Yokohama, the Number One City in Suumo’s "Most Desirable Places to Live" Ranking

For seven consecutive years, Yokohama has topped the annual "Most Desirable Places to Live" ranking released by Suumo. With its beautiful seaside, abundant nature, large shopping malls, and excellent access to Tokyo, it's easy to see why this ranking resonates with so many people. Incidentally, the top 5 rankings for 2024 are as follows:
Note: Suumo is Japan's most famous portal site for finding rental apartments and houses.

The Suumo ranking is based on the results of diverse user surveys. Let's take a look at the demographics of the users who find Yokohama appealing:

Wow! Yokohama ranks first for both men and women, as well as for people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s! It seems that everyone finds Yokohama an attractive place to live. So, what exactly makes Yokohama so appealing? Let's delve into the charms of Yokohama. And finally, we will introduce some of the attractive share houses available in Yokohama.

What Makes Yokohama So Popular?

Yokohama is a designated city in Kanagawa Prefecture, close to Tokyo, with a population of approximately 3.72 million, making it one of the largest cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Despite its excellent access and urban convenience, Yokohama is an attractive city that also offers open and spacious streetscapes and rich natural environments.

Yokohama's history begins with the opening of its port in 1859. As a place that saw the dawn of Japan's modernization, there are still many landmarks that bear the strong influence of Western culture. One of the most notable areas is the Yamate district, which is lined with Western-style houses that were built as residences for foreign settlers. These houses, featuring various architectural styles from different countries, give the whole area a retro and elegant atmosphere. Just strolling around is a delightful experience.

Additionally, Yokohama Chinatown, the largest in Japan, is a charming area that exudes the exotic atmosphere of an old port town. With numerous Chinese restaurants scattered along the alleys and a variety of souvenir shops, you can immerse yourself in Chinese culture. Events like the New Year's bun-throwing competition and the Mid-Autumn Festival are also major attractions. When you visit, you must try the grilled xiaolongbao and pork buns. Even without entering a restaurant, you can enjoy walking around and tasting different foods.

Modern Yokohama has been extensively redeveloped around the Minato Mirai 21 district, featuring skyscrapers, shopping malls, and leisure facilities. Landmark Tower, Yokohama Cosmo World, and Pacifico Yokohama are some of the spots that attract visitors. The night view is very beautiful, making it a recommended spot for night outings and drives.

On the other hand, there are many places where you can feel nature, such as Sankeien Garden, surrounded by greenery, and seaside promenades. Yamashita Park, which overlooks the Yokohama Bay Bridge, the recently renovated Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, and the spacious Osanbashi Pier are all places where you can feel the sea breeze.

With excellent transportation, the area around Yokohama Station and Minato Mirai 21 is lined with skyscrapers, while historical and charming streetscapes remain, creating a unique blend of old and new. Yokohama is a multifaceted city that continues to evolve into a comfortable and attractive metropolis while retaining the bustle of a port town.

Attraction ①: Numerous Scenic Spots Centered Around the Sea! Enrich Your Daily Scenery.

One of Yokohama's major attractions is the abundance of scenic spots scattered throughout the city. From Zou-no-Hana Park, you can overlook iconic Yokohama landmarks such as Osanbashi Pier and the Red Brick Warehouse, and at night, you can enjoy the beautiful nightscape. Harbor View Park and YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN offer picturesque locations surrounded by sea and greenery. Additionally, a stroll around Yokohama Bay Bridge and the Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal provides spots where you can experience the history of the port's opening. It's delightful to leisurely explore Yokohama's attractions on foot or by bicycle.

Attraction ②: Convenient Shopping and Access

The high level of convenience, comparable to Tokyo, is another major attraction of Yokohama. The Minato Mirai 21 district hosts some of the largest shopping malls in Japan, such as Landmark Plaza and Red Brick Park. Large department stores like Takashimaya and Yokohama Sogo are also located around the station, catering to a wide range of needs from the latest trends to gourmet food and miscellaneous goods. In terms of transportation, major lines such as JR Yokohama Station, Minato Mirai Line, and Tokyu Toyoko Line make commuting easy. Yokohama ensures urban convenience for work, shopping, and entertainment. The ease of reaching Tokyo in around 30 minutes is also a great advantage.

