Study in Tokyo - International Studies (in English) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Settle into Tokyo’s quiet Nerima Ward—the birthplace of anime—and explore its museums, ramen shops, sushi counters, and the parks that have inspired Japanese art and entertainment. When you’re ready for a faster pace, hop on a bus or train and find yourself in bustling Shibuya Crossing, Ikebukuro’s “Sunshine City”, or Harajuku’s vibrant fashion scene all in under an hour.
• Flourish in seminar-style classes where you can pair East Asian Studies coursework with Japanese language courses at your level, encouraging meaningful conversation and personal growth. With around 5,000 students, Musashi offers a close-knit feel and opportunities for individualized attention in the classroom.
• Connect with peers from all around the world at Musashi Communication Village, a campus cultural hub that coordinates language exchanges, social events, and workshops for international and local students.
• Use Tokyo as your launchpad for exploring Japan and beyond. Visit Japan’s cultural capital in Kyoto, experience nightlife in Osaka, or catching quick flights to destinations like South Korea, Thailand, and more!
LIFE ABROAD
When you study at Musashi University, you’ll find yourself in northwest Tokyo’s tranquil Nerima ward, the birthplace of anime. Experience a wide selection of nearby museums, parks, restaurants, and cultural attractions while having easy access to Tokyo’s city center via public transit.
LIVE
Live in a calm residential neighborhood in Nerima while staying in a cultural-exchange focused dormitory, conveniently located just a 15–20 minute walk from campus and only 5 minutes from the closest subway station. You’ll have the privacy of a fully furnished single room with a small balcony, along with shared access to a communal kitchen, bathrooms with separate shower stalls, coin-operated laundry, and lounge areas in each building.
DINE
Use the shared kitchen at the dorm to prepare Japanese favorites such as ramen, curry, onigiri, and more. When you don’t feel like cooking, check out the dining hall on campus where you can enjoy a variety of traditional Japanese delicacies for under $10 USD. The Chuo Street pedestrian area located just outside Nerima station is where the locals go to grab a quick bite to eat. With cuisine ranging from Japanese to Italian to American, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes no matter what you are craving!
EXPERIENCE
Enrich your experience by connecting with the Musashi Communication Village (MCV) — a university-managed space that promotes diversity, connection, and cultural exchange between local and international students. The MCV hosts a wide range of events designed to help you foster friendships and develop global understanding including welcome parties, cultural workshops, social events, and sporting activities. The MCV also provides tailored Japanese language support through student staff and a specialized tutor system for those who wish to strengthen their language skills.
In your spare time, you can participate in free walking tours of nearby cultural and historical sites, check out the Oizumi Anime Gate, widely known as an “anime hall of fame”, or take a trip to one of the city’s manga museums to discover the history of the craft. In a dynamic city like Tokyo, you’ll never be bored.
EXPLORE
Although you’ll be living near one of the world’s largest metropolises, Tokyo’s Nerima ward feels tucked away, with peaceful green spaces like Hikarigaoka and Shakujii parks, and the option to unwind in the garden-view hot springs at Toshimaen Garden Baths. When you’re ready to experience cities beyond Tokyo, a short train ride or flight makes it easy to explore temples in Kyoto, taste street food in Osaka, or even take weekend trips to South Korea or the Philippines.
THRIVE
Through Musashi University’s partnership with Japan IR&C Support Center, you’ll be able to access free 24/7 consultation services for help navigating uncertainty and culture shock, or when you simply need professional advice or support in English.
With a firm non-discrimination policy, a Diversity Center that offers consultations to students who have concerns about their identity, and maps of barrier-free buildings and accessible/gender neutral toilets on campus, you’ll have all the tools needed to feel supported and welcomed on campus. You can even seek advice or suggestions from ISEP alum, Brian Masshardt – a faculty member at the Global Education Center!
What We Love About Musashi University
If you’re seeking a gentler cultural transition while still living in proximity to one of the biggest cities in the world, Musashi is the program for you. Your home base is a short distance to Tokyo’s city center by train, but you’ll be nestled in a quiet neighborhood where you can thrive personally and academically. In Tokyo's Nerima ward, you'll the chance to immerse yourself in authentic Japanese daily life while still having all the advantages of a big city at your fingertips.
See ISEP Direct Budget and Expenses Here
Course Description
Musashi University's East Asian Studies (EAS) program offers students a variety of Asia-focused coursework in the liberal arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students can also take Japanese language courses from Introductory to Advanced level.
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn 12-15 credits which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 12-15 U.S. Credit Hours. Each course is usually worth 2-4 credits. Language classes are also generally 2-4 credits.
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Sample Classes Available:
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International Relations / Global Studies |
Japanese Language |
Social Sciences |
Asian Studies |
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Survey of Global Issues |
Introductory Japanese |
Fieldwork in Japan |
Globalization and Asia |
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Survey of Global Media & Communication |
Beginning Japanese |
Seminar in Visual Cultures |
Asian Philosophies & Thought |
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Topics in Global Business |
Pre-Intermediate Japanese |
Topics in Gender & Sexuality |
Modern Arts of Asia |
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Topics in Technology & Society |
Intermediate Japanese |
Survey of Identities in Asia |
Politics in Asia |
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Japan and International Society |
Advanced Japanese |
Comparative Perspectives on Asian Societies |
Studies of Asian Economies |
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
Students can choose from any of the classes offered in the EAS (East Asian Studies) program. Courses may be competitive, so students should be prepared with several back-up classes. All courses in the EAS program are taught in English.
Please use the link here for the EAS course list and syllabi.
Information about Japanese language classes can be found here.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
Select a semester to calculate the price. Semesters are named according to host university's calendar.Semester Tuition
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