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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 13（Fri.） | Sagano Global Forum for student research | 9:15-15:15 | Sagano High School, Kyoto | Reservation required Deadline: June 6, 17:00 |
International students of universities and language schools in Kyoto. | Notes : You will receive a tax-free reward of 5,000 yen for the day. You must be available for the full day, from 9:15-15:15. Lunch is not provided, but there will be a location where you can eat the lunch you bring with you. |
Please send your name and school you are attending and indicate you would like to participate. Email: taprogram@sagano.org |
| June 10（Tue.）-July 4（Fri.） Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Total 12 sessions |
Japanese language class for international students "Hataraku tame no Nihongo（Intermediate） | 18:30-21:00 | Campus Plaza Kyoto 5 min. walk from JR Kyoto Station |
Reservation required Deadline: May 30, 17:00 ＊If there are too many applications, a drawing will be held. |
International Students / Foreign Workers Total 20 persons ＊Must be able to attend all 12 online classes ＊Must have JLPT N3 or N2 |
Free of charge ＊Level check will be held on Tuesday, 6/3 from 18:30. |
Apply |
| June 6（Fri.）-8（Sun.） | NEW!Safari・P『Le Grand Cahier』 | June 6（Fri.）19:00-20:30 June 7（Sat.）13:00-14:30 June 8（Sun.）13:00-14:30 |
ROHM Theatre Kyoto North Hall |
Reservation required（first-come, first-served） ～May 30（Fri.）21:00 |
9 International Students | Free of charge ＊After watching the play, please cooperate with the organizers by providing feedback on the English subtitles and content. |
Apply |
| June 1（Sun.） | Let's talk a lot! “Offline Nihongo” Exchange meeting with Japanese language volunteers | 14:00-16:00 | kokoka Kyoto International Community House 3F Seminar Room |
Reservation required（first-come, first-served） | People who are learning Japanese | Free of charge | Apply |
| May 25（Sun.） | “Prayer from Zero” Concert Gagaku, chamber music, etc. |
15:00-17:15（Open at 14:30） | Minamiza Theatre | Reservation required（first-come, first-served） Deadline: May 24 |
Up to 100 international students and their families or friends ＊E-mail address is required for application ＊No admission for preschool children |
Free of charge Show the QR code sent to you when you sign up at the reception on the day to get your seat ticket. Inquiry: Style KYOTO TEL: 075-662-8883 |
Apply |
| May 18（Sun.） | Kyoto Guide Club“Ninnaji-temple & 88 miniature temples” | 12:30-16:30 ＊Cancelled in case of rain |
Ninnaji-temple.Meet at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Niomon Gate | Reservation required（first-come, first-served） | 20 Non-Japanese people（15 years old and older） | Free of charge Notes : We will walk about 2 and a half hours. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water. |
Apply |
| Apr. 26（Sat.） | Sayako Kusaka violin x China Kusaka piano～The World of Brahms performed by sisters | 17:15-（Open at 16:30） | Rohm Theater South Hall |
Reservation required（first-come, first-served） | Foreigners | Free of charge | Apply |
| Apr. 12（Sat.） | Did you say traditional music? | 14:00～16:00 | Kyoto Prefectural International Center
Kyoto Terrsa・West Building・2nd Floor・Rehearsal Studio（70 Higashikujo Shimotonoda-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto） |
Reservation required | 20 Japanese participants and 20 international participants (on a first-come, first-served basis) | Participation fee: 300 yen |
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 (～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) |
| 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 |