Japan is a great country to live in and this is what I would recommend as some of the best places to live in Japan after exploring for several months in the country.
The country is a captivating land of ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology, where the old gracefully coexists with the new. From the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo to the serene countryside and picturesque coastal towns, it offers an array of unique and enchanting places to call home.
Whether you seek the bustling energy of a bustling city or the tranquillity of a rural retreat, Japan’s diverse regions hold a treasure trove of delights for those looking to experience the best of what this captivating country has to offer.
These are some of the best places to live in Japan, where a harmonious blend of culture, nature, and modernity awaits.
Best Places To Live In Japan
The best idea is to choose a city to live in that is in an area of interest to you. For example, if you’re more interested in culture then Kyoto would be a great choice and if you want access to pristine, remote nature close to a city then Sapporo is the way to go.
Osaka
Osaka is my overall favourite city in Japan and if I had to choose a city in Japan to live in then I would choose Osaka.
I spent 1 month in Osaka in total and explored not just all of the city but also the nearby countryside, towns, and cities.
Osaka really is the best city as far as a location goes to see a lot of things and there are awesome day trips from Osaka that can be done.
The big bonus of Osaka is that it is also one of the cheapest places to live in Japan and (I found) more friendly than Tokyo.
On top of that Osaka is known as “Japan’s kitchen” for its amazing food!
Tokyo
Tokyo is the number one choice for most people looking to live in Japan and for good reason.
It’s a massive metropolis offering everything one could want in a big city and is hyper-modern to go with it.
Yet amongst all the modern high-tech things are a feeling of the past with hidden shrines and temples scattered around.
For its massive diversity of different experiences, Tokyo makes for one of the ultimate destinations in the world and one of the best places to live in Japan.
Read: What to do in Tokyo
Sapporo
If you like the option of a big city but very close to nature and more remote places like Rishiri Island, then Sapporo is a good place to be.
Located in the far north on Hokkaido island it has great access to nature hikes and in winter some great skiing options.
Plus if you like sushi it gets some of the freshest you can get.
It’s also easily connected to the rest of Japan by budget flights and fast Shinkansen trains.
Kyoto
Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan and, along with Tokyo, one of the most visited cities in Japan, as well as one of the best places to live in Japan.
It was spared the bombings of WW2 due to its cultural heritage and the ancient temples survive today making it the best overall city in Japan for culture and history.
But, being Japan, it also has everything modern you could want as well. So if history mixed with the modern is what you want then Kyoto makes a great choice.
Just be aware that many tourists visit Kyoto so if you’re planning to live in Japan and want a more ‘Japanese’ experience away from crowds of foreigners then think about Osaka as an option as you can live there and be only 15 minutes by train away from Kyoto anyway.
Read: How to spend one day in Kyoto
Matsuyama
Matsuyama doesn”t appear on many people’s itineraries for Japan (from the many people I have spoken to who have visited Japan almost all of them didn’t visit there) which is a pity as it’s one of the best cities in Japan and also one of the best places to live in Japan.
Why?
First of all, it’s got some epic history there with the famous Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle, but it also has fast access to the wilder interior of Shikoku island.
It’s also easy to get to Kyushu island by ferry to explore around there and Hiroshima is also only a few hours away by ferry.
On top of that, the island of Shikoku, where Matsuyama is located has some great experiences to have.
Read: Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Guide
Kagoshima
Kagoshima is located in the south of Kyushu island and is overlooked by a huge active volcano just 1 mile across the sea.
The city is perfect location-wise for living close to the natural beauty of Kyushu island and its famed onsen towns.
It’s also excellent for exploring Japan’s southern islands by ferry such as Yakushima, and many others that extend all the way down to Okinawa.
If you want a bigger city to be in and want to be on Kyushu island then go to Fukuoka.
Read: Things to do in Kagoshima
Living in Japan
Wherever you choose to live in Japan you can’t really go wrong and you can explore the other parts of Japan by reaching them through budget flights and the excellent train network.
There are plenty more options for the best places to live in Japan but from my experience, these represent the best ones in different locations.
If you don’t like the idea of living in a city and want something quieter then there are lots of remote locations that you would love. Want to really get away from it all then options like Rishiri Island in the far north of Japan would be great, for example.
Japan is a great place to live so if you’re thinking about living in Japan just go for it.
Tip: it’s best to get a Japan Rail Pass (get one with that link) to save money on train travel.
One great way to live there and work is to teach English in Japan, a popular option with foreigners living there.
This is a foreigner’s experience of living in Japan.
For lots more information on Japan take a look at my overall guide for Japan.
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