Fashion Schools in Japan is a topic that captures the imagination of aspiring designers and fashion enthusiasts alike. With their unique blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and cutting-edge contemporary designs, Japan’s fashion schools have earned a reputation for producing some of the most innovative and creative designers in the industry.
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From Tokyo to Kyoto, these schools offer a variety of programs that cater to all levels of expertise, from beginners to seasoned professionals. So, if you’re looking to take your passion for fashion to the next level, look no further than Fashion Schools in Japan.
The List of Fashion Schools in Japan
Discover the world of Japanese fashion and let these schools help you unlock your true potential as a designer.
Bunka Fashion College
Bunka Fashion College is a prestigious private fashion college located in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1919, making it one of the oldest and most well-respected fashion schools in Japan. Bunka Fashion College offers a variety of courses in fashion design, fashion business, and fashion technology, all taught by experienced professionals in the industry.
The college has a long history of producing some of the most successful fashion designers in Japan and around the world. Notable alumni include Yohji Yamamoto, Kenzo Takada, Tsumori Chisato, and Junya Watanabe. Bunka Fashion College has also been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a quality institution of higher education. Find more information here.
Tokyo Mode Gakuen
Tokyo Mode Gakuen is a fashion school in Tokyo, Japan, that was founded in 1966. The school offers a wide range of programs in fashion design, fashion styling, fashion marketing, and fashion technology. Tokyo Mode Gakuen is known for its innovative approach to fashion education, combining traditional techniques with cutting-edge technology.
The school has won numerous awards for its outstanding contributions to the fashion industry, including the prestigious “Innovative Education Award” from the Japan Fashion Week Organization. Tokyo Mode Gakuen is also famous for its annual fashion show, “Tokyo Girls Collection,” which features the latest designs from the school’s students and alumni. Find more information here.
Vantan Design Institute
Vantan Design Institute is a private fashion and design school with campuses in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. The school was established in 1965 and offers a variety of programs in fashion design, fashion marketing, graphic design, and animation. Vantan Design Institute is known for its hands-on approach to education, providing students with practical skills and real-world experience.
The school has been recognized for its excellence in fashion education by the Japan Fashion Week Organization and has won multiple awards for its contributions to the fashion industry. Vantan Design Institute is also famous for its annual fashion show, “Vantan Fashion Show,” which showcases the work of the school’s most talented students. Find more information here.
Tama Art University
Tama Art University is a public art and design university located in Tokyo, Japan. The school was founded in 1935 and offers a variety of programs in art, design, and architecture, including a highly respected fashion design program. Tama Art University is known for its commitment to creativity and innovation, encouraging students to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of their craft.
The school has been recognized for its excellence in education by the Japanese Ministry of Education and has won numerous awards for its contributions to the art and design industry. Tama Art University has also produced several notable fashion designers, including Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Kenzo Takada. Find more information here.
Osaka University of Arts
Osaka University of Arts is a public art and design university located in Osaka, Japan. The school was established in 1949 and offers a variety of programs in art, design, music, and film. The university’s fashion design program is highly respected, with a focus on traditional Japanese techniques and craftsmanship.
Osaka University of Arts has been recognized for its excellence in education by the Japanese Ministry of Education and has won multiple awards for its contributions to the arts and culture industry. The university’s fashion design program is known for its emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices, with a focus on creating garments that are both beautiful and environmentally responsible. Find more information here.
Aoyama Gakuin University
Aoyama Gakuin University, located in Tokyo, Japan, was founded in 1874 by Methodist Episcopal Church missionaries. It started as a small school for boys but later expanded to include a university. The university has a fashion program that offers courses such as fashion design, fashion merchandising, and fashion marketing. The program has produced many successful fashion designers, including Yohji Yamamoto and Kenzo Takada. Aoyama Gakuin University is recognized as one of the top fashion schools in Japan. Find more information here.
Kyoto University of Art and Design
Kyoto University of Art and Design is a private art university located in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in 1991 and is known for its strong focus on traditional Japanese art and culture. The university’s fashion program offers courses in fashion design, textile design, and fashion business. The program has produced many successful fashion designers, including Chisato Tsumori and Junya Watanabe. Kyoto University of Art and Design is recognized as one of the top fashion schools in Japan. Find more information here.
Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences
Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences, located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, was founded in 1988. The university’s fashion program offers courses in fashion design, textile design, and fashion merchandising. The program is known for its emphasis on practical skills and has produced many successful fashion designers, including Kansai Yamamoto and Hiroko Koshino. Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences is recognized as one of the top fashion schools in Japan. Find more information here.
Kobe Design University
Kobe Design University, located in Kobe, Japan, was founded in 1989. The university’s fashion program offers courses in fashion design, textile design, and fashion marketing. The program is known for its emphasis on creativity and innovation and has produced many successful fashion designers, including Tadashi Shoji and Junko Koshino. Kobe Design University is recognized as one of the top fashion schools in Japan. Find more information here.
Kanazawa College of Art
Kanazawa College of Art, located in Kanazawa, Japan, was founded in 1946. The college’s fashion program offers courses in fashion design, textile design, and fashion merchandising. The program is known for its emphasis on craftsmanship and traditional Japanese techniques and has produced many successful fashion designers, including Issey Miyake and Yuki Torii. Kanazawa College of Art is recognized as one of the top fashion schools in Japan. Find more information here.
