Let’s experience more university courses – “University town Kyoto” is a campus of learning
The approximately 30 universities and organizations that are members of the University Consortium Kyoto each offer unique lifelong learning courses. This “University Relay Course”, which started in 2016, is a relay-style event in which each university offers a variety of unique courses that take advantage of each university’s unique characteristics, in addition to those offered by Kyoto College. This event will be held at Campus Plaza Kyoto.
Implementation overview
- Capacity:
- 200 people each time (advance application required, first come first served)
*However, the number will be changed to 150 people only on June 10th (Saturday). *Advance application (first-come, first-served basis) is required for each session. Those who have not completed the application procedure will not be able to take the course. - Time:
- 13:30-15:00 (Reception hours 13:00)
- Venue:
- Campus Plaza Kyoto 4th floor lecture room 2
*Only for June 10th (Saturday) lecture room 3 will be on the 4th floor of Campus Plaza Kyoto. - Notice:
- Courses may be postponed or canceled, or the content may be changed. The latest information will be posted on the Universities Consortium Kyoto homepage under “Important Notices”, etc., so please check it.
Event information flyer
“2023 Lifelong Learning Course University Relay Course” [PDF]
How to apply
- 【important】
- From 2023, we have changed to an online advance application system and first-come, first-served basis. Those wishing to participate in the University Relay Course must pre-register for each session (on a first-come, first-served basis).
*Applications will be closed once the capacity is reached.
*Please note that those who have not completed the application procedure will not be able to attend the course.
<Flow of application procedure>
STEP ① Please apply from the application form button in the list of each course below.
*When applying, your name, phone number, and email address are required.
STEP ② A participation certificate will be sent to the email address entered in the application form.
STEP③ Please present your participation certificate to the reception staff on the day of the course.
List of courses offered
During the application period, a button labeled “Apply here” will be displayed. Please apply for your favorite course within the application period (advance application required, first come first served).
*If it is outside the application period, it will be displayed as “Out of application period”, and after the application period has ended, “Reception closed” will be displayed.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, May 6th | Bukkyo University Honen’s Logic |
How did Honen establish the Jodo sect within the existing Nara and Heian Buddhist sects? We tend to think of religions and sects as having the nature of denying others. Let’s take a look at Honen’s logic of stating his own position without denying others. |
| Sadataka Ichikawa Associate Professor, Faculty of Buddhism, Bukkyo University Director, Center for Religious Education |
Application period (advance application required, first come, first served): April 6th (Thursday) 9:00 to May 3rd (Wednesday) 16:30
This course has reached capacity and is no longer accepting applications. .
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, May 20th | Kyoto University of Advanced Science What is the difference between animals and humans? -Thinking about environmental issues from the meaning of eating- |
What is the difference between animals and humans? Why did global warming occur? Why aren’t bears extinct? What are the problems with our lifestyle? I would like to think about environmental issues from the meaning of eating. |
| Kazuhiro Tanaka Professor, Faculty of Bio-Environment, Kyoto University of Advanced Science |
Application period (advance application required, first-come, first-served basis): April 20th (Thursday) 9:00 to May 17th (Wednesday) 16:30
Applications for this course have ended.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, June 10th | Kyoto Bunkyo University Living with Dementia – Towards the realization of a dementia-friendly city – |
As we enter an era in which one in five elderly people will suffer from dementia, the theme is to create a society where people can live with dementia. While introducing Uji City’s efforts to create a dementia-friendly city, we would like to think with you about what actions we can take. |
| Kazuyuki Hirao Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Kyoto Bunkyo University |
Application period (advance application required, first come first served): May 10th (Wednesday) 9:00 to June 7th (Wednesday) 16:30
For this time only, the capacity will be changed to 150 people.
The venue will be the 3rd lecture room on the 4th floor of Campus Plaza Kyoto.
Applications for this course are now closed.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, June 24th | Kyoto Seika University Thinking about the ideal form of a “coexistence society” that recognizes diverse values |
The model of living in one culture and society from birth to death is being shaken by globalization. In a globalizing society, diverse people are required to coexist while respecting each other’s differences. In this lecture, I would like to think with you about a “coexistence society” suitable for the age of globalization. |
| Usubi Sako Professor, Human Environment Design Program, Kyoto Seika University |
Application period (advance application required, first-come, first-served basis): May 24th (Wednesday) 9:00 to June 21st (Wednesday) 16:30
Applications for this course have ended.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, September 2nd | Hanazono University Heian aristocratic society and Heiankyo |
Established in 794, Heiankyo continued to be the capital and the place where the aristocrats lived for a long time, although it underwent many changes. In this course, we will look at some aspects of the Heian aristocratic society, especially in relation to Heiankyo, while reading diaries and other historical materials. |
| Mikako Nakamachi Associate Professor, Faculty of Letters, Hanazono University |
Application period (advance application required, first-come-first-served basis): August 2nd (Wednesday) 9:00 to August 30th (Wednesday) 16:30
This course has reached capacity and is no longer accepting applications. .
