Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University or APU, is a private institution inaugurated April 2000
in Beppu, Ōita, Japan. APU was made possible through the collaboration of three parties from the public and private sectors: Ōita Prefecture, Beppu City and the Ritsumeikan Academy.
As of 1 November 2012, the university has an enrollment of 5,555, including 3,092 domestic, and 2,463 international students (a 56-44 domesticinternational ratio) originating from 80 countries and regions. Half of the 167 fulltime faculty members are foreign nationals who come from 27 countries and regions.
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea
of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan’s name mean “sunorigin”, which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the “Land of the Rising Sun”. Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, which together comprise about ninety-seven percent of Japan’s land area. Japan has the world’s tenth-largest population, with over 126 million people. Honshū’s Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents.
Beppu is a city located in Ōita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, at the west end of Beppu Bay. In November 2013 the city had a population of 122,085 and a population density of 976 persons per km². The total area is 125.13 km2 (48.31 sq mi). Beppu is famous for its hot springs. Beppu is situated between the sea and the mountains. The city was founded on April 1, 1924, and is famous for its onsen (hot springs). It has eight major geothermalhot spots, sometimes referred to as the “eight hells of Beppu”. Six of these are located in the Kannawa district, and two in the more remote Shibaseki district. Beppu is also divided into eight major hot spring areas known as Beppu Hattō.
The APU campus offers endless opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of
different cultures. A prime example is the array of club and circle activities students can choose
from. Working together on a project with friends of different culture, values and language
backgrounds is an integral part of the APU learning style. APU has an enormous range of clubs
and circles to get involved with including language and intercultural awareness clubs, andglobally-minded student organizations engaged in international problem solving initiatives in Japan and around the world. Sharing a common dream and working together with fellow students of different nationalities could be your first step towards becoming the kind of graduate who can make a real contribution to international society.
In general, all international students, and a portion of domestic students, spend their first year
living at the AP House dormitory next to the university campus. Some students also choose to
live alone or with friends in an apartment or house in Beppu city. Creotech Co., Ltd., a company fully owned by the Ritsumeikan Trust, helps students find suitable student-friendly
accommodation.
Blessed with mountains, lakes and ample coastline, Oita offers a variety of gorgeous
scenery for every season. In Beppu, spring brings with it fresh greenery and cherry blossoms, while sun-soaked beaches make for an enjoyable summer. The golden rice terraces and many-colored foliage usher in fall, and the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Tsurumi and other
mountains round out the four seasons. The surrounding area is full of spots for swimming, fishing, diving, camping and other outdoor activities. From zoos to amusement parks, there are many exciting tourist attractions in and around Beppu for people of all ages.