Living in Kanagawa: Useful Information for Foreigners

Kanagawa Prefecture is located next to Tokyo. With its historical international connection through Yokohama Port, opened in the 1800s, and American military facilities, Kanagawa has long been home to many foreigners.

This article introduces the features of Kanagawa Prefecture and areas with many foreign residents for those interested in living there.

Features of Kanagawa Prefecture

Image：Map-It

Historical International City

Yokohama City has a population of about 3.7 million, with around 82,500 foreigners, accounting for 2.2% of the population. Yokohama Port opened in the 1800s, fostering trade and interaction with Western countries. Thus, foreigners have been living there for over 200 years. There are foreigner neighborhoods like Chinatown and foreigner cemeteries.
As of 2024, Yokohama has the second highest number of foreign company headquarters in Japan, after Tokyo. There are also many international schools, providing an international education environment. This is ideal for families wanting their children to receive the same education as in their home country or to continue studying in their native language after moving to Japan.

Source：横浜市「データで見る横浜経済」P20 、共生のまちづくりネットワークよこはま「横浜市の外国人に関するデータから把握する」

Major Industrial Area

Kanagawa's Kawasaki and Yokohama cities are part of the Keihin Industrial Region, home to many companies and factories.
Kawasaki: Heavy industries like steel, chemicals, and machinery
Yokohama: Automobiles, electronics, chemicals
The presence of numerous companies and factories means there are many job opportunities.

Popular Tourist Destinations

Kanagawa has historically rich tourist destinations like Hakone and Kamakura.

Hakone
Hakone developed as a key transportation hub during the Edo period (1600-1868). It has been a popular hot spring area since then. In the Meiji period (1868-1912), it became a popular retreat for foreigners. Today, it remains a popular travel destination for tourists from Japan and around the world.  Source ：箱根町「町のあゆみ」

Kamakura
Kamakura boasts numerous historical buildings. It was the political center from 1185 to 1333, making it a region rich in Japanese culture, similar to Kyoto. With many temples and shrines, it is an enjoyable place for those interested in Japanese culture.

Areas with Many Foreign Residents in Kanagawa

The cities in Kanagawa with the highest number of foreign residents are:

Yokohama historically has a high foreign resident population, with many companies and schools contributing to the population. Kawasaki and Sagamihara are industrial areas with many factories actively hiring foreigners.
In contrast, Kamakura, a popular tourist destination, has fewer foreign residents. This is likely due to higher rents and fewer job opportunities compared to Yokohama and industrial areas.
Source:神奈川県「県内の外国人数の調査結果について（令和5年1月1日現在）」

Points to Consider When Choosing a Place to Live

• Talk to Foreign Residents: Get advice from those already living in Kanagawa.
• Choose a Place Convenient for Commuting: Make sure the location is easily accessible to your workplace.
• Check the Balance Between Salary and Rent: Ensure you have enough living expenses after paying rent.

Talking to foreign residents in Kanagawa can provide useful information about foreigner-friendly areas. Choosing a convenient location for commuting is also important. Although a place may look close on the map, it might not be easily accessible by train or bus. Furthermore, trains to central Yokohama or Tokyo can be crowded during peak hours, which can be tiring.
Make sure your salary covers rent and living expenses. Some companies offer dormitories or rent subsidies, which can help reduce costs.

Conclusion

Due to historical influences and the number of companies and factories, about 240,000 foreigners live in Kanagawa Prefecture, especially in Yokohama and Kawasaki. Kanagawa's good access to Tokyo also makes it a popular place to live for those commuting to Tokyo, as rents in Kanagawa are generally lower.
Currently, JOB JOURNEY lists about 200 jobs in Kanagawa Prefecture (as of January 2025). If you're looking to change jobs or move within Kanagawa, please check them out.

Job Listings in Kanagawa

​​​​​​​