10 Best Places for Families to Live in Japan

If you're dreaming about moving with your family to Japan and haven't decided where to live, here are some of the best places for international families to live in Japan.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a good place for international families to reside, offering a plethora of activities and facilities that cater to all ages. For children, the city is home to numerous museums with interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Ghibli Museum, which is dedicated to the animated films of Studio Ghibli, and the Tokyo Toy Museum, which offers hands-on play with traditional Japanese toys. Tokyo also boasts a variety of parks and recreational areas perfect for family outings. Ueno Park, for instance, houses a zoo, several museums, and a large pond for boating, while Yoyogi Park is a great spot for picnics and outdoor games. For those interested in athletics, Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium offers a swimming pool, training room, and multi-purpose sports area that welcome families. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the British Football Academy, which offers football training for children of all ages and abilities. With its rich cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Tokyo provides a vibrant and diverse living environment for international families.

"Community - spirit and the phrase gambarimasu (to keep on going strong And never give up!)," said one expat living in Tokyo.

Yokohama

Yokohama is an excellent city for international families to settle in, providing a wide array of activities and amenities suitable for all ages. For children, there are several museums that offer interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Yokohama Anpanman Children's Museum and Mall, which is themed around the popular Anpanman cartoon, and the Cup Noodles Museum, where kids can create their own custom cup noodles. Yokohama also features numerous parks and recreational areas ideal for family outings. The Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, for example, is an amusement park and aquarium combined, while the Yamashita Park offers a beautiful waterfront view and a playground for children. For families interested in sports, the Yokohama International Swimming Pool and the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club offer facilities that welcome families, including pools, gyms, and sports fields. Additionally, there are several sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Yokohama Junior Baseball League and the Yokohama B-Corsairs Basketball Club, which offer training for children of all skill levels. With its diverse cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Yokohama provides a dynamic and inclusive living environment for international families.

Kyoto

Kyoto is an ideal city for international families to reside, offering a multitude of activities and facilities that cater to all ages. For children, the city is home to several museums with interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Kyoto Railway Museum, which offers a hands-on experience with trains, and the Kyoto International Manga Museum, where kids can engage with a vast collection of manga. Kyoto also boasts a variety of parks and recreational areas perfect for family outings. The Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, for instance, is a vast green space with beautiful gardens and historical buildings, while Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is a unique spot where families can interact with monkeys in their natural habitat. For those interested in athletics, the Kyoto City Gymnasium offers a swimming pool, training room, and multi-purpose sports area that welcome families. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Kyoto Sanga F.C. Youth Academy, which offers football training for children of all ages and abilities. With its rich cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Kyoto provides a vibrant and diverse living environment for international families.

Osaka

Osaka is a good city for international families to settle in, offering a broad range of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, there are several museums that offer interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Osaka Science Museum, which provides hands-on science experiences, and the Kids Plaza Osaka, a children's museum designed to stimulate their curiosity through play. Osaka also features numerous parks and recreational areas ideal for family outings. The Osaka Castle Park, for example, is a historical site with vast green spaces, while the Nakanoshima Park offers a rose garden and a playground for children. For families interested in sports, the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium and the Osaka Pool offer facilities that welcome families, including pools, gyms, and sports fields. Additionally, there are several sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Cerezo Osaka Soccer School and the Osaka Evessa Basketball Club, which offer training for children of all skill levels. With its diverse cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Osaka provides a dynamic and inclusive living environment for international families.

