Having assisted many international applicants in finding a rental in Nagata Ward, I highly recommend this area in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, as a hidden gem. With approximately 12% of its population coming from international backgrounds, this area boasts a vibrant, multicultural community. Discover what makes Nagata Ward so appealing, and use this guide to find your ideal home!
Why Choose Nagata Ward for Finding a Rental?
Many international residents live in Kobe City2, and Nagata Ward is home to people from various countries, particularly those from Asia, including Korea, Vietnam, China, and Nepal1. The ward is also known for its many ethnic restaurants and lively international community.
The district suffered significant damage during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. However, redevelopment and zoning efforts preserved its traditional downtown feel while creating a beautiful new streetscape.
With the sea to the south and hills to the north, Nagata offers a variety of natural scenery. Despite its hilly terrain, the area is well-connected by public transportation.
Manga artist Mitsuteru Yokoyama has strong ties to Nagata, making manga a central part of the area’s development. Near Shin-Nagata Station, you’ll find a large monument of Tetsujin 28 (Gigantor), a symbol of the ward. Tetsujin 28 can also be spotted in various places, such as on streetlights, arcades, at the local police box near the monument, and you might even find its footprints somewhere.
Accessibility in Nagata Ward for Finding a Rental
Nagata Ward is well-served by multiple railway lines such as JR-WEST San-yō Main Line(JR Kobe Line), Kobe Rapid Transit Railway, Kobe Municipal Subway, Sanyo Electric Railway, and Kobe Electric Railway. Kobe Municipal Buses also run throughout the area, providing convenient access. The ward is well connected to the Shinkansen and Kobe Airport, and there’s an expressway interchange nearby, making long-distance travel easy.
Shin-Nagata Station, the ward’s terminal station, is a key transportation hub, providing direct connections to major destinations like Sannomiya, Shin-Kobe, and Osaka via the JR Kobe Line and the Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line. As a vital sub-center of the city, the station is surrounded by ongoing development to accomodate for its high foot traffic3.
Characteristics of Nagata Ward for Finding a Rental
Nagata has a rich history of being home to a diverse range of residents, including Vietnamese refugees and Korean residents in Japan. One industry closely tied to the area’s identity is the chemical shoe industry, which continues to be a major economic driver. Today, many international workers, including those from Vietnam, are involved in this important sector.
Nagata Ward also stands out for its active international community, with several centers dedicated to fostering a multicultural environment, such as:
Kobe International Community Center(KICC)
KICC provides administrative services, lifestyle guidance, and a place for interaction to help international residents to live safely in Japan.
FUTABA International Center(FIC)
FIC is a community center established to complement KICC’s services, based on the concept of “to promote multicultural symbiotic society by cooperating with local communities”. Their activities include Japanese language classes, lifestyle guidance, international exchange activities, and human resource development.
Takatori Community Center（TCC）
Located within the Catholic Takatori Church, this center fosters local community engagement and cultural exchange.
Kobe Foreigners Friendship Center(KFC)
A non-profit organization that supports the independence and self-sufficiency of international residents, especially in Kobe.
Community Media FM YY
Originally created to share disaster information after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, FMYY now broadcasts life, regional, and administrative information through YouTube and other platforms in 10 languages including: Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, Portuguese, Spanish, Ainu, and English.
Multicultural garden(Japanese:多文化共生ガーデン)
Using a community support system4 by Kobe City, the local Vietnamese community cultivates vegetables such as cilantro, lemongrass, and water spinach in vacant lots.
Nagata Ward’s appeal is further enhanced by its creative and artistic energy. Projects like the Shitamachi Art Festival, which uses vacant houses, stores, and alleys as venues for contemporary art exhibitions and performances, help showcase the vibrant culture of the Shin-Nagata area.
Rent Market Prices in the Nagata Ward
| Floor Plan | Market Price5 | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1R | 51,200 yen | A studio layout with a combined kitchen and living area. |
| 1K | 49,300 yen | A layout featuring a separate kitchen (K) and living area. |
| 1LDK | 67,100 yen | Includes a living room (L) and an LDK (living room, dining room, and kitchen) of over 8 tatami mats (~12.96 m2). |
| 2LDK | 80,800 yen | Includes two additional rooms along with a combined living (L), dining (D), and kitchen (K) area. |
| 3LDK | 105,100 yen | Features three rooms along with a combined living (L), dining (D), and kitchen (K) area. |
Places of Interest in Nagata for Finding a Rental
Around JR Shin-Nagata Station, you’ll find the Shin-Nagata Ichibangai Shopping Street and the Tokyu Plaza shopping center. The ward retains its traditional shopping street culture, offering a glimpse of its downtown atmosphere.
Notable shopping streets include:
- Honmachi-suji Shopping Street：A shopping street with a retro Showa-era vibe in the eastern part of Shin-Nagata, Kobe.
- Taisho Shopping Street：A historical shopping street dating back to 1918, located south of Shin-Nagata Station.
The southern side of the station is undergoing rapid urban redevelopment6, with efforts to create a disaster prevention base, improve barrier-free access, and develop high-rise buildings with commercial facilities, hotels, and residences.
Nagata Ward is also a haven for food lovers. From Vietnamese to Korean cuisine, you can enjoy affordable and delicious meals. During a recent visit with a prospective tenant, I had a satisfying lunch for only ¥1,000. There are also shops that sell hard-to-find spices, perfect for those who enjoy cooking at home.
Editor’s Note
Living in a community with a strong international presence can make adjusting to life in Japan smoother. However, even in a diverse community like Nagata, it’s essential to note that the Japanese real estate industry has unique practices, and proficiency in Japanese can be essential.
If you encounter any difficulties finding a place to live in Japan, please contact SUGEE Housing. Our company specializes in assisting international residents and has extensive knowledge and experience in finding housing. We offer comprehensive support, including housing search, procedural assistance, and language support tailored to your needs.
References
1 Kobe City Website「人口・人口動態データ集」, 2024年08月調査
*The percentage of foreigners in Nagata Ward is rounded off.
2 在留外国人統計（旧登録外国人統計）（法務省）, 2023年12月調査
3 データで見るJR西日本2024, 西日本旅客鉄道株式会社,駅, 上位50駅の乗車人員（2023年度1日平均）
4 Kobe City Website (
https://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/a94208/kurashi/sumai/jutaku/information/chiikiriyo.html)（Date accessed:2024-10-11）
5 LIFULL HOME’S（https://www.homes.co.jp/）（Date accessed:2024-10-11）
6 Kobe City Website （https://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/a13150/shise/kekaku/jutakutoshikyoku/redevelop/kobe-kh/susume/nagata/index.html）（Date accessed:2024-10-11）
- Kobe City Website（https://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/index.html）
- 貫名, 隆洋, “ベトナム人の定住化と「長田」の変容 : マルチスケールの観点から”, 空間・社会・地理思想. 25 巻, p.17-43, Osaka City University
