Keio University is a Japanese university situated in the sprawling Minato quarter of Tokyo. It is thought of as the oldest institute of higher education in Japan, tracing its beginnings to the original “Keio Gijuku” when, in 1858, it became the first institution to follow the Western model of teaching from its mansion house in Tsukiji.
The University was originally founded by Fukuzawa Yukichi and has campuses in both Tokyo and the coastal area of Kanagawa. Together it comprises of 14 graduate schools and 10 faculties incorporating Science and Technology, Policy Management, Medicine, Economics, Law, Business and Commerce, Environment and Information Studies, Nursing and Medical Care, Pharmacy and Letters. Some of the world's most cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary studies are carried out at the University with emphasis on English-based education and research programmes with over 180 courses conducted in English.
Several buses and local trains serve the route to Keio University, and transport is available on the JR Tokaido train line to Tsujidou station.
Keio University founder Yukichi Fukuzawa was a progressive thinker who had fought against the established powers of the time to bring in the 19th century tenet of America and Europe. He believed that Japan's only choice for catching up with Western technology was to "always strive for progress and enlightenment, and provide the academic and moral education needed to create a generation of wise and capable leaders”.