Outside Of Tokyo, Where Do Wealthy People Live In Japan?

Vibrant, diverse and steeped in both tradition and modernity – Japan is one of the most unique countries in the world, as well as one of the most affluent. In particular, Tokyo is renowned for its iconic landmarks, otaku culture and modern, contemporary architecture.

So, given all that, it should come as no surprise to learn that many wealthy people choose to take up residence there. Still, there are many other cities in Japan, which leaves many to wonder – outside of Tokyo, where are some other places that wealthy people choose to live in Japan?

If you’re currently curious about where some of the most popular spots for wealthy people to live are outside of Tokyo – you’re in the right place! Below, we are going to be taking a closer look at some of the popular locations where wealthy people live in Japan.

Just keep reading!

Outside Of Tokyo, Where Do Wealthy People Live In Japan?

Tokyo is undoubtedly one of the most expensive cities in Japan, and it also just so happens to be the most popular cities for wealthy people to settle in.

That being said, there are a variety of other places that wealthy people like to live in Japan – let’s take a look at them:

1. Chiba

If you’ve been to Japan before, then we’re sure that you’ll have already heard of Chiba. Besides offering plenty of beautiful, sandy beaches which makes it an ideal spot for anyone who likes water sports, but Chiba is also known for being home to two of the country’s Disney parks!

So, it should come as no surprise to hear that it’s one of the main places wealthy people live outside of Tokyo.

Despite offering one of the country’s biggest international tourist attraction, much of the wealth in Chiba mainly comes from its abundance of natural countryside, which makes it a popular place to visit for investors, visitors and those looking for a more relaxed, quiet lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of cities such as Tokyo.

All that being said, Chiba has a relaxed atmosphere with a “small town” feel and there are some affordable properties located on the outskirts of the city, such as apartment blocks.

However, along the beachfront and surrounding areas is where properties tend to be very expensive, and is often where you can find much of the country’s wealthiest. 

2. Osaka

Next up? We have Osaka! This city is known to be the “international business hub of the wealthy” so it should come as no surprise to hear that besides being one of the main places that the wealthy choose to live outside of Tokyo, the city itself also contributes to around 4-5% of Japan’s economy.

Known primarily as a business city, Osaka is densely populated and currently has a variety of different manufacturing industries conducting business there including the pharmaceuticals industry, construction firms and much more (see also ‘What Are The Major Industries In Tokyo?‘). It is highly expensive to live there, and housing prices are almost identical to Tokyo.

Despite it being highly populated, Osaka is vibrant and dynamic – which makes it ideal for those that love the fast-paced atmosphere of city life. At the time of writing this guide, Osaka is known to have the highest number of wealthy people in residence there, after Tokyo, of course.

3. Miyazaki

Located on the Southeastern coast of Kyushu, another affluent area of Japan that many wealthy people choose to take up residence in is a city known as Miyazaki – which is the capital of the Miyazaki Prefecture.

Ideal for those looking for a more idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities such as Tokyo – Miyazaki is known for its stretches of beaches with gold sand and blue waters.

Along with that, this area of Japan is also known for its warmer temperatures, which means that this is the place to be for those that love the outdoors and warm sunshine.

In fact, unlike some other places in Japan, Miyazaki is celebrated for its beautiful rock formations on its beaches, as well as being the perfect place to enjoy some surfing. While it’s certainly not cheap to live here, many wealthy people who enjoy the outdoors like to settle down here.

4. Nerima

If you love the hustle and bustle of Tokyo but want the option of a more idyllic home setting – Nerima might be the place for you.

Known to be another popular location for wealthy people in search of a home or apartment – Nerima currently has a population of around 700,000 people and is known for its relaxing yet urban atmosphere.

Fun fact: Nerima is also considered to be the place where Anime was born (see also ‘Why Is Anime So Popular?‘)! Thanks to this, there are many anime-themed restaurants and entertainment spots dotted around the city, as well as a variety of gardens, schools, libraries and more.

During the spring, many people come to Nerima to view the cherry blossoms in the many parks including Hikarigaoka park and Shakujii park.

For those looking for an affluent place to settle that will offer the vibrancy of an urban city with the idyllic tranquility of a peaceful residential neighborhood – Nerima is the perfect place.

5. Kawasaki

Located in the Greater Tokyo area of Japan – Kawasaki is about as close to Tokyo as you can get without actually being there. For that reason, it is considered to be a very affluent area with pretty high living costs.

To be more specific, Kawasaki is considered to be a large port city that is located right in the middle of the Kanagawa Prefecture. This means that Kawasaki is nestled directly in between the city of Tokyo as well as the city of Yokohama that is right next to the Tamagawa river.

Given the fact that Kawasaki is so close to the capital city of Tokyo, we’re sure that it should come as no surprise to hear that it is also another place outside of Tokyo that many wealthy people like to take up residence in. 

The center of this city is known to be full of culture and diversity – while also being home to an industrialized waterfront that contains offices to Toshiba, Fuji, Hitachi and many other big businesses. 

The city is also not an overly popular tourist destination in the way that Tokyo is, which means that many people like to live here as it offers the best of both worlds – close proximity to the heart of the country, as well as the peace and quiet of a peaceful neighborhood.

Final Thoughts

You’ve made it to the end! All in all, Tokyo is currently classed as being one of the wealthiest cities in the world. In fact, it is well-known for housing the biggest number of millionaires – falling short only to New York and London. 

If you have already had the opportunity to pay a visit to Tokyo, then we’re sure that you’ll agree with us when we say that it is an extremely affluent city!

Still, there are a variety of other nearby places outside of Tokyo that are also a popular place to settle for wealthy families, entrepreneurs and more.

Now that you have taken the time to read through our guide, we hope that we have been able to provide you with some insight into the most popular places for wealthy people to live in Japan outside of Tokyo. Thank you for reading, and we hope that this has been helpful.