Universities in Japan

Japan is home to over 1,300 universities and higher education institutions, making it one of Asia's largest and most respected academic systems. The country's universities consistently rank among the world's best, with the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University regularly appearing in the global top 50. Japan's higher education landscape includes national universities, public universities, and a large number of private institutions. The system attracts approximately 300,000 international students annually, drawn by Japan's strengths in engineering, technology, robotics, natural sciences, and traditional arts.

1,377

Total

173

Public

Private

QS Ranked

Top-Ranked Universities

QS Rank	University	City	Type	Founded
#32	University of Tokyo	Nezu	Public	1877
#50	Kyoto University	Kamigyō-ku	Public	1897
#69	Keio University	Azabu-jūban	Private	1858
#84	Tokyo Institute of Technology	Jiyūgaoka	Public	1881
#100	Tohoku University	Sendai	Public	1907
#148	Nagoya University	Tokugawa	Public	1939
#163	Kyushu University	Maebaru-chūō	Public	1911
#196	Hokkaido University	Sapporo	Public	1918
#196	Waseda University	Waseda-tsurumakichō	Private	1882
#355	University of Tsukuba	Tsukuba	Public	1973
#381	Tokyo Medical and Dental University	—	Public	1946
#392	Kobe University	Ashiya	Public	1949
#472	Hiroshima University	Hiroshima	Public	1949
#517	Chiba University	Kemigawa	Public	1923
#571	Kanazawa University	Nonoichi	Public	1949
#601	Okayama University	Okayama	Public	1949
#801	Ritsumeikan University	Kamigyō-ku	Private	1900
#801	Sophia University	Ichigaya-honmurachō	Private	1913
#801	Yokohama National University	Hakuraku	Public	1949

