100 Best universities for Chemistry in Japan

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Japan ranked based on their research performance in Chemistry. A graph of 89.9M citations received by 3.77M academic papers made by 510 universities in Japan was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Tokyo

For Chemistry

#1 in Asia

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 28,918
Founded: 1877

2. Kyoto University

For Chemistry

#2 in Asia

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 22,365
Founded: 1897

3. Osaka University

For Chemistry

#3 in Asia

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 23,234
Founded: 1931

4. Tohoku University

For Chemistry

#6 in Asia

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 17,975
Founded: 1907

5. Kyushu University

Japan | Fukuoka

For Chemistry

#12 in Asia

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 18,813
Founded: 1911

6. Nagoya University

For Chemistry

#14 in Asia

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 15,959
Founded: 1939

7. Hokkaido University

Japan | Sapporo

For Chemistry

#21 in Asia

#87 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Enrollment: 17,770
Founded: 1918

8. Tokyo Institute of Technology

For Chemistry

#22 in Asia

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1881

9. University of Tsukuba

Japan | Tsukuba

For Chemistry

#43 in Asia

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 16,684
Founded: 1973

10. Tokyo University of Science

For Chemistry

#45 in Asia

#206 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 19,768
Founded: 1881

11. Hiroshima University

Japan | Higashihiroshima

For Chemistry

#48 in Asia

#228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 15,505
Founded: 1949

12. Keio University

For Chemistry

#55 in Asia

#240 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 33,518
Founded: 1858

13. Kobe University

For Chemistry

#65 in Asia

#269 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 16,214
Founded: 1902

14. Okayama University

Japan | Okayama

For Chemistry

#71 in Asia

#283 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 13,057
Founded: 1922

15. Chiba University

For Chemistry

#73 in Asia

#285 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 13,983
Founded: 1949

16. Kanazawa University

Japan | Kanazawa

For Chemistry

#88 in Asia

#343 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 10,127
Founded: 1949

17. Kumamoto University

Japan | Kumamoto

For Chemistry

#89 in Asia

#345 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 11,098
Founded: 1949

18. Tokyo Medical and Dental University

For Chemistry

#104 in Asia

#399 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Founded: 1946

19. Waseda University

For Chemistry

#122 in Asia

#451 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 47,094
Founded: 1882

20. University of Tokushima

Japan | Tokushima

For Chemistry

#125 in Asia

#456 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1949

21. Niigata University

Japan | Niigata

For Chemistry

#137 in Asia

#495 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Enrollment: 12,068
Founded: 1922

22. Osaka City University

For Chemistry

#140 in Asia

#503 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Enrollment: 8,230
Founded: 1928

23. Osaka Prefecture University

For Chemistry

#143 in Asia

#508 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Founded: 1949

24. Nagasaki University

Japan | Nagasaki

For Chemistry

#144 in Asia

#509 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 9,090
Founded: 1949

25. Shinshu University

Japan | Matsumoto

For Chemistry

#146 in Asia

#512 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 10,849
Founded: 1949

26. Gifu University

For Chemistry

#147 in Asia

#513 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 7,227
Founded: 1949

27. Gunma University

Japan | Maebashi

For Chemistry

#151 in Asia

#523 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Founded: 1949

28. Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

For Chemistry

#153 in Asia

#528 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Founded: 1949

29. Tokyo Metropolitan University

Japan | Hachioji

For Chemistry

#157 in Asia

#540 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Enrollment: 9,126
Founded: 2005

30. Nihon University

For Chemistry

#159 in Asia

#542 in the World

Founded: 1889

31. Kindai University

Japan | Higashiosaka

For Chemistry

#171 in Asia

#576 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 38,857
Founded: 1949

32. Yamaguchi University

Japan | Yamaguchi

For Chemistry

#176 in Asia

#585 in the World

Founded: 1949

33. Ehime University

Japan | Matsuyama

For Chemistry

#184 in Asia

#610 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Enrollment: 9,033
Founded: 1949

