Seeing Is Believing: 2026 Open Campus Events at English-Medium University Programs in Japan

Why Attend Open Campus Events?

Not long ago, families looking for English-language degree programs in Japan were likely all considering the same small handful of options, much as parents looking at English-language programs at private junior and senior high schools often ended up visiting the same information sessions. That is no longer the case.

The University of Tokyo’s new College of Design has attracted the most attention, but it is part of a broader shift in English-medium courses in Japan. Tohoku University has announced Gateway College, and Tokyo Metropolitan University is expanding English-taught degree options of its own from 2028. Taken together, these moves suggest that families now have more serious English-medium choices in Japan than they did even a few years ago.

For families exploring university options, the question is no longer simply whether it is possible to study in English while remaining in Japan. The harder question is how to tell which of these programs is actually the right fit.

One thing families sometimes underestimate is just how different these programs can be. Some English-medium programs are basically traditional Japanese university structures taught in English. Others feel much closer to liberal-arts or overseas-style systems, with more discussion, more exploration across fields, and a very different campus culture. That is hard to see from rankings or brochures alone; it becomes much clearer when families visit and talk to current students.

With that in mind, here are a few universities and programs worth exploring this summer, online or in-person. While catching an open campus event may provide the most insight, many universities also allow visitors on guided and unguided tours throughout the year.

Be sure to check each institution’s webpage when planning your visit as universities may continue to update details throughout the season.

Open Campus Events: Summer 2026

Waseda University: School of International Liberal Studies (SILS)

Waseda’s SILS program remains one of Japan’s best-known English-medium liberal arts programs. Part of its appeal is flexibility: students can take courses across disciplines, study in both English and Japanese, and, mandatory for domestic students, spend time abroad. Just as important, many students are drawn to the program’s genuinely international atmosphere.

Waseda University’s open campus events are scheduled for August 1st and 2nd.

For more information, visit: https://www.waseda.jp/inst/admission/visiting/opencampus/

Sophia University: Faculty of Liberal Arts (FLA)

Sophia’s FLA can be a strong option for students who want discussion-heavy liberal arts study in a more urban setting. The appeal is not only academic flexibility, but the combination of writing-intensive classes, an international student body, and a campus right in central Tokyo.

Sophia’s information session for English-taught programs is scheduled for July 12th.
Additional open campus events are scheduled for August 4th–5th.

For more information, visit: https://adm.sophia.ac.jp/jpn/event_ad/

The University of Tokyo: College of Design

The University of Tokyo’s new College of Design is notable not only because it is new, but because it signals a willingness to rethink how undergraduate education is structured. English-medium and interdisciplinary by design, it reflects a broader effort to make these programs attractive to both Japanese and international students.

UTokyo’s College of Design only offers online workshops and introductory sessions for prospective students at this time.

For more information, visit: https://design.adm.u-tokyo.ac.jp/events/

Keio University: Global Information and Governance Academic (GIGA)

Keio’s GIGA is one of the more obvious choices for students who want something less conventional. The curriculum allows more mixing of fields than most undergraduate programs in Japan, and the overall atmosphere may be especially worth a look for students interested in technology, policy, entrepreneurship, and project-based work.

Keio’s information session for GIGA is scheduled for June 26th, July 10th, and July 31st.
Additional open campus events for Keio SFC can be found in the links below.

For more information, visit:

• https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/sfc-pem/contact/visit/giga/
• https://www.keio.ac.jp/ja/sfc-pem/admission/prospective/open-campus/

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

APU has one of the most internationally diverse student populations in Japan, with students from dozens of countries studying together in both Japanese and English. Its strengths are especially visible in areas such as international business, sustainability, tourism, and intercultural communication. For students who want a campus that feels unmistakably multinational without leaving Japan, APU stands out.

APU’s open campus events are scheduled for July 11th, July 12th, and November 1st.

For more information, visit: https://www.apumate.net/event/opencampus/

Temple University Japan Campus

Temple University Japan offers an American-style curriculum taught entirely in English in Tokyo. Students study under a US university system and may transfer between campuses in Japan, the United States, and Rome. It is often a better fit for students who know they want something structurally different from the standard Japanese university model.

Temple University’s open campus events are scheduled for July 19th and August 9th.
Additional information sessions are scheduled throughout the summer, between June 14th and August 23rd.

For more information, visit: https://www.tuj.ac.jp/ug/info-sessions

Lakeland University Japan

Lakeland University Japan is another Tokyo-based option for families who want a more American-style structure, especially smaller classes, closer advising, and a clearer transfer route to the United States. For some students, the attraction is not prestige but manageability: a smaller environment, more direct support, and a softer landing before any move abroad.

Lakeland University Japan offers open campus events nearly every month.

For more information, visit: https://luj.lakeland.edu/open-campus

Additional Opportunities

Be on the lookout for additional opportunities to participate in open campus events. Some universities have yet to publish upcoming open campus events though information from previous events is available. For example: Akita International University and Yokohama City University.

An open campus event is a chance to experience everyday student life. This can help families better understand what kind of university experience may actually be the best fit.