Will Japan Pay You to Move There? The Complete Guide to Rural Relocation Subsidies
The Japanese government offers families up to ¥3,000,000 (roughly $20,000 USD) to leave major cities and relocate to rural areas struggling with population decline.
The program is called the Regional Revitalization Migration Support Grant (地方創生移住支援事業, chiho sosei iju shien jigyo) and it is active, funded, and expanding every year.
But the subsidies come with residency commitments, employment conditions, and location restrictions.
This guide breaks down who qualifies, how much you can get, and the fine print you need to understand before packing your bags.
Why is Japan paying people to move?
Walk through certain parts of rural Japan and you will pass rows of shuttered shops, overgrown gardens, and houses with no one inside. Schools that once held hundreds of children have closed. Hospitals have consolidated or disappeared. In some villages, the youngest resident is over 70.
This is the reality behind Japan's population crisis.
The country recorded just 705,809 births in 2025, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. That was the tenth consecutive year of record lows and the fewest births since records began in 1899.
By 2070, experts project the population will fall from 124 million to just 87 million.
The problem is not only that Japan's population is shrinking. It is where the remaining people choose to live.
Over 38% of the population is packed into three metro areas: Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
That leaves rural towns starved of working-age residents, tax revenue, and basic services.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs projects that nearly half of Japan's 1,700+ municipalities could become functionally extinct by 2040.
The Japanese government's response is the Regional Revitalization Program, a national effort to breathe life into these smaller communities by giving people a financial reason to leave the big cities.
Local governments across 44 of Japan's 47 prefectures now participate, offering cash incentives, subsidized housing, and job placement support to attract new residents. The logic is simple: if rural towns cannot grow their populations organically, they will pay to import them.
How much money can you get?
The national relocation grant is the foundation of Japan's financial incentives for movers.
Here is how it breaks down:
For individuals moving alone: Up to ¥600,000 (approximately $4,000 USD).
For households: Up to ¥1,000,000 (approximately $6,700 USD) as a base grant, plus an additional ¥1,000,000 per child under 18. The per-child amount was tripled from ¥300,000 in April 2023, making this significantly more generous for young families.
For entrepreneurs launching businesses: An additional ¥2,000,000 entrepreneurship grant is available for starting a business that addresses a regional need, such as tourism, agriculture, IT services, or community support.
Note: All grants are taxable income, so expect the after-tax value to be roughly 25% lower depending on your income bracket.
Local government top-ups
Many municipalities add their own incentives, housing subsidies, and child-rearing bonuses that stack with the national relocation grant.
Some of the most generous packages include:
Mikasa, Hokkaido: Free or near-free houses through the akiya (abandoned homes) bank, plus up to ¥2,000,000 in renovation grants. Houses in Mikasa have been listed for as little as ¥0 to ¥500,000.
Kamiyama, Tokushima: Relocation grants of ¥1,200,000 or more, plus access to coworking spaces and a strong remote-work community. This town has become famous as a "creative village" hosting satellite offices for Tokyo tech firms, with fiber-optic internet speeds that surpass central Tokyo.
Shimanto, Kochi: Up to ¥2,000,000 in renovation support and ¥300,000 per year in child-rearing assistance. The town sits along what locals call Japan's last clear river.
Akita Prefecture: Some villages offer ¥1,000,000 to ¥5,000,000 in renovation subsidies plus free land plots. Akita has Japan's fastest rate of population loss, and the financial rewards reflect the urgency.
When you combine national and local programs, total incentive packages in some towns reach ¥5,000,000 to ¥10,000,000 or more.
What is the eligibility requirements for Japan's relocation grants?
The national program was designed for people already living in Japan's Greater Tokyo Area, not for people living overseas.
The eligibility requirements are specific:
Residency history: You must have lived in the Tokyo 23 wards, or commuted to the 23 wards from the surrounding Greater Tokyo Area (parts of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa), for at least five consecutive years within the past ten years. You must also have lived or commuted there for at least one continuous year immediately before your move. University students who commuted to Tokyo for studies can count those years.
Employment condition: You must continue working for a Tokyo-based employer via remote work, find employment through the prefecture's official job-matching portal, start a business in the destination area, or transfer to a local branch of your current employer. Jobs found through general job boards do not count.
Commitment period: You must live in the designated municipality for at least five years. Leave early, and you must return part or all of the subsidy (more on repayment terms below).
Application timing: Apply within three months of moving, though some municipalities extend this window to one year.
Can foreigners apply for relocation incentives in Japan?
Nothing in the national program restricts participation by nationality.
