15 Towns Paying Foreigners to Move to Rural Japan
Official Links • Grant Stacking Strategies
This guide covers 2026 Japan town relocation incentives, with all the information I could find online about prefecture grants and programs, pulled together for your convenience.
Not sure where to start?
Before you start planning, understand what these programs actually require. These aren't free money handouts. They're serious relocation incentives for people committed to rural life.
Most programs require valid residence status (PR, spouse visa, or work visa). But don't let that stop you from planning. Several programs accept applicants WITHOUT existing visas:
Nagasaki's 'Calling Nomads' (1-4 week trial stays), Nagano's trial living programs (test before committing), and Kamiyama often welcomes visitors through Green Valley NPO events. These are pathways to experience rural Japan before securing long-term residence. See the Visa Compatibility Matrix to understand your options.
Most programs have an origin requirement. Many require relocating FROM the Tokyo metro area or specific qualifying pathways. Some municipalities also have pathways for people returning from abroad. Requirements vary significantly. Always verify with the specific town.
Here's why these grants matter more than you think:
| EXPENSE | LOS ANGELES | RURAL JAPAN |
|---|---|---|
| 2BR Rent (monthly) | $2,800 | $350-600 |
| Annual Rent | $33,600 | $4,200-7,200 |
| 5-Year Rent Total | $168,000 | $21,000-36,000 |
A family receiving Miyakonojo's full ¥5,000,000 ($32,000) grant could cover 4-7 years of rent in rural Japan. That same money covers less than one year in LA. These grants aren't pocket change. They're life-changing.
Japan's national government provides up to ¥1,000,000 in migration support money that participating municipalities can stack with their own local incentives. Understanding this system helps you maximize your total benefits.
| LAYER | AMOUNT | RUNNING TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
| National Household Grant | ¥1,000,000 | ¥1,000,000 |
| + Child Bonus (per child) | +¥1,000,000 | ¥2,000,000 |
| + Town Incentive (Miyakonojo) | +¥3,000,000 | ¥5,000,000 |
| TOTAL POTENTIAL | ¥5,000,000 (~$32,000) |
Example: Family with 1 child relocating to Miyakonojo. Your actual total depends on family size, destination, and qualifying programs.
If you leave the municipality before completing your commitment period (typically 5 years), you may be required to repay part or all of your grant.
Use this table to quickly compare all 15 programs before diving into details.
| Town | Max Amount | Best For | Commitment | English Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mishima (Kagoshima) |
¥4M+ ($26k) |
Island settlers, farmers, families | 3+ years | ★☆☆ Level 3 |
| Miyakonojo (Miyazaki) |
¥5M+ ($32k) |
Families with children | 5 years | ★★☆ Level 2 |
| Nagano (77 towns) |
¥1M+ per program |
Akiya hunters, DIY renovators | Varies | ★★☆ Level 2 |
| Tsuruoka (Yamagata) |
¥4M+ ($26k) |
Homebuyers, remote workers | 5 years | ★☆☆ Level 3 |
| Nagasaki | ¥200k+ value |
Digital nomads, trial stays | 1-4 weeks | ★★★ Level 1 |
| Sado Island (Niigata) |
¥2M+ ($13k) |
Remote island, culture lovers | 5 years | ★★☆ Level 2 |
| Kamiyama (Tokushima) |
¥1.2M+ ($8k) |
Remote workers, tech community | 3+ years | ★★☆ Level 2 |
| Ikeda (Fukui) |
¥3M+ ($19k) |
Families, community life | 5 years | ★☆☆ Level 3 |
| Bungotakada (Oita) |
¥2M+ ($13k) |
Entrepreneurs, onsen country | 3 years | ★☆☆ Level 3 |
| Minami-Alps (Yamanashi) |
¥2M+ ($13k) |
Akiya renovators, mountain life | 5 years | ★☆☆ Level 3 |
| Shoo (Okayama) |
¥0 (in-kind) |
Trial living, soft-landing movers | None (trial) | ★★☆ Level 2 |
| Wakasa (Tottori) |
¥3M ($19k) |
Home buyers, renovators w/ local builders | 5+ years | ★☆☆ Level 3 |
| Kagamino (Okayama) |
¥1M+ ($6k) |
Akiya renovators, budget movers | 5+ years | ★☆☆ Level 3 |
| Kijo (Miyazaki) |
¥100k+ (menu) |
Families, recon-trip planners | Varies | ★☆☆ Level 3 |
| Tsuwano (Shimane) |
¥1M+ ($6k) |
Tokyo movers, families | 5 years | ★★☆ Level 2 |
★★★ Level 1: Full English pages + email/phone support OK
★★☆ Level 2: Some English pages or translation widget, email may work
★☆☆ Level 3: Japanese only (use inquiry templates in Section 07)
When you see "¥600,000 (single) / ¥1,000,000 (household)" in town profiles, that's Japan's national migration support grant. Eligibility rules apply (often requires moving from Tokyo metro area or meeting specific employment conditions). Towns may stack additional local incentives on top. Totals depend on household size, children, destination area, and approvals.
