Yoshida dormitory

Yoshida Dormitory is a student residence on Yoshida Campus in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto. The complex holds 120 Japanese-style rooms distributed between a traditional wooden house and a modern extension, plus shared kitchens and bathrooms.

The residence opened in 1913 and stands as the oldest student dormitory in Japan. Part of the dining hall dates from 1889, when the building belonged to another campus of the university.

The name Yoshida comes from the campus where the residence stands, linking it to the academic identity of the city. Residents manage the building together and organize a festival in May, when students run along the river and hold other activities.

The dormitory sits on the Kyoto University campus in Sakyō-ku and can be reached by train or bus from central Kyoto. Rooms are available only to enrolled students, and applications go through the residents' committee on site.

Since the 1970s, residents have resisted several attempts by the university administration to close the dormitory and retain full control over its management. This autonomy remains unusual for state university buildings in Japan and reflects a long tradition of student self-determination.

Location: Sakyō-ku

Website: https://yoshidaryo.org

GPS coordinates: 35.02240,135.78000

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:22