💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Moderately expensive compared to rural Japan but cheaper than Tokyo; daily expenses are manageable but not low-cost.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
40%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are lower than major metropolitan areas but still relatively high for a smaller city.
🍎 Food & Groceries
55%
Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer fresh produce at reasonable prices; eating out can be moderately priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable; local buses and trains are well-priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife and entertainment options; cultural events are affordable but less frequent.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
53%
Weight: 10
Average gym fees; some community centers offer cheaper options.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
Japanese Yen is very stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
51%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces compared to major cities; some local options exist.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
60%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer free WiFi, though not as abundant as in larger cities.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
48%
Weight: 30
Few cafes specifically catering to digital nomads; quiet atmosphere but limited plug points.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
32%
Weight: 100
Not a well-known digital nomad hotspot; low community presence.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
75%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIMs with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
75%
Weight: 30
Generally good balance with a slower pace than Tokyo; cultural emphasis on work ethic remains.
🌳 Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Clean air and well-maintained natural surroundings; low pollution levels.
🧼 Cleanliness
95%
Weight: 10
Very clean city with excellent waste management and public hygiene.
🗨️ Language Barrier
37%
Weight: 30
Limited English spoken outside tourist areas; Japanese language skills helpful.
💨 Air Quality
92%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to low industrial activity and abundant greenery.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
82%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and safe environment for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
96%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and services available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Affordable with national health insurance; out-of-pocket costs reasonable.
🏥 Healthcare
94%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with easy access to clinics and hospitals.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
41%
Weight: 80
Cool temperate climate with cold winters and rainy seasons; less sunny than ideal for many nomads.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
50%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and occasional heavy rains; good disaster preparedness.
🏞️ Green Spaces
83%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks and proximity to mountains provide excellent green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Most buildings have air conditioning, though older structures may lack modern systems.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
85%
Weight: 10
Distinct four seasons with beautiful autumn foliage and snowy winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
88%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution; quiet residential and city areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
91%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with traditional festivals, museums, and historic sites.
🌃 Nightlife
35%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly quiet evenings with few bars and clubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, mountains, and natural parks.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
62%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers offer Japanese lessons.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74%
Weight: 10
Good availability of local tours, including historical and nature-focused experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
50%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; some museums and cultural centers available.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
73%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with fresh ingredients; fewer international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
45%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios; limited variety compared to larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
56%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and community centers available; limited specialized fitness options.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Fresh vegetables and seafood widely available; healthy eating is common.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
UTC+9; favorable for Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
38%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads or startups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Few local remote job openings; most opportunities come from outside Japan.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
35%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support or platforms.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with essential amenities but not high-end.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
42%
Weight: 15
Limited startup activity compared to Tokyo or Osaka; small local ecosystem.
💳 Local Payment Services
65%
Weight: 10
Cash is still king, but electronic payments and mobile wallets are growing.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest; regulatory environment cautious but improving.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
55%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Matsumoto Airport with limited flights; better access via Tokyo airports.
🚇 Public Transit
68%
Weight: 20
Reliable local trains and buses; less frequent than major cities.
🚶 Walkability
72%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
30%
Weight: 15
Limited availability of ride-sharing apps; taxis are expensive.
🚲 Cycling
70%
Weight: 10
Good cycling infrastructure and scenic routes.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Accessible by train and bus to major cities but travel times are longer.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Some bike rental services available; scooter rentals rare.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
85%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
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
50%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi hotspots; mainly in cafes and some public buildings.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
Standard Japanese visa process; no special digital nomad visa available.
📊 Tax Friendliness
35%
Weight: 30
High tax rates and complex filing for foreigners; not very tax-friendly.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
87%
Weight: 15
Generally free with some cultural self-censorship.
🏛️ Political Stability
95%
Weight: 20
Very stable political environment.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
42%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners without residency; requires documentation and local address.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
50%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic but possible; language barrier can complicate process.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
38%
Weight: 50
Not a popular destination for nomads; limited infrastructure and community.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25%
Weight: 25
Very few or no regular nomad meetups or events.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
30%
Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or forums focused on Matsumoto digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
97%
Weight: 100
Extremely safe with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
80%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; some challenges for foreigners in rural areas.