University Facts and Figures

What is Kwansei Gakuin University?

Kwansei Gakuin is one of the most prestigious private schools in Japan, dating back to 1889, when it was founded in Kobe by the American missionary Reverend Walter Russell Lambuth, M.D. It is now a comprehensive and integrated educational institution spread across eight campuses. Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU)—colloquially known as Kangaku—is a private nondenominational Christian university in the Kansai region of Japan. As one of Kansai's leading private universities, KGU offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees to around 26,000 students in over 80 different disciplines across 14 undergraduate schools and 14 graduate schools. Most schools are located on the Nishinomiya Uegahara Campus. The School of Policy Studies and the School of Science and Technology are located on the Kobe Sanda Campus, while the Nishinomiya Seiwa Campus is home to the School of Education.

Where is Kwansei Gakuin University?

Kwansei Gakuin is located in Hyogo Prefecture in the Kansai region, Japan's second-largest urban region following the Tokyo metropolitan area. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Hyogo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Shiga, and Wakayama. As part of one of the world's most productive economic areas, Hyogo is home to many thriving industries, as well as Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also offers beautiful natural vistas, with three national parks and coastlines on two seas.

Kwansei Gakuin University's main campus, the Nishinomiya Uegahara Campus, is located in the city of Nishinomiya, which is under an hour away from the metropolitan areas of Kobe and Osaka and under 90 minutes away from the heart of Kyoto. Nishinomiya is a suburban city with a population of about 480,000 people, and has been developed as an "educational residential district" by taking advantage of the convenient location and rich natural environment. The city is famous for its sake brewery district and many cake factories.

Local attractions in Nishinomiya include Koshien Stadium, the home stadium for the Hanshin Tigers professional baseball team and the site of the annual high school baseball championship tournament. Koshien Stadium also hosts the National Collegiate American Football Championship title game (the Koshien Bowl), where the KGU Fighters have hoisted the trophy 34 times, including a record of six straight titles from 2018 to 2023.