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Bunka Fashion College

Bunka Fukusou Gakuin

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Japan’s most respected fashion design college

130311-9946 - Bunka Fukusou Gakuin

Bunka Fukusou Gakuin (文化服装学院, Bunka Fashion College) is without doubt the most respected fashion design school in Japan. Name a well-known Japanese designer and the chance is pretty big that this school’s name is on the resume. Based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, it is known for a strict curriculum and a relentless workload.

The college was founded as Namiki Dressmaking School in 1919 by Isaburo Namiki at a time when western-style clothes for women were ultra modern and expensive. In 1923, it became the first authorized vocational college of fashion. It contributed to popularizing western style garments in Japan through education and publication of books on dressmaking and fashion.

The school’s name was changed to Bunka Fashion College in 1936 when it also started publishing the now prestigious fashion magazine So-en, actually Japan’s first fashion magazine.

After WWII, Bunka shifted from tailoring to educating its students as commercial-oriented fashion professionals. Starting in the 1960s, many Bunka graduates entered the Paris Collections. Among the first to make their mark internationally were Kenzo Takada and Yohji Yamamoto. They paved the way for such promising new talents as Atsuro Tayama and Keita Maruyama.

In 2000,the Bunka Body Structure and Function Lab in collaboration with the Digital Human Body Lab, a national institute of advanced industrial science and technology, created a new female body-form that reflects precisely the body shape and proportions of today’s Japanese women. The body-form was hailed by fashion industries and schools. The Lab is presently developing a new male body-form.

Bunka established Japan’s first graduate school of fashion business and design in 2003.

It has over 70 branches all over Japan and has exchange programs with Central Saint Martins in London and Parsons in New York.

It is now part of Educational Foundation Bunka Gakuen

departments
General Fashion Department
Fashion Technology Department
Fashion Communication & Distribution Department
Fashion Craft Department

selected alumni
Cabaret Aki
Tamae Hirokawa
Toshikazu Iwaya
Chie Koike
Hiroko Koshino
Tokio Kumagai
Kenzo Kuroda
Keita Maruyama
Tetsuya Miwa (from the band Spitz)
Yuko Murata
Nigo
Naomi Nishida (actress)
Hiroaki Ohya
Yusuke Takeyama
Limi Yamamoto
Yohji Yamamoto

address:

3-22-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 151-8522

phone: (81) 03-3299-2057

Taiwan office
address:
Full Building 4 floor
No.57, Sec.1, Chongcing S. Rd.
Taipei City 100, TAIWAN (R.O.C)

phone: (88) 06-2-2375-1951

Korea office
address:
Rm1715, Champselysees Center Bldg
Adong 889-5, Daechi Dong Kangnam-ku
Seoul, KOREA

phone: (82) 02-561-6708

related links:
Review in Japanese at Open-Clothes

Japanese fashionJapanese fashionJapanese fashionJapanese fashionJapanese fashionJapanese fashion

Review Bunka Fukusou Gakuin

want to know what language teaching in the class?

viyada givanon
Aug 25, 2007 (5877 days ago)

Hi Viyada, Bunka uses Japanese.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Aug 25, 2007 (5876 days ago)

I want to know wh language teaching in the class

Pidor
Apr 12, 2008 (5646 days ago)

how can i get a scholarship

mavis f
Jul 19, 2008 (5548 days ago)

Contact the school directly for questions about their program or scholarships!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Jul 20, 2008 (5547 days ago)

i want to ask about shool for fashion designer

laila binas
Aug 19, 2008 (5516 days ago)

hie..i want to know, so if we need to know japnese language to apply for the course??

zoul
Aug 21, 2008 (5515 days ago)

Just like you need English to study at schools and universities in the US, UK, Australia, etc., you need Japanese to study at schools in Japan. Japanese schools teach using the Japanese language.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Aug 21, 2008 (5514 days ago)

Would we have to pass in any professional test before we can become a fashion or jewelry designer in Japan? I may need more detailed informations about the courses of fashion and jewelry design in Japan, like qualifications and method of application, fee of the courses, the time of beginning and time needed to complete the courses. Would all the courses be full time only? Could you please post the response on this web page? Thank you.

nana
Sep 9, 2008 (5496 days ago)

mmm in several international schools across Europe they teach in English as because are international and have many students from all over the world…

Giul
Sep 13, 2008 (5492 days ago)

Nana: For more detailed information, please contact the school directly.

