Temple University is significantly expanding its reach in Japan with the opening of a second major site in metropolitan Tokyo. Building on the launch of its Kyoto satellite location in early 2025, this expansion reflects Temple’s long-term commitment to an affordable, high-quality, English-language global education in Japan, the development of future talent and cross-border collaboration.
On February 27, 2026, the Japan Campus of Temple University (TUJ) completed the purchase of a 7,000-square-meter (75,347-square-foot), eight-story academic building in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Named the Hillside Center, the classroom-ready facility is located 25-30 minutes door-to-door from TUJ’s City Campus in Sangenjaya (Setagaya). The nearest station is Mizonokuchi on the Den-en-toshi Line, located even closer to TUJ’s student residence halls and just two express train stops from the City Campus and three express stops from Shibuya.
This landmark expansion marks a significant strategic step during what is shaping up to be the most dynamic period in the University’s nearly 45-years history in Japan. With more than 3,300 degree-seeking students at the City Campus plus nearly 350 students at TUJ Kyoto, TUJ continues to expand at an unprecedented pace. Over the past five years, TUJ’s undergraduate enrollment has nearly tripled.
Classes at the new Hillside Center will begin in August 2026 for Japanese and international students. The second Tokyo location will support continued growth while enhancing academic facilities, strengthening student retention, expanding extracurricular offerings, and supporting new programs.
“The opening of a second major location in the Tokyo metropolitan area marks an important milestone for Temple University in Japan,” said TUJ’s President and Dean Matthew Wilson. “Our mission extends beyond growth as we educate future leaders who possess the global perspective, cross-cultural understanding, and communication skills necessary to successfully navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Through TUJ, we are helping to build bridges among Japan, the United States, and countries around the world.”
Unique in the Region
At a time when many universities are facing declining enrollment due to the Japan’s aging demographics, TUJ’s growth is unusually rare. As the oldest and largest branch campus of a foreign university in Japan, TUJ now hosts students from about 90 countries and regions, with about 25 percent from Japan, 47 percent from the United States and the remainder from around the world.
TUJ is a comprehensive branch campus of Temple University, a globally ranked, top-tier public U.S. university based in Philadelphia. Founded in 1884, Temple is a top-50 publicly ranked institution that is one of only 21 American universities to hold both the highest research designation, Research 1 (R1), and the Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications.
TUJ was officially recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2005 and designated as a Foreign University, Japan Campus. TUJ is the only American university in Japan offering 12 undergraduate degrees in which students can complete an entire American degree in Japan. TUJ also offers master’s and PhD degrees in four graduate programs in law, business, education, and communications. As TUJ steadily attracts students from around the world seeking a high-quality education in Japan and the broader Asia region, it provides a foundation for students to learn about Japan, its culture, and its language.
Many Features at TUJ’s Hillside Center
The Hillside Center will house general education courses in the liberal arts and STEM fields, as well as first-year and Bridge Program courses. The university anticipates that about 800 to 1,000 students will study at the Hillside Center in the fall 2026 semester, with many academic and extracurricular activities taking place at the new location.
The center will feature 23 classrooms and two multipurpose rooms equipped with hyflex technology. The second Tokyo site will include a 300-seat auditorium, library, fitness center, music rooms, esports lab, dance and recreation areas, and extensive student space. The second location offers meaningful advantages for TUJ’s growing faculty and staff while easing schedule pressures in Sangenjaya.
Continued Expansion of Facilities
Since relocating to its current City Campus in 2019, TUJ has expanded its footprint adding four neighborhood locations in recent years, including the three-story “Owl Center,” which opened in fall 2024. In January 2025, TUJ launched its second major location in Japan in Kyoto, near the world-famous Fushimi Inari Shrine.
To support continued growth at TUJ Kyoto, the university recently added an additional floor of classrooms and expanded its inventory of student housing to more than 300 apartments, many located within walking distance of the campus. TUJ plans to add more classrooms by expanding within its current location by the summer semester as student interest continues to grow following the launch of new programs, including the Honors Program and the Master of Science in Communication Management program in September 2025.
Other related stories
- Temple University Japan Launching Adult Study Abroad Program in Kyoto (November 14, 2025)
- Temple University Japan Shatters Previous All-Time Student Enrollment Highs (October 6, 2025)
- Temple University Marks Historic Opening of New Kyoto Location (January 24, 2025)