Experience more university courses – Kyoto, the “City of Universities,” is your campus of learning.
The more than 40 universities and organizations affiliated with the Kyoto University Consortium each offer unique lifelong learning courses. Launched in 2016, the “University Relay Courses” program aims to introduce citizens to a variety of original courses, each showcasing the distinctive features of its respective university—courses not previously offered at Kyoto College—by having each university conduct them in a relay format at Campus Plaza Kyoto.
In 2026, in addition to the existing lifelong learning programs, we will also be offering university recurrent education courses specifically for working professionals. Experience the diverse learning opportunities available at each university in Kyoto, the “City of Universities.”
Implementation Overview
- Capacity:
- 250 participants per session (advance registration required, first-come, first-served basis)
*Advance registration (first-come, first-served basis) is required for each session. Those who have not completed the registration process will not be able to participate. - time:
- 13:30 – 15:00 (Registration time: 13:00)
- venue:
- Campus Plaza Kyoto, 4th Floor
- Note:
- Please note that courses may be postponed, canceled, or have their content changed. The latest information will be posted on the Kyoto University Consortium website under “Important Announcements,” so please check there for updates.
Event information flyer
“2026 Lifelong Learning Courses: University Relay Courses” [PDF]
Application method
- 【important】
- Those wishing to participate in the university relay lectures must register in advance for each session (first-come, first-served basis).
*Registration will close once the capacity is reached.
*Please note that those who have not registered will not be able to attend.
<Application Procedure>
STEP 1 Please apply using the application form button in the list of courses below.
*Your name, phone number, and email address are required when applying.
STEP 2 You will receive a participation confirmation email at the email address you entered in the application form.
STEP 3 Please present your participation confirmation to the reception staff on the day of the course.
List of Courses Offered
A button labeled “Apply Here” will appear during the application period. Please apply for your desired course within the application period (advance application required, first-come, first-served).
*If it is outside the application period, “Application Period Closed” will be displayed, and if the application period has ended, “Application Closed” will be displayed.
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, May 16th | Shuchiin University What do the scriptures teach? – The secrets of the scriptures, beginning with “Thus I have heard” |
What do Buddhist scriptures teach? From early Buddhist texts to Mahayana and esoteric Buddhist scriptures, every scripture begins with, “Thus I heard: Once the World-Honored One said…” This is an important clue to understanding Buddhism. This time, we will explore the “secrets of scriptures” together, using the Heart Sutra, the Avalokiteśvara Sutra, and the Vajrasekhara Sutra as examples. |
| Sudan Shakya Shuchiin University Professor, Faculty of Humanities |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): May 2nd (Sat) 9:00 AM to May 13th (Wed) 4:30 PM
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, May 23rd | Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Living with Early-Onset Dementia: Reflections from Medical Understanding and the Voices of Those Affected |
“Early-onset dementia,” which develops in people in their prime working years, has a significant impact not only on the individual but also on their family and community. What happens to social life after the onset of dementia? In this course, the first half will provide a clear explanation of the basic medical knowledge and characteristics of the symptoms, and in the second half, we will welcome a person who has lived with dementia to share their experiences and deepen understanding through questions from participants. |
| Jin Narimoto Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Professor, Department of Psychopathology, Graduate School of Medicine |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): Saturday, May 9th, 9:00 AM to Wednesday, May 20th, 4:30 PM
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, June 27th | Doshisha Women’s University The Form of Tourism in Kyoto as Seen Through Historical Iconographic Materials – Let’s Look at Documents from the Edo Period – |
During the Edo period in Kyoto, numerous tourist guidebooks and maps, such as “Miyako Meisho Zue” (Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in Kyoto) and “Kyoto Daizu” (Great Map of Kyoto), were published. This article will introduce the origins of these materials, the characteristics of Kyoto tourism as seen from the documents they contain, and how they differ from those of today. |
| Taro Amano Doshisha Women’s University Professor, Faculty of Contemporary Society |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): June 13th (Sat) 9:00 AM to June 24th (Wed) 4:30 PM
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, July 4th | Hanazono University Food and Culture in Zen Temples: A Study Based on Documents from Japan and China |
