ShizuokaLivability Score

Kai

The crime rate of 4.39 per 1,000 residents is very low. For a city of about 690,000, that's an excellent figure. Shizuoka is known for its easygoing local culture with limited large entertainment districts, making it comfortable even at night. Combined with the mild climate, the data firmly backs up its reputation as a safe, family-friendly city.

Kai

The average land price is about 152,153 yen per square meter, earning a cost score of 89.2. That's remarkably affordable for a designated major city. Shizuoka's food scene is a major bonus too — sakura shrimp, shirasu, and tea from Suruga Bay are available at local prices. Total living costs including food are significantly lower than in metropolitan areas.

Kai

Public transit usage is 10.8%, giving a transport score of 15.4. Shizuoka is a quintessential car-dependent city — roughly 90% of residents use automobiles for daily travel. The Shinkansen gets you to Tokyo in about an hour, but that's for intercity trips. For daily life within the city, bus service is limited and a car is essentially required. Remote workers who visit Tokyo a few times a month can rely on the Shinkansen, but planning a car-free lifestyle isn't realistic here.

Kai

With 145 schools and 0.21 per 1,000 residents, school density is high. For a population of about 690,000, schools are well distributed. Shizuoka University and the prefectural university provide solid academic foundations. The mild climate enables year-round outdoor sports education — Shizuoka is famous as a soccer city. Children being able to play outdoors throughout the year is a genuine educational advantage.

Kai

There are 27 hospitals at 0.39 per 10,000 residents, with total medical facilities at 8.58 per 10,000. The 568 clinics (8.19 per 10,000) provide relatively good coverage for routine medical needs. Major facilities like the prefectural general hospital serve the area, though highly specialized care may require visiting hospitals in other regions. Everyday healthcare needs are reasonably covered by the clinic network.