The only university in the city of Oyama, in the Tochigi Prefecturate, around 45 miles north of Tokyo, Hakuoh University is a private institution which can trace its roots back to the creation of the Ashikaga Textile Women’s School in 1915.
It benefits strongly from its location which combines proximity to Greater Tokyo with the charm of old Japan including sites like shrines to the Tokugawa shoguns and Ashikaga Gakka, Japan’s oldest university, closed in the late 19th century, in the nearby town with the same name.
Raised to university status in 1986 it took a name meaning "White Seagull", a shield incorporating five green checks for continents and three blue stripes for oceans and the motto "plus ultra", or "further beyond". It maintains links with the high school and junior high school which were among its predecessors.
About 4,000 students study on two campuses – undergraduate and graduate law in the 11-story Eastern Campus tower close to Oyama Station, and the faculties of business management and human development located along with the administration and sports facilities at the main campus. It was complimented in its 2016 accreditation by the Association of Japanese Universities for the quality of student support, particularly for trainee teachers.
Hakuoh University has acquired a reputation in sport, winning its first ever national collegiate basketball championship in 2016 and producing alumni like United States rugby sevens star Andrew Duratolo.
The university handbell choir has become extremely popular in Hawaii, visiting the US Pacific state 27 times. Annual student festivals include a curry night each November.
