Top 10 Places to Live in Kyoto [Overall Rating]

We have created a comprehensive ranking of areas in Kyoto Prefecture, which is popular in the Kansai region, that are attracting attention as "desirable places to live." We have carefully selected cities that have been evaluated from multiple perspectives, such as accessibility, public safety, average rent, and living environment.

Popular areas such as Nijo, Katsura, and Kameoka are popular with a wide range of people, from single people to families with children, and are ranked highly. This information is recommended for those considering moving for the first time or relocating. Please consider this when searching for a property.

No. 1 Nijo Station (Nakagyo Ward) | Well-balanced livability

Nijo Station, located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, offers a good balance of transportation convenience, public safety, and shopping facilities, and is highly regarded as a "livable town."

Two subway and JR lines are available, and access to Kyoto Station and Shijo is smooth. There are many large supermarkets and restaurants in the area, making it popular with a wide range of people, from families to single people. Although it is in the center of Nakagyo Ward, it also has the charm of a quiet residential area.

No. 2 Katsura Station (Sakyo Ward) | Access and harmony with nature

Katsura Station in Nishikyo Ward is a major station on the Hankyu Line that is directly connected to Osaka, making it an attractive location for its convenience. It also has good access to central Kyoto, making it a convenient location for commuting to work or school. There are commercial facilities and residential areas around the station, and you can feel nature just a short walk away, making it a great place to live.

Nishikyo Ward's peaceful atmosphere and calm streets are the reason it is always ranked highly in "rankings of cities people want to live in."

No. 3: Kameoka Station (Kameoka City) | Suburban area for families

Kameoka Station is located in the center of Kameoka City, which is developing as a commuter town for Kyoto City, and is an area rich in nature and has a good environment for raising children. The average rent is relatively low, and it is easy to choose spacious floor plans, making it popular with families.

The JR Sagano Line is within commuting distance of Kyoto Station, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle while still having access to the city. The area is gaining attention as a "suburban city where people want to live," with its attractive combination of nature and convenience.

No. 4 Kitayama Station (Kita Ward) | A cultural and educational district with attractive culture and nature

Kitayama Station is located in the educational area of ​​Kita-ku, Kyoto City, and is an area blessed with a natural environment, including the Kyoto Botanical Garden and the Kamo River. It is a quiet residential area with good public safety. There are also art museums and stylish cafes scattered around, making it a cultural place to live.

It is convenient for commuting to school or work, and is popular with those who value an educational environment and the senior generation. It is a city unique to Kyoto, where ease of living and cultural value coexist.

5th place: Demachiyanagi Station (Sakyo Ward) | A multi-generational area popular with students

Demachiyanagi Station in Sakyo Ward is a transfer station between the Keihan Line and the Eizan Electric Railway, and is known as a student town due to its proximity to Kyoto University and Doshisha University.

On the other hand, there are many quiet residential areas, making it popular with families and the elderly. Blessed with nature and history such as the Kamo River and Shimogamo Shrine, it is a great attraction to be able to live while feeling the four seasons. As a city loved by students, young people and many generations, it is consistently ranked high in the "city rankings where people want to live".

No. 6: Nishinokyo Station (Ukyo Ward) | Convenience and local feel coexist

Nishinokyo Station is a key transportation hub where two lines, Hankyu and Keifuku Electric Railway, can be used, and it has excellent access to the Shijo and Kawaramachi areas. There are many restaurants and supermarkets around the station, making it an attractive area for its convenience.

On the other hand, old-fashioned shopping streets and residential areas remain, giving the area a local feel. It is easy for young people and the elderly to live in, and is attracting attention in rankings of places people want to live as a "convenient yet relaxing town."

No. 7 Fushimi-Momoyama Station (Fushimi Ward) | A town of sake breweries and vibrant commerce

The area around Fushimi-Momoyama Station, located in the historic Fushimi Ward, is an attractive town where old sake breweries and lively shopping streets coexist. Two lines, the Keihan Railway and the Kintetsu Line, are available, making it easy to access central Kyoto.

There are plenty of supermarkets, drugstores, and restaurants in front of the station, making this an extremely convenient place to live. It is chosen as a place people want to live as it is an area that offers modern conveniences while still valuing local ties.

8th place Ichijoji Station (Sakyo Ward) | Recommended for culture lovers

Ichijoji Station is a residential area along the Eizan Electric Railway in Sakyo Ward, and is a famous ramen restaurant. It is also dotted with cultural facilities such as bookstores, movie theaters, and cafes, making it a popular town for creative young people with rich sensibilities.

