Komazawa University

About

Komazawa University, a private institution with roots dating back to a 16th-century Zen Buddhist seminary, offers a unique academic environment in Tokyo. It is particularly renowned for its strong programs in Humanities, including Literature, History, and Geography, as well as Law, Economics, and Buddhist Studies, reflecting its rich heritage. For international students, the university provides dedicated support through its International Center, offering Japanese language programs and facilitating exchange opportunities. While primarily Japanese-taught, its global outlook is evident in faculties like Global Media Studies, and its distinctive characteristic lies in its deep connection to Zen Buddhism, which permeates its educational philosophy and offers unique academic pathways.

Background

Komazawa University (駒澤大学, Komazawa Daigaku), abbreviated as 駒大 Komadai, is a private university in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan. Its history starts in 1592, when a seminary was established to be a center of learning for the young monks of the Sōtō sect, one of the two main Zen Buddhist traditions in Japan. The seminary evolved into a modern school in the late 19th century, and became a university in 1925. The university in Tokyo campus comprises seven faculties and 17 departments with a total of around 14,000 students. Also, for students who wish to pursue advanced studies, each department has a graduate school. It also has eleven research institutes and a Museum of Zen Buddhist Culture. Times Higher Education places Komazawa University in the 150+ bracket in its ranking of Japan's 200 best universities.

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