A foreign national who meets the Tokyo-area residency requirements and holds an appropriate visa qualifies on the same terms as a Japanese citizen.
Eligible visa categories include permanent residency (PR), spouse or child of a Japanese national, long-term resident visa, Specified Skilled Worker visa, and the Entrepreneur/Business Manager visa.
Standard work visas may not qualify, so confirm with your target municipality.
Although Japan does not place restrictions on nationalities, there are a few practical barriers worth noting.
Applications and municipal correspondence are almost entirely in Japanese. Language skills matter enormously in rural areas where few residents speak English. Additionally, banking products like renovation loans are harder to access without permanent residency.
For foreigners not yet living in Japan, this program is not a direct path to immigration.
You would first need to obtain a valid visa and establish residency in the Tokyo area.
Japan's separate programs for skilled workers, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs may offer alternative entry points.
What about Japan's abandoned houses?
Japan has an estimated 9 million abandoned homes, known as akiya.
Many rural towns now operate akiya banks: municipal databases of vacant properties available at deeply discounted prices or sometimes for free. These programs exist alongside the relocation subsidies and can be combined.
Here is a realistic scenario for families moving to rural Japan:
Buy an akiya through a municipal bank for ¥500,000 to ¥3,000,000
Receive the national relocation grant of up to ¥3,000,000
Stack a municipal renovation subsidy of ¥1,000,000 to ¥5,000,000
Add child-rearing bonuses of ¥100,000 to ¥500,000 per child.
In practice, subsidies typically cover the purchase price and 30% to 50% of renovation costs, bringing total out-of-pocket spending to roughly $20,000 to $55,000 USD for a habitable rural home. By international standards, that is extraordinary value.
How does Japan compare to other countries that pay you to move?
Japan is not alone in offering relocation incentives. Several countries pay people to relocate as a strategy to fight declining populations and revitalize struggling regions.
Italy
Italy is one of the best countries for relocation incentives in Europe. The Trentino region offers up to €100,000 (approximately $107,500) to buy and renovate a home in one of 33 selected mountain villages, with a ten-year residency commitment. Towns like Candela offer smaller grants of €800 to €2,000 for settling in small villages with declining populations. Several Italian towns also sell abandoned homes for as little as €1, though renovation budgets of €15,000 to €50,000 are typically required.
Ireland
Ireland's Our Living Islands program offers cash grants of up to €84,000 to individuals willing to buy and renovate vacant homes on one of 30 offshore islands. The program targets communities with a total population of just 3,000 people. Applicants need Irish residency to claim the grant.
Switzerland
The mountain village of Albinen in Valais pays each adult 25,000 Swiss Francs (approximately $28,000) and each child 10,000 Swiss Francs ($11,000) to move there. The catch: you must be a Swiss resident, under 45, commit to staying for at least ten years, and live in a house worth at least 200,000 Swiss Francs.
Chile
Start-Up Chile provides equity free funding of up to $80,000 to entrepreneurs launching businesses in Santiago. The program includes a one year visa and has three funding tiers: Build, Ignite, and Growth. Unlike most programs on this list, Chile actively recruits international entrepreneurs regardless of prior residency.
Greece
A Greek island relocation program targets young families willing to move to underpopulated islands. Participants receive a monthly stipend plus subsidized housing and access to local services. The program focuses on islands with stunning beaches and rich history but severe population challenges.
United States
Several U.S. states and cities offer incentives to remote workers willing to relocate. Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend pays residents an annual share of mineral revenues. Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers $10,000 plus additional housing support to remote workers who commit to at least one year of residency.
What makes Japan different?
Japan stands out for scale. Over 1,300 municipalities participate across nearly every prefecture.
The subsidies are stackable with local grants, housing programs, and business incentives. And unlike many other countries where programs are small-scale or temporary, Japan's Regional Revitalization Program is a central government priority with long-term funding.
The tradeoff is that Japan requires you to already be a resident.
Countries like Chile offer more accessible pathways for people moving from abroad. But for anyone already living in Japan, the financial assistance available for rural relocation is among the most generous in the world.
How to apply for Japan's relocation grants: Step by step
Step 1: Research participating municipalities.
Each prefecture publishes a list of eligible towns, and the list changes annually. Not every rural area is included. Start by identifying regions that match your lifestyle and career needs.
Step 2: Contact the local migration support office.
Each participating municipality has a migration support desk (移住支援, ijuu shien). This office can explain available grants, housing options, and employment programs. Most communication will be in Japanese.
Step 3: Confirm your eligibility and get repayment terms in writing.
Verify your residency history, employment plan, and visa status. Ask about the specific clawback rules for early departure so there are no surprises later.
