charge | Apply |
| December 21(Sun) | Free Counseling Day for Non-Japanese Residents | 13:00～17:00 | kokoka Kyoto International Community House 3F | Nov.21-(First-come, first-served) | Foreign Residents, Non-Japanese speaking residents | Free of charge ＊Reservation required |
TEL: 075-752-3511 |
| December 17(Wed.) | Free invitation for internatinal students! Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan "WAVES" |
19:00～ | ROHM Theatre Kyoto Main Hall | Apply by Dec.14(Sun.) | 200 international students : Reservation required | Free of Charge |
Apply |
| December 14 (Sun) | Kyoto Guide Club "Yamashina Gishi Festival Tour" | 9:45-15:30 *Rain or shine |
Subway Tozai line Higashino station (ticket gate) at 9:45 | Apply by Dec. 9 (First-come, first-served) | 18 foreign residents | Free of charge | Apply |
| December 7 (Sun) | Mental Health Support Program for Foreign Residents "Finding Balance: Mental Health Tips for Life in Japan"( Workshop) | 14:00-16:00 |
kokoka Kyoto International Community House | First-come, first-served; registration required | 30 Foreign residents | Free of charge | Apply |
| December 5 (Fri) | The 280th Kyoto Citizens' Kyogen Performance | 18:30 Doors open, 19:00 Start | Kyoto Kanze Kaikan | Apply by Nov. 23, 17:00 * (the participants will be chosen by a lottery) |
15 international students enrolled in Designated Schools | Free of charge ＊Student ID required on the day of the event |
Apply |
| December 5 (Fri) | The 178th Subscription Concert of Kyoto City University of Arts | 19:00～（18:00 doors open） | Kyoto Concert Hall | Apply by Nov. 28, 17:00 * (the participants will be chosen by a lottery) |
100 international students enrolled in Designated Schools | Free of charge ＊Student ID required on the day of the event |
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 |