What is the "Most Desirable Places to Live" ranking for Kanagawa Prefecture?
Kanagawa Prefecture's "Most Desirable Places to Live Ranking" is a ranking of popular areas compiled based on the satisfaction levels of people who actually live there and their search trends for housing.
Based on survey results published by LIFULL HOME'S, SUUMO, Iiheya Net, and others, areas are evaluated from multiple perspectives, including transportation access, convenience of living, safety, and the image of the town. Areas such as Yokohama, Kawasaki, and Shonan are particularly noteworthy, and the data is useful for a wide range of people, from commuters and those raising children to those living in retirement.
This ranking is packed with helpful tips for anyone considering moving or looking for a place to live within Kanagawa Prefecture.
Ranking source and evaluation criteria
Surveys to rank desirable places to live are primarily conducted independently by real estate portals such as LIFULL HOME'S, SUUMO, and Iiheya Net. The rankings are compiled based on real data such as user search behavior, the number of requests for information, and survey results, making popular cities and noteworthy areas visible in numerical terms.
The evaluation criteria include factors such as convenient transportation, safety and security, shopping environment, average rent, and the availability of educational and medical facilities. A notable feature is that trends differ depending on age and lifestyle. As a highly reliable indicator, it can be a useful first step in choosing a place to live.
The difference between a city you want to rent and a city you want to buy.
There is a clear difference between a city where you want to rent a place to live and a city where you want to buy a place to live.
- In terms of rental needs, low rent, convenient location near a train station, and ease of moving are strongly emphasized, and neighborhoods popular with single people and young people tend to rank highly.
- When it comes to purchasing needs, long-term perspectives such as future asset value, child-rearing environment, and urban development potential are the evaluation criteria, so residential areas that are popular with families and seniors are often chosen.
Since the ideal city varies depending on your goals and life plan, it's important to interpret the rankings from a perspective that suits you.
How to use the ranking results and points to note
While rankings of desirable places to live can be helpful when choosing a city, there are some points to keep in mind when using them. A city at the top of the ranking isn't necessarily the "best" for you. It's important to consider factors that suit your lifestyle, such as commute time, cost of living, rent budget, and childcare environment.
Furthermore, popular neighborhoods tend to have high rents and property prices, so considering the costs is essential when actually deciding where to live. Rankings should only be used as reference information; using them in conjunction with viewing properties and conducting local research will help you find a more satisfying place to live.
Top 10 Most Desirable Places to Live in Kanagawa Prefecture, 2025 Edition [Overall]
Kanagawa Prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, is an attractive area that offers a balance between urban convenience and natural environment. It boasts a variety of towns to suit different lifestyles, including stations convenient for commuting to work or school, residential areas suitable for raising children, and towns where you can live near the sea, such as the Shonan area.
This chapter presents the rankings for the 2025 "Top 10 Most Desirable Cities to Live In in Kanagawa Prefecture [Overall]," based on the latest search data and resident satisfaction. We have carefully selected popular cities from various perspectives, including transportation access, safety, and living environment, and will provide detailed explanations of their characteristics and livability.
Rank 1: Hon-Atsugi Station (Atsugi City) | Highly rated for its balance of access to the city center and convenience of daily life.
Hon-Atsugi Station, which boasts the convenience of being approximately 50 minutes from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Odawara Line, and combines a rich natural environment with a well-developed urban area, ranked first. The area around the station is well-equipped with large commercial facilities and restaurants, making it convenient for shopping and dining out.
Furthermore, the relatively low rent and cost of living make it a popular choice due to its excellent value for money. It is supported by a wide range of people, from singles to families, and further development is expected as redevelopment projects progress.
Properties in Kanagawa Prefecture are listed here.
2nd Place: Musashi-Kosugi Station (Nakahara Ward, Kawasaki City) | A town whose popularity is rapidly increasing due to redevelopment
Musashi-Kosugi Station offers excellent access to Tokyo and Yokohama, with multiple train lines including the Tokyu Toyoko Line, JR Nambu Line, and Yokosuka Line. Recent large-scale redevelopment has led to the construction of numerous high-rise condominiums and commercial facilities, transforming the area into a town where a comfortable urban lifestyle can be realized.
With excellent educational and medical facilities, it's gaining attention, especially among families. It's highly regarded as a new suburban area that combines convenience with a great living environment.
Properties around Musashi-Kosugi Station can be found here.
