The new eight-story facility will welcome students this fall. Once open, it will offer General Education courses for all students, a first-year experience program for new students and bridge program courses for students who have been conditionally accepted into TUJ’s undergraduate program.
This fall, Temple Japan will open a second Tokyo-area location: the Hillside Center in the central and suburban Tokyo area of Mizonokuchi (Kawasaki). The image here is a 3D rendering of the campus.
Photo by Temple Japan
This past fall, Temple University Japan (TUJ) enrolled more than 3,500 degree-seeking students for the first time in its history. This came on the heels of it opening a new satellite location in Kyoto in January 2025.
Now, the oldest and largest American university in Japan is ready for the next step in its growth.
Earlier today, TUJ announced that it will open a second Tokyo-area location: the Hillside Center in the central and suburban Tokyo area of Mizonokuchi (Kawasaki). The eight-story facility will open its doors to students this August, where it will offer General Education courses for all students, a dynamic first-year experience program and entry-level courses for new students, and bridge program courses for students who have been conditionally accepted into TUJ’s undergraduate program.
“This is a vivid example of Temple University’s worldwide reach and how we leverage our international campuses to provide our students with global learning experiences,” Temple President John Fry said. “In recent years, we have seen tremendous growth, both at our Temple Japan and Temple Rome campuses, and the opening of the Hillside Center serves as the latest example of that. This new center also reflects the priorities of our strategic plan, Forward with Purpose, and our continued commitment to student success. We know that students who study abroad develop cultural competencies that allow them to stand out, and we are excited to offer additional global learning experiences to even more members of the Temple community.”
Located just a short distance from TUJ’s city campus, the Hillside Center also offers a better commute for first-year students living in TUJ residence halls. Moving forward, new TUJ students will start their studies at the Hillside Center before transitioning to the city campus for later semesters.
Once the Hillside Center opens this fall, it is expected that between 800 to 1,000 students will take courses there each semester.
“Building on our recent launch of a satellite location in Kyoto, TUJ’s second major location in the Tokyo metropolitan area represents a significant step forward for international education and Temple’s global engagement,” said TUJ Dean Matthew Wilson. “While this expansion reflects our continued growth, our core purpose remains centered on preparing students from Pennsylvania and around the world to lead in a globally connected society. We are committed to cultivating graduates who bring intercultural awareness, strong communication abilities and a broad international outlook to their work. Through TUJ, we strengthen the ties among Japan, the United States and other countries.”
The 75,000-square-foot Hillside Center has been designed around student success, support and connection. From an academic standpoint, it includes 23 modern classrooms with hybrid learning technology; a 300-seat auditorium for lectures, performances, films and special events; a learning center with tutoring support and a library; and multiple study lounges and rooftop gardens.
Just as importantly, it also enhances student life and recreation opportunities for TUJ students. Once open, the Hillside Center will have a state-of-the-art fitness center, a dance studio and music rooms, club activity spaces, and an esports room, as well as pool tables, ping pong and outdoor recreation areas.
The Hillside Center has been entirely funded by TUJ, which has seen its enrollment nearly triple over the last five years. TUJ hosts students from nearly 100 countries and regions, with approximately 47% of the student population coming from the United States, 25% coming from Japan and the remainder coming from other countries.
TUJ’s enrollment growth is most pronounced among its undergraduate population, which has increased steadily over the past decade, rising from 940 students in fall 2015 to its current total of more than 3,400 students in spring 2026. It is projected to grow further in the years to come, which makes the opening of the Hillside Center all the more important.
"The Hillside Center will be purposefully designed to support student success from day one—academically, socially and professionally,” Wilson said. “This new complex strengthens TUJ’s capacity to serve a growing and truly international student body, while deepening our engagement with the greater Tokyo community. It is an investment not only in the university’s future, but also in the success and well-being of every student who pursues a Temple education in Japan.”
