47 best universities in Japan in 2026
Ranking based on the average of the three main global rankings: Shanghai (ARWU), Times Higher Education and QS.
The University of Tokyo
Average rank: #29
No. 25Kindai University
Private university offering diverse programs in medicine, engineering, and humanities.
No. 26Nagasaki University
Public Japanese university renowned for medicine and environmental sciences.
No. 27Juntendo University
Private Japanese leader in medicine and health sciences.
No. 28Kumamoto University
Public Japanese university renowned for medicine and pharmacy.
No. 29Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Public Japanese university specializing in agriculture and technology.
No. 30Shinshu University
Public Japanese university renowned for engineering and medicine.
No. 31Niigata University
Public Japanese university specializing in medicine and agriculture.
No. 32Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
Private international university focused on Asian and Pacific studies.
No. 33Tokyo Metropolitan University
Public Japanese university renowned for engineering and natural sciences.
No. 34Yokohama City University
Public Japanese university specializing in natural sciences and engineering.
No. 35Yokohama National University
Public Japanese university specializing in economics and international trade.
No. 36Gifu University
Public Japanese university excelling in medicine and engineering.
No. 37Gunma University
Public Japanese university specializing in medicine and social sciences.
No. 38International Christian University (ICU)
Private Japanese university renowned for humanities and international relations.
No. 39Kagoshima University
Public Japanese university specializing in agriculture and medicine.
No. 40Kyushu Institute of Technology
Public Japanese institute specializing in engineering and technology.
No. 41Nagoya Institute of Technology
Public Japanese institute specializing in engineering and technology.
No. 42Tokushima University
Public Japanese university specializing in medicine and engineering.
No. 43Doshisha University
Private Christian university offering liberal education and humanities programs.
No. 44Kyoto Institute of Technology
Public Japanese institute specializing in engineering and technology.
No. 45Meiji University
Private Japanese university renowned for law, economics, and engineering.
No. 46Tokai University
Private university offering programs in engineering, medicine, and humanities.
No. 47Yamaguchi University
Public Japanese university specializing in medicine and engineering.