kobe

Kobe, Japan is a great destination for international families, offering a plethora of activities and facilities that cater to all ages. For children, there are several museums with interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Kobe City Museum, which offers educational programs for kids, and the Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall, a fun-filled place themed around the popular Anpanman cartoon. Kobe also boasts a variety of parks and recreational areas perfect for family outings. The Kobe Animal Kingdom, for instance, is a unique interactive zoo where families can interact with a variety of animals, while Meriken Park offers a beautiful waterfront view and a playground for children. For those interested in athletics, the Kobe Green Arena offers a swimming pool, training room, and multi-purpose sports area that welcome families. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Kobe Regatta & Athletic Club, which offers various sports training for children of all ages and abilities, and the Kobe City Suma Sports Center, which provides a range of sports activities for kids. With its rich cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Kobe provides a vibrant and diverse living environment for international families.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is an excellent choice for international families, offering a wide array of activities and facilities that cater to all ages. For children, there are several museums with interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Hiroshima Children's Museum, which provides educational and fun experiences, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which offers programs for kids to learn about peace and history. Hiroshima also features numerous parks and recreational areas ideal for family outings. The Hiroshima City Asa Zoological Park, for example, is a popular spot where families can interact with a variety of animals, while the Hiroshima Botanical Garden offers a beautiful green space and a playground for children. For families interested in sports, the Hiroshima Municipal Stadium and the Hiroshima Sun Plaza Sports Center offer facilities that welcome families, including pools, gyms, and sports fields. Additionally, there are several sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Hiroshima Toyo Carp Baseball Club and the Sanfrecce Hiroshima Football Club, which offer training for children of all skill levels. With its diverse cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Hiroshima provides a dynamic and inclusive living environment for international families.

Fukuoka

Fukuoka is an excellent city for international families, offering a wide range of activities and facilities suitable for all ages. For children, there are several museums with interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Fukuoka City Museum, which provides educational programs for kids, and the Robosquare, a unique museum dedicated to robots and technology. Fukuoka also boasts a variety of parks and recreational areas perfect for family outings. The Ohori Park, for instance, is a beautiful and serene spot with a large pond where families can rent boats, while the Fukuoka City Zoological Garden offers a chance for children to interact with a variety of animals. For those interested in athletics, the Hakatanomori Athletic Stadium and the Marine Messe Fukuoka offer facilities that welcome families, including sports fields and event spaces. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Avispa Fukuoka Football Club and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Baseball Club, which offer various sports training for children of all ages and abilities. With its rich cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Fukuoka provides a vibrant and diverse living environment for international families.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a good city for international families, offering a broad spectrum of activities and facilities that cater to all ages. For children, there are several museums with interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Nagoya City Science Museum, which offers educational programs for kids, and the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, a museum dedicated to trains and railways. Nagoya also features a variety of parks and recreational areas ideal for family outings. The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, for example, is a popular spot where families can interact with a variety of animals, while the Tsuruma Park offers a beautiful green space and a playground for children. For families interested in sports, the Nippon Gaishi Hall and the Nagoya International Swimming Pool offer facilities that welcome families, including pools, gyms, and sports fields. Additionally, there are several sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Nagoya Grampus Football Club and the Chunichi Dragons Baseball Club, which offer training for children of all skill levels. With its diverse cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Nagoya provides a dynamic and inclusive living environment for international families.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a fantastic destination for international families, offering a plethora of activities and facilities that cater to all ages. For children, there are numerous museums with interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Sapporo Science Center, which provides educational programs for kids, and the Sapporo Art Park, a museum dedicated to contemporary art with children's workshops. Sapporo also boasts a variety of parks and recreational areas perfect for family outings. The Moerenuma Park, for instance, is a beautiful and expansive spot with a large playground and picnic areas, while the Maruyama Zoo offers a chance for children to interact with a variety of animals. For those interested in athletics, the Tsukisamu Gymnasium and the Sapporo Community Dome offer facilities that welcome families, including sports fields and event spaces. Additionally, there are numerous sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Consadole Sapporo Football Club and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Baseball Club, which offer various sports training for children of all ages and abilities. With its rich cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Sapporo provides a vibrant and diverse living environment for international families.

Sendai

Sendai is a good city for international families, offering a wide array of activities and facilities that cater to all ages. For children, there are several museums with interactive exhibits and activities, such as the Sendai Science Museum, which offers educational programs for kids, and the Sendai City Museum, a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Sendai with children's workshops. Sendai also features a variety of parks and recreational areas ideal for family outings. The Nishi Park, for example, is a popular spot with a beautiful green space and a playground for children, while the Yagiyama Zoological Park offers a chance for children to interact with a variety of animals. For families interested in sports, the Sendai City Gymnasium and the Sendai City Pool offer facilities that welcome families, including pools, gyms, and sports fields. Additionally, there are several sports clubs that cater to kids, such as the Vegalta Sendai Football Club and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles Baseball Club, which offer training for children of all skill levels. With its diverse cultural offerings, recreational spaces, and athletic facilities, Sendai provides a dynamic and inclusive living environment for international families.