Otani University is a private Buddhist university in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan and can trace its origin to the early Edo period (1603 – 1868). It was founded in 1655 and originally served as the seminary of Higashi Hongan-ji.
The university in its current form was founded in 1901. In 1904 the university achieved the legal status of senmon gakkō, or vocational school.
There are four faculties at the university including letters, sociology, education and international studies. The graduate school offers a variety of courses including Buddhist studies, philosophy, intercultural studies and education and philosophy.
There are a range of academic societies that students can get involved with including the society for German literature, the society for Japanese Buddhist history, the society for east Asian history, the society for philosophy of religion and society for Chinese literature among others.
Within the Otani campus is the Global Square where international students can access language support, study meetings, exchange consultations and international bazaars to support them throughout their studies.
