Shibuya Ward, Tokyo
Opened in 1984
The oldest vocational school
for rock, jazz, and pop music
in Japan.
Accredited by
the Tokyo Metropolitan
Government
Thrive in Japan and abroad
Our school has produced a winner of the Grammy Awards, the highest honor in the American music industry, and many artists and composers who have made it to the top of the charts in the Japanese music industry.
We are at the forefront of the music industry.
Tie-ins
  • Movie Theme Songs
  • Anime Theme Songs
  • Drama Theme Songs
  • Commercial Music
Composer
  • Composing/Arranging (Music Provision)
  • Game Sound Creation
Engineering/Management
  • Concert Staff
  • Recording Staff
  • Management Staff
Performers
  • Supporting Musicians
  • Studio Musicians
Grammy Award
Winner of Best Pop Instrumental Album
Tak Matsumoto, guitarist for B'z
Recipient of various other music awards
A practical, skills-based curriculum
and small group instruction
Over 1,700 hours
of study time in two years
80% of classes are hands-on
Small class size
of no more than 9 students per class
Professional instructors
who train students to become professionals
Artists/Vocalists/Performers
Vocals Major
Become the artist you want to be with your singing abilities and more
Learn to play instruments, write songs, and dance, too
Styles you can pursue
Solo artists, bands, dancers, anime singers, singer-songwriters, and more
each classes
Guitar Major
It's no coincidence that our school has produced so many artists, composers, and supporting musicians
Learn vocals, other instruments, and songwriting, too
Styles you can pursue
Band, composer/arranger, supporting musician, studio musician, etc.
each classes
Bass Major
Master the bass that determines the quality of your music
Learn vocals, other instruments, and songwriting, too
Styles you can pursue
Band, composer/arranger, supporting musician, studio musician, etc.
each classes
Drum Major
Mastering the drums, the core of the groove
Learn vocals, other instruments, and songwriting, too
Styles you can pursue
Band, composer/arranger, supporting musician, studio musician, etc.
each classes
Composition/DTM/Arranging
Composition/Arranging Major
Graduates are active in a wide range of genres
Acquire practical DTM skills and develop an ear to hear music as a whole
Careers you can pursue
Composer for rock and pop songs, soundtracks, games, etc.
each classes
Live Sound/Recording/Video Audio
Mixing/Creation Major
Become a sound professional
Learn about both live sound and recording.
Careers you can pursue
Sound/recording engineer for concerts and broadcasting stations, etc.
each classes
Producers/Managers/Event Planners/Staff
Music Business Major
Employment in the music and entertainment industries
Learn the know-how of record and entertainment production companies
Careers you can pursue
Record companies, talent agencies, etc.
each classes
Vocals Major
sing
  • singing
  • voice training
  • practice
  • voice ensemble
  • LivePerformance & Discussion
  • solfeggio
Composition
  • songwriting・Composition/Music Theory
  • self-produce lab
We will explain the content of the classes when you visit the school.
Vocal Major page(Japanese)
閉じる
Guitar Major/Bass Major/Drum Major
Foundational Skills
  • Technique
    practice
  • rhythm
    mechanic
  • sheet music
    sight reading
  • Composition
    Music Theory
Practical Skills
  • ad-lib
    Joint Practice
  • groove
    bottom training
  • ensemble
    LivePerformance & Discussion
Knowledge
  • Industry Research
    MDP Presentation
We will explain the content of the classes when you visit the school.
Guitar Major page(Japanese)
Bass Major page(Japanese)
Drum Major page(Japanese)
閉じる
Mixing/Creation Major
You will learn the basics of live sound and recording in your first year, and specialize in one or the other in your second year.
* Video sweetening will be taught in both years.
Live Sound
  • Live Sound mechanic
  • Live Sound practice
  • Acoustical Engineering
Recording
  • Rec mechanic
  • Rec practice
  • Introduction to Audio Equipment
Video sweetening(MA)
  • Audio Post Production
  • Sound Effects
Basic Knowledge and Skills
  • sound basic
  • Repair
  • MDP Presentation
We will explain the content of the classes when you visit the school.
Mixing/Creation Major page(Japanese)
閉じる
Composition/Arranging Major
Required Class
  • practice(DTM)
  • Arrangement Theory
  • Arrangement Piano
  • sound session
  • Foundational Music Industry Course
  • Video Music
  • History of Popular Music
  • recording・MIX
Elective Classes
You are free to combine classes as you wish. Learn according to your own style.