Giul: Japan is a country with 127 million inhabitants, which means that schools can find more than enough students in Japan to survive. As birthrates are falling, this may change and some schools may have to resort to teaching in other languages like some schools in Europe were forced to do in other to be able to compete.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Sep 13, 2008 (5492 days ago)

Hi!

I want to ask how if I totally dont know Japanese and plan to take Japanese language course if it is needed while at the same time I also want to take fashion courses directly. Will I be accepted at Bunka?
Thanks

Irene
Oct 29, 2008 (5446 days ago)

I believe that Bunka has their own Japanese language school. Contact the school directly for information.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Oct 29, 2008 (5445 days ago)

O que preciso para obter uma bolsa de estudo?

Shirley Mochizuki
Nov 21, 2008 (5422 days ago)

HI.
I’m a nikkei jin and right now I’m processing my japanese citizenship but I was born and raised in Philippines. we only have 10years of education then we proceed to college. In short I graduated Highschool in the philippines, I have my diploma with me, a proof that I can go to college/university already.
will this school accept me with my case?
I love arts and fashion also I’m progressing my japanese, attending free cramschools here in japan. but I only want to know if this school will accept me despite of my 10years of education.

thanks!xoxo.

YUKI
Jan 5, 2009 (5378 days ago)

Dear Yuki,

I advice you to contact the school directly as only they can make this decision.

I wish you much success!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Jan 14, 2009 (5369 days ago)

Shirley,

to get a scholarship, please contact the school directly at:

3-22-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-8522 JAPAN

Much success!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Jan 14, 2009 (5369 days ago)

hii, How are you and your family,my message is to ask if I can be admit in your school to study fashion.
Thank you and hoping to hear from you soon

AKYAW
akyaw kwabena owusu
Feb 11, 2009 (5341 days ago)

Akyaw,

We are not affiliated with Bunka Fukusou Gakuin, so please contact the school directly at:
3-22-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-8522 JAPAN

Kjeld Duits (author)
Feb 11, 2009 (5341 days ago)

Hi,

I would like to know if it possible to purchase the Bunka female body-forms?

Amy
Mar 17, 2009 (5307 days ago)

Hi I’m from Canada and i was surfing the Bunka’s web but I didn’t find an E-mail or fax to contact with them for more information only the telephone But it’s difficult for me to call because I don’t know Japanese
Do you know an e-mail o a fax to contact with them? And a question Bunka is a university or an institute or a vocational school?
Could you explain me that please?

I will very grateful for your answer

shimk
Mar 24, 2009 (5300 days ago)

@Shimk:

From the Bunka site:

In 1976, Bunka Fashion College was classified as a post-secondary polytechnic college, or Senmon-Gakkou,in accordance with Japan’s new educational law.

In 2003, Bunka’s longstanding plans to establish Japan’s first graduate school of fashion business and design was finalized.

Phone:

The above mentioned phone number (+81332992057) is the phone number of the international section, so English should be OK. However, you must have a command of Japanese to be accepted at the school.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Mar 24, 2009 (5299 days ago)

@Amy: Contact Bunka directly through the above phone numbers.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Mar 24, 2009 (5299 days ago)

what about mext scholarship for fashion department?

why is it they are not giving e-mail address, but phone number? it would be more easier to communicate by mail, for some basic information.

d
May 26, 2009 (5236 days ago)

This College leads students from Scholarship Mombukagakushou EXchange Training?

Sophía Polanco
Jun 25, 2009 (5206 days ago)

Well if they dont give the e-mail you can send a letter like what I did . And I have some question Do you know how much time will take a Bac in Art Appliqué. And it is necessary to do it? Thank you for helpin

Sakuno
Jun 29, 2009 (5203 days ago)

If there are any Bunka students who have unique garments I am interested in doing a photo shoot for my fashion book. Please contact me. Thanks

Alicia Fox
Jul 8, 2009 (5194 days ago)

Hey reading from some of your replys. Do you mean that you have to be part japanese to attend the school? or you must have to know some japanese to attend the school? Please let me know.