3rd Place: Yokohama Station (Nishi Ward, Yokohama City) | A popular and well-established area, convenient for transportation and shopping.
Yokohama Station, a major terminal station in Kanagawa Prefecture, is served by numerous train lines, making it a highly convenient area for commuting, school, and shopping. The area surrounding the station is lined with department stores and commercial facilities, offering everything from daily life to weekend entertainment.
While safety and heavy traffic are some concerns, it's an ideal city for those seeking an active lifestyle. It's particularly popular among young people and DINKs (double income, no kids).
Properties around Yokohama Station can be found here.
4th Place: Ebina Station (Ebina City) | A town with large commercial facilities and ongoing residential development.
Ebina Station, where the Sotetsu Line, Odakyu Line, and JR Sagami Line intersect, has become a much more livable area in recent years due to a boom in development. With large shopping malls like "LaLaport Ebina" and "VinaWalk" directly connected to the station, daily shopping and going out are very convenient.
The area is well-developed as a residential area, with plenty of new apartments and detached houses. Because rents and the cost of living are lower than in central Tokyo, it is gaining popularity as a place for young families to relocate.
Properties in Kanagawa Prefecture are listed here.
5th Place: Totsuka Station (Totsuka Ward, Yokohama City) | Attractive balance of nature and urban life
Totsuka Station, served by the Tokaido Line, Yokosuka Line, and Yokohama Municipal Subway, offers excellent access to central Yokohama while being a pleasant place to live in a quiet residential area. The area around the station boasts a well-developed commercial network and ample infrastructure for daily life.
With plenty of greenery and numerous daycare centers and schools, this area is extremely popular with families with young children. It offers a good balance, combining the convenience of city life with the tranquility of the suburbs.
Properties in Kanagawa Prefecture are listed here.
6th Place: Fujisawa Station (Fujisawa City) | A station where you can fully enjoy the Shonan lifestyle
Fujisawa Station, a popular gateway to the Shonan area, offers access to three train lines: JR, Odakyu, and Enoden, making it ideal for commuting to Tokyo and accessing Shonan's beaches. The area around the station boasts a wide variety of shopping facilities, cafes, and restaurants, making it a very convenient place to live.
This location is appealing to those who aspire to a lifestyle that includes surfing and enjoying the outdoors. It is popular with a wide range of people, from families with young children to young adults and seniors.
Properties in Kanagawa Prefecture are listed here.
7th Place: Hiyoshi Station (Kohoku Ward, Yokohama City) | Popular with students and families
Hiyoshi Station, known for being home to Keio University's Hiyoshi Campus, is served by the Tokyu Toyoko Line, Meguro Line, and Yokohama Municipal Subway Green Line. While it has a lively atmosphere with many students, it is also safe and boasts quiet residential areas.
The area around the station boasts a concentration of cafes, bookstores, and restaurants, making it a very convenient place to live. With an excellent balance of transportation access, educational environment, and livability, it's a popular town for families with children.
Properties around Hiyoshi Station can be found here.
8th Place: Tamaplaza Station (Aoba Ward, Yokohama City) | Sophisticated suburban residential area
Tamaplaza Station, one of the most popular stations along the Den-en-toshi Line, is attractive for its convenient access from the city center and its refined and well-maintained streetscape.
With abundant commercial facilities such as "Tama Plaza Terrace" directly connected to the station, it is known for its high quality of life. It also boasts good public safety and educational facilities, making it popular with families and seniors who prefer a calm atmosphere. It's a sophisticated residential area where nature and urban amenities blend seamlessly.
Properties around Tamaplaza Station can be found here.
9th Place: Kamiooka Station (Konan Ward, Yokohama City) | Attractive for its convenient transportation and shopping.
Kamiooka Station, served by the Keikyu Main Line and the Yokohama Municipal Subway, offers convenient access to Yokohama Station and Shinagawa, making it an ideal area for commuting to work or school. The area around the station boasts numerous commercial facilities such as "mioka" and "Keikyu Department Store," providing excellent shopping opportunities.
With its stable safety and living environment, it's a popular choice for a wide range of people, from singles to families. Its charm lies in its perfect balance—neither too urban nor too suburban.
Properties in Kanagawa Prefecture are listed here.
