Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Smart money transfers worldwide.

Affiliate disclosure
#2023 ,
Nomad Score: 60%

πŸ’° Cost & Affordability

πŸ’Έ Cost of Living
51% Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to Tokyo; cheaper than major metropolitan areas but still higher than many Asian cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
47% Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but can be high in central areas; smaller apartments are more affordable.
🍎 Food & Groceries
63% Weight: 40
Local markets and supermarkets offer reasonable prices; eating out can be affordable especially at local eateries.
🚌 Transportation Cost
72% Weight: 20
Public transportation is efficient and reasonably priced; local buses and trains are affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
54% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but can be moderately priced; fewer nightlife options than bigger cities.
πŸ‹οΈ Gym Membership Cost
58% Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced; some affordable local gyms and fitness centers available.
πŸ’± Currency Stability
91% Weight: 30
Japanese Yen is very stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.

πŸ’» Digital Nomad Essentials

πŸš€ Internet Speed
87% Weight: 100
High-speed fiber-optic internet widely available with reliable connections.
πŸ‘₯ Coworking Spaces Availability
53% Weight: 40
Limited but growing number of coworking spaces; not as abundant as in larger Japanese cities.
β˜• Cafes with WiFi
65% Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though speeds and reliability vary.
πŸ’»β˜• Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
50% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but overall limited compared to major hubs.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
32% Weight: 100
Not a well-known destination for digital nomads; relatively low community presence.
πŸ“± Local SIM Card Availability
81% Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.

🌟 Quality of Life

βš–οΈ Work-Life Balance
78% Weight: 30
Japanese culture emphasizes work ethic but Takamatsu offers a more relaxed pace than Tokyo.
🌳 Environmental Quality
84% Weight: 15
Clean city with good air quality and well-maintained public spaces.
🧼 Cleanliness
93% Weight: 10
Very clean city with strict waste management and public hygiene standards.
πŸ—¨οΈ Language Barrier
37% Weight: 30
Limited English spoken outside tourist areas; Japanese language skills beneficial.
πŸ’¨ Air Quality
86% Weight: 15
Generally good air quality due to coastal location and low industrial pollution.
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Family Friendly
73% Weight: 25
Good schools and safe environment; family amenities available.

πŸ₯ Healthcare

πŸ₯ Healthcare Quality
90% Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with modern facilities and skilled professionals.
πŸ’‰ Healthcare Affordability
75% Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable due to national insurance but can be costly without it.
πŸ₯ Healthcare
88% Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure and services available.

🌿 Climate & Environment

β˜€οΈ Weather
64% Weight: 80
Mild climate with hot summers and cool winters; some humidity and rainy season in early summer.
πŸŒͺ️ Natural Disaster Risk
41% Weight: 10
Located in a seismically active country with risk of earthquakes and typhoons.
🏞️ Green Spaces
70% Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas; access to nature is good within and around the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
80% Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport are well air-conditioned.
πŸ‚ Seasonal Variety
72% Weight: 10
Distinct four seasons with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful autumn foliage.
πŸ”Š Noise Pollution
79% Weight: 10
Generally quiet city with low noise pollution levels.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
85% Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with traditional festivals, art, and historic sites.
πŸŒƒ Nightlife
43% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to larger cities; quieter evenings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
76% Weight: 15
Close to Seto Inland Sea with opportunities for hiking, cycling, and beach activities.
πŸ—£οΈ Language Learning Opportunities
60% Weight: 10
Japanese language schools and cultural centers available but limited compared to major cities.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
71% Weight: 10
Good availability of local cultural tours and experiences focused on traditional crafts and cuisine.
🎳 Indoors Fun
55% Weight: 10
Museums, galleries, and shopping centers available but limited variety.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
78% Weight: 25
Strong local food culture with fresh seafood and regional specialties.
🧠 Yoga Studios
42% Weight: 10
Few dedicated yoga studios; wellness culture is growing but still niche.
πŸ‹οΈ Fitness Facilities
56% Weight: 15
Basic fitness centers available; limited variety of specialized facilities.
πŸ₯— Healthy Food Options
70% Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh produce and healthy traditional dishes.

πŸ’Ό Work Environment

πŸ•°οΈ Time Zone Favorability
68% Weight: 20
UTC+9; convenient for Asia-Pacific but less ideal for Europe and Americas.
🀝 Networking Opportunities
45% Weight: 25
Limited formal networking events for digital nomads or startups.
πŸ’» Remote Job Opportunities
39% Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from outside Japan.
πŸ†“ Freelance Ecosystem
41% Weight: 20
Freelance community is small and less visible compared to major cities.
🏒 Coworking Quality
50% Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but limited in number and amenities.

πŸ“ˆ Business & Economy

πŸš€ Startup Scene
38% Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is underdeveloped compared to Tokyo or Osaka.
πŸ’³ Local Payment Services
62% Weight: 10
Cash is still king; electronic payments growing but less widespread than in bigger cities.
πŸ”— Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
40% Weight: 15
Moderate interest but limited local adoption and infrastructure.

πŸš† Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
57% Weight: 30
Takamatsu Airport offers domestic flights and limited international connections.
πŸš‡ Public Transit
69% Weight: 20
Reliable local buses and trains; coverage is good within the city.
🚢 Walkability
74% Weight: 20
City center is walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
πŸš— Ride-sharing Services
33% Weight: 15
Ride-sharing is limited; taxis are available but expensive.
🚲 Cycling
71% Weight: 10
Good cycling infrastructure and scenic routes around the city and coast.
πŸš„ Intercity Travel Options
65% Weight: 15
Access to Shinkansen via nearby Okayama; buses and trains connect to other cities.
πŸ›΅ Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
60% Weight: 10
Bike rentals are available; scooter rentals are limited.

πŸ“‘ Connectivity

πŸ“± Mobile Network Coverage
83% Weight: 20
Excellent mobile coverage with 4G and expanding 5G networks.
πŸ”’ VPN Reliability
79% Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚑ Power Grid Reliability
90% Weight: 15
Very reliable power supply with rare outages.
πŸ“Ά Public WiFi Availability
54% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available but limited in coverage and speed.

βš–οΈ Legal & Administrative

πŸ›‚ Visa Ease
40% Weight: 40
Japan has strict visa policies; no dedicated digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
πŸ“Š Tax Friendliness
35% Weight: 30
Tax system is complex and not particularly favorable for freelancers or nomads.
πŸ—£οΈ Freedom of Speech
87% Weight: 15
Generally high freedom of speech with some cultural constraints.
πŸ›οΈ Political Stability
92% Weight: 20
Very stable political environment.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
38% Weight: 15
Difficult for foreigners without residency; requires significant documentation.
πŸ“„ Ease of Business Registration
42% Weight: 10
Bureaucratic and time-consuming process for foreigners.
πŸ“„βœˆοΈ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa available as of July 2025.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
39% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community for digital nomads.
🀝 Nomad Events & Meetups
25% Weight: 25
Very few events or meetups targeted at digital nomads.
🌐πŸ‘₯ Online Community Presence
31% Weight: 20
Small online presence for digital nomads in Takamatsu.

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety & Tolerance

πŸ›‘οΈ Safety
95% Weight: 100
Extremely safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
70% Weight: 50
Generally safe and respectful environment for women, though cultural norms are conservative.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50% Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; foreigners may experience occasional social challenges.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.

  • Navigate
  • Tools