Step 4: Relocate and register your new address.
Move to the municipality and officially register your change of address at the local ward office.
Step 5: Submit your application.
Required documents usually include proof of previous Tokyo-area residency, employment verification, identification, and your My Number Card (Japan's national ID). Outstanding municipal tax debts can disqualify you, so clear those first.
Step 6: Wait for approval.
Processing times vary. Once approved, funds are disbursed directly to your bank account.
What happens if you move away?
The relocation grant comes with a few strings attached.
Repayment rules if you leave early
If you leave your designated municipality before the five-year commitment ends, you owe money back. The exact terms vary by town. In Tochigi City, for example, leaving within three years triggers full repayment, while leaving between years four and five requires repayment of half. Other municipalities enforce full repayment for any departure before five years with no proration. Repayment is also triggered by fraudulent applications.
Municipal budgets run out
Each municipality has a limited annual allocation. Popular destinations like parts of Nagano and Hokkaido can exhaust their budgets by summer. Japan's fiscal year starts on April 1, so the best window to apply is April through June.
Local grants have their own rules
If you stack municipal incentives on top of the national grant, each program carries its own conditions. Renovation subsidies may require you to use a local contractor. Akiya bank purchases may require the property to be your primary residence. Child-rearing bonuses may require the child to attend local schools. Qualifying for one grant does not guarantee you qualify for another. Read every set of terms independently.
Practical tips for managing your move
Once you have secured your relocation grant and chosen a municipality, the logistics of settling in require planning.
Mail and documents: Managing Japanese-language correspondence is a common pain point, especially if you travel or manage property remotely. Services like MailMate provide a virtual mailbox that scans, translates, and digitizes your Japanese mail so you can handle everything from anywhere.
International shipping: Moving your belongings to rural Japan is more affordable than you might expect. International shipping companies offer door-to-door services to most prefectures.
Banking: Opening a Japanese bank account requires residency status and a registered address. Rural branches of Japan Post Bank (Yucho) tend to be more accommodating to new residents than major commercial banks.
Healthcare: Japan's national health insurance system covers residents regardless of nationality. Enrolling at your local ward office is mandatory and provides access to affordable medical care, though finding English-speaking doctors in rural areas can be difficult.
Tax obligations: Consult with a local tax advisor, particularly if you earn income from overseas. Japan taxes worldwide income for residents. Remember that your relocation grant is also taxable.
Is it worth moving to rural Japan for the money?
If your primary motivation is collecting a check and leaving after the minimum commitment period, the numbers probably do not add up once you factor in the cost and disruption of relocating.
But if you are genuinely drawn to a new life in a country with rich history, stunning landscapes, and a culture that values community, the financial incentives tip the scales considerably.
For young families looking for affordable housing, entrepreneurs launching businesses that serve local needs, and remote workers who want a slower pace without sacrificing connectivity, rural Japan is a genuinely compelling option.
The money is real. The programs are funded. And the towns offering cash incentives are doing so because they need you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Japan pay foreigners to move there?
Japan's relocation grants are available to foreign nationals who hold valid residency and meet the program's Tokyo-area requirements. The program does not offer grants to people applying from overseas. Foreigners with permanent residency or qualifying long-term visas are eligible on the same terms as Japanese citizens.
How much does Japan pay you to move to a rural area?
Individuals receive up to ¥600,000. Households receive up to ¥1,000,000 plus ¥1,000,000 per child under 18. Entrepreneurs can receive an additional ¥2,000,000 startup grant. Local incentives can push the total significantly higher. All grants are taxable.
Do you have to speak Japanese to participate?
There is no formal language requirement. However, applications and municipal communications are in Japanese, and daily life in rural areas requires functional Japanese. Investing in language skills before relocating is strongly recommended.
Can you get paid to move to Japan from another country?
Not directly through this program. Japan offers other immigration pathways, including the Specified Skilled Worker visa, the Startup Visa, and Working Holiday visas for younger applicants from eligible countries. Once you establish residency and meet the program conditions, you can apply for relocation subsidies.
What happens if you leave before the five-year commitment?
You must repay part or all of the grant. Some municipalities require full repayment for any departure before five years. Others use a tiered system where leaving within three years triggers full repayment, while leaving between years four and five requires repayment of half. Get the specific terms in writing before you move.
Are Japan's abandoned homes really free?
Some akiya are listed for ¥0 through municipal akiya banks. However, free does not mean move-in ready. Most require significant renovation, which can cost ¥3,000,000 to ¥10,000,000 or more. Municipal renovation grants can offset 30% to 50% of these costs.
