💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Moderately expensive compared to other Japanese cities; cheaper than Tokyo but still high relative to many Asian cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
45%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate for Japan, with affordable guesthouses and apartments but limited budget options.
🍎 Food & Groceries
51%
Weight: 40
Local food is reasonably priced, but imported goods and dining out can be costly.
🚌 Transportation Cost
68%
Weight: 20
Public transportation is efficient and affordable, with good local bus and train networks.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but tend to be moderately priced.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
53%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with some budget gyms and community centers available.
💱 Currency Stability
97%
Weight: 30
Japanese Yen is very stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
89%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber-optic internet widely available with speeds typically exceeding 100 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
54%
Weight: 40
Limited number of coworking spaces compared to major cities, but some options exist.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
67%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
55%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers, but not widespread or well-known.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
32%
Weight: 100
Not a popular destination for digital nomads; relatively low international nomad presence.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Japanese work culture is demanding, but Matsuyama offers a more relaxed pace than big cities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
78%
Weight: 15
Good air quality and natural surroundings, with coastal and mountainous areas nearby.
🧼 Cleanliness
92%
Weight: 10
Very clean city with well-maintained public spaces and strict waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
38%
Weight: 30
Limited English spoken outside tourist areas; Japanese proficiency recommended.
💨 Air Quality
84%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality due to coastal location and limited heavy industry.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
75%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and safe neighborhoods suitable for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
91%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and services available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national insurance, but out-of-pocket costs can be moderate.
🏥 Healthcare
90%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure with accessible clinics and hospitals.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
63%
Weight: 80
Mild climate with hot summers and cool winters; some humidity and rainy season in June-July.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
41%
Weight: 10
Located in a seismically active region with risk of earthquakes and typhoons.
🏞️ Green Spaces
75%
Weight: 10
Several parks and natural areas, including Dogo Park and nearby mountains.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Most accommodations and public places have air conditioning, though older buildings may vary.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
72%
Weight: 10
Distinct four seasons with pleasant spring and autumn, hot summers, and mild winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
78%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet city with low noise pollution outside central areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
83%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with historic sites, traditional festivals, and arts.
🌃 Nightlife
40%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; more subdued compared to larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
81%
Weight: 15
Access to beaches, mountains, and hot springs offers excellent outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some language schools and community classes available, but limited compared to major cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74%
Weight: 10
Good variety of local cultural tours, historic sites, and nature excursions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
52%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; some museums and cultural centers.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
76%
Weight: 25
Strong local cuisine with fresh seafood and traditional Japanese dishes.
🧠 Yoga Studios
45%
Weight: 10
Few dedicated yoga studios; more limited than in major urban centers.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
57%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and community centers available but limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh produce and healthy traditional foods.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65%
Weight: 20
UTC+9 time zone is favorable for Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
39%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads or startups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
40%
Weight: 20
Few local remote job opportunities; most rely on international remote work.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
38%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community with limited local support structures.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with decent amenities but limited options.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
35%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity compared to larger Japanese cities.
💳 Local Payment Services
62%
Weight: 10
Cash is still king, but electronic payments like Suica and PayPay are growing.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40%
Weight: 15
Limited local adoption and infrastructure for blockchain and crypto.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
57%
Weight: 30
Matsuyama Airport offers domestic flights and limited international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
69%
Weight: 20
Reliable local buses and trains, but less extensive than major metro areas.
🚶 Walkability
71%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
25%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing is very limited; taxis are expensive and more common.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Some cycling infrastructure but not widespread or highly developed.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
63%
Weight: 15
Accessible by train and bus to other parts of Shikoku and Honshu.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Limited scooter rentals; bike rentals available mainly for tourists.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
85%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city and surrounding areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some public spaces but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
Japan has strict visa policies; tourist visas are easy but long-term stays require more paperwork.
📊 Tax Friendliness
35%
Weight: 30
High tax rates and complex tax system for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
87%
Weight: 15
Generally strong freedom of speech with some cultural limitations.
🏛️ Political Stability
95%
Weight: 20
Very stable political environment with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
30%
Weight: 15
Difficult for foreigners without residency; requires Japanese documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
42%
Weight: 10
Complex procedures and language barriers make it challenging for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
28%
Weight: 25
Very few organized nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
35%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for digital nomads in Matsuyama.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
93%
Weight: 100
Very safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women, though cultural conservatism exists.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; some challenges for foreigners in rural areas.