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, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov.18（Mon.） | International Event "Let's Have an Exchange Through Sushi Rolls Making" | 14:00～16:00 | Kyoto Terrsa（Kyoto-shi, Minami-ku, Higashikujo, Shimotonoda-cho 70） East Building 3F, Confrence Room D |
Reservation is required（first come, first served） | Everyon who can speak English or Japanese. Foreigners 10 people、Japanese nationals 10 people | Fee：500 yen Content：A sushi master will teach how to make salad sushi rolls. He will also give a demonstration. |
Apply |
| ①Nov. 15（Fri.） ②Nov. 16（Sat.） |
Marco da Silva Ferreira “CARCAÇA” | ①19:00 start、18:00 doors open ②15:00 start、14:00 doors open |
ROHM Theatre Kyoto (13 Okazakisaishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City) South Hall |
～Nov. 10（Sat） | International students and foreigners up to 50 people | Fee: free Reservation is required, first come, first served Reception will be held one hour before the show starts, in front of the entrance of the South Hall on the 1st floor (just next to the Family Mart entrance on the Nijo-dori side). Please pick up your ticket there on the day of the event. |
Apply |
| Nov. 12（Tue.） | NEW!Free Butoh WS | 13:00-16:00 13:00-15:00: Workshop 15:00-16:00: Feedback |
Kyoto Kamogawa Doin (109 Bukkoji Higashicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto) | ～11/12 (Tue) |
Foreigners up to 10 people (first come, first served) | Fee:Free *Participation conditions apply. For details, please see the "Apply" |
Apply |
| ①Nov. 2（Sat.） ②Nov.3（Sun） |
Rachid Ouramdane “Corps extrêmes” | ①19:00 start、18:00 doors open ②15:00 start、14:00 doors open |
ROHM Theatre Kyoto (13 Okazakisaishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City) South Hall |
～Oct. 27（Sat.） | International students and foreigners up to 100 people | Fee: free Reservation is required, first come, first served Reception will be held one hour before the show starts, in front of the entrance of the South Hall on the 1st floor (just next to the Family Mart entrance on the Nijo-dori side). Please pick up your ticket there on the day of the event. |
Apply |
| Nov. 3（Sun, National Holiday） | “INAMORI MUSIC DAY 2024 Symphonic Concert” | 14:00 Start（13:00 Doors open） | ROHM Theatre Kyoto Main Hall （ 13 Okazakisaishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City） |
application is closed | International Students from Designated schools up to 100 people （one person can apply for up to 2 tickets） |
Fee: free ※Before you apply, please make sure to double-check your schedule. Sudden cancellations will cause inconvenience to the organizers. If you are chosen to participate, please show your student ID card and tell your invitation number at the reception des at the venuek |
Apply |
| 11/2（Sat.) - 11/10(Sun.) |
～Journey into KABUKI ~Appreciation and Experience～ | 14:00 18:00 |
Minamiza Theatre（Kyoto, Hiyashiyama-ku, Shijo Ohashi Higashizume） | We have closed the application for free invitations, as we have reached our capacity, but you can still apply for discount tickets (for a fee). Please use the application form to apply. |
International Students from Designated schools |
Fee: discounted tickets are avaible. Please check in the link on the right | Link to discounted purchase method/purchase page：Apply※Performance period (discounted tickets)
11/2 (Sat) - 11/10 (Sun) *On 10/2 (Sat) and 10/5 (Tue), evening performances only. |
| Oct. 22（Tue.）(in case of rain will be held on Oct. 23(Wed.)) | NEW!Jidai Matsuri Festival 2024, Invitation for foreign students | 12:30 ～ 15:00 (Reception：12:30～13:00） | in front of Kyoto City Hall(the invited area of the paid seats) |
10/1～until the capacity is be reached, up to 100 people, first-come, first-served basis, reservation is required | International Students from Designated schools up to 100 people （one person can apply for 1 ticket） |
Fee: free, reservation is required ※Before you apply, please make sure to double-check your schedule. Sudden cancellations will cause inconvenience to the organizers. Please show your student ID card and an invitaion letter at the reception desk |
Apply |
| Oct. 20 （Sun.） | NEW!Anaoji Temple and Cosmos Tour | 11:15～15:30（Meeting time：11:15、please be on time） | Meeting place：JR Kameoka Station, at the ticket gates | Reservation is required, first come, first served basis | Foreigners up to 15 people | Fee：1,000 yes（bus fare、admission fees to the temple and to the cosmos field are included） What to bring：lunch box（if you have no lunch box, you will be able to buy some food the park） |
Apply |
| Oct 20（Sun.） | kokoka Family Program Autumn Matching | 14:00-16:00 | kokoka 3 floor Seminar room | Sept 1 (Sun)～Sept 15 (Sun.) Registration needed (from kokoka Member Site) ＊(Please login and select "kokoka Family Program") |
・All international students enrolled at a university. (including campus in Shiga) ・The students who have more than 6 months left to stay in Kyoto when applying. ・Students who are interested in positive interaction with kyoto City citizens are especially encourages to apply. |
Fee:Free |
Apply |
| 10/19（Sat.） | Japanese Calligraphy Workshop | 13:00～15:00 Meet at 12:30 | kokoka Kyoto International Community House １F Room 1 | 9/5(Thu.)～10/7（Mon.） |
All international students enrolled at a university. (including campus in Shiga) If there are a laarge number of applicants, a lottery will be held |
Fee：1,000yen (material cost included) | Apply |
| 10/13（Sun） | NEW!Welcome Party and Seminar | 14:00～ seminar 15:30～ party |
kokoka Kyoto International Community House | 9/10～first come, first served, up to 100 people | seminar: foreigners who just arrived to Japan party:foreigners and Japanese, everyone is welcome |
free for those who attend the whole program ＊500 yen is a the fee for those who participate only in the party part |
Apply |
| Oct 11（Fri.） | NEW!Free Experience! Sushi Roll Cooking Class - Seeking Foreign Participants for a Monitor Tour | 10:20~12:00 | Meeting Point: Exit 1, Gojo Station, Karasuma Subway LineWe will walk from the meeting point to the experience venue. | First-come, first-served basis. | International Students | Participation Fee: Free Contact：Hopeterras Co., Ltd. contact@hopeterrace.jp |
Apply |
| Oct. 11（Fri.） | The 694th Subscription Concert "Friday Night Special" | 19:30-（Doors open at 18:30） | Kyoto Concert Hall, Main Hall |
9/11～9/19 | International Students from Designated schools up to 150 people （one person can apply for up to 2 tickets） |
Fee: free ※Before you apply, please make sure to double-check your schedule. Sudden cancellations will cause inconvenience to the organizers. If you are chosen to participate, please show your student ID card and an invitaion letter at the reception desk |
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.
| 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 (～2025/3/31, except Aug.16 and Jan.1 ), Garden Museum Hiei (4/20 (Saturday) - 12/8 (Sunday), closed on Thursday *Opened May 2nd and August 15. Please contact directly for further information) |
| Number of times it can be used | Unlimited |
| 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("Nidec Kyoto Tower" :from April, 2024)l
- 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 | |
| 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 |