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2 clusters · 8 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Japan regional brand attractiveness rankings

Overview

The Brand Research Institute released its 2026 regional brand survey, which evaluated the attractiveness of Japan’s 47 prefectures and various municipalities. Hokkaido secured the top position for the 18th consecutive year, driven by high scores in tourism desire.

In the municipality category, Sapporo ranked first for the tenth time, marking its first top spot in three years. Hokkaido cities also dominated the top three rankings, with Hakodate in second and Otaru in third. Other notable movements included Osaka Prefecture, which saw the largest increase in attractiveness due to new commercial developments, and Niigata Prefecture, which rose in rankings following the Sado Island Gold Mine’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

While overall attractiveness scores for both prefectures and municipalities reached record highs, the survey noted a decline in the recall of local food products and regional specialties.

Entities

Hokkaido · Brand Research Institute · Okinawa · Kyoto · Sapporo

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Hokkaido and Sapporo top Japan's 2026 Regional Brand Survey

    Hokkaido ranks as Japan's most attractive prefecture for the 18th straight year, while Sapporo claims the top spot among municipalities in the 2026 Regional Brand Survey.

  2. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Hokkaido ranks first in 2026 Japan prefecture attractiveness survey

    Hokkaido has ranked first in Japan's 2026 prefecture attractiveness ranking for the 18th consecutive year, followed by Kyoto in second and Okinawa in third, according to the Brand Research Institute.

Sources

aba-net.com · csnews.jp · diamond.jp · fukuishimbun.co.jp · kobe-journal.com · news.mynavi.jp · prtimes.jp · sakigake.jp