  • solfeggio
  • Music Theory
  • recording・MIX
  • Vocal basic
  • Guitar basic
  • Base basic
  • Drum basic
  • Guitar Vocal
  • Dance
We will explain the content of the classes when you visit the school.
Composition/Arranging Major page(Japanese)
閉じる
Music Business Major
Acquire the necessary skills to work in the Japanese music and entertainment industries.
  • Event organizers with the ability to manage festivals
  • Music producers who break through the charts
  • Capable entertainment managers
  • Learn the basics of the music business
    • Joint Music Direction and Production
  • Acquire knowledge through event production
    • Joint Event Production
  • Learn how the music industry works
    • Licensing Business
    • Music Theory
    • MDP Presentation
  • Acquire skills and qualifications
    • Business PC Training
    • Multimedia Training
    • Business Manners
We will explain the content of the classes when you visit the school.
Music Business Major page(Japanese)
閉じる
Lee Sungho
Guitar Major
Lee is actively engaged in arranging and performing music for MAX. Additionally, he has also contributed as a supporting guitarist for artists like little by little, known for their work on a theme song for the anime series Naruto, and Jang Dong-gun.
Kwak Yoonchan
Composition/Arranging Major
Kwak studied at Muse Academy of Music from 1989 to 1993. He is the first Korean jazz pianist to perform at the prestigious Blue Note jazz club and join the Blue Note label and has released five albums since 2000. For his latest album, I am Melody (Toshiba EMI), he worked as a producer and an arranger and performed with nine top Koreas artists.
Yin Yu Wen
Music Business Major
Yin made her debut on Mouse Records as a pipa player and has performed at numerous music festivals to great acclaim.
In addition to her musical endeavors, she is currently working as a part-time lecturer at the University of Hong Kong.
Kou Ryutaro
Drum Major
He works at Sony Music Entertainment's joint venture in China as the producer for Shanghai Performance Doll.
He is also the founder of Atsu Music Entertainment.
Acting as a bridge between Japan and China, he has produced numerous events, including LUNA SEA's Shanghai Tour. Since then, he has worked as a team leader of the Asia Development Section, Production Center, Yoshimoto Creative Agency (currently YOSHIMOTO KOGYO).
Johnny Au
Guitar Major
Since graduating from our academy, he has been based in Hong Kong as a guitarist, band member, artist support member, teacher, and engineer.
In Hong Kong, he has performed at a music festival with 2,000 attendees, as well as at restaurants, and various schools. Gaining popularity under the nickname Johnny, he has posted over 500 cover videos and has over 4,000 social media followers.
Grow more quickly by learning through experience
Small Class Sizes × Hands-on Lessons
Small Class Sizes
One instructor per 2.3 students
Ample time for instruction and a level of intimacy that allows you to ask about anything
Muse has a very large number of instructors compared to the number of students.
There are at most nine students per class.
We provide instruction that is tailored to the growth and goals of each individual.
Hands-on Lessons
80% of classes are hands-on
Grow steadily through a multitude of experiences
Hands-on lessons make up 80% of the total class hours.
This is one of the highest percentages among music schools.
Hone your skills and sensibilities in this full range of hands-on classes.
Instructors and teachers who currently work in or have worked in the industry
Know-how that can only be learned by knowing the music industry inside and out
Many of the instructors and teachers who are behind the education at Muse come from the music industry or are still active at the forefront of the industry today.
The instructors and teachers at Muse have a wealth of knowledge about the music industry.
Take on challenges that you want to tackle
Available to all majors
Elective Classes
All electives are free of charge. You can take as many of them as you want.
Create your own curriculum by combining elective classes.
  • Basic Vocals
  • Guitar and Vocals
  • Basic Guitar
  • Basic Bass
  • Basic Drums
  • Basic Keyboards
  • Custom & Maintenance
  • Dance
  • Basic DTM
  • Basic Recording
  • Solfege
Sample Timetable
Admission Requirements
Foreign nationals who meet the following requirements may be admitted.
  • 18 years old or older as of April 1 of the year of enrollment
  • Have completed 12 years of schooling (high school graduate or equivalent)
  • Must fall into one of the following categories A) to E)
    • A) Have acquired Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1 or N2
    • B) Have scored 200 points or higher in the Japanese subject in the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students)
    • C) Students who have received at least 6 months of education at a Japanese language school accredited by the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education.
    • D) Students who have scored 400 or higher on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test
    • E) Have received at least one year of education at a school (excluding kindergartens) as defined in Article 1 of the Japanese School Education Act.
Admission Schedule
  1. 1
    Application
    Please send the necessary documents to the Admission Office.
  2. 2
    Admission Screening
    We will conduct a document screening, an online interview, and other admission screening procedures.
