Best fashion schools in Japan — Fashion is one of the every-trending things in the world today. And Japan isn’t left out of it.
Just like we have many schools for different professions and careers, so there are fashion schools. These fashion schools shape and inspire people who have the passion to bring evolution to the clothes we wear on a daily basis.
If you have passion for fashion, enrolling in a fashion school can be beneficial in many ways. Enrolling in a fashion school will:
- Teach students about the history of fashion design
- Empower students to boost their creative talents
- Help students to develop a sense of style
- Allow students to socialize and network with various groups of people
- Instill good business ethics in students
- Teach students feasible business practices useful in the fashion industry
As it is in all the countries of the world, there are many schools in Japan too. And this also includes fashion schools. So, in this article, I have gathered some of the best fashion schools in Japan.
But before we head over to that, check out the list of some of the many fashion schools in Japan.
List of Fashion Schools in Japan
- Bunka Fashion College
- Tokyo Mode Gakuen
- Tokyo Designer Gakuin College
- Sugino Fashion College
- Bunka Gakuen University
- Joshibi University of Art and Design
- Sugino Fashion College Hino Campus
- Esmod Japon
- Osaka Bunka Fashion College
- Tokyo Mode Gakuen
- Ueda College of Fashion
- The University of Tokyo
- Miyagi Bunka Fashion College
- Keio University
- Graduate Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies Niigata campus
- Waseda University
- University of Tsukuba
- International University of Japan
- Kyoto University
- Santa Monica International School
Best Fashion Schools in Japan
I have picked a handful of fashion schools in Japan that are the top-rated so far. In other words, they stand as the best in Japan and prove to help students fulfill their passion and have boosted the possibility of having a successful career.
The schools are listed in no particular order:
- Bunka Fukusou Gakuin
- ESMOD JAPON
- Joshibi University of Art and Design
- Mode Gakuen
- Mode Styling College
- Osaka Bunka Fukusou Gakuin
- Osaka Designers’ College
- Sugino Gakuen
- Tokyo Designer Gakuin
- Tokyo Fashion Senmon Gakkko
- Tokyo Fukushoku Senmon Gakko
- Vantan Design Institute
1. Bunka Fukusou Gakuin
Bunka Fukusou Gakuin is Japan’s most respected fashion design college. The school is known for its strict curriculum, a relentless workload, and many successful alumni. Many Bunka graduates have entered the Paris Collections. They strongly contribute to popularizing western style garments found in Japan through publication of books and education on dressmaking and fashion.
Bunka Body Structure and Function Lab in collaboration with the Digital Human Body Lab created a female body-form that perfectly mimics the body shape and proportions of modern Japanese women. Today, the body-form is hailed by fashion industries and schools.
In this school, there are four departments. And they include:
- General Fashion Department
- Fashion Technology Department
- Fashion Communication & Distribution Department
- Fashion Craft Department
Location: 3-22-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8522
Phone: (81) 03-3299-2057
Website: www.bunka-fc.ac.jp
2. ESMOD JAPON
ESMOD JAPON is known to be the first fashion school in the world. The ESMOD network has 6 schools in France and international campuses scattered abroad in Brazil, Japan, Norway, Germany, Syria, Lebanon, Indonesia, South Korea, Tunisia, China, and the United Arab Emirates. They offer courses in General Fashion and Fashion Technology.
ESMOD JAPON is focused on creation, technic, innovation and business whilst offering hybrid education which blends tradition and the newest technology. The school trains students who will play an active role in contributing to the fast-changing and developing fashion industry.
Also, ESMOD JAPON is known for their ability to help students become ready to start working as professionals once they emerge as graduates. In the school, students are taught by a number of European professors so they can receive an international fashion education.
Location: 3-29-6 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013.
Phone: (81) 03-5421-2232
Website: www.esmodjapon.co.jp
3. Joshibi University of Art and Design
Joshibi University of Art and Design strives to support the self-realization of each student and to develop every one of their students. They help students grasp the world around them in a comprehensive manner and offer something to society through their ideas, their judgments, and their actions.”
The fashion school aims to make students confront the challenging possibilities offered by fashion as art. Their program offers specialized education in apparel modeling, computer-based information education as well as other courses.
They have a number of departments which include:
- Fashion and Performance
- Painting, Oil Painting and PrintMaking
- Painting, Japanese Painting Course
- Crafts
- Sculpture
- Design
- Media Arts
- Science of Arts
- Curricula College of Art and Design
Location: 1900 Asamizodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 228-8538
Phone: (81) 042-778-6111
Website: www.joshibi.ac.jp
4. Mode Gakuen
Mode Gakuen is known to have a popular chain of fashion schools in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Paris, and France. They have an internship system with companies so that students can experience working at an actual work place before graduation.
Every year, Mode Gakuen invites 5 to 6 world famous designers to give lectures to their students. Their teachers have business experience and are active in their respective fields. In addition, the school provides original texts, case study, internship programs and group learning.
Mode Gakuen has extremely modern facilities and offers senior students a graduation trip to graduation festivals in which they make presentations which in some cases are broadcast on local TV. Also, the school offers a 100% Employment Guarantee System, in which students can continue to study, without having to pay school fees, until they find suitable positions.