Nee Nee
Sep 1, 2009 (5139 days ago)

@Nee Nee: Bunka has students from all over the world, so you don’t need to be Japanese. But you must be able to read, write, speak and understand Japanese.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Sep 1, 2009 (5138 days ago)

when is the school/course start?
and how can we get information about the housing for international students?
thank you

Glinka Siregar
Sep 4, 2009 (5136 days ago)

HHmm…Hi!! i just have this confusion about the Bunka fashion College…is it the same as Bunka Yoshi day…..i am just having a hard time reading the kanjis and this home page in english isnt really helping at all….soo i will apreciate if you could explain it to me please^^
Thank in advance

Danny
Sep 13, 2009 (5126 days ago)

@Glinka: There is some info about housing on their site (in English). Look for Dormitory.


@Danny: I don’t know Bunka Yoshi. I think it is best if you direct your questions directly to the International Admissions Office of Bunka at +81-3-3299-2057.


Wish you much success!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Sep 14, 2009 (5125 days ago)

Thanks for information
Do you email address but Bunka FASHION COLLEGE
or where to contact instructors
do through

melis arslan
Nov 2, 2009 (5077 days ago)

I visited this school during their open house when I was in Tokyo this summer. VERY impressed. Their sophomore student work was better than what I see in stores. _

kagitsune
Nov 16, 2009 (5063 days ago)

Hi!
I’m Miu from Thailand. I’m now studying Japanese language in my country to be ready for studying in Bunka Institute of Language which is the institute under control of Bunka Fakushou Gakuin. I will go to Japan this april and get started around 15th or something. I’m so excited! I just graduated from university last year in field of communication and advertising. but i actually interested in clothing design and also costume design. so i decided to get into this college. This all is my short info. I really want to share more info. with you guys who interested in this college. If you have any information, pls e-mail me at miuruko@hotmail.com . I’ll be really please to talk to you guys!

Thanks to Kjeld Duits, your information enhanced my knowledge about this college! Thanks so much!

PS. In Thailand, there’s also a branch from Bunka Japan. But not a lot students attending the course. Maybe because of low PR communication. Anyway, people can contact directly to Bunka through the branch. What a luck!

MIURUKO
Jan 27, 2010 (4991 days ago)

I just recive my acceptance letter from Bunka fashion college, I will start next april, I’m so excited about this chance, I have come all the way from Bolivia just to get into this college, it worth it!! so I just wanted to know what kind of chance do I have once I graduate from bunka with a bags designer diploma, I mean how is it gonna be on the field??

RCV
Feb 18, 2010 (4969 days ago)

Congratulations! I am really happy for you. A diploma is just a piece of paper. It is up to you what you put into it and what you do with it once you have it. Steal your teachers brains at Bunka, learn all you can and create a good network with people in the fashion industry, so you have good connections once you start looking for a job, or set up your own company. I wish you much success!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Feb 18, 2010 (4969 days ago)

hi there… ^^
i’m ayame, i’m a japanese but live in indoneshia,, n now i’m a foreigner, is bunka accept some scholarships?? and is bunka accept foreign student too?? thnks u

ayame
May 10, 2010 (4888 days ago)

Hi Ayame, many foreign students study at Bunka. You will need to understand Japanese. I don’t know if they offer scholarships—please ask them directly.

Kjeld Duits (author)
May 10, 2010 (4888 days ago)

okay… thanks a lot 4 ur info kjeld san.. hope they offer scholarships..

ayame
May 13, 2010 (4884 days ago)

@ayame: Sorry I couldn’t help you wit that. I will try to get more info in the future.

Kjeld Duits (author)
May 13, 2010 (4884 days ago)

hi..I’am Indriyani…originally from Indonesia, but currently, I’m Living in Dubai, UAE. I visiteD Japan last month for education trip from with Esmod Dubai.
My question is.. is Bunka fukusou gakuin provide some scholarship for short course. eq; 1 month or 3 months onward. I really interested to get it. Specially in fashion designing.
Oh ya, back to 13 years ago, I graduated from gaikoku go daigaku, Nohon go gakka desu.
thank you so much in advance. looking forward for the info.

indriyani
May 18, 2010 (4880 days ago)

I am interested to engage a few Japanese fshion students who are have talents in designing jeanswear i.e. jeans, t shirts and shirts for my brand in Malaysia. Willing to discuss a business deal. Intersted please contact me

Richard Lee
Jul 20, 2010 (4817 days ago)

@ayame & indriyani: Hey, if any of you guys ever got in touch with Bunka, please let me know. I’m from Indonesia too..

@ Mr. Kjeld Duits: I wonder why bunka doesn’t have any email, it’s easier for me to contact them through email….Does Bunka offer bachelor degree for all courses?

