#Japan #Shiga #Living Satisfaction #Shiga Prefecture #Ideal Towns

Insights into Shiga's Living Satisfaction and Rankings for 2026

The survey conducted by Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. has revealed significant trends in living satisfaction across Shiga Prefecture for the year 2026. With the largest residential satisfaction survey conducted yet, the findings reveal what makes towns attractive to their residents and which areas rank the highest.

Key Findings:

Top Living Satisfaction Rankings

For the second consecutive year, Biwako Hama-Otsu A has claimed the top spot in the station satisfaction category. This station, which includes nearby stations Biwako Hama-Otsu and Mitsu-dera, offers ideal living conditions according to the residents. Closely following are Minami-Kusatsu, located in Kusatsu City, ranking second, and Moriyama, securing the third position. Notably, the station Nishiki A improved its place and entered the top 10 with a rank of 8.

Satisfaction by Municipalities

In terms of overall municipality satisfaction, Kusatsu City has dominated the rankings for an impressive eight years straight, maintaining its first position, followed by Moriyama and Otsu. New entries into the top 10 include Yasu and Maibara, which climbed the ranks since last year.

Most Desired Town Rankings

Among the stations that residents aspire to live in, Kusatsu station remains at the top for the third consecutive year. It is followed by Kyoto, which also remains second, and Umeda A, which moved up from fourth to third this year. Interestingly, Hikone has newly entered the rankings at fifth place.

In the municipality category for desired towns, once again Kusatsu City takes first place, followed by the Tokyo 23 wards and Otsu City. This consistent trend reflects a growing preference for areas in Kusatsu City.

Breakdown of Station Rankings

Among the key satisfaction factors, Biwako Hama-Otsu A scored highest in the administrative services category and held the third place for friendliness. Stations in the Koka area, including Kusatsu and Minami-Kusatsu, rated highly for vitality as well. The disaster prevention ranking saw Taro-bo Miyamae score a remarkable high with a score exceeding 70.

This year, Wani station made its debut in the top 20 ranks at position 17, having previously fallen short with fewer than 30 respondents.

Factors Driving These Rankings

The survey encompasses a comprehensive review of various factors that residents consider when rating their living environments, such as administrative convenience, transportation efficacy, community warmth, and safety. Findings indicate strong correlations between these factors and overall satisfaction ratings among the populace.

Survey Insights

The data for this survey was obtained through Macromill, reaching 9,240 respondents across multiple years, primarily focusing on individuals over 20 years old living in Shiga. This extensive data collection ensures a reliable representation of opinions and preferences in the region.

Conclusion

Daiwa House Industry's 2026 survey brings forth vital insights into what makes living in Shiga attractive, highlighting how factors such as administrative services and community friendliness can greatly influence residential satisfaction. As we move forward, these rankings and insights will aid in urban planning and development, striving to improve living conditions and facilities for residents.

For more information on the full results and methodology, please visit the official webpage and press release links provided above.