International Christian University, Private Christian university in Mitaka, Japan
The International Christian University is a private institution in Mitaka, west of Tokyo, that covers roughly 150 acres of wooded grounds. Along with lecture halls and administrative offices, the campus holds a traditional tea house and several sites used for archaeological research.
The university began operations in 1949 as Japan's first liberal arts college, initiated through cooperation between Prince Takamatsu, General Douglas MacArthur, and Bank of Japan Governor Hisato Ichimada. The founding took place during the post-war period and aimed to establish a new form of higher education in the country.
Students at International Christian University receive education in both English and Japanese languages, with 30 percent of courses conducted entirely in English.
The institution follows a trimester calendar with three terms each year, allowing students to adjust their academic schedules to match their educational goals. The campus sits in a wooded setting and offers quiet study areas as well as open spaces for relaxation between classes.
The Diffendorfer Memorial Hall on campus is recognized as Japan's first comprehensive student center and was named after an American missionary. The building still serves as a central gathering point for campus life and symbolizes the international orientation of the founding period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
