Create meetup in Tokyochevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
wants to a walk at fmd_goodCommon Place
wants to drink coffee at fmd_goodBean & Folio
wants to eat breakfast at fmd_goodHole in One
explore Tokyo Guides
bar_chart Trends in Tokyo
How hard are classes in Sophia University ?
I will be in exchange for the next semester in Tokyo Sophia Univeristy, and I don't know which classes to get ?
I want to pursue a career in Finance, so I was thinking perhaps :
- Internation… Hey !
I will be in exchange for the next semester in Tokyo Sophia Univeristy, and I don't know which classes to get ?
I want to pursue a career in Finance, so I was thinking perhaps :
- International Financial Management (Pr. ISAKA Naoto)
- Corporate Strategy (Pr. HAGHIRIAN Parissa)
- Financial Accounting (Pr. UENISHI Junko)
and other classes I still I'm thinking of
The thing is that I'm trying to find the perfect balance between having good classes that will help me land a job in Finance, but also have like a 4 days week and some bullshit classes to relax and travel
What do you guys think about this ?
Sophia's business classes aren't impossible, but they do expect you to keep up with the reading and participate. Isaka's International Financial Management is known for being fairly structured, with a midterm and a final that follow the textbook pretty closely, so you won't be blindsided. Uenishi's Financial Accounting can get a bit detail-heavy, but if you've taken intro accounting before, it's manageable.
If you want a lighter schedule, look for classes in the "Comparative Culture" department. They often have courses like "Japanese Popular Culture" or "Introduction to Japanese History" that meet once a week and are graded on a short paper or a couple of quizzes. That would free you up for travel, especially since Sophia is right by Yotsuya station and you can get to Shinjuku in five minutes on the Chuo line.
honestly the workload at sophia depends way more on the prof than the course name. uenishi's financial accounting is pretty straightforward if you've done intro accounting before, she goes step by step through the problems in class. the midterm is basically identical to the practice set she gives you, just different numbers. not a blow-off but def manageable for a 4-day week
for a finance career tho i'd swap one of those for a japanese business culture class if they still offer it. recruiters here actually care about that stuff more than u think. the ones at yotsuya campus are usually lighter too since they're aimed at exchange students
if you really want to travel skip friday classes entirely. most of the good weekend trips leave shinjuku station early morning so having thursday as your last class day opens up way more options. just check if your visa lets you do that many travel days
honestly the classes at sophia are pretty manageable compared to other tokyo unis. i took Isaka's class two years ago and he's chill but expects you to actually read the cases before class. not hard to get a B+ but A's take effort.
for your schedule, try to cram classes on tuesdays and thursdays since a lot of the FLA courses are on those days. leaves you free for friday trips to kamakura or hakone. the yamanote line from yotsuya station is super convenient for that.
also imo corporate strategy with Haghirian is a good pick, she's got solid industry connections and her grading is fair. just don't expect easy As if you skip class, she notices.
Things to Do in Tokyo (2026)
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspec… 🗼 Iconic Landmarks
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspective, head to the Shibuya Sky observation deck (2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya) for 2,000 yen, open until 10 PM. Both spots are less crowded on weekday mornings.
⛩️ Cultural Temples and Shrines
Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito), Tokyo's oldest temple, open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM. For a quieter experience, explore the Meiji Jingu Shrine (1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya), set in a large forested area and free to enter. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🍜 Must-Try Food Experiences
Sample authentic ramen at Ichiran Shibuya (1-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya), where individual booths let you focus on the tonkotsu broth, starting at 1,290 yen. For a unique twist, try conveyor-belt sushi at Uobei Shibuya (1-19-3 Jinnan, Shibuya), with plates from 100 yen. Reservations are not needed, but expect short queues.
🏯 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore Yanaka, a district that survived WWII bombings, with narrow lanes and traditional shops like Yanaka Ginza shopping street (3-11-1 Yanaka, Taito). For a bohemian vibe, wander Shimokitazawa (Kitazawa, Setagaya), known for vintage stores and indie cafes. Both areas are best explored on foot in the afternoon.
🚇 Getting Around
Use the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway networks, with a 24-hour pass costing 800 yen for unlimited rides on most lines. The Suica or Pasmo IC cards are rechargeable and work on trains, buses, and even vending machines. Avoid rush hour (7:30-9 AM and 5-7 PM) to travel comfortably.
🌃 Best Evening Spots
Watch the sunset from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku), where the free observation deck is open until 10 PM. For nightlife, head to Golden Gai in Shinjuku (1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku), a maze of tiny bars with a cover charge of around 500 yen. Reservations are recommended for popular bars.
🌸 Seasonal Highlights
Cherry blossom season in late March to early April draws crowds to Ueno Park (5-20 Uenokoen, Taito), with over 1,000 cherry trees. For autumn foliage, visit Rikugien Garden (6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo) in November, lit up at night for 1,000 yen. Check the Japan Meteorological Corporation's forecast for peak dates.
🎁 Unique Souvenirs
Buy traditional crafts at Kappabashi Kitchen Town (3-18-2 Nishiasakusa, Taito), famous for realistic plastic food samples and kitchenware. For quirky gifts, explore Don Quijote stores, like the one in Shibuya (1-16-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya), open 24 hours and offering everything from electronics to snacks. Prices are reasonable, and tax-free shopping is available for tourists.
honestly this is a solid list, you've hit the major spots. one thing i'd add is that the Tsukiji Outer Market is worth a morning even if the inner market moved to Toyosu. the stalls there for tamagoyaki and fresh uni on skewers are unbeatable, and it gets packed by 9am so go early.
for a cheap meal that slaps, try CoCo Ichibanya for curry rice. there's one near basically every station and you can customize the spice level and toppings. it's not fancy but it's a real Tokyo staple that tourists often overlook.
also if you're into temples, the walk from Senso-ji down Nakamise-dori is fun but the side streets in Asakusa have smaller shrines and old-school snack shops that are way less crowded. i stumbled on a tiny place selling matcha soft serve for 350 yen last time and it was better than the touristy ones.