Are you seeking high quality education and the world’s best sushi? In all seriousness, there are so many reasons why studying abroad in Japan is a good idea for college students. Aside from the amazing cultural experiences, many of the best universities in Japan warmly welcome international students.
Below this post, we give you the list all the best universities for international students to study in Japan.
Best Universities to Study In Japan
1. University of Tokyo:
The University of Tokyo is Japan’s first national university. It was established in 1877 and has 10 faculties and 5 graduate schools. Something that’s interesting about the school is that students change campuses throughout their study. For the first two years, they are on one campus, and then they transition to another one in their third year. The campus is a good option for those who want to sightsee around because it’s located close to main attractions.
2. Osaka University:
Osaka University is home to over 15,000 undergraduate students, about 8,000 graduate students and around 2,000 international students. If you attend Osaka University, you will have attended the same school as Sony founder Akio Morita.
3. Hokkaido University:
Initially, Hokkaido University was called Sapporo Agricultural College and was Japan’s first higher education institution to issue bachelor’s degrees. In Japan, it ranks as #7 on the list of top universities.
4. Nagoya University:
Nagoya University continues its legacy of academic excellence and boasts about 33% of Japan’s Nobel Laureates in Science. It comes as no surprise that the university is well known for its research.
5. Kyushu University:
As the fourth oldest university on the island, Kyushu University can trace its history back to 1903. There are over 18,000 students, so if jumping into a big university setting is calling your name, this might be the place for you! Despite the big campus, the student to teacher ratio is still just 9:1.
6. Keio University:
Keio University is Japan’s first private institution for higher education. In 2019, it was ranked as the 10th best school in all of Japan. The school has a great reputation for international research and a diverse network around the world.
7. University of Tsukuba:
More than a third of Japan’s research institutes exist on this campus. There is a strong focus on international studies, with cooperative agreements with North Africa and Central Asia. Interestingly, roughly 70 of its current and previous students have participated in the Olympic Games.
8. Akita International University:
With the word International in its name, Akita International University has 26% international students. The school offers both short- and long-term programs.
9. Waseda University:
Located in Tokyo, Waseda University is considered to be one of the most diverse campuses in Japan. Over 5,000 international students study on the campus, coming from over 100 different countries.
10. Tokyo Institute of Technology:
Demonstrated by its name, the Tokyo Institute of Technology has educated some of the world’s brightest math and engineering minds. 13% of its students are international.
11. Kyoto University:
State-of-the-art laboratories and hands-on training make Kyoto University an incredible place for students who want to perform research.
12. Tohoku University:
Tohoku University led the way into the future for education in Japan by allowing both women and graduates from technical schools to enroll. The university continues to be a pioneering force through its research in next-generation medicine. It’s located in Sendai, which is a huge metropolis with 1 million people.
Why study abroad in Japan?
1. Eat amazing (and affordable) food
Why study abroad in Japan? For the delicious food, of course! You’ve probably already heard a thing or two about Japanese cuisine. You may have tried savory goodies like sushi and ramen, but there are so many other foods to broaden your palate.
You will have the chance to try all sorts of tasty tofu, seafood, and fermented veggies. Fried street foods like takoyaki will make your mouth water. Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) is a fun, communal experience for you and your study abroad friends. Then you can finish the day with different kinds of mochi and red bean desserts.
Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, in part due to the variety in the foods available. You can either go super healthy (and budget friendly) and cook at home, or take advantage of convenience in a country where fast food is easily accessible.
Even convenience stores (konbinis), are well-stocked and you can get a cheap, delicious, and even healthy meal from the corner store. There’s something tasty at every corner, and more importantly, options to fit your student budget.
2. Get an excellent education
Japan is home to an esteemed education system, often ranking in the top 10 countries for quality of education. Even at an elementary and high school level, Japan is known for its commitment to education.
In one of the most high-tech countries in the world, it’s probably not surprising that there are some awesome STEM and technology Japan study abroad programs available. Japan is also a huge economic and business hub, and is perfect for students in those fields!
