2025 Happiness and Liveability Ranking for Northern Kanto Areas Announced

Daito Kentaku Corporation, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, has carried out an extensive survey on residential satisfaction, revealing the 2025 Happiness Ranking and the 2025 Liveability Ranking for Northern Kanto. This survey involved a considerable number of respondents, marking it as one of the largest of its kind in the region.

Happiness Ranking Highlights

The report unveils that Yoshikawa Town in Gunma Prefecture has retained its position as the happiest town for two consecutive years, achieving top honors. Following closely is Moriya City in Ibaraki Prefecture, which has also maintained its second-place ranking, both receiving high average scores in the 70s range.

For the first time, Chiyoda Town in Ora County has made it to the top three. This year, it is noteworthy for not appearing in last year's rankings due to insufficient evaluation scores. Other significant improvements include Tone Town in Ibaraki Prefecture and Takanezawa Town in Tochigi Prefecture, both of which have considerably ascended in ranks, achieving seventh and tenth places, respectively, after finishing lower last year.

Like previous rankings, the Happiness Ranking aggregates responses over a five-year period, from 2021 to 2025. The methodology involved accumulating the number of respondents to reach a minimum of 50 per municipality to ensure reliability. Scores are normalized to a standardized mean of 50, facilitating better comparison.

Liveability Ranking Highlights

In examining the Liveability Ranking, Yoshikawa Town again claims first place for two consecutive years, showcasing its desirability among residents wanting to stay. Moriya City has also secured the second position for three years in a row. The rising star in this year's ranking is Ora Town in Gunma Prefecture, which climbed from fifth last year to third this year, showing significant progress.

In addition, several towns have made impressive jumps in the top ten, including Kamikawachi Town in Tochigi, which moved to seventh place from twelfth, and Meiwan Town, which increased its ranking from nineteenth to ninth. This reflects a positive shift towards greater satisfaction and quality of living in the Northern Kanto area.

The Liveability Ranking is derived primarily from residents' responses from 2021 to 2025, with additional inputs from 2020 if necessary. The survey asked respondents if they desired to continue living in their current towns, using a scoring system from 0 to 100. Both the Happiness Ranking and the Liveability Ranking provide valuable insights into community sentiments and aspirations.

Methodology and Demographics

This extensive research was conducted using an online survey model, with data collected from approximately 41,081 participants across the Northern Kanto region (Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma prefectures) over a five-year span. The gender distribution was fairly balanced, with slightly more male participants (50.4%) than female (49.6%). The age demographics ranged from young adults in their 20s to seniors in their 70s, ensuring diverse representation.

The survey took place between February 21 and March 10, 2025, with participation from over 9,000 respondents. This comprehensive data collection method allows for a nuanced understanding of how residents perceive their living environments and overall happiness, making these rankings essential for urban planning and community development initiatives.

Conclusion

Yoshikawa Town in Gunma Prefecture continues to shine as a top destination for happiness and liveability, reflecting the growing urban development and community satisfaction in the Northern Kanto region. The annual report serves not only as a ranking but also a motivational framework for local government officials, community leaders, and residents to enhance the quality of life and develop amenities that keep their towns both happy and desirable for years to come.

For more detailed rankings and additional insights, please refer to the official release on Daito Kentaku's website.