| Visa Type | Eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Resident | YES ✓ | Best compatibility, all programs |
| Spouse of Japanese | YES ✓ | Full eligibility |
| Long-term Resident | YES ✓ | Full eligibility |
| Work Visa (Engineer, etc.) | MAYBE | Some towns restrict to PR/spouse only |
| Business Manager | MAYBE | If starting business locally |
| Student Visa | NO ✗ | Not eligible |
| Digital Nomad Visa | NO ✗ | No residence card = no local grants |
Note: Eligibility differs by town. Mishima, for example, restricts to citizen/spouse/PR only. Always confirm with the specific municipality.
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Kagoshima Prefecture • Kyushu • Remote Island Chain
One of Japan's most aggressive settlement programs. Unlike one-time grants, Mishima pays a monthly settlement stipend for up to 36 months. Couples receive up to ¥100,000/month, plus one-time rewards and child bonuses.
Miyazaki Prefecture • Kyushu
Miyakonojo's family-focused program stacks multiple grants. Example max: ¥1M household + ¥3M (3 kids) + up to ¥1M rural add-on = ¥5M. One of the few programs with foreign language support on their website.
Chubu Region • Central Japan • 77 Municipalities
Nagano isn't one program. It's a portal connecting you to 77 different municipalities, each with their own incentives. Many participate in the national migration support grant (eligibility varies by town). Use Rakuen Shinshu to browse options.
Yamagata Prefecture • Tohoku
Tsuruoka offers TWO stackable programs: national migration support (¥600k-1M) PLUS a separate housing reform subsidy up to ¥3,000,000 for those buying and renovating property. FY2025 application deadline: January 30, 2026 (confirm annually).
Nagasaki Prefecture • Kyushu
Unlike the other programs, Nagasaki's "Calling Nomads" is designed for trial stays rather than permanent relocation. Free accommodation for 1-4 weeks, targeting remote workers who want to experience rural Japan before committing.
Niigata Prefecture • Chubu • Remote Island
Sado combines Japan's national migration grant (Tokyo-area rules apply) with local settlement bonuses. Famous for traditional culture, pristine nature, and a growing remote work community. Two programs can stack.
Tokushima Prefecture • Shikoku
Japan's original "satellite office" town. Home to the Green Valley NPO, Kamiyama transformed from a declining village into a remote work hub attracting IT professionals and creatives. Strong community support for newcomers.
Fukui Prefecture • Chubu
Lifestyle Interview required. Ikeda takes community integration seriously and requires an interview before approval. They want families who will participate in local festivals and seasonal activities. In return, they offer generous child-rearing bonuses and traditional house preservation grants.
Oita Prefecture • Kyushu • Onsen Country
Located in Oita Prefecture (famous for hot springs), Bungotakada targets entrepreneurs who will create tourism, hospitality, or local revitalization businesses. Two programs can stack: national migration support plus a local startup grant (requires business plan approval).
Yamanashi Prefecture • Chubu • Mountain Region
Named after the Southern Alps mountain range, Minami-Alps offers renovation subsidies for buyers of vacant traditional homes. Known for fruit orchards, hot springs, and dramatic mountain scenery. Strong akiya program.
Okayama Prefecture • Chugoku • Inland Country-Town
Shoo is basically saying "don't gamble your move - test us first." The town provides free trial housing long enough to job-hunt and house-hunt on the ground, which is rare. It's built for people who want to feel daily life before committing.
Tottori Prefecture • Chugoku • Mountain / Rural Interior
Wakasa's housing support isn't "coupon money" - it's real renovation and building help, especially when you use local contractors. The caps for renovations and new builds are big for a town this size, and it's structured to keep the economic impact local.
