Discovering Culture and Community in Kyoto, Where Tradition Meets Modernity: Otani University to Launch 'Department of Kyoto Culture' in Faculty of International Studies, April 2027

Otani University (Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Chancellor: Yasu Kigoshi) has officially received approval on June 18 for the establishment of the 'Department of Kyoto Culture (admission capacity: 40 students)' within its Faculty of International Studies, with opening scheduled for April 2027.

Founded in 1665 (Kanbun 5) as a seminary of the Nishi Hongan-ji Temple in Higashi Rokku, Kyoto, Otani University is rooted in the teachings of Shinran, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. The university's educational and research foundation is 'Human Studies,' a philosophy focused on cultivating 'character' rather than mere 'talent.' As an institution open to society, Otani University continues to make steady progress in contributing to the wider community.

The newly established Department of Kyoto Culture will use Kyoto—a globally recognized historical and cultural city—as its stage. Students will examine diverse aspects of Kyoto's culture, including food culture, cultural heritage, traditional industries, tourism, and pop culture, from international and interdisciplinary perspectives. The department aims to help students discover new values in Kyoto's culture, convey its charm to the world, and develop the ability to pass it on to future generations.

Faculty of International Studies: Department of Kyoto Culture Overview

▼ Admission Capacity

40 students

▼ Departmental Goals

The Department of Kyoto Culture aims to cultivate individuals who can explore Kyoto's traditional and modern cultures from international and interdisciplinary viewpoints, engage with diverse people based on the Buddhist principle of 'mutual respect and affection,' discover new values in Kyoto's culture, and support its development and sustainable utilization.

▼ Admission Policy

1. Applicants must have a strong interest in Kyoto's culture and history, and be able to clearly articulate their own thoughts and areas of interest.

2. Applicants must possess solid foundational academic skills, particularly in English and Japanese.

3. Applicants must demonstrate strong motivation to study one of the following as a second foreign language: German, French, Chinese, or Korean.

4. Applicants must show enthusiasm for using diverse expressive methods such as digital content creation to disseminate their acquired knowledge both domestically and internationally.

▼ Career Paths After Graduation

Travel agencies / Hotels and inns / Tourism and theme park-related industries / Traditional cultural industries / Railway and airline companies / Trading companies / Service and manufacturing industries / Civil service / Graduate school enrollment, etc.

▼ Qualifications That Can Be Obtained

Librarian / Social Education Officer Certification / Social Welfare Officer Certification / Museum Curator / Teacher of the Shinshu Otani-ha sect

What Is the Department of Kyoto Culture?

1. Rediscovering Kyoto Through New Perspectives

From ancient traditions to the latest cultural trends, students will develop the ability to discover a 'new Kyoto' through multifaceted viewpoints.

2. Kyoto as a Full-Scale Learning Field

Students will learn by going out into the city, interacting with people, and engaging in hands-on activities. Project-based learning will help them develop practical skills applicable to their future careers.

3. Creating Sustainable Tourism in Kyoto

While preserving traditions, students will help shape the future of tourism. They will develop the ability to address societal challenges.

4. Digitally Promoting Kyoto's Charm

Students will learn to express Kyoto's appeal through videos, written content, and social media, cultivating the ability to communicate effectively both domestically and internationally using English and other languages.

Featured Courses (Selected Examples)

Introduction to Kyoto Fieldwork

Students will learn research methods such as interviews and observation, and develop the ability to formulate questions using Kyoto as a subject.

Kyoto Culture Seminar

Through repeated fieldwork and presentations, students will explore Kyoto's culture—from traditional to modern—through their own research questions.

Walking Kyoto's Nature (Trekking)

Students will physically walk locations such as Mount Kurama and the Kamo River, gaining experiential understanding of the connections between natural environments and religion, history, and culture.

Introduction to Kyoto Pop Culture

Using modern culture such as manga and anime as entry points, students will uncover the new charms of Kyoto as a traditional city.

Cultural Expression Seminar

Using literature and music as themes, students will explore the relationship between culture and society through expressive media such as audio and video.

Department of Kyoto Culture Special Website

(https://www.otani.ac.jp/admission/kyoto-culture.html)