Livability Report
ShizuokaLivability Score
Shizuoka·Pop. 693,389
5-axis livability scores for Shizuoka, Shizuoka based on Japanese government open data. Safety, cost, transport, education, and healthcare.
Published: Mar 7, 2026·Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Overall Score
55.3
44.8
50.5
46.5
52.3* 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
Safety55.3/100Cost44.8/100Convenience50.5/100Welfare46.5/100Economy52.3/100Basic Information
Population
693,389
Prefecture
Shizuoka
Q&A with Kai
Alex, Yuki, and Kai discuss what it's really like to live here.
Safety
Alex
Safety at 76.1 is impressive! How safe is it in practice?
Yuki
A crime rate of 4.39 — that confirms it's a calm city, right?
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.
Cost of Living
Alex
Cost at 89.2 is the highest of all five axes! Are land prices really that low?
Yuki
How much more affordable is it compared to the Tokyo area?
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.
Convenience
Alex
Transport at 15.4 is really low. Do you absolutely need a car?
Yuki
There's a Shinkansen station — why is the score so low?
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.
Welfare
Alex
Education at 64.0 is quite high. Are schools well distributed?
Yuki
So the school-to-population density is above average?
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.
Economy
Alex
Healthcare at 23.9 is a bit low. Are hospitals sufficient?
Yuki
Only 27 hospitals for about 690,000 people — is that enough?
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.
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Detailed Data
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg. Land Price (¥/m²) | 152,153 |
| avg_rent | 56,168 |
| Clinics | 568 |
| Clinics (per 10,000) | 8.19 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000) | 4.39 |
| Hospitals | 27 |
| Hospitals (per 10,000) | 0.39 |
| Medical Facilities (per 10,000, hospitals + clinics) | 8.58 |
| net_migration | -399 |
| net_migration_rate | -0.06 |
| Total Population | 693,389 |
| Public Transit Usage (%) | 10.8 |
| restaurant_count | 3,376 |
| restaurant_per_1000 | 4.87 |
| retail_count | 5,748 |
| retail_per_1000 | 8.29 |
| Schools (elementary + junior high + high) | 145 |
| Schools (per 1,000) | 0.21 |
| taxable_income_per_capita | 3,561,013 |
Data: 2024