Ronin Hyakumanben: Life Stories of Kyoto University Students

Japan’s university admissions system may be quite different from what you’re used to. Unlike systems that place considerable weight on school grades, personal essays, and extracurricular activities, admission to Japan’s national universities is largely determined by entrance exams.

Applicants typically take a nationwide standardized test, followed by written exams set by individual universities. In the main admissions round, students can apply to only one national or public university. Their performance on just a few days of exams can therefore have a major impact on their future.

Those who spend an extra year or more preparing for university entrance exams after high school are known as ronin. Some spend two, three, or even more years trying to get into their desired university.

Despite how deeply ronin culture is rooted in Japan’s education system, books that reveal what these students actually experience are surprisingly rare—even in Japanese.

Ronin Hyakumanben offers a rare, firsthand look into this largely unexplored world. Written by Kyoto University students who spent at least two years preparing for university admission after high school, this collection is far more than a series of exam success stories.

Many contributors trace their lives all the way back to childhood, reflecting on their school days, friendships, family relationships, personal struggles, and the decisions that led them away from the conventional path. Each essay is, in a sense, an autobiography—an attempt to understand how the author became the person they are today.

These deeply personal accounts offer a fascinating glimpse into how young people in Japan grow up, think, struggle, and find their own paths through life.

At this year’s November Festival, we are selling the fifth volume of Ronin Hyakumanben.

This is not just a book about university entrance exams. It is a window into Japanese youth, education, social expectations, and the lives of ordinary people whose voices are rarely heard outside Japan.

The essays are written in Japanese, but language doesn’t have to be a barrier. With the help of translation tools, you can explore stories, thoughts, and experiences that rarely make their way beyond Japan’s borders. Go beyond the language barrier, and discover a deeper, less familiar side of Japanese life.

Come visit our booth and take a look!