Attraction ③: Abundant Sports and Leisure Facilities

The abundance of sports and leisure facilities is also noteworthy. For baseball, there's Yokohama Stadium (commonly known as "Hamasta"), and for soccer, there's Nissan Stadium, both excellent venues for professional sports events. Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is a family favorite with its various attractions. Additionally, you can enjoy marine sports at the marina.

Attraction ④: A City Where History and Culture Harmonize

Yokohama's unique blend of history and culture is another delightful aspect. The Yokohama Foreigners' Residence Area and the former Yokohama Specie Bank Main Building are designated as important cultural properties, allowing you to savor the old Yokohama atmosphere. It’s recommended to stroll around these areas during the day and enjoy the night-time illuminations. The charm of Yokohama lies in its harmonious blend of various cultures, offering a fascinating urban landscape.

Attraction ⑤: Numerous Famous Restaurants and a Rich Food Culture

The richness of the food culture in Yokohama is also not to be missed. With its long history as a port city, Yokohama offers a variety of cuisines, from Japanese to Western, Chinese, and ethnic foods. Chinatown is packed with old establishments where you can enjoy delicious dim sum, while the Yamate area features Western-style taverns influenced by foreign cultures. Modern restaurants offer authentic Italian and Spanish cuisine, allowing you to experience international flavors. Forest Hills has a food court where you can casually enjoy gourmet food. Experiencing Yokohama's unique food culture is one of the city's great attractions.

Below is the ranking of Yokohama area restaurants on Tabelog. The first bar in Japan originated in Yokohama, and perhaps due to this influence, many bars are ranked high. The ratings are very high, suggesting you can enjoy a wide range of food categories at a high level.
Note: Tabelog is a well-known review site for restaurants in Japan.

We've explored the charms of Yokohama, and it seems like a perfect city. But are there any blind spots? Next, let's look into the security and crime situation.

How Safe is Yokohama?

In a large metropolitan area like Yokohama, there is inevitably a higher risk of crime. However, the overall crime rate has been declining year by year, and it maintains a moderate level compared to the national average.
Note: Japan is generally a very safe country with low crime rates.

While some crimes like pickpocketing and theft are notable, incidents related to nightlife in entertainment districts can't be ignored either. To stay safe, it's advisable to use police crime maps to identify dangerous areas and avoid places with high crime rates.

Here is a comparison of crime data between Yokohama and some areas in Tokyo's 23 wards. This shows that although the total number of crimes is high due to the large population, the crime rate is significantly lower compared to central Tokyo.

Lastly, I would like to highlight some attractive share houses in the Yokohama area. Compared to renting a one-room apartment, starting your life in Yokohama with a share house can be more affordable.

What Kind of Share Houses Are There in Yokohama?

Yokohama, with its high charm as a city, boasts numerous attractive share houses. The share houses in Yokohama have the following features:

Let’s take a look at some specific properties.

FineMaison Yokohama

This large property offers an impressive range of shared facilities. With rent starting at 50,000 yen, it’s surprisingly affordable. In Tokyo, similar properties would exceed 100,000 yen.

Share Place Higashi-Kanagawa 99

This large property also offers extensive shared facilities. With rent starting at 40,000 yen, it is even more affordable than the previous property. Additionally, it has various room types to suit different lifestyles.

New Life Yokohama Hoshikawa B Building

Private rooms that are nicely renovated and cost only 24,800 yen! This rent is almost unbelievable. Additionally, the initial cost is set at 10,000 yen, which is also an impressive price. It is highly recommended for those who want to keep rent low without compromising on cleanliness.

Share Villa Sakuragicho Noge

With a 1-minute walk to Sakuragicho, this property offers an excellent location. You can enjoy Minato Mirai as your backyard. The average rent for a 1K in Sakuragicho is around 81,000 yen, but you can live in this share house starting from 65,000 yen. This is about 20% cheaper than a 1K apartment. The stylish interior is also a highlight.

Botanical Share House Shinyokohama

This concept share house has a unique charm with greenery filling the living room, creating an atmosphere similar to a forest café. The rent starting at 40,000 yen makes it quite an attractive deal for such an environment.

＞＞You can check the list of share house properties in Yokohama from here.