Kichijoji holds top spot in Greater Tokyo livability ranking

Kichijoji was named the Greater Tokyo Area’s most desirable place to live for the eighth consecutive year, according to Daito Trust Construction’s 2026 “Ii Heya Net” ranking.

The survey asked residents of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama which stations and municipalities they would most like to live in.

The results again point to the enduring appeal of neighborhoods that combine transport access, retail convenience, greenery and a strong local identity.

Key Points

• Kichijoji ranked first among stations for the eighth consecutive year.

• Yokohama ranked second for the eighth straight year, while Minatomirai held third place for the fifth consecutive year.

• Minato Ward rose from second place last year to become the top-ranked municipality.

• Tokyo stations accounted for five of the top 10 station rankings, followed by Kanagawa with three and Saitama with two.

• The ranking was based on responses from 52,966 Greater Tokyo residents aged 20 or older.

Kichijoji’s Appeal Remains Broad

Kichijoji, located in Musashino City in western Tokyo, continued to lead the station ranking.

Inokashira Park in Kichijoji. Photo by note thanun on Unsplash

The area has long been associated with a balance that many Tokyo residents find difficult to replicate elsewhere. It offers strong rail access, established shopping streets, restaurants, cafés and access to Inokashira Park, while still feeling less intense than many central Tokyo neighborhoods.

That combination appears to remain highly resilient.

Kichijoji ranked first across all age groups from respondents in their 20s to those in their 60s and older. It also ranked first among men under 40, women under 40, and married couples under 50 with children.

Yokohama Station ranked second, while Minatomirai Station ranked third. Both are in Yokohama’s Nishi Ward, reinforcing central Yokohama’s position as a major lifestyle alternative to Tokyo.

Minatomirai, Yokohama’s waterfront business, shopping and residential district, has remained in third place for five straight years.

Omiya, a major transport hub in Saitama, also remained highly ranked across age groups, showing that residential appeal in the capital region is not limited to Tokyo addresses.

Minato Ward Takes Top Municipality Spot

Among municipalities, Minato Ward rose from second place last year to take the top position.

The ward includes some of Tokyo’s most internationally recognizable business and residential districts, including Roppongi, Azabu, Akasaka, Aoyama and Shirokane.

Its appeal reflects a mix of centrality, high-end residential stock, international amenities and access to major employment centers.

Setagaya Ward ranked second.

Setagaya offers a different kind of residential appeal. It is one of Tokyo’s largest wards and is known for established residential neighborhoods, family-oriented housing, parks and relatively calm streetscapes while still offering access to central Tokyo.

Shibuya Ward ranked third for the second year in a row. The ward’s result reflects the continued strength of one of Tokyo’s most visible commercial, cultural and residential areas.

Outside the capital region, Sapporo ranked 15th and Fukuoka ranked 19th, making them the only municipalities outside Greater Tokyo to enter the top 20.

Daito Trust Construction said respondents commonly cited day-to-day convenience, transport access, access to nature and parks, public safety and attractive streetscapes as reasons for choosing highly ranked areas.

Preferences Differ by Household Type

The survey also found differences by age, gender and household type.

Men under 40 showed a stronger preference for major urban and entertainment districts such as Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Nakano.

Women under 40 showed stronger interest in areas such as Nakameguro and Jiyugaoka, which are known for cafés, boutiques and a fashionable but relatively calm residential atmosphere.

Among married couples under 50 with children, suburban and family-friendly areas such as Kamakura, Tachikawa, Urawa, Musashi-Kosugi and Nagareyama-Otakanomori ranked strongly.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online through Macromill among registered survey monitors.

The ranking was based on responses from 52,966 men and women aged 20 or older living in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama.

The 2026 survey period ran from February 10 to March 22.

For the station ranking, respondents living in the Greater Tokyo Area selected from stations in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama.

For the municipality ranking, Greater Tokyo residents selected from municipalities nationwide.

The “places people would like to live” ranking was compiled from 2026 responses only.

Source:

PR Times (Japanese only)