Type and hit ENTER
  • HOME
  • CATEGORY
    • Japanese Apartment Life
    • Moving Tips
    • Interior Design
    • Local Area Guides
  • COMPANY
  • PRIVACY POLICY
GET CONNECTED
Facebook
Instagram
  • HOME
  • Japanese Apartment Life
  • Moving Tips
  • Interior Design
  • Local Area Guides
  • Village House

ENG

  • 日本語
  • ENG
  • PT
  • VI
Local Area Guides

Growing Cities in Japan

2019-11-06

#1 Tokyo

With the global spotlight due to be shone over the next 12 months on the Japanese capital as both the Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Olympics, there’s no getting around the fact that Tokyo remains the epicenter of the nation.

The only city to constantly see year-on-year population growth, the nation’s capital is a global metropolis that needs little introduction with its vast array of employment opportunities, entertainment options, accommodation choices, and cultural activities.

Intriguingly though, there are several other cities and regions across the nation that continue to attract a range of new residents for various reasons including economic, cultural, and environmental.

However, if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the ‘big city’, it’s well worth considering many other unique cities in this fascinating nation that stretches far beyond the capital.

#2 Fukuoka

There’s no doubt that one of the major buzz locations in Japan right now is the southern port city of Fukuoka.

Just a short hop across from South Korea – and taking the high-speed ‘Beetle’ hydrofoil there is a wild ride – Fukuoka is currently home to around one and a half million people but is making increasing efforts to grow that population.

Blessed with a warmer climate than most of the nation, there’s no need to shiver through a snowy winter whilst the summer months are perfect for a range of outdoor activities.

More importantly, the city has positioned itself as one of the most innovative in the country under a youthful mayor (who was elected at the age of 36) and has a range of incentives to attract investment as they look to become Japan’s answer to the entrepreneurial US city of Seattle.

Located on the southern island of Kyushu, Fukuoka is Japan’s fastest-growing city outside of the capital and home to one of the nation’s youngest populations. Nestled between the water and the mountains and blessed with excellent local cuisine and a laid-back nature, there’s plenty to draw people to the area.

768x300 EN

#3 Toyama

Another city that’s fast earning a reputation for ‘smart living’ is Toyama – the capital of the prefecture with the same name that’s located around 250 kilometers north-west of Tokyo.

In a bid to promote sustainable living, the city of barely 400,000 people implemented a bicycle-sharing program more than a decade ago and has earned international praise for its commitment to building a compact and sustainable city.

2 15

It’s also one of Japan’s 11 ‘future cities’ that are built on ideals that are helping to try and solve issues around global warming and dwindling natural resources.

With a compact tram network, the city is easy to navigate and is also home to an attractive local castle as well as the futuristic Glass Art Museum. Being positioned neatly on a vast bay and also surrounded by mountains, the city offers a range of ways to get in touch with nature.

#4 Sapporo

For those who enjoy the colder winter months, there’s a major appeal to the bustling northern city of Sapporo.

Home to the internationally renowned ‘Ice Festival’ that’s held every February, it’s Japan’s fifth-largest city with a population of just under 2 million but is right on the doorstep of some of the nation’s wildest natural elements.

Sapporo is a paradise for those who love winter sports, and the summers are also far milder with less heat and humidity than the rest of the country and also offer some superb hiking and outdoor activities. Renowned for its regional cuisine, especially ramen, beer lovers will be right at home in the city that lends its name to one of the most popular brews in Japan but there’s also plenty of unique buildings, gardens, and even the country’s largest zoo!

3 14

#5 Chofu

Closer to the action in the capital, there’s plenty of cities on the fringes of Tokyo that are also seeing a population boom and make ideal choices for those who want to be close but not right in the thick of the Tokyo rush.

Located to the west of the central Tokyo wards is Chofu – known as part of the Tokyo Metropolis – but being barely 20 minutes by train from downtown Shinjuku – it’s an ideal location for those looking for cheaper accommodation options yet still with all the convenience of the big city.

Given its location on the outer edge of the capital, the city is also within touching distance of plenty of nature options (including the Jindai Botanical Gardens) as well as being home to Tokyo’s two professional soccer clubs in FC Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy.

#6 Chiba

In the opposite direction, Chiba is one of the few cities outside the capital to see noticeable population growth for many of the same reasons – the accommodation options are much more affordable yet it’s still an easy commute for those who work in Tokyo.

For those who are into water sports, it’s also an easy trip to the beaches on the Pacific coast but the city of almost a million people has more than enough entertainment, dining and drinking options to keep you satisfied – and it is home to the world’s largest suspended monorail!

768x300 EN

#7 Tsukuba

Finally, for those with a more academic or scientific interest, Tsukuba is also booming.

Located an hour north of Tokyo in Ibaraki Prefecture, Tsukuba is known as Japan’s ‘Science City’ and is centered around the famed Tsukuba University (which has produced two Nobel Prize winners) and also features a ‘Space Center’ with a large rocket out the front and all sorts of information on Japan’s space program.

Given it’s more rural location, the city of 250,000 is also home to plenty of parks and wide-open spaces – as well as a ropeway that can whisk you to the top of Mt. Tsukuba – and provides a far more relaxed alternative to the capital but is still within a commutable distance. If you’ve set your mind on living in Tokyo then you’ll certainly not be lacking any kind of lifestyle or entertainment options, but if it’s nature, smart cities or those with a milder climate then there’s plenty of other fantastic choices to look at right across the nation.