Michelle Sugiarto
Aug 3, 2010 (4803 days ago)

@Michelle Sugiarto: This is a problem with many Japanese companies and organizations; even if you send e-mail it is often not answered. Although it is slowly improving, calling is still the best. If you haven’t done so already, download Skype, get an account and call them that way. It costs extremely little to call to landlines and the program itself is 100% free.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Aug 3, 2010 (4802 days ago)

i should try it, thank you for the info!

Michelle
Aug 3, 2010 (4802 days ago)

I wish you much success!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Aug 3, 2010 (4802 days ago)

Hi there, i’m anggy from jakarta indonesia. actually i work in advertising agency as a creative but i have a huge passion in fashion. Currently i still learning Japanese Language and i have a brother who stay in Osaka. My question is almost the same with everyone in this forum :) Does Bunka also has short course like 1-3 months for fashion design or fashion business and provided scholarship for the foreigner? thanks :)

anggyc
Sep 22, 2010 (4753 days ago)

@anggyc: For scholarships, you really have to contact the school directly.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Sep 22, 2010 (4752 days ago)

@ayame, indriyani & Richard Lee: Hey, i’m also from Indonesia :) please share the info if u heard about Short Course Scholarship program in Bunka. Thanks Much

@Mr Kjeld Duits: Thanks for the info :) i hope Bunka will provide short course scholarship program for Fahion Design or Business. So we all (especially foreigner like me) can learn abt fashion easily coz Japanese Fashion is really really really inspiring :) BIG thanks

anggyc
Sep 24, 2010 (4751 days ago)

Sir where I find tuition fees and time schedule of fashion design?do you have also hair designer?

Angelen juntilla
Oct 1, 2010 (4744 days ago)

I NEED A HELP IF THERES SOMEONE KNOWS AOUT THE BUNKA FASHION SCHOOL AND DESIGN IN JAKARTA GAJAH MADA ,INDONESIA .COS I WAS GRADUATED FROM THAT SCHOOL AND THANK YOU A BUNCH.

YANTI
Oct 5, 2010 (4740 days ago)

Hi everyone,

This is William Buckley, online director at Antenna Magazine, I hope you are well.

I am currently in the process of expanding the range of our correspondents on a global level. I was wondering if anyone knows any job boards of some kind where I might post an opportunity for students in Asia to contribute to the online property of Antenna Magazine in the role of International Correspondent.

Antenna is a mainstream magazine for people on a constant quest for the newest and coolest products on the horizon. A guidebook, allowing readers to navigate the most extensive collection of products ever compiled in a single publication, while championing the people who create, sell and collect them-all in one comprehensive, artful, elegant and innovative format. Featuring everything from tees and sneakers to dress shirts and tuxedos, travel and cars, and the cutting edge of contemporary culture, Antenna Magazine is considered a non-disposable magazine in a disposable world, a primary source for information on the products that will define tomorrow.

Please let me know and I will send over the details of the internship.

Kind regards,

-William

WILLIAM BUCKLEY ONLINE DIRECTOR

A: 1115 Broadway, 8th Fl O: (212) 462-9687 C: (646) 683-0169 E: william@harris-pub.com Website: antennamag.com Twitter: AntennaOnline
William Buckley
Nov 21, 2010 (4693 days ago)

I’m past graduate from Bunka fashion college and did 2 years programme from 1980-1982. Not sure if my 2 years programme is considered at Junior college level or is it equivalent to diploma programme.

Looking forward to hear from you.
Thank u in advance.

B,Regards,
Dolly Low

Dolly Low Jee Boi
Nov 30, 2010 (4683 days ago)

HI THERE……IS THERE ANYWAY IF I CAN BUY THE BUNKA BOOK FOR DESIGN CLOTHING AND THANKS.

MADAMME ASPEN HOLLYWOOD
Jun 29, 2011 (4473 days ago)

need 100% scholarship

firoz
Mar 11, 2012 (4217 days ago)

Hey!!

´What is the tuition fees? I cant find it anywhere???

nasera
Mar 13, 2012 (4215 days ago)

@nasera: It is in Japanese. Please be aware that there are no scholarships for students from abroad. Request the Bunka Prospectus and call for additional info at +81332992057. General info can be found at the Entrance Guide.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Mar 13, 2012 (4215 days ago)

Thank you for replying!

yes i do know its in Japanese. I´m considering to move there and learn Japanese before i apply to Bunka, but i do need to know the fees :-9
I will call them
Thank you for your help

nasera
Mar 13, 2012 (4215 days ago)

@nasera: Glad to have been of assistance. I hope you can figure out the fees on the page I linked to. ^^

Kjeld Duits (author)
Mar 13, 2012 (4215 days ago)

hello ! Good Day i just want to ask if how much is their Tuition fees ?. coz i really wanna know and im interested ! thank you.