Tokyo Zokei University:
Established in 1949, Tokyo Zokei University is a private art university located in Hachioji, Tokyo. It has a long history of producing notable artists, designers, and animators. The university offers courses in various fields such as fine arts, design, and architecture. Some of the notable alumni of Tokyo Zokei University include manga artist Naoki Urasawa and film director Mamoru Oshii. The university has also been recognized for its excellence in art education and research, winning the Education Minister’s Award for Fine Arts in 2013. Find more information here.
Tohoku University of Art and Design:
Tohoku University of Art and Design is a private art university located in Yamagata, Japan. It was founded in 1967 as the Tohoku Women’s Art College and became a co-educational institution in 2008. The university offers programs in fine arts, design, and media arts. One of the notable alumni of the university is contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, who is known for his superflat art style. Tohoku University of Art and Design has also been recognized for its research and innovation, winning the Good Design Award in 2019. Find more information here.
Joshibi University of Art and Design:
Joshibi University of Art and Design is a private art university located in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. It was established in 1900 as the Joshibi Girls’ School and became a university in 1963. The university offers courses in fine arts, design, and crafts. Some of the notable alumni of Joshibi University of Art and Design include fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto and artist Yayoi Kusama. The university has also been recognized for its contribution to art education, winning the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award in 2014. Find more information here.
Musashino Art University:
Musashino Art University is a national university located in Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1962 as the Musashino Art School and became a university in 1967. The university offers programs in fine arts, design, and conservation. One of the notable alumni of Musashino Art University is fashion designer Kenzo Takada, who founded the fashion house Kenzo. The university has also been recognized for its research and innovation, winning the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Prize in 2017. Find more information here.
Sojo University:
Sojo University is a private university located in Kumamoto, Japan. It was founded in 1949 as Sojo Women’s College and became a co-educational institution in 2014. The university offers courses in various fields including fine arts, design, and architecture. One of the notable alumni of Sojo University is the manga artist and animator Hayao Miyazaki, who co-founded the animation studio Studio Ghibli. The university has also been recognized for its contribution to regional development, winning the Kumamoto Cultural Prize in 2019. Find more information here.
Kyushu University of Design
Kyushu University of Design is a private university located in Fukuoka, Japan. Founded in 1963 as the Kyushu Industrial Arts College, it was renamed to its current name in 1998. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in design, art, and architecture. It is well known for its strong focus on practical training and real-world experience, with partnerships with over 1,000 companies and organizations.
Notable alumni from Kyushu University of Design include fashion designer Issey Miyake, who is known for his avant-garde designs and use of innovative fabrics. Other notable alumni include graphic designer Taku Satoh and industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa. The university has been recognized for its excellence in design education and has been ranked as one of the top design schools in Japan. Find more information here.
Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University
Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University is a private university located in Hiroshima, Japan. It was founded in 1965 as a fashion school and has since expanded to offer programs in fashion design, graphic design, and art. The university is known for its strong emphasis on creativity and innovation, and its graduates are highly sought after by top fashion and design companies.
Notable alumni from Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University include fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto, who is known for his avant-garde designs and use of dark colors. Other notable alumni include graphic designer Kenya Hara and fashion designer Tsumori Chisato. The university has received numerous awards for its contributions to the fashion and design industry and is recognized as one of the leading fashion schools in Japan. Find more information here.
Setsunan University
Setsunan University is a private university located in Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan. It was founded in 1966 as the Setsunan Junior College of Dressmaking and has since expanded to offer programs in fashion design, fashion merchandising, and textile design. The university is known for its emphasis on practical training and its strong partnerships with the fashion industry.
Notable alumni from Setsunan University include fashion designer Junko Koshino, who is known for her bold and colorful designs. Other notable alumni include textile artist Reiko Sudo and fashion designer Akira Minagawa. The university has been recognized for its contributions to the fashion industry and has received numerous awards for its innovative designs and educational programs. Find more information here.
Tokyo University of the Arts
Tokyo University of the Arts, also known as Geidai, is a national university located in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1949 and offers programs in fine arts, music, and film. The university has a long history of producing some of Japan’s most renowned artists and designers.
Notable alumni from Tokyo University of the Arts include fashion designer Yuniya Kawamura, who is known for her research on the globalization of the fashion industry. Other notable alumni include artist Yayoi Kusama and fashion designer Jun Takahashi. The university has been recognized for its excellence in the arts and has been ranked as one of the top art schools in Japan. Find more information here.
Osaka University of Arts and Sciences
Osaka University of Arts and Sciences is a private university located in Osaka, Japan. It was founded in 1994 as a merger between two schools and offers programs in art, design, and cultural studies. The university is known for its focus on interdisciplinary education and its commitment to fostering creativity and innovation.
Notable alumni from the Osaka University of Arts and Sciences include fashion designer Nigo, who is known for founding the clothing brand A Bathing Ape. Other notable alumni include artist Tabaimo and fashion designer Mihara Yasuhiro. The university has been recognized for its contributions to the arts. Find more information here.