Although it is a quiet residential area, it has good access to the center of Kyoto City and has a unique charm where the everyday and the extraordinary coexist. It is highly rated in the rankings of places people want to live from those who value individuality.

No. 9 Nagaokakyo Station (Nagaokakyo City) | A suburban city with a good living environment

Nagaokakyo Station is accessible by JR and Hankyu lines, making it convenient for commuting to Osaka and Kyoto. It is a well-developed residential area with plenty of parks, schools, and commercial facilities, making it especially popular with families.

It has good public safety, a calm neighborhood, and convenient access. As a livable suburban city in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, it is an area that has attracted attention in the "city rankings for places people want to live."

No. 10 Kyotanabe Station (Kyotanabe City) | Popular with university students and families

Kyotanabe Station is a key transportation hub served by Kintetsu and JR lines, and is also known as the location of the Doshisha University campus. The area combines the lively atmosphere of a student town with the tranquil atmosphere of a residential area, making it popular with families.

It has a good selection of commercial facilities and educational institutions and is rated as an easy place to live. It is one of the areas in southern Kyoto that has become increasingly popular in recent years as a "city where people want to live."

Ranking of cities people want to live in by genre

When choosing a city to live in in Kyoto Prefecture, it is important to choose an area that suits your lifestyle. Finding an area that suits you from the perspectives of good public safety, affordable rent, and convenient access is the first step to living a comfortable life.

In this chapter, we will introduce a carefully selected list of popular areas in Kyoto Prefecture that are popular for each category and are considered "desirable places to live." This ranking is useful for those who prioritize safety, commuting conditions, and costs.

A safe and secure city to live in

For those who value good public safety, areas such as Nakagyo Ward, Kita Ward, and Nagaokakyo City in Kyoto City are recommended.

Nakagyo Ward has many streetlights and a moderate amount of foot traffic, making it a safe place for single women and senior families. Nagaokakyo City is popular with families raising children, and the local government has a strong monitoring system and crime prevention awareness. It is relatively quiet and peaceful to live there at night, so it is always ranked high in the "safe city rankings."

A city with low rent and good value for money

If you are looking for both cheap rent and a comfortable place to live in Kyoto, Yamashina Ward, Fushimi Ward, and Kameoka City are good targets.

There are many properties available for rent, even for one-room apartments, for around 50,000 yen, making it ideal for those who want to keep costs down within commuting distance. Kameoka City has many reasonably priced properties even with spacious floor plans, making it popular with families. It is also an area chosen by those living alone who are concerned about rent, as well as students and working adults starting a new life.

Excellent access! A convenient city for commuting to work or school

For those who prioritize accessibility, the areas around Kyoto Station, Katsura Station, and Karasuma Oike Station are recommended.

Kyoto Station is a highly convenient hub for the Shinkansen and JR lines, making it ideal for business trips and transfers. Katsura Station has direct access to Osaka on the Hankyu Line, making commuting to work or school extremely convenient. Karasuma-Oike Station is an intersection of two subway lines, providing excellent access to the city center. This area is popular with businessmen and students who travel by train a lot.

Comparison of past rankings [Comparison with 2023-2024]

Trends in desirable places to live change from year to year, and the trends in the popularity rankings allow us to see which areas in Kyoto Prefecture are gaining popularity and which areas are attracting attention. The 2023-2024 rankings of desirable places to live showed a shift from the city center to the suburbs, as well as a tendency to emphasize a balance between transportation convenience and the natural environment.

Here, we will compare the top five results from each year and explain the trends in living environments in Kyoto in an easy-to-understand manner. If you are considering moving or relocating to Kyoto, be sure to refer to past rankings.

[2024 Edition] Top 5 cities to live in

Here is Kyoto Prefecture's 2024 ranking of the most desirable places to live.

• 1st place: Nijo Station (Nakagyo Ward)
• 2nd place: Katsura Station (Sakyo Ward)
• 3rd place: Demachiyanagi Station (Sakyo Ward)
• 4th place: Kameoka Station
• 5th place: Kitayama Station

The No. 1 ranked Nijo Station is popular with a wide range of people, from singles to families, due to its convenient transportation and abundant shopping and dining options. In addition, suburban areas that combine convenience and cultural appeal are also highly rated. This reflects the growing need to value the natural environment.

The key words for 2024 were "centre location + calm lifestyle."

[2023 Edition] Top 5 cities to live in

The results of the 2023 ranking of the most desirable cities to live in are as follows.

