#Japan #Izumo City #Shimane Prefecture #Matsue City

Living Satisfaction and Desired City Rankings in Shimane for 2026

Daito Kentaku Co., Ltd., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, has conducted one of the largest surveys of living satisfaction to date. The results have been aggregated into the "Living Satisfaction Rankings 2026 for Shimane" and the "Desired City Rankings 2026 for Shimane."

Key Findings from the Living Satisfaction Rankings

In the latest survey, Izumo City topped the list, marking a return from the second position it held last year. Matsue City came in second, while Unnan City retained its third position for the fourth consecutive year.

Why Izumo City Stands Out

Izumo City is rich in historical and cultural heritage, including significant sites such as the Izumo Taisha Shrine, recognized as a Japanese heritage and geosite. The city also hosts numerous hospitals, including the Shimane University Medical School Hospital, accompanied by modern shopping facilities like the Aeon Mall Izumo. The combination of cultural resources and essential services led to its rise back to the first place in the rankings.

New Entry in the Rankings

Notably, Ohnan Town in the Ochi District made its debut at the fifth position. Nestled in the central and southern part of Shimane Prefecture, about 80% of the town is covered in forest, offering an abundance of natural beauty. The town received remarkable ratings, ranking first in "Quietness and Safety," second in "Disaster Preparedness," and third in "Cost of Living and Rent."

Understanding the Rankings

It's important to note that the rankings compile responses accumulated over five years from 2022 to 2026. However, responses from 2021 to 2019 were also included where applicable, particularly for municipalities with fewer than 50 respondents in 2022-2026. This historical aggregation ensures a more comprehensive assessment.

Insights from the Desired City Rankings

In the "Desired City Rankings for 2026, Matsue City emerged as the top choice, up from fourth place in the previous year. Following Matsue City, Izumo City was again in second place for the second consecutive year, while Hiroshima City claimed the third position. Remarkably, the top two ranks mirror the same municipalities from the Living Satisfaction Rankings.

Current Satisfaction Levels

The survey indicated that 75.6% of respondents expressed positive feelings about their current neighborhoods, with 20.7% indicating they wish to stay where they are, while 54.9% had no particular alternative in mind.

Rankings Overview

In terms of factors influencing the living experience:

• - Masuda City ranked third for "Living Convenience."
• - Nita District ranked second for "Quietness and Safety."
• - Oki Islands achieved second place for "Friendliness."
• - Nita District ranked first in terms of "Disaster Preparedness."

Survey Methodology and Details

The survey used a structured questionnaire distributed and collected through Internet channels managed by Macromill Co., Ltd. The participant group consisted of 4,056 residents of Shimane Prefecture aged 20 and above, with a gender distribution of 48% male and 52% female. Among the respondents, 38.2% were unmarried while 61.8% were married.

Survey Timeline

The survey data collection spanned between 2026 and several previous years, ensuring a robust set of responses:

• - Feb 10 - Mar 22, 2026: 981 respondents
• - Feb 21 - Mar 10, 2025: 828 respondents
• - Feb 21 - Mar 14, 2024: 759 respondents
• - Feb 17 - Mar 15, 2023: 752 respondents
• - Mar 8 - Mar 29, 2022: 659 respondents

Overall, the findings present a dynamic view of residents' satisfaction and aspirations, highlighting notable changes in perceptions of their cities in Shimane. For further details and in-depth analysis, one can visit the official websites provided in the references.