Japan, also called the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is an East Asian island country. Its capital is Tokyo. It also lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which helps explain the country’s many active volcanoes. A 2023 digital recount by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan put the number of Japanese islands at 14,125.
The country’s religious landscape is strongly influenced by Shinto and Buddhism, while Christianity represents a comparatively small share of the population and Confucian thought has had a long cultural influence. Japan is also one of the most visited destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, welcoming a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025. This is not surprising, as the picturesque archipelago is home to many wondrous landmarks, such as Mount Fuji, Shibuya Crossing, the island shrine of Itsukushima, Osaka Castle, and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Not to mention, Japanese cuisine brings an amazing delight to the taste buds, and anyone who visits the country should not miss out on some of its best dishes, such as ramen, yakitori, donburi, korokke, and mochi.
Moreover, Japan is a top choice for people who plan on pursuing their education abroad. This is because of the nation’s strong higher education and research environment, as well as the government’s MEXT Scholarship programs for international students. As of May 1, 2025, 408,069 international students were enrolled in Japanese educational institutions. In this article, we will be looking at the best cities in Japan for international students!
Top Cities to Study in Japan for International Students
1. Tokyo
A Japanese city full of life that was once referred to as Edo, Tokyo is a must-visit for tourists and an excellent city for aspiring international students in Japan. It is also one of the world’s top-ranked student cities, placing second in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking. As of June 1, 2026, Tokyo Metropolis had an estimated population of about 14.3 million, while the wider Tokyo metropolitan area had about 37.0 million people in 2025.
Being the country’s biggest business and recreational center, it is only natural that one will not run out of things to do, places to see, and food to try in Tokyo. Such places one should not miss include the Imperial Palace, Ginza District, Sensō-ji Temple, Ueno Park, Ueno Zoo, and, of course, the Tokyo National Museum.
Going back to students who aspire to take up their tertiary studies abroad, there are several esteemed colleges and universities in the area. A few of these include the Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo City University, Tokyo Metropolitan University, and Institute of Science Tokyo, which was formed in 2024 through the merger of the former Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Institute of Science Tokyo is especially relevant for students interested in medicine, dentistry, science, and engineering. Its dental roots trace back to the former Tokyo Medical and Dental University’s Faculty of Dentistry and the Tokyo National School of Dentistry, founded in 1928.
2. Osaka
Popular as Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo, Osaka is another location in Japan that is full of energy and enthusiasm, and it is a top city to study in for international students in the country. In the olden days, it was called Naniwa. As of June 1, 2026, Osaka City had an estimated population of about 2.8 million.
Once in Osaka, one should not forget to take a trip to Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Tempozan Harbor Village, Dotonbori, and the Osaka Science Museum. As for the schools in and around the city, prominent ones include Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka Institute of Technology, The University of Osaka, Osaka University of Economics, Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, and Soai University.
Soai University traces its roots to Soai School, founded in 1888. Osaka Metropolitan University is a major public university created in 2022 through the merger of Osaka City University and Osaka Prefecture University. Its Osaka City University roots date back to the Osaka Commercial Training Institute, founded in 1880, so it remains a strong option for students interested in business, commerce, and industry-focused fields.
3. Kyoto
Kyoto is popular for being a culturally rich Japanese city, as it is where one can find numerous heritage sites such as Nijo Castle, Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, the Golden Pavilion, or Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, and the geisha district of Gion. Moreover, the city has about 1.4 million residents at present.
As mentioned above, the geisha district of Gion can be found in the area. In Kyoto, geisha are often called geiko, and apprentices are known as maiko. The district also houses a good variety of restaurants, teahouses, and temples.
When it comes to universities, Kyoto is one of the best cities to study in Japan. The best-known institutions spread out in the city include Kyoto University, Kyoto University of the Arts, Kyoto Women’s University, Kyoto Sangyo University, and Doshisha University.
Students interested in a historic private university should consider applying to Doshisha University, which was founded in 1875 and remains a renowned institution for higher studies in Japan. Some of the university’s alumni include respected Japanese politician Takako Doi, author David Zoppetti, and video game designer Gunpei Yokoi, who is credited with helping create Nintendo’s Game Boy.
4. Nagoya
Situated in Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya is one of Japan’s largest cities, with about 2.35 million residents as of June 1, 2026. Many people associate Aichi with the automotive industry because it is Japan’s largest automotive cluster and includes companies such as Toyota; Toyota’s head office is in nearby Toyota City rather than Nagoya proper. However, there is more to the city than being a central hub for industry. In Nagoya, tourists will be delighted with the sights of Atsuta Jingu Shrine, Meiji Village, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Legoland Japan, and Nagoya Castle.
Nagoya’s tertiary education institutes include Nagoya University, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya Gakuin University, Meijo University, and Nagoya Women’s University. In relation to this, Nagoya Institute of Technology, or NITech, is an outstanding learning center whose predecessor, Nagoya Higher Technical School, was founded in 1905. Individuals who are interested in areas such as architecture and design, applied chemistry, engineering, science, and related fields should check out this institution.
5. Sendai
Sendai is an excellent city to study in Japan and is part of the Tohoku Region. As of July 1, 2026, the city had an estimated population of about 1.1 million. It is less crowded with tourists than Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, and it has many hidden gems, such as the Aoba Castle Ruins, Zuihoden, and Matsushima.
Tohoku University, Tohoku Institute of Technology – Nagamachi Campus, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University – Komatsushima Campus, Tohoku Fukushi University, and the Miyagi University of Education are some of the educational institutions in Sendai.
There are many cities and prefectures where you can live in Japan, but this list highlights some of the best and most livable choices for international students. We hope this article has helped you in your search for a city to study in. Read more articles about Japan by visiting the Study in Japan Page! If you are interested, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