LinFF
Mar 20, 2012 (4208 days ago)

@LinFF: Please see the link in my comment of Mar 13.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Mar 20, 2012 (4208 days ago)

oh thanks , but i’ve been reading this “ENTRANCE GUIDE” earlier but i didn’t see any , its says there “see the table of tuition and other costs” but there’s no table for their tuition fees. i only saw the application fee.

LinFF
Mar 20, 2012 (4208 days ago)

@LinFF: Click on the link saying in Japanese.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Mar 20, 2012 (4208 days ago)

please help me with the admission with your firm.

yashika chhabra
Sep 10, 2012 (4034 days ago)

hi im olvina, im interesting to get to know bout the detail how to apply, program, for how long and the cost and there is in english languages available, coz i cant speak any japanese at all. thanks for ur quick respond

Olvina Retha
Sep 19, 2012 (4025 days ago)

hi, m Gurung Sanjok from Nepal n now a student of Japanese language, my dream is 2 b a fashion designer or photographer.
my question is…is BUNKA a shenmon gakko or a daigakko? n mostly, how can we apply for fashion design study at Bunka? plz help me

gurung sanjok
Apr 26, 2013 (3806 days ago)

Hi, I’m Anne from Singapore, I have worked as a Fashion Instructor, teaching dressmaking & illustration in Malaysia. I will be moving to Tokyo with my family. Can I apply to teach at Bunka Fashion College. or what is the procedure to apply for a job in the college. Thanking you in advance for your attention and reply.

Anne
May 18, 2013 (3784 days ago)

@Anne: Hi, Anne. I highly recommend writing Bunka Fashion College at 3-22-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8522 or calling them at (+81) 3-3299-2057. I wish you much success!

Kjeld Duits (author)
May 18, 2013 (3784 days ago)

Thank you Kjeld, for replying.

Anne
May 27, 2013 (3775 days ago)

@Anne: Very welcome. Good luck! And if you succeed, the JAPANESE STREETS office is right around the corner from the college. ^^

Kjeld Duits (author)
May 27, 2013 (3775 days ago)

hello my name is gayuh from Indonesia…I interest on Bunka Fashion College. i want to know more about scholarship, is it available for foreign students?

gayuh wahyu utami
Feb 4, 2014 (3521 days ago)

@gayuh wahyu utami: Last time I checked there were no scholarships for students from abroad. Request the Bunka Prospectus and call for additional info at +81332992057. General info can be found at the Entrance Guide. Good luck!

Kjeld Duits (author)
Feb 4, 2014 (3521 days ago)

Hello! I wanted to know if Bunka gave degrees

Zara
Feb 26, 2014 (3500 days ago)

Excuse me I’m calling about your college, does it have scholarships? This is my email address, cecipink97@yahoo.com. I would like to know more about your college please. Thank you.

Cecilia Islas
Apr 6, 2014 (3461 days ago)

@Cecilia Islas: See my response to the same question two comments above yours.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Apr 6, 2014 (3460 days ago)

Hello! Thank you, Kjeld for writing this! There are scholarships available from both the government and the school, and we have a Graduate Course taught in English! people who are interested in studying at Bunka but only speak English should email nyushi@bunka.ac.jp and address the e-mail to Katsuhata-san! :D Good luck!

Daphne Mohajer Va Pesaran
Apr 7, 2014 (3459 days ago)

Hi, I wanted to know if the Bunka Gakuen University teaches in English or Japanese? I don’t know if I’m mistaken but I read somewhere that it is in English.

Ness
Aug 9, 2014 (3336 days ago)

@Ness: Bunka does have a Graduate Course taught in English, but the other courses are taught in Japanese. I believe they have a Japanese language course for foreign students, though.

I highly recommend that you contact Bunka directly. Their Twitter and Facebook pages are introduced on the Bunka Homepage, and their phone number is +81-3-3299-2222. If you only speak English, email nyushi@bunka.ac.jp and speak with Katsuhata-san.

Kjeld Duits (author)
Aug 9, 2014 (3335 days ago)

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