Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Moderately expensive compared to other Japanese cities; cheaper than Tokyo but still high by global standards.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
40%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are lower than Tokyo but still relatively high for a mid-sized city.
🍎 Food & Groceries
55%
Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer reasonable prices; eating out can be moderately expensive.
🚌 Transportation Cost
68%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable; local buses and trains are well-priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate costs for cinemas, museums, and cultural events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
53%
Weight: 10
Average gym fees; some affordable local gyms available.
💱 Currency Stability
95%
Weight: 30
Japanese Yen is a stable currency with low volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber-optic internet widely available with reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
52%
Weight: 40
Limited but growing number of coworking spaces; not as abundant as in major cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
70%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
55%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but overall limited compared to larger cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
31%
Weight: 100
Not a well-known destination for digital nomads; relatively low community presence.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Japanese work culture is demanding, but Matsuyama offers a more relaxed pace than Tokyo.
🌳 Environmental Quality
78%
Weight: 15
Clean city with good air quality and access to natural surroundings.
🧼 Cleanliness
90%
Weight: 10
Very clean public spaces and streets, typical of Japanese cities.
🗨️ Language Barrier
34%
Weight: 30
Limited English spoken; Japanese language skills are important.
💨 Air Quality
81%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality with low pollution levels.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
70%
Weight: 25
Good schools and safe environment; limited international schooling options.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
92%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with modern facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
75%
Weight: 25
Affordable due to national health insurance, though some costs can be high for foreigners.
🏥 Healthcare
90%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure and services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
63%
Weight: 80
Warm summers and mild winters; humid with a rainy season in June-July.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
40%
Weight: 10
Located in a seismically active region with typhoon risk during summer and autumn.
🏞️ Green Spaces
72%
Weight: 10
Several parks and proximity to natural areas like Dogo Onsen and mountains.
❄️ Air Conditioning
78%
Weight: 15
Most accommodations and public places have reliable air conditioning.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
70%
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.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
85%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with historic sites, festivals, and traditional arts.
🌃 Nightlife
43%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; more subdued compared to larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
80%
Weight: 15
Access to mountains, hot springs, and coastal areas for outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Some language schools and cultural centers available but limited compared to major cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75%
Weight: 10
Good opportunities for cultural tours, hot spring visits, and local festivals.
🎳 Indoors Fun
50%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; some museums and cultural venues.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
78%
Weight: 25
Excellent local cuisine with fresh seafood and traditional Japanese dishes.
🧠 Yoga Studios
45%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios; not a major wellness hub.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
50%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available but limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh and healthy food, including seafood and vegetables.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65%
Weight: 20
UTC+9; favorable for Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
40%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
35%
Weight: 20
Few local remote job opportunities; most work is Japan-based and office-centric.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
38%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited support infrastructure.
🏢 Coworking Quality
50%
Weight: 30
Basic coworking spaces with standard amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
30%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity compared to Tokyo or Osaka.
💳 Local Payment Services
60%
Weight: 10
Cash is king; electronic payments growing but not ubiquitous.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest but limited local adoption and infrastructure.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
55%
Weight: 30
Matsuyama Airport offers domestic flights and limited international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
65%
Weight: 20
Reliable local buses and trains; coverage is good within the city.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly areas.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
30%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing is limited; taxis are available but expensive.
🚲 Cycling
60%
Weight: 10
Moderate cycling infrastructure; some bike rental options.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
65%
Weight: 15
Good train and bus connections to other parts of Shikoku and Honshu.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Some bike rental services; scooter rentals are rare.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
90%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi hotspots; mostly available in cafes and public buildings.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
Japan has strict visa policies; no specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
35%
Weight: 30
High taxation rates and complex tax system for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
85%
Weight: 15
Generally free society with respect for speech, though some social conformity.
🏛️ Political Stability
90%
Weight: 20
Very stable political environment.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
30%
Weight: 15
Difficult for foreigners without residency; requires Japanese documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
40%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming process for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa available in Japan as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25%
Weight: 25
Very few digital nomad events or meetups in Matsuyama.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
30%
Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or groups specific to Matsuyama digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
95%
Weight: 100
Very safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
75%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; some challenges for foreigners in rural areas.