#Japan #Kanagawa #Daito Kentaku #Happiness Rankings

Introduction

In a landmark survey by Daito Kentaku, the results of the "2025 Kanagawa Prefecture Happiness and Living-enduring City Rankings" have been announced. This extensive survey, which gathered responses from over 64,000 participants in Kanagawa, analyzed residents' overall satisfaction with their cities and their intent to continue living there.

Survey Methodology

The methodology used to compile these rankings included two key questions. The first assessed overall happiness via a 10-point scale where participants rated their happiness from 1 as extremely unhappy to 10 as extremely happy. These scores were then averaged and converted into a scale out of 100 to create the happiness rankings.

In measuring the desire to continue living in a city, participants rated their intentions based on a 5-point scale. Scores ranged from 100 for a strong yes to 0 for a firm no, and again, these were averaged to formulate the living-enduring rankings. Participants must live within 15 minutes of a station or belong to a municipality with at least 50 respondents to ensure accurate representation in the rankings.

Overall Findings

Happiness Rankings

For the fourth consecutive year, Hayama Town in Miura District has clinched the top spot, achieving a remarkable deviation score in the 70s—a notable benchmark for community satisfaction. Following closely are Zushi City, which has maintained its second-place rank for two years, and Aoba Ward in Yokohama, which has held steady at third for three consecutive years. Interestingly, Nishi Ward in Yokohama made a notable leap into the top ten, moving from 17th to 10th place.

Living-enduring City Rankings

Similarly, Hayama Town also topped the Living-enduring City category for the fifth consecutive year, underscoring its residents' pride and loyalty. Second place went to Kamakura City, which consistently lands in the top five across all related rankings, reflecting a highly positive living experience among its residents. Third place was secured by Zushi City again, maintaining its standing from previous years.

Station Rankings

In the category of station happiness, Yokohama's Minato Mirai has once again achieved first place, boasting an impressive deviation score in the 90s—an elite ranking that highlights its desirability as a place to live. Following Minato Mirai is Katase-Enoshima in Fujisawa City, which has successfully retained its second-place position for two years. Youngbay in Kawasaki City climbed up from 17th to third, marking a significant improvement.

Top Rankings

Happiness Rankings (Municipalities)

1. Hayama Town (Miura District)
2. Zushi City
3. Aoba Ward, Yokohama
4. Kamakura City
5. Hiratsuka City
6. Sagamihara City
7. Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama
8. Naka Ward, Yokohama
9. Zama City
10. Nishi Ward, Yokohama

Living-enduring Rankings (Municipalities)

1. Hayama Town (Miura District)
2. Kamakura City
3. Zushi City
4. Hiratsuka City
5. Yamato City
6. Sagamihara City
7. Aoba Ward, Yokohama
8. Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama
9. Naka Ward, Yokohama
10. Kawai City

Happiness Rankings (Stations)

1. Minato Mirai Station, Yokohama
2. Katase-Enoshima Station, Fujisawa
3. Wakabayashi Station, Kawasaki
4. Hase Station, Kamakura
5. Bashamichi Station, Yokohama
6. Yokosuka Station, Yokosuka
7. Kurokawa Station, Kawasaki
8. Yokohama Station
9. Abeno Station
10. Sakuragicho Station

Insights

This comprehensive survey sheds light on the profound connection between residents' happiness and their desire to remain in their cities. A similar correlation can be observed between happiness, pride, and attachment to one's community. Hayama Town's repeated recognition in both categories exemplifies how local pride can significantly enhance the quality of life for residents.

Future Directions

For insights into more detailed rankings and further data, residents are encouraged to visit the official website where rankings will be continuously updated.

Together, these surveys highlight the robust community sentiment in Kanagawa and provide valuable indicators for future urban planning and development, ensuring these cities remain vibrant and appealing for years to come.