Kobe, Japan 🇯🇵
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
65%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to other major Japanese cities, but still higher than many Southeast Asian destinations.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable for a city of its size, but can be high in popular areas.
🍎 Food & Groceries
72%
Weight: 40
Diverse food options available, with affordable local eateries and grocery prices being reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable, with a well-connected train system.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are plentiful, but costs can add up, especially for nightlife.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
63%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with various options available.
💱 Currency Stability
85%
Weight: 30
The Japanese Yen is stable, making it a reliable currency for long-term stays.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
Excellent internet speed with widespread availability of high-speed connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
70%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces available, though not as numerous as in larger cities like Tokyo.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, making it easy to work remotely.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
75%
Weight: 30
A good selection of cafes that cater to remote workers, especially in trendy districts.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
50%
Weight: 100
Kobe is less popular among digital nomads compared to Tokyo or Osaka.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
70%
Weight: 30
Generally good work-life balance, with a culture that values leisure time.
🌳 Environmental Quality
80%
Weight: 15
Kobe is known for its clean environment and beautiful natural surroundings.
🧼 Cleanliness
85%
Weight: 10
The city is very clean, with a strong emphasis on public cleanliness.
🗨️ Language Barrier
45%
Weight: 30
Japanese is the primary language, and English is not widely spoken, which can be challenging.
💨 Air Quality
75%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, though industrial areas may experience some pollution.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
90%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare services available, with modern facilities and well-trained staff.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to the national insurance system, though costs can vary.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare system with a wide range of services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
78%
Weight: 80
Mild climate with four distinct seasons, though summers can be humid.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
40%
Weight: 10
Kobe is prone to earthquakes, which poses a risk for residents.
🏞️ Green Spaces
75%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks and green areas throughout the city, providing good recreational options.
❄️ Air Conditioning
80%
Weight: 15
Most accommodations are equipped with air conditioning, essential during hot summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
80%
Weight: 10
Experiences all four seasons, offering a variety of seasonal activities.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
85%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with many museums, festivals, and historical sites.
🌃 Nightlife
65%
Weight: 15
Decent nightlife scene, though not as vibrant as larger cities like Tokyo.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
80%
Weight: 15
Close proximity to mountains and the sea, offering plenty of outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools, but opportunities exist through local interactions.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
70%
Weight: 10
Various local tours available, showcasing the city's history and culture.
🎳 Indoors Fun
65%
Weight: 10
Several indoor attractions, including museums and shopping centers.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
80%
Weight: 25
Diverse and vibrant food scene, known for its Kobe beef and street food.
🧠 Yoga Studios
65%
Weight: 10
A moderate number of yoga studios available, catering to various styles.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fitness facilities, including gyms and sports centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
75%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of healthy food options, including vegetarian and vegan choices.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
50%
Weight: 20
Japan's time zone can be challenging for remote work with clients in other regions.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
55%
Weight: 25
Limited networking opportunities compared to larger cities, but some events do occur.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Remote job opportunities are not as abundant as in more tech-centric cities.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
45%
Weight: 20
Freelancing is less common, with fewer resources available for freelancers.
🏢 Coworking Quality
70%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are generally well-equipped and comfortable.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
50%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup scene, but not as developed as in Tokyo or Osaka.
💳 Local Payment Services
65%
Weight: 10
Common payment methods are available, but cash is still widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption of blockchain and crypto technologies in daily life.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
75%
Weight: 30
Kobe Airport offers good connectivity, though not as extensive as Kansai International.
🚇 Public Transit
80%
Weight: 20
Excellent public transit system, including trains and buses that are punctual and reliable.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Many areas are walkable, especially in the city center, though some neighborhoods are less accessible.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
55%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing services are available but not as commonly used as in other countries.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Cycling is possible, but infrastructure is not as developed as in some other cities.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
80%
Weight: 15
Excellent intercity travel options via Shinkansen and local trains.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Limited options for scooter and bike rentals compared to larger cities.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
85%
Weight: 20
Strong mobile network coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
70%
Weight: 20
VPN services are generally reliable, with good connectivity.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Highly reliable power grid with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in some areas, but not as widespread as in other countries.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
50%
Weight: 40
Visa processes can be complex and time-consuming for long-term stays.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Japan has a relatively high tax burden, which can be a concern for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
60%
Weight: 15
Freedom of speech exists, but there are some restrictions and social pressures.
🏛️ Political Stability
80%
Weight: 20
Japan is politically stable, with a low risk of civil unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Opening a bank account can be challenging for foreigners due to documentation requirements.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Business registration can be bureaucratic and time-consuming.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
30%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available, making it difficult for long-term stays.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Kobe is not particularly known for being nomad-friendly compared to other cities.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
45%
Weight: 25
Limited events and meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40%
Weight: 20
Online communities for digital nomads in Kobe are minimal.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
90%
Weight: 100
Kobe is considered very safe, with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
85%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for women, with a strong cultural respect for gender equality.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60%
Weight: 50
While generally tolerant, there can be instances of xenophobia in certain areas.