Finishing medical studies and becoming a doctor is one of the most respected career paths in the world. Considering the cost of medical education and the quality of training in different countries, many students look for opportunities to study abroad. Japan is one option for students interested in a medical degree equivalent to an MBBS, with strong research universities, advanced health care facilities, and a rich cultural environment.
There are many reasons students consider Japan for medical studies. Tuition and living costs vary by university, program, and city, but official Study in Japan guidance notes that academic fees in Japan are generally lower than those in the United States and the United Kingdom. Tokyo is still one of Japan’s more expensive places to live, so students should compare tuition, rent, scholarships, and practical training costs carefully before applying.
There is one thing to keep in mind when studying medicine in any foreign country: the language barrier. Some Japanese universities offer English-taught courses, graduate programs, or short-term clinical electives. However, the main route to becoming a licensed physician in Japan usually requires strong Japanese because medical training, patient communication, entrance procedures, and licensing requirements are closely tied to Japanese-language clinical practice.
Top Medical Schools in Japan
1. Nagoya University
Nagoya University traces its history to a school of Western medicine and a hospital founded in 1871. In 1939, it became Nagoya Imperial University, the last of Japan’s seven imperial universities, and the School of Medicine was established at that time. Today, Nagoya University is widely recognized as one of Japan’s major research universities, with several Nobel Prize winners associated with the university.
Nagoya University offers full-degree Global 30 programs taught in English in selected fields, and its exchange program lists hundreds of English-taught courses. Students interested specifically in becoming physicians should still check the School of Medicine’s current language and admissions requirements, as medical training and clinical work in Japan generally require Japanese.
Studying medicine at Nagoya can be demanding, but students benefit from a research-intensive environment and access to university hospital training. Applicants should review the latest admissions information directly with the university before applying.
2. Tokyo Medical University
Tokyo Medical University is a private medical university with roots in 1916, when more than 450 students from Japan Medical College resigned and worked to establish a new school. The Tokyo Medical Teaching Establishment opened later that year, and Tokyo Medical School was authorized in 1918. The university’s guiding ideals include “Justice, Friendship, and Service” and the spirit of self-reliance and self-study.
Tokyo Medical University offers medical education through preclinical and clinical study, and it is closely connected with Tokyo Medical University Hospital. Its location in Tokyo gives students access to a major metropolitan clinical and cultural environment. International applicants should confirm the latest admissions requirements, language expectations, and eligibility rules directly with the university.
3. Chiba University
Another prominent institution that offers medical education in Japan is Chiba University. Its School of Medicine traces its roots to 1874, when its predecessor was founded as a private hospital supported by local donations. It later became Chiba Public Hospital, Chiba Medical College, and, in 1949, was incorporated into Chiba University’s School of Medicine.
The School of Medicine is based on the Inohana Campus and admits 117 students per year to a six-year medical program. Chiba University is also noted for education and research across several fields and for international cooperation activities.
4. Tohoku University
Tohoku University, another leading medical school in Japan, was established in 1907 as Japan’s third national university. Masataro Sawayanagi became its first president in 1911 and promoted research integrated with education and an open-door policy. In 1913, Tohoku University became the first university in Japan to admit female students.
Tohoku University is known for its “research first” tradition, its practice-oriented approach to research and education, and its global academic network. As of May 2024, the university had 17,816 students, including 3,410 international students.
Admission to Tohoku University is selective, and medical applicants should check the current admission route, examination language, and clinical training requirements for their situation.
5. Kyushu University
Kyushu University was founded in 1911 and is one of Japan’s leading research-oriented institutions. It has more than 18,500 students, about 2,000 faculty members, and around 2,500 international students.
Kyushu University has 12 undergraduate schools, 20 graduate schools, a university hospital, and research centers. It hosts students and researchers from more than 100 countries and offers a range of degree-granting programs taught in English. Students pursuing medicine should confirm the language requirements for the medical degree and clinical training.
6. Keio University
Next on our list of the best medical schools in Japan is Keio University, established in 1858. For more than 160 years, the university has promoted the values of independence, self-respect, and the practical application of scholarship to society. It is one of Japan’s oldest private universities and has made major contributions to education, research, and medicine.
Keio University has six main campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa, including the Shinanomachi Campus for medicine and medical care. As of June 2025, Keio offered 797 classes in English and 20 English-based degree programs, including English options at some graduate levels. Students should distinguish these options from the requirements for undergraduate medical training, which may require Japanese.
7. Kyoto University
Kyoto University was founded in 1897 as Kyoto Imperial University, the second university established in Japan. Within ten years of its founding, it opened colleges including medicine. As of May 1, 2025, Kyoto University had 10 faculties, 18 graduate schools, 12 research institutes, and 26 other educational and research establishments. Approximately 3,000 of its 23,000 students came from overseas, representing about 120 countries and territories.
The university has long emphasized free academic exchange and research. Its medical school is a strong option for students who want to study in a research-oriented environment, but applicants should check the latest admissions and language requirements for the medical program.
8. University of Tsukuba – Institute of Medicine
The University of Tsukuba has roots dating back to 1872 and was established in its current form in October 1973 after the relocation of Tokyo University of Education to Tsukuba Science City. It was founded as a new-concept comprehensive university emphasizing openness, new systems for education and research, and university reform.
The School of Medicine and Health Sciences consists of three colleges: the College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, and the College of Medical Sciences. The College of Medicine provides a six-year program, while the Colleges of Nursing and Medical Sciences provide four-year programs. The Institute of Medicine is responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate medical programs and trains medical professionals and researchers for disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and nursing.
FAQs: Studying Medicine in Japan
Can International Students Enroll in Medical Schools in Japan?
Yes, international students can enroll in medical schools and medical-related programs in Japan, but admissions routes differ by university and program. Some schools have special selections for privately financed international students or exchange and clinical elective routes, while others require international applicants to sit the same examinations as Japanese applicants.
The older 300,000 Foreign Students Plan has been replaced by a newer national goal: Japan aims to accept 400,000 foreign students by 2033. JASSO’s latest official annual survey reported 336,708 international students in Japan as of May 1, 2024, a 20.6% increase from the previous year.
It may be possible for international applicants to enter certain programs, but it is not automatically easier than admission for Japanese students. Medicine is highly competitive, and applicants should confirm required exams, Japanese proficiency, documents, and clinical training rules directly with each university.
What is the Medical Curriculum Like in Medical Schools in Japan?
Medical education in Japan generally lasts six years at the undergraduate level. A common structure is four years of basic, preclinical, and early clinical preparation followed by two years of clinical clerkship, though details vary by university.
Before clinical clerkships, students are assessed through Common Achievement
Tests such as computer-based testing and an objective structured clinical examination. These assessments help determine whether students are ready to enter patient-facing clinical training.
After graduating from medical school and passing the National Medical Practitioners Examination, new physicians in Japan typically enter a mandatory two-year initial postgraduate clinical training program. This is different from the undergraduate clinical clerkship and should not be described as an internship after the first four years.
Considering Japan’s strong research universities, advanced hospitals, and comparatively moderate tuition at many public institutions, it can be a good destination for students interested in medicine and medical research. However, aspiring physicians should plan carefully for Japanese-language study, licensing requirements, and the specific admissions process at each university.
We hope this article on the best medical schools in Japan was helpful. If you are interested in knowing more about studying abroad, check out the Study in Japan and Available Programs for International Students!
