25 Best Universities In Tokyo For International Students 2026

Tokyo is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Japan. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 82 universities and colleges in Tokyo, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 82 universities in Tokyo, University of Tokyo and Institute of Science Tokyo are the top-performing schools in Tokyo. This list covers both public and private institutions in Tokyo.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Tokyo. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Tokyo.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Tokyo?

Applying to the universities in Tokyo involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Tokyo to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Tokyo?

Tuition fees at Tokyo’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 308,000 Yen to 2,000,000 Yen , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 400,000 Yen to 1,800,000 Yen. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Tokyo!

As we cover the best universities in Tokyo for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Tokyo for International Students

One of Japan’s prestigious universities, The University of Tokyo, continues to live with its vision of being a globally recognized platform for learning and research. As they aspire to build a community of leaders in society, they provide excellent academic programs to all levels. More than that, to expand their global engagement, they offer English-taught programs in some departments. International students at The University of Tokyo receive a well-rounded curriculum and services. They are able to attend various activities and events organized by the university that fosters engagement within the campus.

Institute of Science Tokyo, formerly known as Tokyo Institute of Technology, is a leading university that entirely concentrates on providing first-class education in science and technology. It attracts brilliant and talented students who aspire to obtain a degree at this elite university. At present, the Institute of Science Tokyo is also open to admitting international students. Aside from its Japanese-taught programs, it also offers English-taught programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Waseda University is one of the most highly-regarded universities in Japan. It is considered the best private institution in the country and consistently ranks among the top 200 in reputable world university rankings. Waseda receives the highest number of applications in Japan every year. Several alumni have become Japanese prime ministers, CEOs, and influential artists.

Established in 1889 by Akiyoshi Yamada, Nihon University is considered one of the biggest universities in Japan. When it started its operation, the institute’s educational philosophy was “independence of mind and creativity.” And throughout the years, it has remained one of the university’s beliefs. At present, the university leads in providing exceptional study programs. It has a broad spectrum of academic disciplines offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including law, international relations, science and technology, business, health sciences, and engineering.

Tokyo University of Science (TUS) came to fruition when several undergraduate students from the University of Tokyo decided to establish their own school concentrated entirely on science. Despite the government’s support, the university experienced difficult challenges during its early years. However, since its founding members are strong advocates of providing academic excellence, the university thrived and has grown into an elite science and technology institution. Today, TUS is known for its high standards of teaching and research in Japan and across the globe.

Tokai University’s history goes back to 1942. However, the present Tokai University is the result of integrating three universities: Tokai University (the namesake), Kyushu Tokai University, and Hokkaido Tokai University. This private institution is well-ranked both in global and national assessments. For instance, it is ranked 247th among Asian universities by the QS Top Universities ranking site. The university covers an impressive range of courses. These are offered through its six campuses: Shonan, Kumamoto, Takanawa, Isehara, Sapporo, Shibuya, and Shimizu.

Juntendo University aims to contribute to society by offering education in healthcare and research. The university maintains a diverse learning environment where students, regardless of gender and nationality, are given equal opportunities to prosper in their respective careers. It seeks to develop more motivated individuals that are passionate about serving the global healthcare industry in the future.

Hosei University is a prestigious, three-campus university in Japan. The privately owned university features modern buildings and equipment in Ichigaya, Tama, and Koganei for its high-quality programs. Although it started as a law school, the university has expanded its disciplines. Thus, its programs encompass the sciences and the humanities. Hosei University fares well in Asian and worldwide university rankings. For instance, it placed 451st in the Asian University Rankings of the QS Top Universities.

Meiji University is a leading private institution that provides first-class academic programs at all levels. The university started its operations as a law school in 1881 and has eventually grown into one of the most influential universities in Japan over the years. Today, it offers a broad spectrum of internationally recognized academic programs in various fields of study. In addition, the school attracts numerous local and international students as its campuses are located in the heart of Tokyo.

Tokyo Metropolitan University takes pride in its active participation in numerous inter-faculty exchanges and research and development activities between industries and academia. The university deeply aims to heighten the level of research education on campus as it strives to widen its international scope in the coming years. Tokyo Metropolitan University has high hopes for its goal of providing an education that solves significant issues in metropolitan areas.

Rikkyo University is a private, religious school in Japan affiliated with the Anglican Church. It was first known as St. Paul’s School before having its present name and university status. A missionary bishop founded the university to focus on Christian bible studies and English education. Until now, the university offers religion and English-related programs and follows a Western pattern of education. The present Rikkyo University is a powerhouse compared to the humble religious school it started as. It is among the best globally, ranking high among universities and disciplines. For instance, it placed 251st in linguistics worldwide.

