Exploring the 2025 Happiness and Living Preferences Rankings in Gifu, Japan

The recent findings from Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, reveal the results of their extensive resident satisfaction survey, dubbed the "2025 Gifu Happiness Ranking" and "2025 Gifu Living Preference Ranking." This survey, conducted in collaboration with Macromill Inc., showcases the data from a five-year period, emphasizing the residents' sentiments about their local communities.

Key Highlights of the Happiness Ranking

The top three cities in the 2025 Gifu Happiness Ranking are:
1. Yaotsu Town, Kamo District - Securing the first position, Yaotsu Town climbed from third place in the previous year, indicating a significant rise in resident satisfaction.
2. Kawabe Town, Kamo District - Achieved the second position this year; despite ranking below the cutoff the previous year, its current listing reflects a newfound appreciation by its residents.
3. Kitagata Town, Motosu District - This town takes the third position, showcasing its residents' positive outlook compared to earlier years.

Notably, in this ranking, seven out of the top ten towns belong to rural areas, highlighting a tendency for smaller towns to foster higher happiness levels.

The happiness quotient is derived from responses to the question, “Overall, are you happy or unhappy?”, rated on a scale of 1 (very unhappy) to 10 (very happy). The average response is then normalized to a score out of 100.

Insights into the Living Preference Ranking

On the living preference side, the rankings show:
1. Kawabe Town, Kamo District - For the third consecutive year, Kawabe Town has been rated as the most preferable place to live, achieving a remarkable score in the 70s.
2. Tarui Town, Fuwa District - Making strides from the fifth position last year, Tarui Town has moved up to second place, reflecting some favorable changes in town governance or community lifestyle.
3. Hida City - Rounding out the top three, Hida City continues to charm its residents, ensuring its place as a desirable living destination.

The metric for the living preference ranking is derived from the query, “Do you wish to continue living in your current town?”, rated on a scale from 0 to 100.

Observing Trends in Rankings

Interestingly, Gujo City showcased remarkable pride, ranking first in “Pride in the Community” and third for “Attachment to the Community,” reflecting a deep connection that residents feel towards their locality, despite not appearing in the top five happiness rankings.

The methodology of the survey involved gathering responses from over 13,000 residents in Gifu, aged 20 and above, ensuring a balanced representation of gender, marital status, and age demographics. Conducted over multiple years—from 2021 to 2025, with supplementary data from 2020 and 2019—this in-depth survey delivers authentic insights into the residents’ happiness and living preferences.

Survey Methodology Breakdown

- Participants: 13,416 individuals from Gifu Prefecture, consisting of approximately equal numbers of men (50.1%) and women (49.9%). The majority of participants were married (66.1%).
- Survey Period: Conducted annually, with responses collated from late February to mid-March each year for accurate seasonal sentiments.

Concluding Thoughts

As we look into the results of the 2025 Happiness and Living Preferences Rankings, it is evident that the towns of Gifu are not only committed to improving the living conditions but are also actively nurturing a culture of happiness and community pride. The findings may serve as a model for other regions aiming to enhance resident satisfaction and engagement, highlighting the critical link between community values and individual happiness.

For more detailed findings, recommendations, and the full report, you can visit the official report here and for press release information, refer to Daiwa House.

Note: The rankings and scores are adjusted and based on collected data reflecting genuine resident experiences.