As the New Year approaches, maybe you’ve already made some new resolutions for the coming year. Perhaps one of your resolutions is to learn the Japanese language, or to travel to Japan. Have you thought about applying to a Japanese university in an effort to learn Japanese or live in Japan? If so, here is a rough list of Japanese universities that are very well known in Japan. Of course, you want to apply not just based on rankings, but how they accomodate foreign students, the cost, location, strength of the Japanese language program etc. Hopefully this list will get you started on your research if you haven’t done so already.

The University of Tokyo (東京大学)(とうきょうだいがく) is the foremost prestigious university of Japan. Many famous individuals, including prime ministers, have graduated from this university. This university is especially known for its research. The best and the brightest students of Japan all clamor to be accepted into this university. Here’s some more info (in English) at the university’s website: http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/index_e.html

Kyoto University (京都大学)(きょうとだいがく) is a major national university in Japan. Famous Nobel Laureates have graduated from this university. It is the second oldest university in Japan and is still partially controlled by the Japanese Ministry of Education (文部科学省)(もんぶかがくしょう). For more info check here: http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en

Waseda University (早稲田大学)(わせだだいがく) is a private university with 学問の独立 (がくもんのどくりつ)(independence of learning) as its motto. Many famous CEOs of Japan and even celebrities have graduated from this university. More infor here: http://www.waseda.jp/top/index-e.html

Tokyo Institute of Technology (東京工業大学)(とうきょうこうぎょうだいがく) is the best university for students who want to matriculate in engineering and the sciences. Many famous Japanese scientists and inventors have graduated from this university: http://www.titech.ac.jp/english/index.html

Keio University (慶應義塾大学)(けいおうぎじゅくだいがく) is the oldest existing university in Japan. Keio also has one of the best baseball teams on the university level. Here’s the website: http://www.keio.ac.jp/

There are more nationally renown universities that are not covered in this list. I encourage you to do your own research and see what university will help you accomplish your goals!