Kugenuma Named Most Livable Neighborhood in Tokyo Metropolitan Area
The Kanagawa beach hub of Kugenuma took the top spot in a survey on the most livable neighborhoods in the Tokyo metropolitan area, which was otherwise dominated by representatives from central Tokyo.
Kugenuma, located near Kugenuma Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway in Kanagawa Prefecture, has been named the most livable neighborhood in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This top ranking comes from a survey conducted between January and February 2026, which aimed to determine which areas residents want to continue living in. Kugenuma had previously ranked seventh in the 2024 survey, indicating a significant improvement in its standing.
The neighborhood's welcoming atmosphere and ease of integration for foreigners and people from other regions were cited as major factors contributing to its livability. Additionally, Kugenuma boasts a rich natural setting, with popular spots along the coastline and excellent walking and jogging routes. Many respondents expressed a strong attachment to the area.
The previous top-ranking area, Sendagaya Station on the Sōbu Line, moved up to second place. Respondents now favor Kugenuma's lack of community pressure and the abundance of sports facilities. While Kugenuma secured the first place in this survey, all other top 10 neighborhoods were situated within the 23 municipalities of central Tokyo.
The survey, carried out by Nippon.com using data from Recruit, targeted around 250,000 men and women aged 20 and over who reside in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It asked them to rate their neighborhoods for livability and their desire to continue living there. This was the fourth survey of its kind since 2021.
Written by urgent.news from Nippon.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
