Tokyo, JAPAN

Map of all MIX partner universities in Japan

Map of all MIX partner universities in Tokyo

Sophia University has four campuses:

The main Yotsuya Campus is an urban campus, consisting of about 25 large, modern buildings in the center of Tokyo. Faculties include Humanities, Law, Foreign Studies, Economics, Liberal Arts, and Science & Technololgy. Exchange students take classes at the Yotsuya Campus, in the Faculty of Liberal Arts. There is also a library, cafeteria, gymnasium, chapen, bookstore, and student service offices at the Yotsuya Campus. Exchange students take classes in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, at the Yotsuya Campus.

Undergraduate exchange students may study at the Sophia University Faculty of Liberal Arts; curriculum for exchange students is based solely in Japanese Language and Culture Studies. The program is open to students at all levels of Japanese language ability; students will take a placement test at the beginning of the program. Students take 3-5 classes per semester; there is a registration period after on-site orientation.

Sophia offers a full-range of Japanese language-options. The Faculty of Liberal Arts offers Japanese language courses for non-native speakers of Japanese. There are nine levels of language classes, beginning with classes for students who have no previous study of Japanese, and continuing to advanced level. Students may choose between regular classes (90 minutes a day, five days a week) and intensive classes (180 minutes a day, five days a week). Sophia also provides advanced Japanese language classes to help students to further improve their skills in academic Japanese.  

Sophia University Faculty of Liberal Arts

Graduate exchange students may take classes in the Graduate Program in Global Studies (courses taught in English).

Yes - the Faculty of Liberal Arts offers many courses taught in English. Subject areas include Comparative Literature, International Business and Economics, Social Studies, Japanese langauge, Japanese Studies, International Relations, and Global Studies.

Faculty of Liberal Arts courses taught in English

Fall semester: mid September - early February

Spring semester: early April - late July

Sophia University Academic Calendar for Exchange Students

Note: UHM-MIX students may go on exhange to Sophia University either for the entire academic year (September through July), or for just the Spring semester. Because the fall semester overlaps with UHM's spring semester, students may not go on exchange to Sophia University for just the fall semester.  

Sophia has several off-campus dormitories and affiliated dormitories for students in and around the Tokyo area. Though public transportation systems are well-developed, students should expect a 20 to 60 minute commuting time to the Sophia campus. 

Sophia University Housing List

More information on housing options at Sophia University

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 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.

Sophia University Cost Estimates - Depending on the type of housing you choose, housing will cost anywhere from 310,000 to 370,000 yen per semester. Students should expect to spend about 60,000 yen per month on meals; 50,000 yen per semester on books, 10,000 yen per month on transportation, and 30,000 yen per month on personal expenses.

More Information on Sophia University housing and living expense estimates

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.