Okayama Prefecture • Chugoku • Mountain / Rural North
Kagamino is one of those towns where the money matches the real pain points of akiya: reno costs and the dreaded "house full of stuff" problem. The 2/3 migrant track is simple and strong, and the cleanup cap is perfect for the first-week reality of empty houses.
Miyazaki Prefecture • Kyushu • Inland Agricultural Valley
Kijo is doing a "full funnel" relocation strategy: make it cheap to visit first, then reward families and long-term settlement with a menu of incentives. The trial-visit support is especially practical because it covers lodging, car rental, and even onsen coupons.
Shimane Prefecture • Chugoku • Mountain-Basin Traditional Town
Tsuwano is a clean "stack story": national-style relocation support (if eligible) plus local, family-targeted moving reimbursement - and even a quirky cable-TV subsidy that sounds random enough to stop scrolling. It's not just "move here," it's "we'll literally reimburse the move and help you settle into daily life."
Japan's fiscal year runs April 1 to March 31. Most program budgets refresh in April, but can exhaust mid-year. Plan accordingly.
BUDGETS CAN CLOSE EARLY
Popular programs often exhaust their annual budget by summer or fall. Don't assume money will be available just because the fiscal year hasn't ended. Apply early in the fiscal year (April-June) for best chances.
| When | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NOW - Mar 2026 | Research & prepare documents | Best preparation window |
| Apr 2026 | FY2026 budgets refresh | ★ BEST TIME TO APPLY |
| Apr - Jun 2026 | Submit applications | Highest approval chances |
| Jul - Sep 2026 | Budgets may be depleted | Check availability first |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Tsuruoka FY deadline | Known specific deadline |
| Oct - Mar 2027 | Plan for next FY if needed | Budgets may be exhausted |
Use these templates when contacting municipalities. Having both English and Japanese versions increases your chances of a helpful response.
Key terms you'll encounter when navigating Japanese municipality websites and applications. Knowing these helps even if you're using translation tools.
Migration/relocation - the general term for moving to a new area
Settlement/permanent residence - emphasis on staying long-term
Support money/grant - the actual cash payment
Subsidy - often used for housing/renovation grants
Empty/abandoned house - key term for house-hunting
Renovation/repair - for housing improvement grants
Application - the act of applying for something
Requirements/conditions - eligibility criteria
Move-in notification - required registration at city hall
Resident record - official proof of address
Residence card - your ID as a foreign resident
Household - important for family grant calculations
Single person - for individual grant amounts
Repayment/return - for clawback provisions
Check your visa type against the compatibility chart. If you're not PR/spouse/long-term, contact specific municipalities to confirm eligibility before planning.
Use the comparison table to narrow down 2-3 towns that match your situation. Consider: budget needs, family status, English support level, commitment length.
Use the inquiry templates to reach out. Ask all 7 questions. Get repayment terms in writing.
Start collecting required documents now. Some (like juminhyo) can only be obtained after moving, but prepare everything else in advance.
Aim for April-June when FY budgets are fresh. Don't wait until fall. Budgets may be exhausted.
Submit applications, keep copies of everything, and follow up if you don't hear back within 2-3 weeks.
Take the free Japan Fit Assessment to find your ideal match based on climate, lifestyle preferences, and goals.
Settle Japan helps with visa strategy, town matching, property search, and the logistics of actually getting there. Start with a free eligibility check.
Browse homes, akiya, and land listings in English on ManekiHomes — the easiest way to search Japanese real estate as a foreigner.
Questions? DM me on Instagram: @johnofjapan
Guide updated December 2025. Always verify current details with municipalities.
I'm just a guy who loves Japan and believes in ethical migration. I put this guide together by scouring free, publicly available resources to make it a little easier for people exploring these opportunities. I've done my best to curate accurate and helpful information, but program details, amounts, and eligibility requirements can change. Always double-check directly with official prefecture or municipal sources before making any decisions. This guide is meant to be a helpful starting point, not legal, financial, or immigration advice.
Ready to plan the full move?
The Playbook covers visas, housing, banking, healthcare, and everything else — step by step.
Get the Japan Jumpstart Playbook — $9.99Or, if you'd rather have someone guide you through it — get relocation help.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Grant programs, amounts, and eligibility requirements change — always verify details on official municipal and prefectural websites.