34. Kagoshima University

Japan | Kagoshima

For Chemistry

#186 in Asia

#618 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1949

35. Juntendo University

For Chemistry

#194 in Asia

#630 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Founded: 1836

36. Mie University

For Chemistry

#202 in Asia

#645 in the World

Enrollment: 8,455
Founded: 1949

37. Kitasato University

For Chemistry

#204 in Asia

#647 in the World

Founded: 1962

38. Yokohama City University

Japan | Yokohama

For Chemistry

#206 in Asia

#656 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 5,198
Founded: 1928

39. Tokai University

For Chemistry

#209 in Asia

#663 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 29,700
Founded: 1946

40. Nara Institute of Science and Technology

For Chemistry

#214 in Asia

#672 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Founded: 1991

41. Shizuoka University

Japan | Shizuoka

For Chemistry

#219 in Asia

#685 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1949

42. Yokohama National University

Japan | Yokohama

For Chemistry

#223 in Asia

#689 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Founded: 1949

43. Nagoya Institute of Technology

For Chemistry

#227 in Asia

#697 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1905

44. Yamagata University

Japan | Yamagata

For Chemistry

#233 in Asia

#713 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1949

45. Nagoya City University

For Chemistry

#235 in Asia

#717 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Enrollment: 4,685
Founded: 1950

46. Tottori University

Japan | Tottori

For Chemistry

#244 in Asia

#730 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Enrollment: 6,179
Founded: 1949

47. Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine

For Chemistry

#264 in Asia

#771 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Founded: 1872

48. Showa University

For Chemistry

#269 in Asia

#788 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1928

49. University of Toyama

For Chemistry

#273 in Asia

#802 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 9,208
Founded: 1975

50. Jichi Medical University

Japan | Tochigi

For Chemistry

#277 in Asia

#810 in the World

Founded: 1972

51. Toyohashi University of Technology

Japan | Toyohashi

For Chemistry

#285 in Asia

#835 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Founded: 1976

52. University of Yamanashi

For Chemistry

#286 in Asia

#843 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1949

53. Kyoto Institute of Technology

For Chemistry

#288 in Asia

#850 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Founded: 1949

54. Teikyo University

For Chemistry

#294 in Asia

#869 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1966

55. Kyoto Pharmaceutical University

For Chemistry

#296 in Asia

#873 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Founded: 1884

56. Sapporo Medical University

Japan | Sapporo

For Chemistry

#299 in Asia

#879 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Founded: 1950

57. Shimane University

For Chemistry

#301 in Asia

#884 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1949

58. Tohoku Pharmaceutical University

For Chemistry

#302 in Asia

#885 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1939

59. Kagawa University

Japan | Takamatsu

For Chemistry

#303 in Asia

#891 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Founded: 1949

60. Kyushu Institute of Technology

Japan | Kitakyushu

For Chemistry

#304 in Asia

#892 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1907

61. Fukuoka University

Japan | Fukuoka

For Chemistry

#309 in Asia

#900 in the World

Founded: 1934

62. Toho University

For Chemistry

#313 in Asia

#914 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1925

63. Nagaoka University of Technology

Japan | Nagaoka

For Chemistry

#315 in Asia

#920 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Founded: 1976

64. University of Shizuoka

Japan | Shizuoka

For Chemistry

#326 in Asia

#936 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1987

65. Kurume University

For Chemistry

#331 in Asia

#942 in the World

Founded: 1928

66. Saitama University

Japan | Saitama

For Chemistry

#350 in Asia

#975 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1949

67. Nippon Medical School

For Chemistry

#355 in Asia

#982 in the World

Founded: 1904

68. Hirosaki University

Japan | Hirosaki

For Chemistry

#357 in Asia

#988 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Founded: 1949

69. University of Fukui

For Chemistry

#358 in Asia

#990 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1949

70. University of Miyazaki

Japan | Miyazaki

For Chemistry

#363 in Asia

#1000 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Founded: 1949

71. Saga University

For Chemistry

#364 in Asia

#1003 in the World

Founded: 1949

72. Graduate University for Advanced Studies

For Chemistry

#368 in Asia

#1009 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1988

73. University of Electro-Communications

For Chemistry

#371 in Asia

#1015 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Founded: 1949

74. Tokyo University of Agriculture

For Chemistry

#384 in Asia

#1053 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Founded: 1891

75. Akita University

For Chemistry

#386 in Asia

#1055 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Founded: 1949

76. Jikei University School of Medicine

For Chemistry

#389 in Asia

#1059 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 981
Founded: 1881

77. Ibaraki University

For Chemistry

#395 in Asia

#1070 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1949

78. Ritsumeikan University

For Chemistry

#399 in Asia

#1076 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1899

79. Hamamatsu University School of Medicine

Japan | Hamamatsu

For Chemistry

#405 in Asia

#1094 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Founded: 1974

80. Kansai Medical University

Japan | Moriguchi

For Chemistry

#408 in Asia

#1098 in the World

Founded: 1928

81. Kansai University

For Chemistry

#410 in Asia

#1104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 29,749
Founded: 1922

82. Iwate University

Japan | Morioka

For Chemistry

#421 in Asia

#1125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 5,402
Founded: 1949

83. Meijo University

For Chemistry

#424 in Asia

#1129 in the World

Founded: 1926

84. University of the Ryukyus

Japan | Nishihara

For Chemistry

#432 in Asia

#1144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1950

85. Hyogo College of Medicine

Japan | Nishinomiya

For Chemistry

#439 in Asia

#1156 in the World

Founded: 1971

86. Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

For Chemistry

#443 in Asia

#1162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1990

87. Kochi University

For Chemistry

#446 in Asia

#1167 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Founded: 1949

88. Nara Medical University

Japan | Kashihara

For Chemistry

#448 in Asia

#1172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Founded: 1945

89. Okayama University of Science

Japan | Okayama

For Chemistry

#450 in Asia

#1176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Founded: 1962

90. University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan

Japan | Kitakyushu

For Chemistry

#458 in Asia

#1194 in the World

Founded: 1978

91. Shiga University of Medical Science

For Chemistry

#459 in Asia

#1199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1974

92. Oita University

For Chemistry

#469 in Asia

#1211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 5,781
Founded: 1949

93. Saitama Medical School

Japan | Moroyama

For Chemistry

#470 in Asia

#1212 in the World

Founded: 1972

94. Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science

Japan | Hachioji

For Chemistry

#474 in Asia

#1219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Founded: 1880

95. Fujita Health University

Japan | Toyoake

For Chemistry

#490 in Asia

#1244 in the World

Enrollment: 3,106
Founded: 1964

96. University of Hyogo

For Chemistry

#491 in Asia

#1246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 34%
Enrollment: 6,551
Founded: 2004

97. Doshisha University

For Chemistry

#496 in Asia

#1259 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 28,354
Founded: 1920

98. Tokyo Medical University

For Chemistry

#538 in Asia

#1348 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Founded: 1916

99. Gifu Pharmaceutical University

For Chemistry

#546 in Asia

#1370 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Founded: 1932

100. Kwansei Gakuin University

Japan | Nishinomiya

For Chemistry

#549 in Asia

#1376 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 26,248
Founded: 1912

The best cities to study Chemistry in Japan based on the number of universities and their ranks are Tokyo, Kyoto, Suita, and Sendai.

Chemistry subfields in Japan

Biochemical Engineering27

Biochemistry453

Chemical Engineering266

Computational Chemistry137

Environmental Chemistry231

Inorganic Chemistry219

Materials Science392

Nanotechnology248

Nutrition and Food Science265

Organic Chemistry415

Petrology and Geochemistry148

Physical chemistry276

Polymer science and Plastics engineering69

Radiochemistry177