2019-11-06
Email
PREVIOUS POST
Top Affordable Items for Your New Apartment
NEXT POST
Clever Ways to Protect Yourself From the Weather

RANKING
  • Picture2 3
    The 10 Safest Cities to Live in Japan
    2019-11-06

    Japan is an amazing place, and with 772 cities in the countr…

  • 1
    The Most Expensive Cities to Live in Japan
    2019-11-06

    Japan can be a very cheap place to live, it can also be a ve…

  • tokyo fuji 1
    Top 5 cities to live in Japan
    2021-06-01

    Wondering what is the best city to live in Japan? Here is ou…

  • 1 15
    Growing Cities in Japan
    2019-11-06

    #1 Tokyo With the global spotlight due to be shone over t…

  • 1 18
    How to Navigate Trains in Japan
    2019-11-06

    One of the most used, and famous, modes of transportation in…

SEARCH
CATEGORY
  • Japanese Apartment Life

    Japanese Apartment Life

  • Moving Tips

    Moving Tips

  • Interior Design

    Interior Design

  • Local Area Guides

    Local Area Guides

INSTAGRAM

villagehousejp

🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 市貝町芝ざ 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
市貝町芝ざくら公園では、春になると芝桜が咲き、辺り一帯がピンクに染まります!栃木へ行く際は、ぜひ訪れてみて下さいね!

🇬🇧 Beautiful lush pink fields of Shibazakura here in Ichigaimachi Shibazakura Park! Be sure to visit when in Tochigi!

🇧🇷 Belos e exuberantes campos cor-de-rosa de Shibazakura aqui no Parque Ichigaimachi Shibazakura! Não deixe de visitar quando estiver em Tochigi!

📸 @d850_user
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ こちらの物 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
こちらの物件もぜひご覧ください!
ビレッジハウス白野江 - 福岡県北九州市門司区
✨ フルリノベーションされたお部屋! 🚗 敷地内に駐車場有!🐶 ペット可!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Check out this property!
Village House Shiranoe - Kitakyushu-shi Moji-ku, Fukuoka Prefecture
✨ Newly renovated! 🚗 Onsite parking available! 🐶 Pet-friendly! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Confira este imóvel!
Village House Shiranoe - Kitakyushu-shi Moji-ku, em Fukuoka-ken
✨ Recentemente reformado! 🚗 Estacionamento no local disponível! 🐶 Animais de estimação permitidos! 👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 今日は、「 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
今日は、「世界お茶の日」ですね!🍵知っていますか?静岡は、お茶の生産量が日本一なんですよ。ビレッジハウスは、静岡にもたくさんの住まいをご用意しています。美味しいお茶を頂きながら、部屋でゆったり寛いでみませんか!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Happy Tea Day! 🍵  Did you know Shizuoka is Japan's largest producer of green tea? Be sure to take a sip of tea and relax in one of our many Village House apartments in Shizuoka! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Feliz dia do chá! 🍵 Você sabia que Shizuoka é a maior produtora de chá verde do Japão? Não perca a chance de aproveitar uma xícara de chá e relaxar e um dos diversos apartamentos da Vilage House em Shizuoka! 👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 愛知県の天 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
愛知県の天王川公園では春になると、水路沿いの藤棚に見事な藤が咲き誇ります。ぜひ訪れてみて下さいね。

🇬🇧 Tennogawa Park is a must-see season gem in Aichi, with its stunning wisteria trees surrounding the Tenno River.

🇧🇷 O Parque Tennogawa é uma vista sazonal imperdível em Aichi-ken, com suas árvores de glicínias estonteantes cercando o Rio Tenno.

📸 @a_yumi0425
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ あなたが好 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
あなたが好きな春のおやつは何ですか?🌸

🇬🇧 What is your favorite spring dessert? 🌸

🇧🇷 Qual a sua sobremesa de primavera preferida? 🌸

📸 @hafufamily5 and @ookuramochi
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ こちらの物 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
こちらの物件もぜひご覧ください!
ビレッジハウス生守第二 - 福井県小浜市
✨ フルリノベーションされたお部屋! 🚗 敷地内に駐車場有!🚃 小浜駅まで徒歩20分!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Check out this property!
Village House Igomori Dai 2 - Obama-shi, Fukui Prefecture
✨ Newly renovated! 🚗 Onsite parking available! 🚃 20-minute walk to Obama Station! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Confira este imóvel!
Village House Igomori Dai 2 - Obama-shi, em Fukui-ken
✨ Recentemente reformado! 🚗 Estacionamento no local disponível! 🚃 A 20 minutos de caminhada da estação de Obama! 👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais!
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ ビレッジハ 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
ビレッジハウス和気の近くにある「藤公園」には、春になると100種類ほどの藤が咲き誇ります。岡山へ行く際は、ぜひ訪れてみて下さいね!👉詳しくはプロフィールのリンクから!

🇬🇧 Located near Village House Wake, Wakemachi Fuji Park is home to numerous varieties of beautiful wisteria flowers. Be sure to visit the park if you're in Okayama! 👉 Tap the link in our profile to learn more!

🇧🇷 Localizado perto da Village House Wake, o Wakemachi Fuji Park é o lar de inúmeras e belas variedades de glicínias. Não deixe de visitar o parque caso você esteja em Okayama! 👉 Clique no link em nosso perfil para saber mais! 

📸 k_makiyama114
🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️ 河内藤園の 🇬🇧EN 🇧🇷PT Below ⬇️
河内藤園の藤のトンネルをくぐると、まるで異世界にいるような幻想的な景色が広がります✨

🇬🇧 The wisteria tunnel at Kawachi Wisteria Gardens is like a mystical gateway to another world✨ 

🇧🇷 O túnel de glicínias no Jardim das Glicínias de Kawachi é como um portal místico para outro mundo ✨ 

📸  IG User @cho_bsk85
Follow on Instagram
GET CONNECTED
Facebook
Instagram
  • COMPANY
  • PRIVACY POLICY

©VILLAGE HOUSE. All rights reserved

Growing Cities in Japan