Livability Report
HakubaLivability Score
Nagano·Pop. 12,811
5-axis livability analysis of Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, covering safety, cost, convenience, welfare, and economy based on government open data.
Published: Apr 12, 2026
Overall Score
58.6
60.3
44.8
47.4
41* 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
Safety58.6/100Cost60.3/100Convenience44.8/100Welfare47.4/100Economy41/100Basic Information
Population
12,811
Prefecture
Nagano
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Safety
Alex
How safe is Hakuba? It's a resort town with many international visitors.
Yuki
What are the specific crime rate figures?
Kai
Hakuba's crime rate is 3.88 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 58.4. Despite being an international ski resort that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics, with a population of about 12,800 and many foreign residents and tourists, crime rates remain low. The tight-knit mountain community contributes significantly to safety.
Cost of Living
Alex
What does it cost to live in Hakuba? Resort areas are usually pricey.
Yuki
What are the specific land price figures?
Kai
Hakuba's average land price is 19,440 yen per square meter. The cost score is 58.3 — contrary to the resort image, residential land is quite affordable. While inbound tourism demand has pushed up prices in some areas recently, residential zones remain relatively stable. For a location with stunning North Alps scenery, the cost performance is excellent.
Convenience
Alex
How's transportation? It's deep in the mountains, right?
Yuki
Is the shopping situation adequate?
Kai
Hakuba's public transit usage rate is 4.9%, with a convenience score of 45.1. The JR Oito Line connects to the Nagano area, but a car is essential for daily life. There are 91 retail shops (7.1 per 1,000 people) and 49 restaurants (3.82 per 1,000), providing a reasonable commercial base for the population size. During winter ski season, tourist-oriented dining and shopping options add to the mix.
Welfare
Alex
Is the medical infrastructure adequate for such a small village?
Yuki
Are there actual hospitals?
Kai
Hakuba has 1 hospital (0.78 per 10,000 residents) and 10 clinics (7.81 per 10,000), with a combined medical facility density of 8.59 per 10,000. The welfare score is 47.3, which is solid for a village of about 12,800 people. Schools number 3 at 0.23 per 1,000 residents. Orthopedic and sports injury care is well-established given the skiing activity.
Economy
Alex
Is Hakuba's economy centered on skiing and tourism?
Yuki
What's the population trend?
Kai
Hakuba's taxable income per capita is approximately 3.02 million yen, with an economy score of 42.5. Net migration is -55 (rate of -0.43%), a modest outflow. Year-round tourism — winter skiing and snowboarding, summer trekking and mountaineering — forms the economic backbone. Recent years have seen growing real estate investment and long-term stays by international visitors, particularly from Australia, strengthening its character as an international resort town.
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Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 19,440 |
| Clinics | 10 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 7.81 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 3.88 |
| Hospitals | 1 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.78 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 8.59 |
| net_migration | -55 |
| net_migration_rate | -0.43 |
| Total Population | 12,811 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 4.9 |
| restaurant_count | 49 |
| restaurant_per_1000 | 3.82 |
| retail_count | 91 |
| retail_per_1000 | 7.1 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 3 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.23 |
| taxable_income_per_capita | 3,021,597 |
Data: 2024