Japan, an island nation surrounded by seas, has marine environments that include subtropical coral reefs, cold northern waters, and deep offshore habitats. Its waters support diverse marine life, including the Japanese spider crab, the world’s largest living crab by leg span. This environmental variety makes Japan a strong destination for marine biology, fisheries science, and ocean-related research and education.
With specialized academic programs and field-based training, the institutions below offer study in marine biology or closely related fields, such as fisheries science, aquatic bioscience, and marine environmental science. This is an editorial list rather than a formal ranking. To explore these eight institutions and learn more about their programs, keep reading!
Top Schools Offering Marine Biology Programs in Japan
1. Hokkaido University
Japan’s northernmost main island, Hokkaido, is known for its natural landscapes, hot springs, and winter sports. It is also home to Hokkaido University, which traces its roots to Sapporo Agricultural College, founded in 1876.
The university’s School of Fisheries Sciences includes four undergraduate departments: Marine Biology, Applied Marine Science, Aquaculture Life Science, and Marine Bioresources Chemistry. Its Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences also offers master’s and Ph.D. study in areas such as marine biology and biodiversity, marine environmental science, aquaculture, and marine biotechnology.
Most undergraduate Marine Biology courses are taught in Japanese, although selected courses, seminars, and graduation research may be conducted in Japanese or English. At the graduate level, completing a degree in English may be possible depending on the academic supervisor. Prospective international students should confirm the available language arrangements before applying to work with a member of the School of Fisheries Sciences.
2. University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Agriculture offers the undergraduate majors Aquatic Life Science and Aquatic Production and Environmental Science. At the graduate level, the Department of Aquatic Bioscience offers both master’s and doctoral study related to aquatic ecosystems, fisheries, food production, and aquatic organisms.
The medium of instruction is primarily Japanese. The university states that its regular undergraduate programs outside designated English-taught programs require fluent Japanese, and most master’s lectures in the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences are also conducted in Japanese. Some graduate study and research may be completed in English, depending on the program and laboratory.
The University of Tokyo publishes different tuition rates by degree level. Its current fee page lists annual tuition of ¥642,960 for undergraduate students, ¥535,800 for master’s students, and ¥520,800 for doctoral students, excluding doctoral programs in medicine or veterinary science. A one-time admission fee of ¥282,000 also applies. Applicants should consult the university’s current fee page rather than relying on a fixed US-dollar conversion, as fees and exchange rates may change. More information is available in this guide to the cost of studying at the University of Tokyo.
3. Nagasaki University
Nagasaki University was newly established in 1949 under Japan’s National School Establishment Law. Today, Nagasaki University provides education and research across a range of fields, including fisheries, marine science, and environmental science.
The Faculty of Fisheries provides undergraduate education related to aquatic organisms, fisheries resources, marine environments, and food production. For graduate study, the former Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences merged with the Graduate School of Engineering to form the Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, which handles relevant admissions from 2024. Its academic structure includes the Program for Frontiers of Marine Science and fisheries-related research fields.
Nagasaki University also operates the Institute for East China Sea Research, which conducts research on environmental change, marine ecosystems, and the sustainable use of biological resources. The institute has existed since 2005 and should not be described as a future facility. Graduate applicants should consult a prospective advisor about their research topic and the language used in lectures before submitting an application.
4. Tohoku University
- Study Program | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s through the former FGL Applied Marine Biology course | Medium of Instruction: English; undergraduate FGL admissions ended in 2026
Tohoku University offered an English-taught bachelor’s course in Applied Marine Biology through its Future Global Leadership program. The course covered marine organisms, aquatic resources, marine environments, and related agricultural sciences.
However, the university’s official international admissions page states that admissions to the Future Global Leadership undergraduate courses ended in 2026. Prospective applicants should therefore not treat Applied Marine Biology as a currently open English-taught bachelor’s option. Students interested in marine or agricultural science at Tohoku University should review the university’s current degree listings before applying.
5. University of Ryukyus
Founded in 1950 on the remains of Shuri Castle, the University of the Ryukyus became a Japanese national university in 1972. In 1977, it moved to its current campus, which extends across parts of Nishihara, Ginowan, and Nakagusuku in Okinawa.
At the undergraduate level, marine biology is an area of study within the Biology Program under the broader Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science major in the Faculty of Science. It is therefore more accurate to describe this as a biology and marine science pathway than as a standalone bachelor’s degree titled Marine Biology.
Graduate options include fields such as Fisheries Biology, Coral Reef Biology, and Marine Biology. The Graduate School of Engineering and Science also runs the Ryukyu International Marine Program, a special graduate program for international students that includes lectures conducted in English.
Japan also has universities offering broader study in ocean science, marine technology, and aquatic environmental science. The next three institutions expand this article from five entries to eight, although not every program is a dedicated marine biology degree.
6. Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology was established in 2003 through the merger of Tokyo University of Mercantile Marine and Tokyo University of Fisheries. The university specializes in education and research related to oceans, fisheries, marine resources, food, shipping, and marine technology.
Its School of Marine Life Science includes the Undergraduate Course of Marine Biosciences, the Undergraduate Course of Food Science and Technology, and the Undergraduate Course of Marine Policy and Culture. The Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology offers master’s and doctoral courses in marine life science, environmental systems, resource science, engineering, and related areas.
Undergraduate study should be treated as primarily Japanese-medium. The university’s admissions process for self-financed international undergraduates requires applicants to take the Japanese-language section of the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students. Graduate applicants should confirm the language available in their intended course and laboratory.
7. Kobe University
In April 2021, Kobe University’s Faculty of Ocean Science and Technology was established as the successor to the Faculty of Maritime Sciences. It continues the university’s education and research in ocean science, marine technology, maritime transport, and seamanship.
The faculty has one department organized into five study areas: Marine Sciences, Marine Technologies, Maritime Policy Studies, Nautical Sciences, and Marine Engineering. Students may earn a Bachelor of Oceanology or Bachelor of Maritime Sciences, depending on their course of study.
This is a broader ocean and maritime studies program rather than a dedicated marine biology degree. International applicants must also have sufficient Japanese ability to understand lectures and related documents. Applicants interested in Kobe University should review the current admissions guidance before applying.
8. University of Miyazaki
- Study Program | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Medium of Instruction: Japanese at the undergraduate level; graduate supervision may be available in Japanese or English
The University of Miyazaki is a national university located in Miyazaki City. Its Faculty of Agriculture includes a Department of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences, making it one of the institutions on this list with an undergraduate department explicitly focused on marine biology and the marine environment.
The Graduate School of Agriculture offers a master’s Course of Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences. At the doctoral level, the Department of Applied Biological Sciences includes a Course of Marine Biological Science, with study related to aquatic ecosystems, fisheries resources, and environmental management.
The university states that undergraduate courses and examinations are conducted in Japanese. At the graduate level, research supervision may be available in Japanese or English, depending on the academic advisor. International students should confirm the language, research topic, and admission requirements with their intended supervisor.
With institutions such as Hokkaido University, the University of the Ryukyus, and the University of Miyazaki, students can explore marine organisms, fisheries, aquatic ecosystems, and environmental science in several distinct academic settings. Before applying, compare the language of instruction, degree level, admissions availability, curriculum, and current tuition for each program.
We hope this article has helped you discover Japanese universities offering marine biology and related programs. For additional information, see the Study in Japan guide and browse the Available Programs for International Students!
