Nine Imperial Universities (帝國大學 teikoku daigaku) were founded and run by the Imperial Japanese government between 1877 and 1939, seven in Japan, one in Korea and one in Taiwan. They are still considered as the most prestigious universities in each respective area today.

They are:

• Tokyo Imperial University (東京帝國大學) - Now The University of Tokyo (東京大学)
• Kyoto Imperial University (京都帝國大學) - Now Kyoto University (京都大学)
• Tohoku Imperial University (東北帝國大學) - Now Tohoku University (東北大学)
• Kyushu Imperial University (九州帝國大學) - Now Kyushu University (九州大学)
• Hokkaido Imperial University (北海道帝國大學) - Now Hokkaido University (北海道大学)
• Keijo Imperial University (京城帝國大學) - Changed it name as Gyeongseong University after World War II, and Gyeongseong University is closed on August 22, 1946, by US Military Ordinance No. 102.
• Taihoku Imperial University (臺北帝國大學) - Now National Taiwan University (國立臺灣大學)
• Osaka Imperial University (大阪帝國大學) - Now Osaka University (大阪大学)
• Nagoya Imperial University (名古屋帝國大學) - Now Nagoya University (名古屋大学)