- Japanese language education at Shūmei University
- Experiencing International Exchange
- Local Accommodation and Housing Information
お知らせ
全て見るJapanese language education at Shūmei University
We provide careful guidance tailored to each student’s level.
Japanese Language Curriculum
Required Subjects
Develop your expressive and thinking skills through these compulsory subjects:
- Japanese A, B, C, D (all years) – Develop reading comprehension and essay writing skills.
- Modern Japanese Society – Learn about politics, economics, culture, history, etc., and deepen your understanding of Japanese society.
- Japanese Cultural Studies – Learn about Japan’s diverse traditions and culture.
Elective Subjects and Seminars
Improve your practical Japanese skills through these elective subjects:
- Business Japanese – Prepare for the Business Japanese Test (BJT).
- Japanese Language Qualification Exercises I/II (N1/N2) – Prepare for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JPLT).
- Advanced Japanese Conversation – Conversation-focused classes to facilitate smooth communication in Japanese.
- Specialized Research Seminar and General Management Seminar – Seminars for international students.
- Intermediate Japanese Grammar and Advanced Japanese Grammar – Develop Japanese grammar skills to help you acquire N1 and N2 in the JPLT.
- Japanese E – Learn about Chinese characters used in Japanese culture and society.
Experiencing International Exchange
Take part in local government international exchange projects
In addition to promoting Chiba Prefecture to their home countries, our international students also actively cooperate with local government international exchange projects, such as introducing the culture and circumstances of their home countries to the citizens of Yachiyo.
Participation in the 50th Shingen Festival
The grand 50th Shingen Festival was held for three days from October 27, 2023, in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. A reproduction of the scene when approximately 1,200 troops gathered around Kofu and departed for Kawanakajima was performed. Thirty international students from Shūmei University took part, dressing up as warriors and marching through the streets of Kofu.
Comments from participants
- I felt the charm of Japanese samurai culture.
- Dressed in samurai costumes, it was like traveling back in time to the scenery of ancient Japan. I also enjoyed interacting with the locals and learning about their history and culture.
- It is a parade that symbolizes Yamanashi. The next day we went to a vineyard and ate lots of grapes. In the afternoon, we took some beautiful photos at Lake Kawaguchi.
- Through this event, I was able to experience the climate and beautiful scenery of Yamanashi Prefecture. I was also able to see Mt. Fuji. It was a valuable experience because I was able to participate with my classmates.
- I would like to continue participating in Japanese culture and festivals in the future.
General lecture: Police officer’s talk
On October 30, 2023, a police officer came to our school and gave a fun and easy to understand talk about traffic rules and safety in Japan. He also gave an entertaining demonstration.
Traditional tales
In October 2023, we held a story meeting for international students at our university. Volunteer residents from the city explained the development and social influence of Japanese anime while looking back at the history of Japanese stories. Then, they performed a picture-story show that featured classic Japanese stories and folk tales such as “Kaguyahime,” and “Binbo-Binbō Daihanjo” in an easy-to-understand manner. Many students were deeply absorbed in this performance.
International students from our university introduced Vietnamese culture
On February 11, 2022, the 5th Multicultural Exchange in Yachiyo was held at the Yachiyo City Museum of Local History, and seven Vietnamese students from our university participated and introduced Vietnamese culture. They introduced Vietnamese food, tourist spots, pottery, events like weddings, and more. Together with the participants, they interacted through Vietnamese culture including the bamboo dance and stone play (O An Quang).
Interaction with local residents
With the cooperation and goodwill of people living near the university, we hold exchange activities between local residents and international students several times a year. Through these activities, and the sharing of each others’ culture, we are able to deepen mutual understanding between Japanese people and students from all over the world.
Japanese Song Club
Local residents and international students get together and sing Japanese songs.
University Town Summer Festival (optional)
Our international students can enjoy taking part in a traditional Japanese summer festival together with local residents. The local residents provide Japanese yukata for the students to wear.
Origami Experience (optional)
Learn how to fold origami with a seasonal theme and complete your own creations. The finished product will be a magnificent work of art!
Story Time
Experience Japanese culture (old folk tales) through Kamishibai (picture storytelling) accompanied by traditional shakuhachi music.
Christmas Party (optional)
Attend a Christmas party hosted by the University Town, where international students sing songs from their home countries and take part in fun games.
Home Visit
Learn about every day Japanese life by visiting the homes of volunteers living in University Town and interacting with them. Approximately 3 to 5 international students per family.
Ink Painting Experience (optional)
People from the University Town will teach you how to draw in the traditional sumi-e style.
Local Accommodation and Housing Information
Four local stations provide convenient access to the university: Shin-Kamagaya, Katsutadai, Yachiyo Midorigaoka, and Chiba New Town Chuo. Here, we have compiled information about housing around the four stations. Please feel free to use it as a reference.
※The market rent amount is the approximate rent for a one-room apartment.
Shinkamagaya
This is a transfer hub connecting four private railway lines, allowing nearby downtown areas such as Kashiwa and Funabashi to be reached in about 15 to 20 minutes, and central Tokyo and Narita Airport in as little as 30 minutes. There is a large shopping mall near the station, and there are many sightseeing spots and nature along each line, and the area has a good reputation among international students living there.
School bus:
25 minutes to university
Transportation facilities:
Hokuso Line/Tobu Urban Park Line/Keisei Line/Shin-Keisei Line
Surrounding facilities/shops:
Across Mall / Aeon Shopping Mall / Uniqlo / Kamagaya General Hospital / 100-yen shop
Rent:
From ¥35,000
Yachiyo Midorigaoka
Of the four stations, the area in front of the station is the newest, and there are many high-rise apartment buildings around the station. There is a shopping mall, a movie theater, and a clinic directly connected to the station, so it is a convenient place to live. The key to finding a cheap property is to look for an area on the south side of the station that takes a little bit of walking.
School bus:
20 minutes to university
Transportation facilities:
Toyo Rapid Railway
Surrounding facilities/shops:
Aeon Shopping Mall / APA Hotel / TOHO Cinemas / 100-yen shop
Rent:
From ¥35,000
Katsutadai
This is a station on the Keisei Line and connects to Toyo Katsutadai Station. The university school bus departs from the north exit. There are supermarkets, shopping streets, home improvement stores, etc., in front of the station and in the neighborhood, making it convenient for daily life. A little way from the station there is a quiet residential area, with many bus routes and it is easy to find cheap places to live.
School bus:
25 minutes to university
Transportation facilities:
Keisei Main Line/Toyo Rapid Railway
Surrounding facilities/shops:
Libre Keisei / 100-yen shop
Rent:
From ¥35,000
Chiba New Town Chuo
This station is conveniently located, within 30 minutes of Narita Airport, and within an hour of central Tokyo via the Hokuso Line and Keisei Line. There are many shopping malls and restaurants around the station, making it a lively area. Of the four stations, this station is the closest to the university and has almost no traffic jams, so those who want to shorten their commuting time may choose to use this station as their base.
School bus:
10 minutes to university
Transportation facilities:
Hokuso Line/Narita Sky Access Line
Surrounding facilities/shops:
Aeon Shopping Mall / 100-yen shop / Don Quijote/ GU
Average Rent:
From ¥45,000