    Information about the screening process will be provided separately.
  3. 3
    Acceptance and sending of acceptance letter
    Successful applicants will receive a letter of acceptance.
    Information about procedures for enrollment will be provided separately.
  4. 4
    Tuition payment
    Follow the instructions to complete your tuition payment.
  1. 5
    Renewal of student visa
    If you need to extend your period of stay, please apply for an extension of visa permit.
  2. 6
    enrollment
  1. 1
    Acquire passport
    If you do not have a passport, please follow the necessary procedures to obtain one in your country.
  2. 2
    Application
    Please send the necessary documents to the Admission Office.
  3. 3
    Admission Screening
    We will conduct a document screening, an online interview, and other admission screening procedures.
    Information about the screening process will be provided separately.
  4. 4
    Acceptance and sending of acceptance letter
    Successful applicants will receive a letter of acceptance.
    Information about procedures for enrollment will be provided separately.
  1. 5
    Application for resident status
    We will send you the documents to apply for the Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status.
    Please contact us for details.
  2. 6
    Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status
    After a review period of one to three months, your application will be accepted, and a certificate will be issued to you.
  3. 7
    Tuition payment
    Follow the instructions to complete your tuition payment.
  4. 8
    Student visa application
    The Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status will be sent to you when it is ready, so please apply for a student visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission in your country.
  1. 9
    Issuance of student visa
    Student visas are usually issued within one week.
  2. 10
    Arriving in Japan and enrollment
If you would like to come to Japan for your admission screening
Please apply for a short-stay visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate abroad.
Countries and regions from which visas are required
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/
Required Documents
Application
  • Admission Application
  • A copy of your certificate of Japanese language proficiency (JLPT N2 or higher, EJU Japanese subject score of 200 or higher, or BJT score of 400 or higher)
  • Diploma from the last school you attended (high school, university, etc.)
  • Photocopy of your passport (photo, name, and page showing your entry and exit history in Japan)
For students from abroad
  • Documents proving your or your sponsor's ability to pay expenses (such as proof of bank deposit balance, etc.)
  • A copy of your family register or a statement of the relationship with the sponsor
For international students in Japan
  • Japanese language school certificate
  • Certificate of enrollment or certificate of expected graduation
  • Transcript and attendance certificate
  • A document that confirms remittance (such as a notice) or a copy of the bank balance certificate or Japanese bankbook
  • A photocopy of your residence card (both sides)
  • A photocopy of your National Health Insurance card (both sides)
Admission Screening
General Admissions
  • Application Period
    September to March
  • Admission Screening Date
    To be arranged
    * After we receive your application form, we will contact you to arrange the date of the screening.
  • Screening Method
    Interview
    * Interviews can be conducted at the school or online.
  • Screening Fee
    35,000 yen
Tuition
  • Vocals Major
  • Guitar Major
  • Bass Major
  • Drum Major
  • Composition/Arranging Major
  • Mixing/Creation Major
  • First Year
    1,430,000yen
  • Second Year
    1,300,000yen
  • Music Business Major
  • First Year
    1,350,000yen
  • Second Year
    1,250,000yen
In addition to the above, additional fees of 10,000 to 50,000 yen are required for course materials, depending on your major.
Q
Can the school sponsor a student visa?
Also, is it possible to extend my period of stay?
A
This is a vocational school, which means we are able to sponsor your student visa.
You will be notified about your visa when completing admission procedures.
Your period of stay can be renewed while you are still attending the school.
You will be notified of procedures and required documents at the time of renewal.
Q
Can the tuition be split into installments?
Are there any tuition waivers for international students?
A
Tuition must be paid in a lump sum.
There is no scholarship or tuition waiver system for international students.
Q
Can I enroll in a Master’s course?
A
Our school offers Master's courses, but as it is an ancillary educational institution, these courses are not open for enrollment.
Q
Is Japanese proficiency required?
A
Proof of Japanese language proficiency (JLPT N2 or higher, etc.) is required for admission to vocational schools.
Classes are also conducted in Japanese, so it is important that you are able to communicate.
Q
If I am enrolling from a Japanese language school, what is the minimum attendance rate?
A
Admission to a vocational school requires a minimum attendance rate of 80% at the Japanese language school.
Please note that in some cases, you may not be allowed to extend your period of stay after enrollment.
Contact for inquiries and admission procedures
Muse, Academy of Music/Muse Mode Academy of Music
Admissions Office
5-19-9, Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0051
From within Japan
03-3341-6607
From abroad
+81 3-3341-6607
Office Hours
9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. JST, Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)