💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
32%
Weight: 150
Kobe is relatively expensive compared to many global cities, with high costs for daily expenses typical of Japan.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
35%
Weight: 80
Rent is moderately high, especially for centrally located apartments suitable for long stays.
🍎 Food & Groceries
51%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are moderately priced; local markets offer some affordable options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable, with good connectivity within the city.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
40%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are varied but tend to be on the pricier side.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
54%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with several options available.
💱 Currency Stability
89%
Weight: 30
The Japanese Yen is stable with low volatility, providing financial predictability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
91%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet is widely available with reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
73%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist, though fewer than in Tokyo or Osaka.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for casual remote work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but not as widespread as in larger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
42%
Weight: 100
Kobe is less popular among digital nomads compared to Tokyo or Osaka.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79%
Weight: 30
Japanese work culture is demanding but Kobe offers a more relaxed environment than bigger cities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
84%
Weight: 15
Good air and water quality with well-maintained urban green spaces.
🧼 Cleanliness
95%
Weight: 10
Kobe is very clean, reflecting Japan’s high standards for public hygiene.
🗨️ Language Barrier
31%
Weight: 30
Limited English proficiency among locals can pose challenges for non-Japanese speakers.
💨 Air Quality
80%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality with occasional pollution from nearby industrial areas.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
93%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities with advanced medical technology.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
76%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to Japan’s universal health insurance system.
🏥 Healthcare
90%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure and services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
62%
Weight: 80
Mild climate with hot summers and cool winters; some rainy days especially in June.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
45%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and typhoons; well-prepared infrastructure mitigates impact.
🏞️ Green Spaces
77%
Weight: 10
Several parks and access to nature, including nearby mountains and coastline.
❄️ Air Conditioning
83%
Weight: 15
Most accommodations and public places have reliable air conditioning.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
71%
Weight: 10
Distinct four seasons with pleasant spring and autumn, hot summers, and mild winters.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
88%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with festivals, museums, and traditional arts.
🌃 Nightlife
52%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife options, quieter than Tokyo or Osaka but some bars and izakayas available.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
80%
Weight: 15
Access to mountains, hiking trails, and coastal areas for outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers offer Japanese classes.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74%
Weight: 10
Good variety of local tours including sake brewery visits and historical sites.
🎳 Indoors Fun
63%
Weight: 10
Museums, shopping centers, and cultural venues provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
85%
Weight: 25
Renowned for Kobe beef and diverse Japanese cuisine with many quality restaurants.
🧠 Yoga Studios
57%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available but less abundant than in larger metropolitan areas.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
64%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers, though not as numerous as in bigger cities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
79%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh seafood, vegetables, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
UTC+9; favorable for working with Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe/Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
50%
Weight: 25
Limited compared to Tokyo; smaller expat and startup communities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
43%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities require Japanese language skills.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
48%
Weight: 20
Freelance scene is emerging but still limited in Kobe.
🏢 Coworking Quality
70%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are modern and well-equipped but fewer in number.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
45%
Weight: 15
Smaller 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; Japan is crypto-friendly but Kobe is not a major hub.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
74%
Weight: 30
Kobe Airport offers domestic flights; nearby Kansai International Airport provides extensive international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
81%
Weight: 20
Efficient and punctual public transport including trains, buses, and trams.
🚶 Walkability
76%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
38%
Weight: 15
Limited ride-sharing options; taxis are available but expensive.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Cycling is possible with some dedicated lanes but not widespread.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
89%
Weight: 15
Excellent rail connections including Shinkansen to major cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
54%
Weight: 10
Bike rentals available but scooter rentals are rare.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
90%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
87%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
92%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
63%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available but often requires registration and can be slow.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
Japan has strict visa policies; no specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
37%
Weight: 30
Relatively high taxes and complex filing requirements for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
78%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some social and cultural constraints exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
90%
Weight: 20
Highly stable political environment.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
42%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners without permanent residency; requires documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; processes are clear but time-consuming.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but limited infrastructure and community for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
39%
Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups specifically for digital nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
47%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online presence for nomads in Kobe.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
96%
Weight: 100
Very safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
80%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
51%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; some challenges for foreigners but improving.