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Best Cities in Japan to Live In 2026
1 city ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
96/100↑
Freedom House score
#66
Press freedom rank
99/100
Grid reliability
10yr
Path to PR
23.2%
Corporate tax
#1
Tokyo
68/100💰 $1359/mo rent🔒 0.2 per 100k☀️ 28°C summers⚡ 53 Mbps🌊 Coastal⛰️ Japanese Alps (77 km)
❓ Living in Japan — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Japan?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Tokyo ranks #1 in Japan with a score of 68/100, and city-centre rent from around $1359/month.
What is the safest city in Japan?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Tokyo is the safest city in Japan in our database, with a rate of 0.2 per 100,000 people.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Japan?▾
Japan offers the Japan Digital Nomad Visa (moderate process). Duration: 6 months (no renewal). Key requirement: Income ≥ ~$68,000/yr (¥10M). Health insurance required. From ~49 eligible countries (tax treaty + visa-exempt entry).. The process is moderate difficulty. Check individual city pages for full details.