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Program highlights for Nishinomiya, Japan

The city

Language spoken:
Japanese

Currency:
Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥)

Climate:
Tropical

City type:
Large city (Population 200,001-500,000)

Passport & Visa requirements

The program

Program type:
Partnership

Host university:
Kwansei Gakuin University

Language of instruction:
English, Japanese

Terms offered:
Spring, Fall, Yearlong

Program capacity:
20 students

Credit type:
Overseas credit

Deadline to apply

Fall/Yearlong 2026-27:
February 15

Spring 2027:
September 15

Eligibility:

  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Minimum class standing: Junior
  • Open to degree-seeking students attending a 4-year institution at time of application

Scholarships and Financial Aid:
Deadlines vary

  • Downtown lights at night in Nishinomiya, Japan.Experience Nishinomiya’s nature and history by visiting its many beautiful shrines, parks, and gardens.
  • Cheer on one of Japan’s oldest baseball teams, the Hanshin Tigers, at the Hanshin Koshien Stadium.
  • Gain authentic insight into local culture by living in a homestay with a host family.
  • Explore Nishinomiya’s unique vibe, or visit nearby Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara.
  • Focus on your studies of Japanese language, culture, and society in small classes with a low student-to-teacher ratio.

Why study in Nishinomiya?

Student sitting at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Nishinomiya, Japan.

Nishinomiya is the perfect off-the-beaten-path location, conveniently located equidistant from the attractive port city of Kobe and the eclectic “food capital” city of Osaka. Combining stunning natural scenery with history and modern culture, Nishinomiya is the perfect place for students seeking a distinctive Japanese experience. Dive into history at one of several shrines, temples, and museums, experience a baseball game at the Hanshin Koshien Stadium, take a leisurely stroll through a park or garden, bike along the car-free Mukogawa Cycling Road, or enjoy some shopping, followed by a visit to a local café.

Accelerate your Japanese language, culture, and society studies at Kwansei Gakuin University for a semester or year-long term. The Kwansei Gakuin Contemporary Japan Program (CJP) is designed for exchange students to explore Japan within the larger context of East Asia and aims to promote a better understanding of the cultural, religious, social, economic, and political aspects of Japan and its neighbors. Classes are small, with a low student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for greater learning opportunities.

See for yourself why Japan is considered one of the most distinctive societies in the world through its shopping, beaches, historical sites, festivals, performances, and more through on the Nishinomiya program.

Apply