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Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe

By Sabrina Collier

Updated March 9, 2021 Updated March 9, 2021

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 18^th

This combined metropolitan area of three cities, Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe (also known as Keihanshin) is home to over 19 million people and contains seven universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings® 2020. The combined GDP of the area is so strong that if it was a country, it would be within the top 20 of the world’s economies.

The former capital of Imperial Japan, Kyoto is one of the country’s leading destinations for both tourists and international students, second only to capital Tokyo. Kyoto University is currently the second-highest ranked institution in Japan, at joint 33^rd in the QS World University Rankings®.

For those who want to study in Japan but feel overwhelmed by the size and pace of Tokyo, Kyoto offers city life on a smaller scale, with plenty of opportunities to explore both traditional and modern Japanese culture – from beautiful Buddhist temples, to all-night karaoke bars and an eclectic selection of pubs and clubs.

Around 40km from Kyoto, Osaka has a long history of being an international gateway for trade, politics and knowledge. Today, it remains a key economic and cultural hub, with a large and diverse population and an economy bigger than some entire countries. It offers a good selection of art exhibitions, live music and drama, as well as being known for its excellent and varied cuisine. Universities in Osaka also hold their own, with Osaka University placing 71^st in the QS World University Rankings®.

The sixth-largest city in Japan, Kobe is the capital of the Hyōgo Prefecture, and is home to Kobe University, which ranks joint 395^th in the world. Around 1.5 million people live in Kobe, which is located about 30km west of Osaka, in a picturesque location wedged between the sea and the Rokko mountain range. It is another vibrant cosmopolitan city and strong economic hub, with international companies such as Nestlé and Procter & Gamble having bases here.

Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe appears in the top 25 for student view (reflecting the results of our student survey) which shows that students certainly enjoy their experience in these cities, and are often keen to stay after graduation.

Are you studying in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe? Rate your experience.

Internationally ranked universities in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe

Kyoto University; Osaka University; Kobe University; Osaka Prefecture University; Osaka City University; Ritsumeikan University; Doshisha University

More about Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe

Number of universities ranked by QS	7
Highest-ranked institution	Kyoto University (joint 36^th)
Population	19,342,000
Average international fees (at ranked unis)	US$5,300
Desirability rank	18th
Employer Activity rank	14th
Affordability rank	44th
Student View rank	25th

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

This article was originally published in November 2015 . It was last updated in March 2021

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See the full QS Best Student Cities 2019

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Written by

Sabrina Collier

The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.