Kunitachi College of Music is a private music conservatory in Tachikawa, Tokyo, founded in 1926 as the Tokyo Conservatory of Music. It is Japan's oldest private music institution. The college is best suited for musicians seeking formal conservatory training in Japan with programs spanning classical performance, jazz, composition, and music technology.
About Kunitachi College of Music
Kunitachi operates two main departments. The Department of Performance and Composition covers vocal music, keyboard instruments, string/wind/percussion instruments, jazz, composition, and sonology. The Department of Music Cultures and Education includes music education, music therapy, musicology, and music informatics. The graduate school offers master's programs in vocal studies, instrumental studies, composition, musicology, and music education, plus a doctoral program in research studies of music. The college has cooperation agreements with international institutions including Geneva University of Music and California Institute of the Arts. Kunitachi celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Real-World Example
A student entering the jazz performance program at Kunitachi receives training from faculty who are active performers in Tokyo's jazz scene. The college's sonology program provides access to computer music facilities that few Japanese institutions offer. Approximately 90 international artists visit the school each year for masterclasses and individual tuition. Students major in Western instruments, Chinese instruments, voice, or composition and electronic music. The college hosts over 200 concerts annually, giving students frequent performance opportunities.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Kunitachi is one of the few Japanese music schools with an English-language website and international exchange agreements. The jazz program is rare in Japanese conservatories, most of which focus exclusively on classical music. The sonology and music informatics programs provide technical skills applicable to modern music production. Tokyo's music scene offers performance opportunities from small jazz clubs to large concert halls. The college's 100-year history means its alumni network spans Japanese music education, performance, and industry.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
Most instruction is in Japanese, requiring language proficiency for international students. Tuition for private music colleges in Japan is high, often exceeding 2 million JPY per year. The campus is in Tachikawa, about 40 minutes from central Tokyo by train. International recognition of Kunitachi's name outside Asia is limited. The admissions process requires auditions held in Japan, making it logistically challenging for overseas applicants. Housing in Tokyo is among the most expensive in the world.
Notable Alumni
Kunitachi has produced some of Japan's most influential composers, performers, and producers:
- Joe Hisaishi: Composer known for over 100 film scores, including every Studio Ghibli film directed by Hayao Miyazaki since Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984). His compilation album A Symphonic Celebration surpassed 75 million streams globally. He has won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Music three consecutive years (1992 to 1994). Wikipedia profile
- Yosuke Yamashita: Jazz pianist and composer regarded as one of Japan's most influential free jazz voices. His career spans over 60 years with the Yosuke Yamashita New York Trio (featuring Cecil McBee and Pheeroan akLaff) and solo piano work. Official website
- Michiru Oshima: Composer with over 100 film scores, 200 television titles, and video game scores including Godzilla vs. Megaguirus, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Ico. She won the Japan Academy Film Prize multiple times and contributed to a 2015 Grammy Award-winning project with violinist Hilary Hahn. Official website
- Kazumi Totaka: Composer and voice actor at Nintendo. Known for the "Totaka's Song" Easter egg hidden across multiple Nintendo games. Composed music for Animal Crossing, Luigi's Mansion, and Wii Sports.
- Masamichi Amano: Composer and conductor who graduated first in his class in composition. Won the Takeoka Prize for excellence. Known for orchestral scores for anime including Battle Royale and Giant Robo.
- Mari Iijima: Singer, songwriter, and voice actress. Best known as the voice of Lynn Minmay in the anime Macross (1982). Her debut album Rose (1983) was produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
- Masato Honda: Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Known for his work with jazz fusion bands and as a session musician for anime and game soundtracks.
- Ahn Eak-tai: Composer and conductor who composed the South Korean national anthem "Aegukga" in 1935. Studied at Kunitachi in the 1930s.
- Seiji Yokoyama: Composer known for anime and television scores, including Saint Seiya (1986) and Space Pirate Captain Harlock.
- Kohmi Hirose: Pop singer known for the 1992 hit "Romance no Kamisama," which sold over 1.7 million copies.
- Takatsugu Muramatsu: Composer and pianist. Known for film scores including The Great Passage (2013) and concert works performed internationally.
- Yaffle: Music producer, composer, and arranger. Known for productions with Japanese pop and electronic artists including King Gnu and millennial parade.
Alumni Performance Clips
Joe Hisaishi conducting the Wiener Symphoniker in "Ashitaka and San" from Princess Mononoke, recorded live in Vienna for Deutsche Grammophon:
Joe Hisaishi's full Studio Ghibli 25 Years Concert at Budokan, featuring orchestral arrangements of his scores for My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and more:
Yosuke Yamashita performing solo piano, excerpt from his 2008 "Burning Piano" project where he played piano on a beach while it was set on fire:
Program Basics
Degree Programs
Kunitachi offers the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Music (4 years): Majors include vocal music, keyboard instruments, string/wind/percussion instruments, jazz, composition, sonology, music education, music therapy, musicology, and music informatics
- Master of Music (2 years): Specializations in vocal studies, instrumental studies, composition, musicology, and music education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Music (3 years): Research studies of music
Audition Requirements
Auditions are held on campus in Tachikawa. Applicants must perform a prepared piece on their primary instrument or voice, complete a music theory exam, and pass an ear training test (solfeggio). Jazz applicants perform improvisation over standard chord changes. Composition applicants submit original scores and may be asked to complete a short composition exercise. International applicants who cannot attend in person should contact the admissions office to inquire about alternative arrangements. The college does not currently offer online auditions.
Tuition
Kunitachi is a private institution. Tuition for the undergraduate program is approximately 2,000,000 to 2,200,000 JPY per year (roughly $13,000 to $14,500 USD at 2026 exchange rates). This covers tuition and facility fees but not housing, meals, or instrument costs. Housing in Tokyo adds approximately 600,000 to 1,000,000 JPY per year. The college offers a limited number of scholarships and tuition reduction programs for students with financial need. International students are eligible for some scholarships through the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).
Application Timeline
For the 2027 academic year (entry April 2027):
- Application period: November 2026
- Entrance exams and auditions: late November to early December 2026
- Results: mid-December 2026
- Enrollment: April 2027
The college holds three open campus events per year. The next one is the Autumn Open Campus on October 11, 2026.
Similar Music Schools
- Tokyo University of the Arts - Japan's national arts university, located in Ueno, Tokyo
- Seoul National University College of Music - South Korea's top music school, comparable conservatory training in East Asia
- Central Conservatory of Music - China's leading music conservatory in Beijing
- Korea National University of Arts - South Korean arts university with strong composition and performance programs
- California Institute of the Arts - Kunitachi's international exchange partner in the United States
Related Resources
- Music Schools Directory
- Visit Kunitachi College of Music for more info
