Livability Report
HamamatsuLivability Score
Shizuoka·Pop. 765,254
5-axis livability analysis of Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, covering safety, cost, convenience, welfare, and economy based on government open data.
Published 2026-04-14 · Data updated 2026-10-08
Where in Japan
Overall Score
* 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 scores
Basic Information
Population
765,254
Prefecture
Shizuoka
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
This article's text predates the October 2026 data and scoring revision and is being rewritten.
Safety

Alex
How safe is Hamamatsu? It's a big city.

Yuki
What are the specific crime rate numbers?
Kai
Hamamatsu's crime rate is 4.39 per 1,000 residents, with a safety score of 55.2. For a designated city of about 791,000, this is quite good. The city has historical roots as a company town for Yamaha and Kawai musical instruments, and actively promotes multicultural coexistence. Despite hosting one of Japan's largest Brazilian communities, the crime rate remains low.

Cost of Living

Alex
What's the cost of living in Hamamatsu?

Yuki
How are land prices for a city between Tokyo and Osaka?
Kai
Hamamatsu's average land price is 88,680 yen per square meter, with average rent at 50,623 yen. The cost score is 51.2, which is relatively affordable for a designated city. Considering it has a Tokaido Shinkansen stop, the cost performance is favorable. Known for the 'Enshu dry wind,' the plains area offers a mild climate and comfortable living.

Convenience

Alex
Is Hamamatsu convenient? It has the Shinkansen, right?

Yuki
How's the shopping environment within the city?
Kai
Hamamatsu's public transit usage rate is 6.0%, with a convenience score of 45.8. A Tokaido Shinkansen stop places it roughly midway between Tokyo and Osaka. Daily commuting relies primarily on cars. There are 3,247 restaurants (4.11 per 1,000 people) and 5,614 retail shops (7.1 per 1,000), providing commercial capacity befitting a city of 791,000. Lake Hamana area leisure facilities add to the lifestyle options.

Welfare

Alex
What's the medical system like in Hamamatsu?

Yuki
Are there enough medical facilities for the population?
Kai
Hamamatsu has 32 hospitals (0.4 per 10,000 residents) and 651 clinics (8.23 per 10,000), with a combined medical facility density of 8.64 per 10,000. The welfare score is 46.8, with particularly strong clinic coverage. Schools number 157 at 0.2 per 1,000 residents. A medical network covers the city's wide area, centered on Hamamatsu University School of Medicine.

Economy

Alex
How strong is Hamamatsu's economy? It's known for manufacturing.

Yuki
Is the population growing or declining?
Kai
Hamamatsu's taxable income per capita is approximately 3.51 million yen, with an economy score of 50.5. Net migration is -1,033 (rate of -0.13%), showing a slight decline. The economy is powered by musical instrument makers like Yamaha, Kawai, and Roland, transportation equipment as the birthplace of Honda and Suzuki, plus photonics industries. Designated a UNESCO Creative City of Music, Hamamatsu's manufacturing heritage remains very much alive.

📊 Cities with Similar Scores
Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 4.87 | 2025 |
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 73,930 | 2026 |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 53,234 | 2023 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 6.0 | 2020 |
| Retail Establishments | 5,614 | 2021 |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 7.34 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments | 3,247 | 2021 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 4.24 | 2021 |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | 98.3 | 2025 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 8.91 | 2023 |
| Hospitals | 32 | 2023 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.42 | 2023 |
| Clinics | 650 | 2023 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 8.49 | 2023 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 185 | 2024 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.242 | 2024 |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | 0.377 | 2024 |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | 3,701,068 | 2025 |
| Net Migration | -870 | 2025 |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | -0.11 | 2025 |
| Total Population | 765,254 | 2025 |
| crime_count | 3,724 | 2025 |
| crime_count_pref | 17,856 | 2025 |
| crime_rate_pref_per_1000 | 5 | 2025 |
| habitable_area_km2 | 490 | 2024 |
| resident_registry_population | 778,346 | 2026 |
Data sources
| Indicator | Source | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 2025 Population CensusStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2025 | |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | Reported penal code offenses by municipalityShizuoka Prefectural Police | 2025 | Counted where offenses occur; per 1,000 uses the 2025 census population |
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | Official land prices (National Land Numerical Information L01)Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism | 2026 | Residential sites only; simple average of sites |
| Avg. Rent (¥) | 2023 Housing and Land SurveyStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2023 | Monthly rent of rented housing; next survey in 2028 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 2020 Population Census (means of commuting)Statistics Bureau of Japan | 2020 | To be updated when the 2025 census commuting tables are published |
| Retail Establishments (per 1,000) | 2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI | 2021 | Next survey in 2026 |
| Restaurant Establishments (per 1,000) | 2021 Economic Census for Business ActivityMIC and METI | 2021 | Next survey in 2026 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | Survey of Medical Institutions (System of Social and Demographic Statistics)Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | 2023 | Hospitals and clinics combined |
| Schools (per habitable km²) | School Basic Survey and habitable area (System of Social and Demographic Statistics)MEXT and Statistics Bureau of Japan | 2024 | Elementary, junior high and high schools per habitable km² |
| Taxable Income per Capita (¥) | Survey on municipal tax assessmentMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 2025 | Taxable income per taxpayer |
| Net Migration Rate (%) | Report on Internal MigrationStatistics Bureau of Japan | 2025 | |
| Residency Rate (%, census ÷ resident register) | Census population ÷ resident register populationMinistry of Internal Affairs and Communications | 2025 | Resident register population as of January 1, 2026 |
Data years: mainly 2025 (2020–2026 by indicator)
Published 2026-04-14 · Data updated 2026-10-08