Japan residential rankings highlight Kugenuma and Mukonoso as top living destinations

Recent real estate surveys in Japan highlight a shift in residential preferences toward community connection and lifestyle amenities.

In the Tokyo metropolitan area, Recruit’s 2026 SUUMO ranking for cities people want to continue living in placed Kugenuma in Kanagawa Prefecture at first place. Residents cited natural scenery, ease of making acquaintances, and community engagement as key factors. While Tokyo stations dominated the top ten, Kugenuma stood out as the sole Kanagawa representative.

In Hyogo Prefecture, Nifty Real Estate’s 2026 rankings identified Mukonoso in Amagasaki as the top city for the second consecutive year, driven by affordable rents and anticipation for a new station. Sannomiya in Kobe ranked second, maintaining its status as a major terminal hub. Akashi also saw significant movement, rising to third place due to its robust childcare support programs and accessibility to major cities.