Most Popular Areas to Live for Foreigners in Japan
Excluding the influence of COVID-19, almost every year has seen a steadily increasing population of foreign residents settle down in Japan. If you’re considering joining the trend, finding a place in Japan with a strong international community will allow you to live amongst the flavors of the world. Moreover, you can enjoy the support of other expats facing the same challenges as yourself.
In this article, we’re going to break down the most popular areas for foreign residents in Japan using 2018 to 2020 data from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
What Kind of Foreigners Live in Japan?
Despite being a largely homogenous country, Japan still boasts a diverse international community thriving in several fields and lifestyles.
The majority of this population is Chinese, according to 2020 statistics. The data table for foreign residents is as follows. Please note that we are covering the countries that have roughly 20,000 or more residents in Japan:
| Nationality | Residence in Japan |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 778,112 |
| Vietnamese | 448,053 |
| South Koreans | 426,908 |
| Philipinos | 279,660 |
| Brazilians | 208,538 |
| Nepalese | 95,982 |
| Indonesians | 66,832 |
| Taiwanies | 55,872 |
| Americans | 55,761 |
| Thai | 53,379 |
| Peruvians | 48,256 |
| Indians | 38,558 |
| Myanmar (Burmese) | 35,049 |
Other English-speaking countries include 16,891 British, 10,103 Canadians, and 9,758 Australians. As we can see, if you’re from a native English-speaking country, you’re in the minority of Japan’s international community.
Please note that the above data is only for long-term foreign residents in Japan.
Areas in Japan with the Highest Number of Foreign Residents
Tokyo
As one would expect, the mega-metropolis of Tokyo leads with over half a million foreign residents.
Accounting for roughly 20% of Japan’s foreign community, Tokyo has begun to increasingly take on a “global city” character in recent years.
Alongside flocks of tourists, it’s not uncommon to spot foreign residents mingling alongside Japanese locals throughout the 23 wards of Tokyo.
Many of Japan’s biggest companies are headquartered in Tokyo alongside a wide selection of international schools and trailblazing arts, tech, and IT sectors.
Moreover, a dominant role in defining modern pop culture, most fans of Japan dream of one day living in Tokyo. Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino residents account for most of these numbers.
Aichi
A more surprising entry, the central prefecture of Aichi and its capital of Nagoya comes in second place for foreign nationals with over 230,000 foreign residents.
Aichi’s flourishing Brazilian community leads the pack, many of whom work for Toyota or another of the numerous manufacturers based in Aichi.
With its average hourly minimum wage being one of Japan’s highest, many are also drawn to Aichi in search of a bigger paycheck. Aichi attracts many international exchange students and tourists due to its impressive assortment of historical castles and museums.
Osaka
Another typical entry, the prefecture of Osaka, boasts an international community of over 220,000 residents. Most are Korean, with a sizable Chinese and Vietnamese population alongside smaller Filipino, Taiwanese, and American congregations.
More than half of this population lives in central Osaka City, while only a few reside in the prefecture’s rural villages.
Of the above, the most in-demand area is Osaka City’s Ikuno Ward, is famous for its thriving community of Korean-Japanese citizens.
Along with Tokyo, Osaka is also one of Japan’s top tourist destinations, with sights like Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan, making it an unmissable part of Japan’s “golden route.”
Kanagawa
Neighboring Tokyo, the breezy coastal prefecture of Kanagawa houses roughly 190,000 foreign residents, many of whom commute to Tokyo.
The city of Yokohama, Japan’s second most populated metropolis, flaunts a sprawling Chinatown and “Minatomachi” European town born from its extensive history of international trade.
With a fine balance between convenient and cutting-edge city infrastructure and ample nature, beaches, and traditional villages, Kanagawa is one of Japan’s most livable prefectures.
Kanagawa is next to Tokyo, making it possible to live there with the daily commute to Tokyo for work. Considering the relatively low cost of living compared to Tokyo, along with the abundance of express trains able to reach Tokyo Station from Yokohama Station in just 25 minutes. It’s no wonder many opt to live in Kanagawa instead of Tokyo.
Saitama
Bordering Tokyo to the north, the landlocked prefecture of Saitama has an international population of roughly 160,000.
The overwhelming majority are Chinese. The relatively new Chinatown in the city of Kawaguchi offers a more authentic encounter with Chinese culture and cuisine than the touristy Yokohama Chinatown.
Now boasting the 3rd highest concentrated foreign population after Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Edogawa wards, Kawaguchi is currently experiencing somewhat of an international boom.
Similar to Kanagawa, this is further bolstered by the proximity and ease of access to Tokyo, allowing workers to commute into Tokyo while avoiding the exorbitant cost of living in Tokyo.
Which Area Will You Choose?
As we can see, many of Japan’s major metropolises, like Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Osaka, and Aichi, rapidly gain an international flair as their expat populations steadily increase.
With immigration eased by the introduction of “Specified Skilled Visas” to help bolster the declining population, the globalization of Japan is a trend that will surely continue.
Check out our guide for choosing the right neighborhood in Japan.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Steven came to Japan as an English teacher and currently works as a writer in Niigata City. Bilingual with fluent Japanese language, Steven loves relishing local sake, reading anime, and traveling.