Universities by City

Other

358 universities

Kamigyō-ku

15 universities

Sapporo

14 universities

Kyoto

13 universities

Sendai

12 universities

Kobe

11 universities

Tokugawa

10 universities

Akashi

10 universities

Niigata

9 universities

Ashiya

8 universities

Nonoichi

8 universities

Okayama

8 universities

Gion

8 universities

Shizuoka

8 universities

Hiroshima

7 universities

All Universities

#	University	City	Founded	QS Rank
1	University of Tokyo	Nezu	1877	#32
2	Kyoto University	Kamigyō-ku	1897	#50
3	Keio University	Azabu-jūban	1858	#69
4	Tokyo Institute of Technology	Jiyūgaoka	1881	#84
5	Tohoku University	Sendai	1907	#100
6	Nagoya University	Tokugawa	1939	#148
7	Kyushu University	Maebaru-chūō	1911	#163
8	Hokkaido University	Sapporo	1918	#196
9	Waseda University	Waseda-tsurumakichō	1882	#196
10	University of Tsukuba	Tsukuba	1973	#355
11	Tokyo Medical and Dental University	—	1946	#381
12	Kobe University	Ashiya	1949	#392
13	Hiroshima University	Hiroshima	1949	#472
14	Chiba University	Kemigawa	1923	#517
15	Kanazawa University	Nonoichi	1949	#571
16	Okayama University	Okayama	1949	#601
17	Ritsumeikan University	Kamigyō-ku	1900	#801
18	Sophia University	Ichigaya-honmurachō	1913	#801
19	Yokohama National University	Hakuraku	1949	#801
20	Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology	Tennōzu	2006	—
21	Aichi Bunkyo University	Kasugai	1998	—
22	Aichi Bunkyo Women's College	Inazawa	1951	—
23	Aichi Gakuin University	Nagakute	1876	—
24	Aichi Gakusen College	Okazaki	1950	—
25	Aichi Gakusen University	Okazaki	1966	—
26	Aichi Institute of Technology	Nagakute	1959	—
27	Aichi Kenritsu Joshi Tanki Daigaku	—	—	—
28	Aichi Kiwami College of Nursing	Ichinomiya	2004	—
29	Aichi Konan College	Fusō	1970	—
30	Aichi Medical College for Physical and Occupational Therapy	Tokugawa	2008	—
31	Aichi Medical University	Nagakute	1971	—
32	Aichi Mizuho College	Toyota	1940	—
33	Aichi Prefectural College of Nursing & Health	Komaki	1995	—
34	Aichi Prefectural University	Nagakute	1947	—
35	Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music	Nagakute	1966	—
36	Aichi Sangyo University	Okazaki	1948	—
37	Aichi Shinshiro Otani College	Shinshiro	1827	—
38	Aichi Shinshiro Otani University	Shinshiro	1999	—
39	Aichi Shukutoku University	—	1905	—
40	Aichi Toho University	Tokugawa	2001	—
41	Aichi University	Tokugawa	1946	—
42	Aichi University of Education	—	1943	—
43	Aichi University of Technology	Gamagōri	1987	—
44	Aikoku Gakuen University	Yotsukaidō	1938	—
45	Aino College	Ibaraki	1985	—
46	Aino College Aobaoka	—	—	—
47	Aino University	Ibaraki	2004	—
48	Akamon College of Sendai	Sendai	1947	—
49	Akikusa Gakuen Junior College	Tokorozawa	1949	—
50	Akita International University	Akita	2004	—
51	Akita Municipal Junior College of Arts and Crafts	Akita	1995	—
52	Akita Prefectural College of Agriculture	Kita	—	—
53	Akita Prefectural University	Yurihonjō	1999	—
54	Akita University	Akita	1949	—
55	Akita University of Art	Akita	2013	—
56	Akita University of Nursing and Welfare	Ōdate	2005	—
57	Anan National College of Technology	Anan	1963	—
58	Aomori Chuo Gakuin University	Aomori	1946	—
59	Aomori Public University	Aomori	1993	—
60	Aomori University	Aomori	1962	—
61	Aomori University of Health and Welfare	Aomori	1999	—
62	Aoyama Gakuin University	Shibuya	1949	—
63	Ariake Junior College of Education and the Arts	Toyosu	2009	—
64	Army Cavalry Military Academy	—	1888	—
65	Asahikawa Medical University	Asahikawa	1973	—
66	Asahikawa University	Tōma	1968	—
67	Asahikawa University Junior College	Tōma	1964	—
68	Asahi University	Mizuho	1971	—
69	Ashikaga University	Ashikaga	1967	—
70	Ashiya College	Ashiya	1937	—
71	Ashiya University	Ashiya	1964	—
72	Asia University	Sakai	1941	—
73	Aso Fukuoka Junior College	—	1989	—
74	Atomi University	Ōtsuka	1965	—
75	Azabu University	Yabe	1890	—
76	Baika Women's University	Ibaraki	1878	—
77	Baiko Gakuin University	Shimonoseki	1872	—
78	Beppu Mizobe Gakuen College	Beppu	1986	—
79	Beppu University	Beppu	1908	—
80	Biwako Professional University of Rehabilitation	—	2020	—
81	Biwako Seikei Sport College	Kitahama	2003	—
82	Bukkyo University	Kamigyō-ku	1912	—
83	Bunka Fashion Graduate University	—	1919	—
84	Bunka Gakuen University	Tokyo	1923	—
85	Bunka Womens University Muroran Junior College	Muroran	1969	—
86	Bunkyo Gakuin College	Nezu	1962	—
87	Bunkyo Gakuin University	Nezu	1924	—
88	Bunkyo University	Koshigaya	1927	—
89	Bunkyo University Women's College	—	1927	—
90	Bunri University of Hospitality	Tsurugashima	1974	—
91	Bunsei University of Art	Utsunomiya	1999	—
92	Business Breakthrough University	Ichigaya-honmurachō	2005	—
93	Carnegie Mellon CyLab Japan	Kobe	—	—
94	Chiba College of Health Science	Kemigawa	1981	—
95	Chiba Institute of Science	Hasaki	2004	—
96	Chiba Institute of Technology	Narashino	1942	—
97	Chiba Keizai College	—	1933	—
98	Chiba Keizai University	Chiba	1933	—
99	Chiba Medical College	—	1923	—
100	Chiba Meitoku College	Makuhari	1925	—

Showing 100 of 1377 universities.

Higher Education in Japan

Japan's higher education system is structured into three main categories: national universities (funded by the central government), public universities (funded by local governments), and private universities. The system traces its modern roots to the Meiji era (1868-1912). Japanese universities are particularly strong in engineering, robotics, materials science, physics, and medicine. The academic year runs from April to March.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many universities are in Japan?

Japan has over 1,300 universities and higher education institutions.

What is the best university in Japan?

The University of Tokyo is ranked #32 in the QS World University Rankings. Kyoto University (#50) and Keio University (#69) are also top-ranked.

Are Japanese universities taught in English?

Most programs are in Japanese, but an increasing number offer English-taught programs, especially at graduate level.

How much does it cost to study in Japan?

National university tuition is approximately 535,800 yen per year. Private universities range from 800,000 to 1,500,000 yen per year.

What are the most popular fields of study?

Engineering, technology, robotics, natural sciences, and medicine.

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