Osaka University Homecoming Day

Homecoming Day is an event where alumni, faculty, and staff members from Osaka University and Osaka University of Foreign Studies gather together on campus to deepen their ties as members of the OU Family.
The Icho Festival also takes place on Homecoming Day! Come and enjoy a lively, fun-filled day on campus!

Event details

In light of the effects of COVID-19, Osaka University Homecoming Day 2021 will not be held in conjunction with the Icho Festival.

Past events

14th Osaka University Homecoming Day (Friday, May 3, 2019)
13th Osaka University Homecoming Day (Monday, April 30, 2018)
12th Osaka University Homecoming Day (Sunday, April 30, 2017)

14th Osaka University Homecoming Day (Friday, May 3, 2019)

On Friday, May 3, members of the OU family, including alumni, current students, parents, guardians, and faculty members, attended the 14th Osaka University Homecoming Day.

Part 1 of the event saw Tomoko Lumpkin (1974 graduate of Osaka University of Foreign Studies), who has worked as a conference interpreter for dignitaries from multiple countries, give a lecture entitled “Communication Between Different Cultures – Beyond English.” The audience listened intently to her fascinating anecdotes from her work as an interpreter. Finally, performances by the Osaka University Cheerleading Party fired up the venue and showed a passionate, energetic side of OU students.

The venue shifted to Cafeteria Kasane in the Student Union Building for the social gathering in part 2, which began with a toast from YAMADA Ryuji (1973 graduate of the Graduate School of Engineering; senior advisor, NTT Docomo).

The venue was warm and lively on the sunny spring afternoon, full of friendly conversation between friends both new and old.

A lecture by Ms. Tomoko Lumpkin	A performance by the Osaka University Cheerleading Party	Ms. Ogawa, the MC for the event
Mr. Yamada gives a toast	Scenes from the social gathering

For more details, click here .

13th Osaka University Homecoming Day (Monday, April 30, 2018)

On Monday, April 30, some 550 members of the OU family, including alumni, current students, parents, guardians, and faculty members, attended the 13th Osaka University Homecoming Day. The number of attendees at this year's Homecoming Day was the largest in the event's history!

In part 1 at Osaka University Hall, attendees were treated to a jazz concert by professional saxophone player HIBINO Norihiko (1996 graduate, School of Human Sciences) and The New Wave Jazz Orchestra, an interview between MC and Kansai Telecasting Corporation Announcer SEKI Junko (1988 graduate of the School of Human Sciences) and Mr. Hibino, a stage performance by the Osaka University Cheerleading Party, and a dance performance by the Festival Dance Club "MADANI."

The venue shifted to Cafeteria Kasane in the Student Union Building for the social gathering in part 2, which began with a toast from President HARUTA Seishi (1989 graduate of the School of Human Sciences) of mow-mow farm. There were tasting sessions for chou rusk (a pastry dessert) from President Haruta of mow-mow farm and sake from MORIKI Rumiko (1983 graduate of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences) of Moriki Brewery, both of which went very quickly. At the annual raffle, the lucky winners were able to take some commemorative photos with President Nishio, making for a lively, enjoyable afternoon.

A jazz concert by Mr. Hibino and Osaka University Light Music Club SWING	An interview with Ms. Seki and Mr. Hibino	A performance by the Osaka University Cheerleading Party
A dance performance by MADANI	A toast from President Haruta	A commemorative photo with President Nishio and attendees

For details, click here .

To view a special webpage for the event, click here .

12th Osaka University Homecoming Day (Sunday, April 30 2017)

On a beautiful, sunny Sunday, April 30, some 520 members of the OU family, including alumni, current students, parents, guardians, and faculty members, attended  the 12th Osaka University Homecoming Day, a number that exceeded the attendance numbers of last year's Homecoming Day.

In the first half of Homecoming Day held at Osaka University Hall, following a talk about current events at OU by President NISHIO Shojiro and a greeting from Osaka University Federation of Alumni Association President KUMAGAI Nobuaki, the Osaka University Cheerleading Party took the stage for a performance. Afterwards, in a segment entitled "Great Work, OU Students!" there were appearances by students from a variety of fields, including winner of the women's singles division at the 2016 Kansai Student Tennis Tournament HIGUCHI Naoko (3rd year, School of Science) and winner of the 85kg weight class at the 2016 West Japan Student Sumo Tournament by Weight Class NAKAYAMA Kotaro (4th year, School of Economics) with both students speaking about balancing study and sports and their goals for the future. Next was a performance by SHIMOI Ryutaro (2017 graduate, School of Science) and YAMAUCHI Masanori (4th year, School of Foreign Studies) of the student comedy duo B-Koku Shinshi , winners of the 8th National Student Comedy Competition D-1 Grand Prix, filling the venue with laughter with their witty banter.

Finally, the professional a cappella group INSPi captivated the audience with their beautiful harmony. The leader of INSPi, OHKURA Toyoyuki (2002 graduate, School of Engineering), spoke about the group, which started as a group of OU students, saying, "I'm honored to have the opportunity to return and perform at OU."

The concert was rocking even into the social gathering, with a raffle event in which winners took home the newest INSPi CD and various Osaka University merchandise, ending Homecoming Day on a high note.

This year also saw a large number of attendees utilize the childcare services at the event.

A performance by the Cheerleading Party	MC SEKI Junko	An interview with Ms. Higuchi (center) and Mr. Nakayama (left)
A performance by comedy duo B-Koku Shinshi	A live concert featuring a cappella group INSPi	A scene from the raffle held at the social gathering

For details, click here .

To view a special webpage for the event, click here .