10th Place: Chigasaki Station (Chigasaki City) | Achieve a slow-paced lifestyle near the sea
Chigasaki Station, served by the JR Tokaido and Sagami lines, is a popular area for those seeking a resort-like lifestyle close to the Shonan coast. It's ideal for those who enjoy an active lifestyle, such as surfing or running, and its appeal lies in its combination of being close to nature and having well-developed urban amenities.
The area around the station boasts large supermarkets and cafes, offering ample convenience for daily life. Its proximity to the city center makes it popular with a wide range of residents, from young people to seniors.
Properties in Kanagawa Prefecture are listed here.
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"Cities people want to live in" by type
The ideal neighborhood to live in differs depending on whether you're renting or buying.
When choosing a neighborhood to rent, factors such as distance from the station, the balance between rent prices and ease of commuting are important. In contrast, when choosing a neighborhood to buy, long-term factors such as asset value, the future potential of the neighborhood, and the educational environment are emphasized. Furthermore, when evaluating a neighborhood at the station level, satisfaction and convenience after actually living there are considered crucial, so it is effective to view rankings based on your specific purpose.
Here, based on the latest 2025 data, we present evaluations of desirable neighborhoods for renting, buying, and properties near train stations, categorized by type.
Ranking of cities where people want to rent and live (2025)
In the 2025 "Most Desirable Cities to Rent and Live In" ranking, areas that offer both convenient transportation access and the convenience of being near train stations, such as Hon-Atsugi, Musashi-Kosugi, and Yokohama, ranked highly.
For those seeking rental properties, ease of commuting to work or school, the availability of shopping facilities, and safety are major deciding factors. Stations within an hour's commute of the city center are particularly popular and are chosen by singles and young families. Furthermore, areas with many properties close to stations and newer rental properties tend to see an increase in searches and inquiries.
Ranking of cities where people want to buy a house and live (2025)
In the "Most Desirable Cities to Buy a Home In" ranking, factors such as living environment, childcare support, and future asset value are emphasized. In 2025, areas with well-established educational environments, such as Tamaplaza, Fujisawa, and Hiyoshi, as well as rapidly developing areas that are attracting renewed attention, were ranked.
Whether choosing an apartment or a detached house, people are selecting neighborhoods with the intention of permanent residence, and factors such as disaster risk, the maturity of the neighborhood, and the convenience of daily life are also considered. These are important indicators for families seeking a stable life from a long-term perspective.
Top 5 Stations by Livability Rating
In station-level livability rankings, the focus of evaluation is on the convenience of daily life and the availability of surrounding facilities.
In the 2025 edition,
- Yokohama Station
- Tamaplaza Station
- Fujisawa Station
- Hiyoshi Station
- Musashi-Kosugi Station ranked in the top 5.
These stations are highly rated not only for their convenient commutes due to access to multiple train lines, but also for the fact that essential facilities such as supermarkets, hospitals, and parks are all within walking distance. For people looking for a "livable town close to a station," station-specific information is particularly practical and reliable.
Also check out the livability rankings! [Cities that people are glad to live in]
In addition to rankings of desirable neighborhoods, "livability rankings," which evaluate the satisfaction of people who actually live in a particular area, are also important indicators when choosing a place to live. These rankings are based on the real voices of residents and comprehensively evaluate factors such as safety, convenience, comfort of the living environment, and ease of raising children.
In the 2025 edition, Yokohama City's Tsuzuki Ward secured the top spot for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting the continued high ratings of several areas. For those looking for a comfortable place to live in Kanagawa Prefecture for the long term, "livability" is reliable data.
By understanding what makes a city truly worth living in from a resident's perspective, you can make a choice about where to live without regrets.
What is the reason why Tsuzuki Ward in Yokohama City has been ranked number one for five consecutive years?
Tsuzuki Ward in Yokohama City is a popular area that boasts the top spot in the "Livability Ranking" for five consecutive years as of 2025.
The reason lies in the well-planned urban landscape and the balance between transportation, education, and shopping environments. Tsuzuki Ward, developed as Kohoku New Town, has many green spaces and parks, making it an ideal environment for raising children. Furthermore, the Yokohama Municipal Subway runs through it, providing excellent access to central Yokohama and the city center.
The area boasts a large shopping complex, "LaLaport Yokohama," and numerous medical facilities, making it highly convenient for daily life. Its safety and cleanliness are also highly regarded, making it particularly popular with families and seniors.
The charm of Hayama Town, Miura District, and its rich natural living environment.
