Most Popular Areas to Live for Foreigners in Japan

Excluding COVID-19’s influence, a steadily increasing population of foreign residents settles down in Japan almost every year. If you’re considering joining the trend, finding a good area to live in Japan will help you have a better life as an expat.

Among other factors, finding a locality that is popular among expats in Japan and has a strong international community will allow you to enjoy the support of other expats facing the same challenges as yourself.

In this article, we’ll use 2018 to 2020 data from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan to break down the most popular areas for foreign residents in 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 35,000 or more residents in Japan:

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.

Japanese Cities and Prefectures with Highest Number of Foreign Residents

Tokyo

As one would expect, the mega-metropolis of Tokyo leads with over half a million foreign residents. Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino residents account for most of these numbers.

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 in Tokyo, it’s not uncommon to spot foreign residents mingling alongside Japanese locals throughout the 23 wards of the city.

Many of Japan’s biggest companies are headquartered in Tokyo, along with a wide selection of international schools and trailblazing arts, tech, and IT sectors. Moreover, Tokyo plays a dominant role in defining modern Japanese pop culture.

Aichi

A more surprising entry is that 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, 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, it is 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, both born from its extensive history of international trade.

Kanagawa is one of Japan’s most livable prefectures. It strikes a fine balance between convenient, cutting-edge city infrastructure and ample nature, beaches, and traditional villages.

Kanagawa is next to Tokyo, making it possible to live there with a 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 third highest concentration of foreigners after Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Edogawa wards, Kawaguchi is experiencing an international boom.

Similar to Kanagawa, this is further bolstered by the proximity and ease of access to Tokyo, which allows workers to commute into Tokyo while avoiding the exorbitant cost of living there.

Which Area Will You Choose?

As we can see, many of Japan’s major metropolises, like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, etc., 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, Japan’s globalization trend will surely continue.

Check out our guide for choosing the right neighborhood in Japan.

Steven Csorgo

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.