Happiness and Longevity Town Rankings for 2025: Niigata Edition
Daito Kentaku Co., Ltd., headquartered in Minato Ward, Tokyo, has conducted a large-scale survey on residential satisfaction, announcing the "Happiness Ranking of Towns in Niigata Prefecture 2025" and the "Most Livable Towns Ranking in Niigata Prefecture 2025." This comprehensive survey is based on data accumulated over five years, showcasing which towns residents feel happiest in and which they want to continue living in.
Overview of the Happiness Ranking for Niigata Prefecture
The top three towns in the happiness ranking for 2025 are: 1st place: Seiro Town, 2nd place: Nishi Ward in Niigata City, and 3rd place: Chuo Ward in Niigata City.
Seiro Town has maintained its position at the top for two consecutive years, scoring a remarkable standard deviation of 70, indicating its residents' high level of satisfaction. Following closely behind, Nishi Ward improved from last year's 3rd place to 2nd, showing an upward trend in happiness among its residents. Nishi Ward was followed by Chuo Ward, which climbed from the 5th position last year to 3rd this year, demonstrating a positive shift in perception.
Notably, Itoigawa City made a significant leap into the top 10, moving up from 16th place last year to secure the 10th spot in the happiness ranking.
Overview of the Longevity Ranking for Niigata Prefecture
In the most livable towns ranking, Seiro Town again leads the list, marking a rise from its previous 5th place position. Following Seiro Town, in the 2nd position is Yahiko Village in Nishikambara District, showing residents' desire to stay in this serene village environment. The 3rd spot is claimed by Tagami Town in Minamikanbara District, which jumped significantly from the 10th position last year. This indicates a strong willingness among local residents to continue calling these towns home.
The top three towns ranked in both happiness and livability are all classified as towns or villages in rural districts, emphasizing the appeal of these quieter, picturesque settings that often provide a stronger sense of community.
In the top 10, Yuzawa Town in Minami-Uonuma District surprisingly entered the rankings this year, showcasing the evolving preferences of residents who are increasingly opting for rural living.
Methodology of the Survey
The survey, designed and analyzed by the Daito Kentaku Rental Future Research Institute, collected responses from 13,843 residents aged 20 and older living in Niigata Prefecture, with data spanning from 2021 to 2025. The response rate included a demographic mix of 49.9% male and 50.1% female participants. The survey was conducted over various periods between February and March of 2025, showing a well-rounded collection process with respect to timing.
The happiness ranking is based on a scale from 1 to 10, where participants rated their current happiness, while the livable towns ranking gauged residents’ intentions to stay in their current town using a score system from 0 to 100.
For more insights and detailed rankings, residents are encouraged to visit the official websites linked in the survey announcement.
Conclusion
These rankings provide significant insight into the current sentiments of Niigata residents regarding their living conditions and happiness levels. The consistent performance of towns like Seiro reinforces the value of quality of life in smaller communities, highlighting the trends that may shape future urban planning and community initiatives in Japan.
Visit the official Daito Kentaku site for more details:
Happiness Ranking
Press Release:
Daito Kentaku