• 1st place: Katsura Station (Sakyo Ward)
• 2nd place: Nijo Station (Nakagyo Ward)
• 3rd place: Fushimi-Momoyama Station (Fushimi Ward)
• 4th place: Saiin Station
• 5th place: Kyotanabe Station

Katsura Station, which came in first, was praised for its balance of convenience along the Hankyu Line and a quiet residential area. In addition, Nijo Station, which came in second, and Fushimi-Momoyama Station, which came in third, were both supported for their good transport access and living environment, while Kyotanabe Station, which came in fifth, was ranked as an area popular with families and students due to its proximity to universities and educational facilities.

The year 2023 was a year in which areas that emphasized "transportation convenience" and "value for money" ranked high.

Trend changes seen from ranking changes

Looking at the changes in the rankings from 2023 to 2024, Nijo Station has risen from second to first place, reaffirming its excellent living environment.

Meanwhile, Katsura Station, which was ranked first in 2023, has dropped to second place but still maintains its popularity. The rise in Sakyo and Kita Ward areas such as Demachiyanagi and Kitayama is likely due to growing interest in nature, culture, and good public safety.

On the other hand, Fushimi-Momoyama and Kyotanabe dropped in the rankings, and future development and facility availability are key points to watch. The change in ranking shows that values ​​regarding livability within Kyoto Prefecture are becoming more diverse.

Tips for choosing a city to live in in Kyoto

When choosing a city to live in in Kyoto, it is important to consider multiple factors that suit your lifestyle in a well-balanced way. In addition to transportation access, public safety, and the state of the child-rearing environment, the level of infrastructure for daily life such as shopping, medical care, and education are also important factors in deciding. Furthermore, the atmosphere of the local residents, the future prospects of the city, and its potential for development are also factors that affect the ease of living.

In this chapter, we will explain in detail the criteria for finding your ideal home in Kyoto.

Convenient transportation access and route network

When choosing a city in Kyoto that is easy to live in, the most important thing to consider is good transportation access. The convenience of each line, including JR Kyoto Station, the Hankyu Line, Keihan Electric Railway, and the subway, is not only important for commuting to work or school, but also for shopping and sightseeing.

For example, areas around stations with multiple train lines, such as Nijo Station, Katsura Station, and Karasuma-Oike Station, are popular places to live because of their ease of transportation. Being within walking distance of a station or being able to easily access public transportation, including by bus, directly translates to a comfortable long-term life.

Improving public safety and child-rearing environments

If you are looking for a safe and secure city to live in, it is important to check the state of public safety and childcare support systems. Nakagyo Ward and Nagaokakyo City are known as safe areas with a high level of crime prevention awareness, and with watchful waiting activities and local patrols.

Other important checkpoints are the availability of nursery schools, elementary and junior high schools, measures to deal with waiting lists for children, and the quality of after-school care. For women living alone and families with small children, whether the town is a place where they can live safely is an essential perspective when choosing a town to live in.

Shopping, medical care, education and other lifestyle infrastructure

When choosing a city to live in, pay attention to the level of infrastructure that supports daily life. Whether supermarkets and drugstores are within walking distance, and whether there are general hospitals and clinics nearby will greatly affect the ease of living. In Kyoto City, the Saiin and Fushimi-Momoyama areas are highly rated for their abundance of shopping and medical facilities.

Educational facilities are also important, and having a selection of daycare centers, schools, and cram schools in the neighborhood makes it an easy place to live for families with children. Convenience that is close to everyday life increases the city's appeal as a place to live.

Resident demographics, town atmosphere, and future prospects

The atmosphere of the town as a whole, as well as the age group and lifestyle of the people who live there, are also important points to consider when choosing a town to live in. For example, Demachiyanagi and Ichijoji are attractive for their lively atmosphere with many young people and students, while Nagaokakyo and Kitayama have a more relaxed atmosphere and are popular with families and seniors.

You should also pay attention to the future growth potential of the city, such as ongoing redevelopment and plans to build a new station. Making choices that consider not only your current lifestyle but also your future will lead to a relocation that you won't regret.

summary

When choosing a city to live in in Kyoto, it is important to make a comprehensive comparison of multiple factors, such as transportation access, safety, rent, and living environment.

The top rankings include a variety of areas such as Nijo Station and Katsura Station, which combine convenience and tranquility, and Kitayama and Demachiyanagi, which are attractive for their nature and history. The ranking changes from 2023 to 2024 show a trend toward paying attention to the suburbs and emphasizing cultural value.

The first step to living comfortably in Kyoto is to choose a city that suits your lifestyle, taking into consideration the commute to work or school, ease of raising children, and the future prospects of the area. Use this article as a reference to find the "city you want to live in" that's perfect for you.