Livability Report
BieiLivability Score
Hokkaido·Pop. 9,668
Livability analysis of Biei, Hokkaido across 5 axes: safety, cost, convenience, welfare, and economy based on government open data.
Published: Mar 21, 2026
Overall Score
55.5
60.9
53.1
50
45.8* These scores are based on statistical analysis of public data and do not represent a definitive assessment of any area. Actual livability varies depending on individual values and lifestyle.
5-Axis Score Breakdown
Safety55.5/100Cost60.9/100Convenience53.1/100Welfare50/100Economy45.8/100Basic Information
Population
9,668
Prefecture
Hokkaido
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Safety
Alex
How safe is Biei? A small town in Hokkaido seems like it'd be very secure.
Yuki
What does the crime data show?
Kai
Biei's crime rate is 4.37 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 55.3. For a town of about 9,700 people, tourist traffic does influence the statistics somewhat. The community is very close-knit, with residents knowing each other well. Life among the beautiful rolling hills and farmland is peaceful and comfortable.
Cost of Living
Alex
How affordable is Biei? A farming community in Hokkaido should be cheap, right?
Yuki
What are the land price figures?
Kai
Biei's average land price is 12,667 yen per square meter, with a cost score of 58.8. Land prices are very low, making it easy to secure spacious property. While inland Hokkaido winters demand significant heating costs, the extremely affordable housing more than compensates. Fresh local produce is also available at reasonable prices, keeping food costs manageable.
Convenience
Alex
How convenient is life in a small town like Biei?
Yuki
Are shopping facilities sufficient?
Kai
The public transit usage rate is 5.0%, with a convenience score of 51.5 — surprisingly decent. Retail density is 9.83 per 1,000 and restaurants 5.38 per 1,000, remarkably high for the population size. The concentration of tourism-oriented shops and restaurants also benefits residents. Asahikawa is just about 30 minutes by car, covering everything from daily necessities to larger shopping needs.
Welfare
Alex
Is healthcare and education adequate in Biei? Small towns can be worrying.
Yuki
Are there enough hospitals and schools?
Kai
The welfare score is 51.2. Medical facilities total 4.14 per 10,000, with 1 hospital and 3 clinics — limited in number. However, neighboring Asahikawa serves as the medical hub for northern Hokkaido, providing access to advanced care. The school count is 0.83 per 1,000 across 8 schools, offering fine-grained educational coverage for its population. The benefits of small-class education are well utilized here.
Economy
Alex
Is Biei's economy centered on farming and tourism?
Yuki
What are the income and population trends?
Kai
The economy score is 46.0. Taxable income per capita is about 2.96 million yen, with a net outmigration of just 2 people and a rate of -0.02% — essentially stable. The beautiful patchwork hill landscape drives tourism, while wheat and potato farming forms the agricultural backbone. The scenic photo spots attract visitors from Japan and abroad, helping maintain a stable local economy with virtually no population drain.
📊 Cities with Similar Scores
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 12,667 |
| Clinics | 3 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 3.1 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 4.37 |
| Hospitals | 1 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 1.03 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 4.14 |
| net_migration | -2 |
| net_migration_rate | -0.02 |
| Total Population | 9,668 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 5 |
| restaurant_count | 52 |
| restaurant_per_1000 | 5.38 |
| retail_count | 95 |
| retail_per_1000 | 9.83 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 8 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.83 |
| taxable_income_per_capita | 2,958,711 |
Data: 2024