Top Cities in Japan That Attract International Residents

Japan is one of the best countries to live in. People love its food and culture. For those thinking of moving to this beautiful country, the first question is always where to live. Japan has both big and small cities. Each has its own feel and offers something different. Some are fast and bright, while others are slow and deep. 

Here is the list of the top cities in Japan that attract international residents.  

Tokyo

Tokyo is not a city, but it is a universe with twenty-three wards and thirty-seven million people in the metro area. If you are looking for the best places in Japan for foreigners to live, Tokyo is at the top of the list.

In Tokyo, you will find everything in the English language, including signs, menus, and train announcements. This helps you interact with others without learning Japanese. In Tokyo, you will find many international schools, hospitals, and grocery stores with food from home. Here, living costs are high. But salaries are also higher. 

Moreover, most foreign companies have offices in Tokyo. Here, you can find many tech and finance jobs. Also, the trains run everywhere in the city. You do not need a car. This saves money and stress. Tokyo is for people who want to be in the middle of everything and enjoy a vibrant life. 

Osaka

People in Osaka are known for being friendly. If Tokyo is polite, Osaka is warm. Food is the heart of this city. They say people in Osaka love street food. Additionally, the cost of living in this city is lower than in Tokyo. Rent and food are cheaper. 

Osaka is a smaller city than Tokyo. But here, you can easily get around and visit different places by train. Moreover, you will find different jobs here, but not as many as in Tokyo. Osaka is for people who want a happy and peaceful city life

Fukuoka

Fukuoka is the hidden gem of Japan. Most foreigners have not heard of it, but those who live there love the city. It is on the southern island of Kyushu, and smaller than Tokyo or Osaka. About 2.5 million people live here. The food of this city is also famous. Ramen from Fukuoka is known all over Japan. 

The cost of living in Fukuoka is low. Additionally, the pace is slower. There is less rush, less crowd, and more room to breathe. Here, you will find many beaches and mountains. The airport is also in the city, just fifteen minutes away if you travel by train. This means you can fly to Seoul or Shanghai in a couple of hours. Fukuoka is for people who want a high quality of life and all the city’s amenities without the city’s stress.

Yokohama

Yokohama is right next to Tokyo, but it feels different. It was the first port opened to foreign trade. There is an international feel here. Here, you will find Chinatown, a foreign cemetery, and also old Western buildings.

The waterfront of this city is beautiful. Minato Mirai is a modern area with shops and views. You can walk by the water, watch ships, and feel the breeze. Moreover, trains from Yokohama to Tokyo are fast. This means you can do a job in Tokyo while living here and paying less rent.

Living costs in Yokohama are lower than in Tokyo. Here, you can get more space for less money. That’s why families like this place. Yokohama is the best option for people who want to be near Tokyo but not in it. Here, you find all the facilities of city life with room to breathe.

Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan’s cultural heart. Here, you will find temples, shrines, gardens, and wooden buildings. It looks like the Japan of postcards. Living here is different from visiting. Here, the famous spots are always crowded with tourists. But residents know the quiet corners.

Nature is everywhere in Kyoto. Here, you can see mountains, rivers, cherry blossoms in spring, and red leaves in fall. Traditional arts also thrive here, such as the tea ceremony, calligraphy, and the kimono.

By Ezrah