Hokkaido University

Hokkaido University is one of Japan's seven Imperial Universities, founded in 1876 as Sapporo Agricultural College and ranked QS #404 globally (2025). Set on a remarkable 180-hectare campus in Sapporo — Japan's northernmost major city — Hokkaido University is known for its distinctive European-influenced campus plan, its research leadership in veterinary science, agriculture, environmental sciences, and fisheries, and its globally active graduate school programs in science and engineering.

Sapporo is Japan's fifth-largest city and one of its most livable — known for Hokkaido's renowned cuisine, outdoor culture, and significantly lower cost of living than the Tokyo-Osaka corridor. Hokkaido University operates several English-medium degree programs at graduate level, and the university actively participates in MEXT scholarship programs. Its proximity to Russia, China, and the North Pacific Basin makes it a natural hub for food security, marine science, and climate research with international relevance.