Hayama Town is highly regarded in Kanagawa Prefecture as an area where residents can enjoy a harmonious coexistence with nature. With its beautiful coastline and lush green hills, it offers a peaceful daily life in a resort-like environment.
While popular as a tourist destination, it is also characterized by its good safety record and strong community ties. For families with young children and those who utilize remote work, it is a place where they can enjoy a peaceful life away from the hustle and bustle.
Furthermore, it offers easy access to the Shonan area, making it possible to enjoy marine sports and hiking on weekends. It's an ideal environment for people who appreciate nature and a slow-paced lifestyle.
Convenience is the reason behind Yokohama City's Nishi Ward's high rating
Nishi Ward in Yokohama City is one of Kanagawa Prefecture's leading urban areas, centered around Yokohama Station, and is highly regarded as a residential area. It boasts excellent transportation access, with multiple lines available, including JR, Tokyu, Keikyu, and the Minatomirai Line.
The area around the station boasts a high level of convenience, with numerous commercial facilities, restaurants, and hospitals. Furthermore, the open landscape of the Minato Mirai district and the beautiful night views of the bay area add to the overall quality of life.
Despite its proximity to the city center, many residential areas offer a peaceful escape from urban hustle and bustle, making them particularly popular with DINKs (double income, no kids) and single-person households. The combination of convenience and comfort is a major draw.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When choosing a place to live in Kanagawa Prefecture, many people are concerned with factors related to the living environment, such as "safety and security," "living alone," and "child-rearing."
Here, we've compiled answers to common questions that can help you choose a city to live in. Please use this as a reference to find a city where you can live safely and comfortably, according to your lifestyle and family structure.
Which cities in Kanagawa Prefecture have good public safety?
In Kanagawa Prefecture, the cities that are highly regarded for their safety are:
- Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama City
- Aoba Ward
- Zushi City
- Hayama Town is one example.
In particular, Tsuzuki Ward and Aoba Ward are well-maintained areas thanks to planned urban development, and their residential areas are appealing for their quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Many areas also have thorough police patrols, making them safe for children and women living alone. Crime rates are relatively low, making them recommended areas for those who prioritize safety. In addition to rankings, it is a good idea to check actual crime statistics and local reviews for peace of mind.
Which cities are suitable for living alone?
When choosing a city for single living, a good balance between convenient access and the cost of living is crucial.
In Kanagawa Prefecture,
- Naka Ward, Nishi Ward, and Kohoku Ward in Yokohama City (especially around Hiyoshi Station)
- Kawasaki City's Nakahara Ward (near Musashi-Kosugi Station) is a popular choice.
These areas offer excellent access to the city center, and are characterized by their high level of convenience, with supermarkets, restaurants, and hospitals located right in front of the train stations.
Also, rent prices vary by area, so if you prioritize cost-effectiveness, the area around Hon-Atsugi Station or Ebina City are also recommended. Check safety and the surrounding environment, and choose a town that suits your lifestyle.
What areas are recommended for raising children?
When choosing a town suitable for raising children, safety, educational environment, medical facilities, and the availability of parks are important factors.
In Kanagawa Prefecture,
- Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama City
- Aoba Ward
- Asao Ward, Kawasaki City
- Fujisawa City and other areas are receiving high praise from families with children.
Tsuzuki Ward, in particular, has many nurseries and parks, as well as plenty of family-friendly housing. Aoba Ward and Aso Ward have high educational standards, and there are a wide variety of cram schools and extracurricular activity options.
Furthermore, Fujisawa City boasts abundant nature and is popular among those who want to raise children in a relaxed environment. Checking the local government's childcare support programs will make it easier to find a neighborhood where you can live with greater peace of mind.
summary
Kanagawa Prefecture boasts many towns that strike a good balance between convenient transportation and a natural environment, making it an area where you can choose a home that suits your lifestyle. In the 2025 ranking of desirable places to live, towns such as Hon-Atsugi, Musashi-Kosugi, and Yokohama, which offer convenient commuting and a well-developed living environment, received high marks.
Furthermore, by considering factors such as renting, buying, and station-specific perspectives, as well as actual "livability" rankings, you can make a more satisfying choice of neighborhood. The optimal area will vary depending on your purpose, including factors like safety, educational environment, and ease of living alone.
Through this article, I hope to help you determine which city is truly the best fit for you and bring you one step closer to your ideal lifestyle. If you are considering starting a new life in Kanagawa, please compare the characteristics of each city before making your choice.