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, November 4th | Otani University Daily life and health management – Learning from Indian traditional culture – |
There is an Indian legend that says, “Grandma is a doctor, and the kitchen is a drugstore.” We will introduce how Indian people take care of their mind and body through traditional health care practices found in their daily lives and culture. Let’s search together for the treasures hidden within traditional culture. |
| Dash Shobha Rani Professor, Faculty of Letters, Otani University |
Application period (advance application required, first-come, first-served basis): October 4th (Wednesday) 9:00 to November 1st (Wednesday) 16:30
Applications for this course have ended.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, November 18th | Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College Sri Lankan Society and Buddhism |
This book outlines the life and basic Buddhist philosophy of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, who was born in India approximately 2,500 years ago, and the way Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism) that spread to Sri Lanka and other countries has been reflected in the lives of the people there. Here is an overview of what role they play. |
| Mitsunori Nakasone Professor, Department of Life Design, Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College |
Application period (advance application required, first-come, first-served basis): October 18th (Wednesday) 9:00 to November 15th (Wednesday) 16:30
Applications for this course have ended.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, November 25th | Kyoto Women’s University Invisible Man becomes nude – Before and after SF – |
In ancient times, people in Kyoto during the Heian period envisioned invisible men in various ways. In the modern era, invisible men have become the material of science fiction, and we can get a glimpse of how the traditional invisible men have changed. However, since he is an invisible person, I wonder how much he can see… |
| Masashi Nakamae Professor, Faculty of Letters, Kyoto Women’s University |
Application period (advance application required, first-come, first-served basis): October 25th (Wednesday) 9:00 to November 22nd (Wednesday) 16:30
Applications for this course have ended.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, December 9th | Heian Jogakuin University Cinderella and Santa Claus |
In many of the Cinderella stories, the main character escapes from a predicament by being rescued by an animal or by transforming into an animal. This close relationship between humans and animals can also be seen in the Saint Nicholas Festival in Europe and the Namahage Festival in Japan. Explore the relationship between humans and animals in folk tales and festivals. |
| Yoshito Takahashi Specially Appointed Professor, Faculty of International Tourism, Heian Jogakuin University |
Application period (advance application required, first-come, first-served basis): November 9th (Thursday) 9:00 to December 6th (Wednesday) 16:30
Applications for this course have ended.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, December 23rd | Doshisha Women’s University A tourist perspective on the southern suburbs of Kyoto |
The area centered around Uji and Tanabe in the southern suburbs of Kyoto has developed a unique history and culture that is separate from that of central Kyoto. We will talk about the history of this area, which has more significance than just a “suburb,” and our current efforts. |
| Taro Amano Professor, Department of Contemporary Sociology, Doshisha Women’s University |
Application period (advance application required, first-come, first-served basis): November 23rd (Thursday) 9:00 to December 20th (Wednesday) 16:30
Applications for this course have ended.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, February 3rd | Shuchiin University Sokushinbutsu – What does it mean to become a Buddha? |
In Esoteric Buddhism, the ultimate goal is to become a Buddha in your current body, which is called “sokushinbutsu.” So, what does it mean to “become a Buddha”? Also, why do we aim to become a Buddha? And can we really become Buddhas in the first place? I would like to think about this from the perspective of India, the birthplace of Buddhism. |
| Professor Matsumoto Mine Tetsune Chi-in University, Faculty of Humanities |
Application period (advance application required, first-come, first-served basis): January 3rd (Wednesday) 9:00 to January 31st (Wednesday) 16:30
Applications for this course have ended.
| schedule | Host university/theme/instructor | Lecture Summary |
| Saturday, February 24th | Ryukoku University Concerns about death and counseling |
For us humans, “death” is unavoidable, and in a sense it can be said to be a common problem for all humankind. In this lecture, I would like to think together with you about how counseling can try to resolve such concerns. |
| Ryuji Kodama Professor , Faculty of Psychology, Ryukoku University (opened in April 2023) |
Application period (advance application required, first come first served): January 24th (Wednesday) 9:00 to February 21st (Wednesday) 16:30
Applications for this course have ended.
Contact information
In charge of Kyo College, Kyoto University Consortium Public Interest Incorporated Foundation
His Campus Plaza Kyoto 1st floor, Nishinotoin-dori Shio-koji, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8216
TEL. 075-353-9140 FAX. 075-353-9121
MAIL: miyakare■consortium.or.jp (Please change ■ to @ before sending)
*Inquiry reception hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 to 17:00 (excluding year-end and New Year holidays)
