Chiyoda, Tokyo, JAPAN

The Nihon University campus, where JLSP is conducted, is located in Ichigaya (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), a central area for Japanese business and commerce. The Nippon Budokan, Yasukuni Shine, and other well-known sites are located nearby. Moreover, the campus is optimally located for accessing the main areas of Tokyo, with Tokyo Dome, Korakuen amusement park, Akihabara’s electronics quarter, and Shinjuku-Fukutoshin sub-center located only 10-15 minutes away by train.

College of Humanities and Sciences campus map (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)

College of Economics campus map (Chiyoda-ku, central Tokyo)

Map of all MIX partner universities in Japan

Map of all MIX partner universities in Tokyo

This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students in all majors. UHM Exchange students have three options for studying at Nihon University:

1. College of Humanities and Sciences

• Exchange students at CHS may take International Studies Courses and Japanese Studies Courses, which are taught in English. They may also take Japanese language courses through the Nihon University Japanese Language Program (JLP) or Japanese Language and Studies Program (JLSP).

• Exchange students may decide to take JLSP courses exclusively; the JLSP program is for one semester only (not possible to do JLSP for two semesters).

• Students who already have advanced proficiency in Japanese may also take regular university classes in other CHS Departments: Philosophy, History, Japanese Literature, Chinese Language & Culture, English Literature, German Literature, Sociology, Education, Physical Education, Psychology, Geography, Geosystem Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, and Chemistry.

• The College of Humanities and Sciences has a system of clubs (sports, arts, culture, etc.) for students to relax and get to know one another. Such activities are offered at the Shinjuku Campus, about a 10-minute train ride from the center of Tokyo.

2. College of Economics

• Students take Japanese language courses (JLP) in the mornings, and Economics courses taught in English in the afternoons.

• Some Economics courses are a semester long, and others are a year long (start in January and end in December). Exchange students should only enroll in courses that are one semester long, even if they are going on exchange for the entire academic year; exchange students may not earn credit for yearlong courses at Nihon CoE.

3. Japanese Language and Studies Program (JLSP)

• Undergraduate students who want to go on exchange solely to improve their Japanese language skills may participate in the JLSP for one term. Students study Japanese language for three hours per day for two and a half months.

Yes - Within the College of Humanities and Sciences, International Studies Courses and Japanese Studies Courses are offered in English. All other courses are taught in Japanese, and are only open to exchange students who already have advanced proficiency in Japanese.

The College of Economics includes many courses taught in English; both local and international students may enroll in these courses.

College of Humanities and Sciences / College of Economics:

• Fall Semester (Semester 2): mid-Sept - mid March
• Spring Semester (Semester 1): April - July
• Exchange students may go abroad for either the academic year (mid-Sept - July), or just for the Spring semester.

Japanese Language and Studies Program (JLSP):

• Fall Semester: mid-September - early December
• Spring Semester: mid-January - late March
• Students may participate in JLSP for one semester only (fall or spring).

College of Humanities and Sciences - Housing is subsidized by the College of Humanities and Sciences for UHM exchange students. Students have single rooms with shared shower/bathroom. Additionally, students are responsible for paying for their own meals and electricity. Students may also make their own housing arrangements off campus. Dorms are a short train ride away from the College. There is an abundance of apartment houses and flats in Tokyo (monthly costs range from 50,000-90,000 yen). Some meals are provided free of charge.

College of Economics - Housing and some meals are provided to UHM exchange students by Nihon University College of Economics free of charge. Women live in Domi Ichinoe Ladies; men live in Dormy Itabashi-Honcho. Dorms are a short train ride away from the College. Students pay electricity, telephone, bedding, and other living expenses.

Japanese Language and Studies Program (JLSP) - Students live in single rooms equipped with a bed, bath unit, kitchen, and internet connection in Setagayu-ku; they take the train to the campus in Ichigaya.

MIX students register as full-time students at UH Manoa and pay regular UHM tuition. They do not pay overseas tuition. 

- Students who normally pay in-state UHM tuition continue to do while on MIX. 
- Students who normally pay out-of-state UHM tuition continue to do so while on MIX.
- Students who normally pay WUE tuition continue to do so while on MIX. 

View UHM tuition & fees online

In addition to UHM tuition, MIX students are responsible for all of their living expenses, including health insurance, books/supplies, room & meals, personal expenses, airfare, local transportation, and any costs associated with obtaining a visa (if applicable). It is recommended that you research online to get an idea of how much these expenses will be.    

Since you are still a registered UHM student while on MIX, you continue to be eligible to receive financial aid and scholarships. If you submit a ‘MIX Student Budget for Financial Aid Purposes’ form, UHM financial aid will take into consideration your overseas living and travel expenses when awarding you your grants/loans.  

National Health Insurance Program - International students residing in Japan for one semester or one year may be required to enroll in this program through their host university in Japan. Costs vary by region, but may be approximately $18.00/month. Japanese National Health Insurance may not be required if students purchase adequate health insurance in their home country.

Nihon University cost estimates - Exchange students are estimated to need approximately 60,000 yen per month to cover living expenses (including 8,000 yen for telephone and 5,000 yen for a futon). A metro pass is about 6,000 yen per month.

Housing and two meals/day are provided to exchange students free of charge at the College of Economics.

Exchange students at the College of Humanities and Sciences may live in the dorms free of change, but must pay for meals (est. 30,000 yen/month) and electricity (est. 5,000 yen/month. Or students may find their own off-campus housing, in which case they should allocate about 80,000 yen per month for housing.

JLSP students will need about 40,000 yen per month for the dorms, plus about 11,000 yen for a train pass and about 50,000 yen for food and other costs.

Visa Information - The requirements for visas vary depending upon nationality (citizenship), purpose of trip, and length of stay. As a rule, applications must be submitted in person to the Japanese Consulate. The Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu has a jurisdiction covering the State of Hawaii and American Samoa. If visa applicants reside outside State of Hawaii or American Samoa, please contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate that handles visas for your area.

Once you have a valid passport and the other required documents, you will need to visit the Consulate General of Japan at Honolulu and apply for a VISA. The Consulate General of Japan is located at 1742 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817 USA. Tel: 808-543-3111.

If you are studying abroad for a semester or year, please be sure to apply for a “College Student” status VISA. It is a very difficult and sometimes impossible to get your status changed later.

You will need at least the following documents when applying for your College Student status VISA:

1. Visa application form with passport photos attached (download from Consulate General website).

2. Copy of Certificate of Admission to your host university in Japan. (This is a formal letter that will be sent directly to the MIX Office. You will receive an email when it is available for pick-up.)

3. Certificate of Eligibility (Issued about two months before your departure for Japan)

4. Your valid passport

Upon Arrival in Japan - When you arrive at the airport in Japan, you will go through an Immigration Inspection. Your passport and Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence will be checked, and your residence status and your formal period of stay will be decided.

Part-time work while studying in Japan - Exchange students who are granted the 'Student' status of residence may be permitted to work part-time (up to 28 hours per week) while in Japan, as long as it does not affect their studies. To apply for permission, please fill out an "Application for Permission to Engage in Activities other than that Permitted under Status of Residence Previously Granted" when you apply for your visa. More information is available at the Immigration Bureau in Japan website.