Some of the courses they offer includes:
- Fashion design
- Fashion Technique
- Fashion Business
- Stylist
- Interior
- Graphic
- Make-Up
- Hair
Location: 1-6-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Tokyo 160-0023
Phone: (81) 03-3344-6000
Website: www.mode.ac.jp/tokyo
5. Mode Styling College
Mode Styling College has a large school chain and offers courses that prepare students for jobs where they are involved in fashion production. The school helps students master the required knowledge and skills of raw material production to the actual sewing.
Mode Styling College trains students to become fashion creators with an abundance of sensitivity and marketing ability to read the market. The school also helps students sell their own creations at an online store or through real-life fashion shows.
Students have the opportunity to partake in internship programs with companies. Their instructors are all well-known professionals, who teach a range of courses ranging from fashion to graphic design, interior design and other subjects to mold fully developed professionals.
Some of the courses offered at Mode Styling College includes:
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Business
- Styling Artists
- Hair, Make-up & Nail
- Color Factory,
- Wedding Planner
Location: 6-6-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023
Phone: (81) 03-3345-8817
Website: ha.athuman.com/mode/index.html
6. Osaka Designers’ College
Osaka Designers’ College,.also known as Osaka Dezaina Senmon Gakkou, offers a range of courses that prepares students for the huddles in the fashion industry. The school boasts that 95.8% of their students find jobs after graduation
All instructors are practicing designers. This allows students to learn the latest fashion and techniques with first-hand experience. Some of the courses they offer includes:
- Fashion Design
- Make-Up Art
- Special Make-Up and Effects
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Characters Design
- Animation
- Manga
- Computer Graphics
- Interior Design
- Interior Coordinator
- Product Design
- Total Visual Design
Location: 2-30-20 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0003
Phone: (81) 06-6345-4676
Website: www.odc.ac.jp
7. Tokyo Designer Gakuin
Tokyo Designer Gakuin is the first school in Japan to introduce animation to its curriculum. They teach courses in fashion history, materials, business acumen, technology and skills from drawing to pattern making to sewing. Tokyo Designer Gakuin strives to promote talent in fashion design alongside other creative fields like music and arts.
Their range of courses include:
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Stylist
- Fashion Business
- Fashion Coordinator
- Buyer
- Patterner
- Bridal Fashion
- Make-Up Artist
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Manga
- Animation
- Game Creator
- Product Design
- Art
- Interior Design
- Architectural Design
Location: 2-11 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062
Phone: +81 120-626-006
Website: www.tdg.ac.jp
8. Tokyo Fashion Senmon Gakko
Tokyo Fashion Senmon Gakko is well-known for placing importance on technical training and CAD based production as it plays an important role in their courses. Their classes are structured to be small so that students can grow closer to their instructors.
Classes usually start from color and sketches and then raise students’ abilities from there to complex courses. Their instructors are known to teach until students are satisfied in understanding. Some of the courses they offer include:
- Fashion Design
- Pattern Making
- Kimono Design
Location: 2-20 Akashi-machi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0044.
Phone: (81) 03-3541-8420
Website: www.tfi.ac.jp
9. Tokyo Fukushoku Senmon Gakko
Tokyo Fukushoku Senmon Gakko offers courses from fashion design to fashion business which helps students develop their own individual skills and style. The school uses the latest Mac and CAD systems in their classrooms.
Tokyo Fukushoku Senmon Gakko has strong relations with companies which assist students in finding employment. Potential students who show interest in Tokyo Fukushoku Senmon Gakko are offered the opportunity to experience the school for a day.
Some of the courses they offer include:
- Fashion Business
- Fashion Design
- Stylist
- Patterner
- Technical
Location: 1-19-7 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0002.
Phone: (81) 03-3946-7321
Website: www.tfac.ac.jp
10. Vantan Design Institute
Vantan Design Institute encourages students to participate in programs in order to study at a top fashion institute and to experience living in a culture different from their own. They have industry-experienced instructors who are active designers and support students on their first steps into the fashion world.
The school also offers effective internship programs so that students can gain real-work experience. Some of the courses they offer include:
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Styling
- Fashion Business
- Hairstyling & Make-Up
- Interior Design
- Photography
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Wedding
Location: 1-9-14 Ebisu-minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0022
Phone: +81 120-034-775
Website: www.vantan.com
Conclusion
Japan has a range of fashion schools that blend technology and culture into creating some of the most outstanding pieces of art. With the many fashion schools in the country, students are emerging with modern knowledge and skill set to introduce into the ever-changing Industry.
If you are passionate about fashion and don’t know which fashion school to attend in Japan, it is ideal to check out their courses and also give them a phone call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Japan is a good place to study fashion and also if you are into Asian fashion style.
Bunka Fukusou Gakuin, ESMOD JAPON, Joshibi University of Art and Design, Mode Gakuen, Mode Styling College, and Osaka Bunka Fukusou Gakuin are some of the schools where you can study fashion design in Japan.
Cost for studying fashion in Japan ranges according to course of study and school. Studying fashion design in Japan can cost about 800,000 yen to 1.5 million yen per year.
References
- we-xpats.com – New Class of Style Icons: Study Fashion Design in Japan
- japanesestreets.com – Fashion Schools
- fashionablymale.net – The Importance of Fashion Design School in The Industry
Recommendations
