Useful Information Living in Hyogo Prefecture for Foreigners

Hyogo Prefecture is located in the Kansai region, which includes Osaka and Kyoto.

It has both large cities like Kobe and rich natural environments with mountains and seas. Hyogo is also home to famous hot spring areas such as Arima Onsen and Kinosaki Onsen.
This article introduces the features of Hyogo Prefecture and areas with many foreign residents for those interested in living there.

Features of Hyogo Prefecture

Historical International City: Kobe

Kobe is the representative city of Hyogo Prefecture. Kobe Port opened in the 1800s, making Kobe an international city with over 200 years of foreign residents' history. Kobe has the largest Chinatown in Kansai and many residents with Chinese roots.

About 2% of Hyogo's Population are Foreigners

According to the 2023 survey, Hyogo Prefecture has 131,756 foreign residents, making up 2.4% of its population. It has the third-largest foreign resident population in the Kansai region, after Osaka and Kyoto.

The most common residence statuses are Special Permanent Resident and Permanent Resident. Many foreigners have lived in Hyogo for a long time, including second and third generations.
The next largest group is international students. Hyogo has many universities and Japanese language schools. The prefecture actively supports foreign students in finding jobs, hosting "Job Fairs for Foreigners" and providing services like the "One-Stop Consultation Desk for International Students." Hyogo supports both foreigners wanting to work and companies wanting to hire foreigners, making it an accommodating place for first-time workers in Japan.
出典：兵庫県「県内在留外国人数（2023）」「兵庫県における外国人在留者の現状と今後の展望」

Many Job Opportunities in Manufacturing

Hyogo has many industrial areas, particularly along the Seto Inland Sea in Amagasaki, Kobe, Akashi, and Himeji. These areas, combined with Osaka's industrial zones, form the Hanshin Industrial Region.
Due to the numerous industrial areas, there are many job opportunities in manufacturing. Jobs are available not only in technical roles but also in clerical positions and specific skilled worker fields.

Best Places to Live in Hyogo

Cities with Large Foreign Populations

Cities with large foreign populations offer conveniences such as multilingual support at city offices and hospitals, and stores selling ingredients from various countries. The cities in Hyogo with the largest foreign populations are:

出典：兵庫県「県内在留外国人数（2023）」

Image：Map-It

Easy Access to Osaka from Kobe and Amagasaki

If you prefer living in a foreigner-friendly environment, Kobe is recommended. As mentioned, Kobe has a long history as an international city and offers strong support from local government, making it easier for foreigners who are not yet proficient in Japanese to live comfortably.
Many people live in Kobe and commute to Osaka. Depending on the station, the commute can take around 20 minutes.

For example, from the center of Kobe to the center of Osaka:
JR Sannomiya Station to JR Osaka Station: 21 minutes by JR rapid train

From the center of Amagasaki to the center of Osaka, it's even shorter:
JR Amagasaki Station to JR Osaka Station: 7 minutes by train

How to Find a Suitable Place to Live

Ask Current Residents

Hyogo Prefecture has diverse areas, from nature-rich cities like Tamba to island cities like Awaji. Living conditions vary greatly depending on the area. For more detailed information, talk to people currently living in Hyogo.

Contact Local Municipalities

Many Japanese municipalities have consultation desks for prospective residents and foreigners. These are often available in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, and Spanish. Contact the municipality of the area you want to live in for more information.

Consider Company Housing

If you are not particular about where to live, consider working for a company that offers company housing or dormitories. This can make commuting easier and living more convenient. Company housing is often cheaper than renting privately, helping you save on living expenses.

Conclusion

If you are considering living in Hyogo Prefecture, don't worry about only being able to live in Kobe. Cities like Himeji and Amagasaki also have large foreign populations and offer good access to Kobe and Osaka.

Currently, JOB JOURNEY lists about 260 jobs in Hyogo Prefecture (as of January 2025).
If you are looking to change jobs or move within Hyogo, please check them out.
🔎 Job Listings in Hyogo Prefecture