💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
41%
Weight: 150
Nara is generally more affordable than Tokyo or Osaka but still relatively expensive compared to many Asian cities, especially for imported goods.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
43%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate; smaller apartments are affordable but larger or centrally located units can be pricey.
🍎 Food & Groceries
52%
Weight: 40
Local food and groceries are reasonably priced, but imported and specialty items tend to be expensive.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable, with good connectivity to Osaka and Kyoto.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are moderate in cost; cultural sites often have entrance fees but many parks and temples are free or low cost.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
55%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with some budget options available.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
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 internet is widely available with speeds typically exceeding 100 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
42%
Weight: 40
Limited coworking spaces in Nara compared to larger cities; some options exist but not abundant.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
61%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, but connection quality can vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
48%
Weight: 30
Few cafes specifically catering to digital nomads; most are traditional coffee shops.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
23%
Weight: 100
Nara is not a popular destination for digital nomads, overshadowed by nearby Osaka and Kyoto.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
79%
Weight: 25
SIM cards are available but require ID and sometimes a local address.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
74%
Weight: 30
Japanese work culture is intense, but Nara offers a quieter lifestyle with good balance opportunities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
85%
Weight: 15
Clean air and well-maintained natural and urban environments.
🧼 Cleanliness
96%
Weight: 10
Exceptionally clean city with strict waste management and public cleanliness standards.
🗨️ Language Barrier
31%
Weight: 30
Limited English spoken; Japanese language skills are important for daily life.
💨 Air Quality
87%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality with low pollution levels.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
73%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and safe environment for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
94%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and services available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to Japan’s universal health insurance system.
🏥 Healthcare
93%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure and access.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
54%
Weight: 80
Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters; rainy season in June-July.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
40%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of earthquakes and typhoons; well-prepared infrastructure.
🏞️ Green Spaces
81%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks, gardens, and historic temple grounds provide ample green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
75%
Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport have reliable air conditioning.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
72%
Weight: 10
Distinct four seasons with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn.
🔊 Noise Pollution
84%
Weight: 10
Quiet city with low noise pollution.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
90%
Weight: 20
Rich historical and cultural heritage with many temples, shrines, and traditional festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
37%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; more vibrant scenes are found in nearby Osaka and Kyoto.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
83%
Weight: 15
Access to hiking, parks, and natural attractions like Nara Park and Mount Wakakusa.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
56%
Weight: 10
Some language schools and cultural centers, but limited compared to major cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
87%
Weight: 10
Abundant cultural tours, traditional crafts, and historical site visits.
🎳 Indoors Fun
49%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; museums and cultural centers available.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
71%
Weight: 25
Good local cuisine with traditional Japanese dishes; fewer international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
39%
Weight: 10
Few yoga studios; more options available in larger nearby cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
54%
Weight: 15
Basic gyms and fitness centers available but limited variety.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
68%
Weight: 15
Fresh seafood, vegetables, and traditional Japanese diet support healthy eating.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
60%
Weight: 20
UTC+9 time zone is favorable for Asia-Pacific but less so for Europe or Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
35%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
41%
Weight: 20
Japan has growing remote work culture but Nara itself has limited job market.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
38%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is small and less visible in Nara.
🏢 Coworking Quality
40%
Weight: 30
Available coworking spaces are basic and limited in amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
29%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup activity in Nara; Osaka and Tokyo are hubs.
💳 Local Payment Services
76%
Weight: 10
Cash is still king but electronic payments and mobile wallets are growing.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest in crypto; regulatory environment is cautious but stable.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
63%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airports are Kansai International and Osaka Itami, about 1 hour away.
🚇 Public Transit
78%
Weight: 20
Efficient local trains and buses with good regional connections.
🚶 Walkability
74%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
32%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing is limited due to regulations; taxis are available but costly.
🚲 Cycling
65%
Weight: 10
Cycling is common and supported with bike lanes and rental options.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
80%
Weight: 15
Excellent train connections to Osaka, Kyoto, and beyond.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
57%
Weight: 10
Bike rentals are available; electric scooter rentals are rare.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
86%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
83%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
91%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
50%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in some areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
37%
Weight: 40
Japan has strict visa policies; no specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
📊 Tax Friendliness
42%
Weight: 30
Tax rates are moderate but complex for foreigners; limited incentives for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
89%
Weight: 15
Generally free with some cultural constraints on criticism.
🏛️ Political Stability
95%
Weight: 20
Very stable political environment.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
39%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners without permanent residency; requires documentation and Japanese language.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
45%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming process, especially for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
36%
Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
21%
Weight: 25
Very few digital nomad-specific events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
33%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for nomads in Nara.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
97%
Weight: 100
Extremely safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
80%
Weight: 50
Safe and respectful environment for women, though some cultural conservatism.
✊ Racial Tolerance
51%
Weight: 50
Generally polite but some social barriers and limited diversity.