While Japan is well-known for technology and business-related studies, there is no shortage of arts programs. Just look to Japan’s love for design, anime, and trendy clothing, and you’ll see how arts and cultural studies are integral to Japanese culture. Regardless of your field of study, high-quality programs is one of the top reasons to study abroad in Japan!
3. Take advantage of job opportunities
Japan has a booming economy, and many job opportunities for English speakers. If you take the time to learn Japanese, that’s even better! Bilingual English and Japanese speakers are in huge demand in Japan, a country that is home to a number of global brands.
There’s just one caveat: Japanese is an extremely difficult language to learn as an English speaker. Luckily, the demand for English teachers is also very high in Japan! Japan is actually one of the top locations for international English teachers.
This means that you have job opportunities after you graduate; you can also work part time as a teacher or tutor while you study abroad in Japan. If you decide to stay after you’re finished with school, Japan also has working holiday agreements with many countries.
4. Live in a clean and safe country
Communities take great pride in keeping their public spaces clean in Japan — and it shows! Rarely will you see litter or graffiti on the streets of Japan. If you’re a bit of a neat freak, then cleanliness is just one of the many reasons to study abroad in Japan!
Japan also has an exceptionally low crime rate. As a student, studying abroad might be one of your first experiences venturing out on your own. This means that safety might be a top concern (for your parents, at the very least).
Not only does Japan have a low crime rate, but they also have an excellent health care system, which makes Japan one of the safest countries to study abroad.
5. Accessible and travel-friendly
The transit system in many Japanese cities is top-notch: fast, reliable, and comfortable. Millions of people use it every day, especially in the major cities where public transit is the fastest and most convenient method of transportation.
Why deal with traffic or parking when you can get on a train and get there in half the time? The transit system is known for its punctuality and efficiency, which will make getting to class a breeze.
If you want to travel around the country, jump in a shinkansen (bullet train). Although the experience is a bit pricey, taking the bullet train is a must-do activity in Japan! Of course, as a student, there are also budget options. Many cities are connected by comfortable overnight buses, so you don’t have to miss out on exploring all of Japan during your study abroad adventure.
6. Experience Japanese culture
Japan has a culture that has influenced the world — and you get to be right in the middle of it if you study abroad in Japan! Japan is known for its flashy, high-tech, and fun culture, balanced with a historical richness that makes up the strong Japanese cultural identity.
In Japan, you can stay in a ryokan (a Buddhist temple homestay), participate in tea ceremonies, watch sumo, and visit beautiful temples. Centuries of history are still evident in Japan through its temples and well-maintained historical sites.
And there’s an awesome fun side as well! When you study abroad in Japan you can also explore all things kawaii, watch and read anime, and maybe go out on the town for a night of karaoke! All of this can be centered around food and drinks, so grab a few beers and meat skewers in an izakaya on the weekends.
7. Learn Japanese
Japanese can be a tough language to learn, so immersion is your best bet if you want to become fluent. And when else would be a better time to immerse yourself than during Japan study abroad programs?
Becoming fluent in Japanese is a great resume booster, especially if you want to work at a Japanese company. With an increasingly globalized economy, Japanese companies are always interested in bilingual, international applicants.
If you want to open doors in the job market, learning Japanese is the way to go! Surrounding yourself with native Japanese speakers is the best way to get the hang of the language as quickly as possible.
8. Great quality of life
Once you use a Japanese toilet, your world view will change. This is not a joke. Many toilets are equipped with seat warmers, heated bidets, and even the option to play music in case you’re *ahem* a little shy about bathroom noises.
The thought put into something as simple as a toilet is a metaphor for the quality of life in Japan. The comfort and care, efficiency, and convenience are some of the things you can take advantage of when you study abroad in Japan.
Politeness is at the forefront of Japanese culture, and you will be greeted with kindness wherever you go. This is all on top of the amazing food, great education and medical system, and top-notch transit infrastructure. Why study abroad in Japan? With all these perks, why not?!
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