Nagano and Niigata prefectures attract foreign and domestic migration
Nagano and Niigata prefectures continue to lose population overall, but selected resort and rural municipalities are moving in the opposite direction.
Foreign residents are supporting growth in internationally oriented tourism markets such as Hakuba and Myoko, while domestic migrants are contributing to population gains in towns offering access to nature, more space and relatively attainable housing.
Typical Nagano prefecture skyline. Note the very clear water the area is famous for. Photo by 泉 龍都 on Unsplash
Seven municipalities in Nagano recorded population growth despite the wider prefectural decline.
Hakuba was one of the strongest performers. Its population increased by 366, or 4%, while its foreign-resident population rose by 505.
The village’s population growth is closely linked to its international ski economy. Some foreign residents have relocated to establish accommodation, restaurants and other businesses serving overseas visitors.
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The growth is part of a longer pattern of strong inward migration. Hakuba’s official statistics show that the village recorded a substantial net social increase in 2024, meaning that arrivals exceeded departures.
That demand supports local businesses and property markets, but it also increases pressure on housing, infrastructure and multilingual public services.
Myoko develops as another international mountain-resort market
Myoko did not record overall population growth, but its foreign-resident population increased by approximately 2%.
As in Hakuba, international tourism is an important part of the explanation. Foreign residents in Myoko include people working in or operating tourism-related businesses, particularly around the city’s ski and hot-spring areas.
Myoko’s growing international profile also forms part of its official tourism strategy. The city’s tourism plan describes Myoko as an internationally recognized destination for deep powder snow and identifies overseas visitors, tourism employment, business creation and settlement support as priorities.
The plan reported 120,000 foreign guest nights in 2023 and set a target of 180,000 by 2029. It also calls for improvements to transport, visitor facilities, workforce development and support for new tourism businesses.
For the real-estate market, this suggests that Myoko’s demographic story is not limited to visitor numbers. As tourism becomes more international, demand may extend from short-stay accommodation to staff housing, business premises and homes suitable for year-round residents.
However, an increase in foreign residents does not by itself reverse the city’s wider population decline. The more relevant question is whether tourism-related migration can support local services and create sustained demand beyond the winter season.
Domestic migration supports housing demand in Miyota
Other growing Nagano municipalities were supported more by domestic migration.
Miyota, next to Karuizawa, gained 219 residents and recorded population growth of 1.32%.
The town has attracted households seeking access to the Karuizawa area while considering housing options outside its more expensive core market.
Miyota is responding to housing demand with a residential development expected to provide around 100 lots across more than five hectares. Completion is targeted for 2027.
The project illustrates a different source of regional demand from that seen in Hakuba and Myoko. Rather than relying primarily on tourism-related migration, Miyota is attracting households seeking permanent homes, more space and access to nearby employment and amenities.
Yuzawa adapts resort housing for permanent residents
In Niigata Prefecture, Yuzawa was the only municipality to record overall population growth.
Its population increased by 1.80%, while its net social increase—the balance between people moving in and moving out - was 3.26%.
Yuzawa has around 15,000 resort-condominium units built largely during Japan’s late-1980s and early-1990s property boom. The town has used some of this stock to support relocation initiatives.
Since fiscal 2021, prospective residents have been able to stay in trial accommodation for up to 30 days at ¥2,000 per night.
In fiscal 2025, qualifying younger households can also apply for relocation support of up to ¥1 million. Eligibility depends on conditions including previous residence, employment or business activity and an intention to remain in the town.
The town’s experience also exposes a mismatch in its housing supply. Many resort condominiums were designed for short stays and may be too small for families seeking permanent homes.
Private-sector plans for new family-oriented housing are therefore emerging alongside the reuse of older resort units.
Foreign nationals account for around 8% of Yuzawa’s population. Some operate short-term rentals or have taken over inns and hotels, supporting tourism businesses that might otherwise face succession difficulties.
The town has also introduced English and Chinese waste-disposal guidance and is encouraging foreign residents to participate in neighborhood associations.
Why it matters for real estate
The population gains in these municipalities remain small compared with the broader demographic decline across Nagano and Niigata.
However, they show that demand is becoming increasingly concentrated in places offering international tourism, lifestyle advantages or access to stronger neighboring markets.
For property markets, the question is not simply whether a municipality has available buildings. It is whether those buildings are in the right location, condition and format for the people now choosing to live there.
Further Reading:
Hakuba Village: Annual population movement statistics (Japanese only)
Myoko City: Fourth Tourism Promotion Plan (Japanese only)
Yuzawa Town: Relocation and settlement support programs (Japanese only)
