#Japan #Osaka #LIFULL HOME'S #Sensuous City #Urban Rankings

Exploring the Sensuous City Rankings in Western Japan

The LIFULL HOME'S Research Institute revealed the latest results of its 2025 report titled "Sensuous City" on September 24, 2025. This report provides insight into the captivating aspects of urban life that extend beyond conventional metrics of engineering and economics. It categorizes cities based on physical experiences and the emotions they evoke, helping residents reflect on what makes a city truly satisfying and how to enhance the appeal of their own urban environments.

What is "Sensuous City"?

The concept of "Sensuous City" was introduced in 2015 to articulate those indistinct feelings of charm and allure that a city can provoke. It serves as a comprehensive urban evaluation metric that captures the essence and emotional connection of residents to their living spaces, transcending standard societal meanings. This year’s report revisits and expands upon the original philosophy of evaluating cities by exploring urban attractiveness as a multi-dimensional experience.

Ranking Methodology

The Sensuous City Rankings are derived from eight indicators: intimate community, individual publicality, romance, cultural and recreational offerings, cuisine, urban vibrancy, city retreats, and walkability. Each of these metrics is rated using a deviation score, where the cumulative scores provide a quantifiable measure of urban sensibility - termed as the "Sensuous Score".

Highlights of the Western Japan Ranking

In the final rankings, Osaka dominates, holding four out of the top five spots. The highest-ranking city is Osaka's Kita and Fukushima districts which excel in romance (80.7), food culture (76.6), urban vibrancy (73.9), and walkability (70.0). Followed closely is Osaka's Chuo district, which also shows strong metrics, especially in romance (81.9) and community connectivity (74.5), indicating a vibrant cultural life. Fukuoka City’s Hakata district comes in third, noted for its well-rounded approach to food culture (73.6) and leisure activities (70.7).

The fourth rank is taken by Osaka's Tennoji and Naniwa districts, with the highest score for walkability (75.6), while Kobe's Higashinada and Nada districts land in sixth place. Their scores, particularly for urban vibrancy (67.7) and city retreats (61.2), demonstrate a harmonious blend of tranquility and activity.

Expanding Regional Insights

The ranking also reveals diversity, with cities like Hiroshima, Kanazawa, and Tottori also making the list. Notably, Himeji stands out for its high ratings in community intimacy (65.6) and public space usability (59.0), framing it as a city with a rich sense of community and comfortable living conditions.

Meanwhile, Kanazawa ranks at 15th place, particularly noted for its culinary offerings and the attractive quality of leisure settings. The Rankings also feature interesting mentions from locations such as Dazaifu and Wakayama for their unique urban identities that reflect strong local cultures and lifestyles.

Reflections from the Research Director

Manjou Shimabara, the director of LIFULL HOME'S Research Institute, remarked on the trend of urban centers reclaiming their allure. He noted that this sensation of the "urban comeback" illustrates how large cities, particularly in Western Japan, are rising prominently in the rankings, with Osaka excelling across various social activity measurements.

Moreover, the performance of cities such as Miyazaki, which ranks ninth primarily due to its highly rated food culture (72.7) and city retreat (68.9) metrics, underscores the unique qualities of smaller cities that distinguish them from larger urban counterparts.

As Shimabara points out, this year’s rankings not only elevate cities with significant artistic and cultural offerings but also highlight how smaller towns can thrive by focusing on building genuine connections within their communities while maintaining urban charm.

In conclusion, the Sensuous City Rankings serve as a critical tool for urban development, encouraging citizens and city planners to construct and maintain cities that are not only livable but also deeply resonate with the human experience. They demonstrate the enduring value of community, culture, and emotional engagement in shaping urban experiences that truly matter.

For further details and to view the complete ranking results, please visit the LIFULL HOME'S Research Institute's official website.