What your prefecture says about your lifestyle in Japan

Life in Japan can feel completely different depending on which prefecture you call home, and Sony Life Insurance's 2025 Lifestyle and Money Survey makes that clear. Drawing on responses from 4,700 people across the country, the results offered plenty of interesting insights, and I think they'll resonate with expats weighing up livability, costs, and overall long-term planning.

Hyogo Prefecture topped the rankings for ease of living, with residents pointing to convenient access to shops, hospitals, and transport. It was followed by Ehime and Shiga, which were both praised for compact cities and reasonable prices. I think those are qualities that matter more than flashy attractions once daily life sets in!

For food lovers, Niigata continued its reign. Living here comes with bragging rights, since the prefecture ranked first once again for both tasty food and tasty alcohol. With top-tier rice, abundant seafood, and the highest number of sake breweries in Japan, it's no surprise that locals (myself included!) feel spoiled when it comes to what's on the table.

Money habits also varied pretty sharply by region. Kyoto stood out as Japan's saving champion, and ranked first for savings skills, household budgeting, and both average monthly and total savings. On the flip side, Oita residents proudly identified as the most frugal, while Hiroshima topped the list for spendthrifts.

Seasonal spending revealed some quirks, too. Akita led the country in Christmas budgets, shrine offerings, and New Year food spending, while Tokyo residents spent far more than anyone else on New Year travel.

For expats, I thought it was an interesting takeaway that where you live in Japan does seem to shape how people eat, save, celebrate, and settle into life here.