Toyo has a long tradition and history. In 2012, Toyo celebrated the 125th anniversary of its foundation. Toyo is one of the largest universities in Japan with more than 30,000 students.

Toyo University began as a private philosophy academy, founded by Dr. Enryo Inoue in 1887. It was set up on the grounds of the Rinsho Temple in what is the Bunkyo Ward of Tokyo. It was renamed as the Philosophy Academy University in 1903 and then as Toyo University in 1906. It began accepting female students in 1916, making it one of the first co-educational universities in Japan.

It comprises 11 faculties with 44 departments, 10 graduate schools (offering 32 majors), five affiliated high schools and a law school. Research activity is conducted on a global scale with the use of the International Research Centre for Philosophy, the Research Centre for Public/Private Partnership (PPP) and the Bio-Nano Electronics Research Centre. Toyo offers both liberal arts and science courses.

There are four main campuses at Toyo University: Hakusan Campus (the main site), Kawagoe Campus, Asaka Campus and Itakura Campus. All are located in the heart of Tokyo, and can be accessed within 10 minutes from the nearest train station. Hakusan Campus is green and quiet and is surrounded by residential homes and shrines. The Confucian Botanical Garden Koishikawa Korakuen and Tokyo Dome City, with its stadium, amusement park and luxury hotel are also within walking distance.

Toyo’s sports teams, including baseball, track and field, sumo wrestling and ice hockey, demonstrate superior ability in intercollegiate competitions (producing Olympic medalists and numerous professional athletes).