Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
32%
Weight: 150
Kobe is relatively expensive compared to many Asian cities, with high costs for daily expenses typical of Japan.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
28%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are high, especially for centrally located apartments suitable for digital nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
51%
Weight: 40
Food quality is excellent but prices are above average; groceries can be costly but local markets offer some affordable options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and reasonably priced compared to other Japanese cities.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
40%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are diverse but tend to be pricey, especially nightlife and cultural events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
55%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with many options available.
💱 Currency Stability
97%
Weight: 30
Japanese Yen is very stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
91%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet is widely available with speeds often exceeding 100 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
63%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist but fewer than in Tokyo or Osaka; still sufficient for most needs.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though some have time limits or require purchases.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65%
Weight: 30
A moderate number of cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and comfortable seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
42%
Weight: 100
Kobe is less popular among digital nomads compared to Tokyo or Osaka but has a small growing community.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
87%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
74%
Weight: 30
Japanese work culture is intense, but Kobe offers a more relaxed environment than larger cities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
86%
Weight: 15
Clean air and well-maintained urban environment with proximity to nature.
🧼 Cleanliness
95%
Weight: 10
Exceptionally clean city with strict waste management and public hygiene standards.
🗨️ Language Barrier
31%
Weight: 30
English is not widely spoken; Japanese language skills are important for daily life.
💨 Air Quality
82%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality with occasional pollution spikes but overall healthy environment.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
73%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and healthcare make it suitable for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
93%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with advanced medical facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national insurance but can be costly without it.
🏥 Healthcare
92%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure and services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
64%
Weight: 80
Mild climate with hot summers and cool winters; some humidity and rainy season in early summer.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
40%
Weight: 10
Located in an earthquake-prone region with occasional typhoons.
🏞️ Green Spaces
79%
Weight: 10
Good access to parks and nearby mountains for outdoor activities.
❄️ Air Conditioning
80%
Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport are well air-conditioned.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
71%
Weight: 10
Distinct four seasons with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful autumn foliage.
🔊 Noise Pollution
79%
Weight: 10
Relatively low noise pollution compared to larger metropolitan areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
88%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with festivals, museums, and traditional arts.
🌃 Nightlife
53%
Weight: 15
Smaller nightlife scene compared to Tokyo but offers bars, izakayas, and live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
85%
Weight: 15
Close to mountains, coastline, and hiking trails.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers offer Japanese lessons.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
77%
Weight: 10
Good variety of local tours, sake breweries, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
62%
Weight: 10
Museums, shopping centers, and cultural venues available but less extensive than larger cities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
89%
Weight: 25
Excellent local cuisine, especially Kobe beef and fresh seafood.
🧠 Yoga Studios
58%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available but not as widespread as in major metropolitan areas.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
64%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers with modern equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
73%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh produce, vegetarian, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
UTC+9 is favorable for Asia-Pacific and some European time zone overlaps.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
50%
Weight: 25
Limited compared to Tokyo but some meetups and business events occur.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
45%
Weight: 20
Japan's remote work culture is growing but still limited; more opportunities in Tokyo.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
47%
Weight: 20
Freelance market is small and less developed than Western countries.
🏢 Coworking Quality
61%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are clean and well-equipped but fewer in number.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
43%
Weight: 15
Kobe has a small startup ecosystem compared to Tokyo or Osaka.
💳 Local Payment Services
72%
Weight: 10
Cash is still king but electronic payments and mobile wallets are increasingly accepted.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption with regulatory clarity but limited mainstream use.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
75%
Weight: 30
Kobe Airport offers domestic flights; nearby Kansai International Airport provides extensive international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
84%
Weight: 20
Efficient and punctual public transportation including trains and buses.
🚶 Walkability
76%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
38%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing is limited due to regulations; taxis are available but expensive.
🚲 Cycling
69%
Weight: 10
Cycling is common with dedicated bike lanes and rental options.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
87%
Weight: 15
Excellent train connections including Shinkansen to major cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Bike rentals are available; electric scooter rentals are rare.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
90%
Weight: 20
Strong and reliable mobile coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
88%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
94%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
60%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available but often limited in speed and coverage.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
35%
Weight: 40
Visa processes are strict and can be complicated for long-term stays.
📊 Tax Friendliness
40%
Weight: 30
Tax rates are relatively high; complex filing for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
85%
Weight: 15
Generally free speech environment with some social conformity pressures.
🏛️ Political Stability
96%
Weight: 20
Highly stable political environment.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
39%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners without permanent residency; requires documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
52%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; processes are clear but can be time-consuming.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
48%
Weight: 50
Somewhat nomad-friendly but limited infrastructure and community compared to top nomad hubs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
37%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated digital nomad events; mostly informal meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence for Kobe-based digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
98%
Weight: 100
Extremely safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
76%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women, though cultural norms are conservative.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; some challenges for foreigners but generally peaceful coexistence.