Sophia University, one of the elite private universities in Japan, ranks highly in international rankings, including QS Top Universities and Times Higher Education. It is primarily established in globalization, literature, and foreign languages, ranking 360th for Arts and Humanities worldwide. Besides such courses, the university has science, engineering, and religious programs. It is a Roman Catholic institution founded by the Society of Jesus.

Kitasato University is a private medical university in Tokyo, Japan, with campuses in Shirokane and Minato. It was founded in 1962 and named after Kitasato Shibasabur, a Nobel Prize winner in medicine. Undergraduate and graduate programs in natural sciences and medicine are available at the university. According to Times Higher Education, it is one of the top 350 universities in Asia.

The priority of Toho University is to provide optimal learning opportunities for students with high potential. With almost 100 years of experience, the university has already influenced the social and economic activities of the country. It aims to prepare students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in the professional field.

Aoyama Gakuin University is a private Christian educational and research institution located in Shibuya, Tokyo. Founded in 1874 by Methodist missionaries, the university has a long history of serving the local community and providing top-notch education integrated with Christian values. The university believes in every individual’s potential to influence positive change to society and address its issues with creativity, intellect, and humility.

Tokyo Medical University is one of the most professional institutions in the area, providing studies in the fields of medicine and nursing. This university was founded in 1946 and has one of the most well-prepared faculty and administrative staff in its field. The main value that comes from this university is that it has a broad range of degrees, from bachelor’s up to Ph.D. degrees.

Toyo University was originally created to fill a gap in Japanese universities: the lack of philosophy courses. Over the years, it has expanded but maintains the same principles of putting philosophy at the core of education, being committed to finding the truth and finding solutions to society’s problems. The university has almost 30 faculties and graduate schools distributed on 5 campuses. It also has more than 20 research centers and institutes that specialize in areas such as sustainable development, social sciences, biomedical engineering, etc.

Teikyo University is a private university in Tokyo’s Itabashi District. It was founded in 1931 as Teikyo Commercial High School and is part of the Teikyo Group, a multinational educational foundation. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs on five campuses across the country, as well as exchange students on international campuses.

Nippon Medical School is the perfect option for those who would like to obtain an MD degree or for medical professionals that would like to conduct research or get a Ph.D. degree. Education here follows two fundamental principles: saving people’s lives and providing healthcare service in a selfless manner. The university strives for training professionals that will be up-to-date regarding the latest medical technological advancements while providing the traditional emotional and ethical support usually given by doctors. The university has 6 fields of research, which are divided into dozens of departments, like the bioregulation and legal medicine departments. Its facilities include 4 hospitals and 3 research institutes.

The Shibaura Institute of Technology is a very valued university in Japan because it is seen as a representation of history and tradition in the Japanese education system. This university was founded in 1949 and it provides great opportunities for all levels of education to domestic and international students that want to study in the fields of engineering, computer science, and business. The true value of this university lies in the fact that it helps students connect to the outside world through different activities and programs.

Ochanomizu University is a Japanese institution founded in 1875 and is located in the country’s capital – Tokyo. It offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs. Around 2,800 students are currently enrolled with over 300 faculty and administrative staff handling them. The university also provides excellent education at the Kindergarten, Elementary, and Highschool levels.

One of Japan’s premier medical universities is Showa University, founded as Showa Medical University in 1928. It was established to provide quality training to aspiring doctors, so they could become sincere medical professionals capable of meeting patients’ needs and earning their trust. Dr. Shusuke Kamijo, the university’s founder, was especially intent on this aspect of medical training to shift from the primarily technical and academic education that prevailed in medical schools of that era.

Although Showa University continues to focus on medicine, its programs have since expanded to become more specialized and encompass other health sciences. Thus, you may pursue courses such as nursing, pharmacy, or dentistry at Showa.

Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI) is a private institution that offers premier programs in agriculture. The university has been educating countless students since 1891. Throughout the years, Tokyo NODAI has been committed to providing courses dedicated to agriculture. And it is among the top private Japanese universities that offer cutting-edge and interdisciplinary specialized programs.

Jikei University School of Medicine is one of the leading medical schools in Japan. With more than 140 years of educational tradition, it has contributed profoundly to the health care industry of the country. The university is known for its research and medical care practice programs that highly focus on the holistic well-being of the patient.

Tokyo University of the Arts is a perfect place to level up one’s creativity and artistry. It is a university that develops artistic students in the modern world, integrating technology into its course offerings. The university has maintained an excellent reputation worldwide because of its comprehensive art lessons and well-adept instructors that are deeply knowledgeable in the arts and media field.