It is said that Shakyamuni Buddha ate milk porridge before attaining enlightenment. In the past, foods believed to be derived from this were consumed in Zen temples and spread to general society in Japan, but eventually disappeared. This book explores the food culture of ancient Zen monks, using documents from both Japan and China as clues. |
| Tairyu Ogawa Hanazono University Professor, Faculty of Letters |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): June 20th (Sat) 9:00 AM to July 1st (Wed) 4:30 PM
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, September 19th | The Plasticity of the “Shuntokumaru Legend” at Kyoto Seika University — Playing at the Edge of Legend — |
The legend of Shuntokumaru, originating in Osaka, tells the story of a blind boy afflicted with a serious illness. Since ancient times, it has been adapted in various forms, including the Noh play “Yoroboshi,” Buddhist narrative ballads, Joruri, Kabuki, Rakugo, Biwa storytelling, novels, and plays. This presentation introduces my ongoing creative work and research as a contemporary artist, exploring the cutting edge of this legend. |
| Yusuke Nakano / Paramodel Kyoto Seika University Professor, Faculty of Arts |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): September 5th (Sat) 9:00 AM to September 16th (Wed) 4:30 PM
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, October 3rd | Otani University Understanding Regional Diversity Through Sociology: Building Multicultural Communities |
With the increase in foreign residents, Japanese communities are entering a new phase. Drawing on my experience as a university sociology professor and as a government official involved in regional policy, I will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the changes in communities, including those involving foreign residents. Through case studies of municipalities advanced in accepting foreigners and the latest information, this course will help us think together about hints for future community development. |
| Naoki Sannomiya Otani University Associate Professor, Faculty of Sociology |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): September 19th (Sat) 9:00 AM to September 30th (Wed) 4:30 PM
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, October 10th | Kyoto Bunkyo University The Buddhist Worldview as Seen Through the Daily Service of the Jodo Sect |
This article explores the fundamental Buddhist worldview through the content, rituals, and procedures of the “Daily Service,” a daily recitation of sutras in the Jodo sect, which involves burning incense to purify oneself, showing reverence to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), invoking Tathagatas and Bodhisattvas, confessing one’s sins, and then chanting sutras and reciting the Buddha’s name. |
| Masakiyo Hayashi Kyoto Bunkyo University Professor, Faculty of Child Education |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): September 26th (Sat) 9:00 AM to October 7th (Wed) 4:30 PM
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, October 24th | Otani University A Culture of Healing: Case Studies from Traditional Thai Medicine |
In Thailand, a wide variety of knowledge and techniques related to health care have been passed down from region to region and from practitioner to practitioner, including massage and herbal medicine. This article will introduce these traditional Thai medical practices and explore what it truly means to heal a person. |
| Nobuko Furuya Otani University Associate Professor, Faculty of Sociology |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): October 10th (Sat) 9:00 AM to October 24th (Wed) 4:30 PM
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, November 21st | Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College The Path Walked by Jianzhen: Focusing on Hainan Island, Sanya, Guilin, and Yangshuo |
This book focuses on the time when Jianzhen (founder of Toshodai-ji Temple) planned to travel to Japan at the request of Eiei and Fushō, but failed, and his stays in Sanya (Hainan Island), Guilin, and Yangshuo in what is now the People’s Republic of China. In particular, it describes the scenery that Jianzhen saw just before he lost his sight, including Dayun Temple in Sanya, Qixia Temple in Guilin, and Jianshan Temple in Yangshuo. |
| Mitsunori Nakasone Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College Associate Professor, Department of Life Design |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): November 7th (Sat) 9:00 AM to November 18th (Wed) 4:30 PM
| schedule | University offering the course, theme, and instructor. | Course outline |
| Saturday, December 5th | Otani University Geology and Culture of the Japanese Archipelago |
In the Japanese archipelago, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent, how have people perceived geology? Focusing on cultural geology, which has recently attracted attention in the world of geology, this work will unravel the relationship between the Japanese people and geology from the perspectives of stone utilization and spiritual culture. |
| Hisashi Suzuki Otani University Professor, Faculty of Sociology |
Application period (pre-registration required, first-come, first-served): November 21st (Sat) 9:00 AM to December 2nd (Wed) 4:30 PM
Contact Information
Kyoto University Consortium, Kyoto College Section
Campus Plaza Kyoto 1F, Shio-koji-dori, Nishinotoin-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8216, Japan
TEL: 075-353-9140 FAX: 075-353-9121
MAIL: miyakare■consortium.or.jp (Please replace ■ with @ before sending)
*Inquiry reception hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00-17:00 (excluding year-end and New Year holidays)
