Least Dense in Japan

Top 100 cities ranked by least dense

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Japan

Least Dense — Japan

1 Matsumae 12 3/mi²

2 Haboro 12 4/mi²

3 Ryōtsu-minato 29 4/mi²

4 Miyanoura 18 5/mi²

5 Rausu 12 5/mi²

6 Fukuechō 27 5/mi²

7 Niikappu 12 6/mi²

8 Monbetsu-honchō 12 7/mi²

9 Gotō 27 7/mi²

10 Taiki 12 7/mi²

11 Setana 12 7/mi²

12 Honmachi 12 8/mi²

13 Seisui 18 8/mi²

14 Esashi 12 8/mi²

15 Hachijō 40 8/mi²

16 Koseda 18 8/mi²

17 Nakanokami 18 9/mi²

18 Akaren 18 9/mi²

19 Ōshima 40 9/mi²

20 Chabana 18 9/mi²

21 Ushibukamachi 21 10/mi²

22 Biratori 12 10/mi²

23 Minamisatsuma 18 10/mi²

24 Hamanaka-sakuraminami 12 10/mi²

25 China 18 10/mi²

26 Sarugamori 03 10/mi²

27 Ashoro 12 10/mi²

28 Kanbara 37 10/mi²

29 Mukawa 12 11/mi²

30 Iwaizumi 16 12/mi²

31 Nejime-kawaminan 18 12/mi²

32 Nishida 36 13/mi²

33 Kamikawa 12 13/mi²

34 Sado 29 14/mi²

35 Isen 18 14/mi²

36 Asahi 06 14/mi²

37 Wadomari 18 15/mi²

38 Hiwasaura 39 15/mi²

39 Hiroo 12 15/mi²

40 Tsushima 27 15/mi²

41 Shintoku 12 15/mi²

42 Yakumo 12 16/mi²

43 Ikatagoshi 05 17/mi²

44 Shibecha 12 17/mi²

45 Honchō 12 18/mi²

46 Tokuwase 18 18/mi²

47 Minato 37 18/mi²

48 Imagane 12 19/mi²

49 Tomoura 39 19/mi²

50 Kamigotō 27 19/mi²

51 Tosashimizu 20 19/mi²

52 Amagi 18 20/mi²

53 Ōta 16 20/mi²

54 Kamiyūbetsu Tonden Shigaichi 12 20/mi²

55 Iizakamachi 08 20/mi²

56 Tsugawa 29 20/mi²

57 Nagawa 26 21/mi²

58 Shizunai-furukawachō 12 22/mi²

59 Oshamambe 12 22/mi²

60 Toi 37 22/mi²

61 Hirara 47 23/mi²

62 Kawaguchi 39 23/mi²

63 Hondomachi-hondo 21 24/mi²

64 Irino 20 24/mi²

65 Tsurugi-asahimachi 15 24/mi²

66 Yatsuomachi-higashikumisaka 42 24/mi²

67 Suga-inadazutsumi 19 24/mi²

68 Kaminokuni 12 24/mi²

69 Sawara 23 25/mi²

70 Yūbari 12 25/mi²

71 Teshikaga 12 26/mi²

72 Higashiemi 04 26/mi²

73 Nōkan 18 26/mi²

74 Ogunimachi 44 26/mi²

75 Kikusuichō 12 26/mi²

76 Ogōri-shimogō 45 26/mi²

77 Shikaoi 12 26/mi²

78 Yoshino 20 27/mi²

79 Shiranuka 12 27/mi²

80 Tanokuchi 37 27/mi²

81 Makubetsu 12 27/mi²

82 Kuma 05 27/mi²

83 Kuzumaki 16 28/mi²

84 Tochio-honchō 29 28/mi²

85 Koshi 42 29/mi²

86 Minamiise 23 29/mi²

87 Matsubara 44 29/mi²

88 Hongō 06 30/mi²

89 Obuchi 03 30/mi²

90 Nemuro 12 31/mi²

91 Shirahamachō-usazakiminami 13 31/mi²

92 Akkeshi 12 31/mi²

93 Minamishibetsuchō 12 32/mi²

94 Ajigasawa 03 32/mi²

95 Higashimorichō 12 32/mi²

96 Yagoshima 08 32/mi²

97 Kawage 23 32/mi²

98 Kihoku 23 33/mi²

99 Ushitsu 15 33/mi²

100 Minehama-menagata 02 33/mi²

The least densely populated cities in Japan offer spacious living with more land per resident. Matsumae has just 3 people per square mile. These cities provide room to spread out with larger lot sizes and more open space.

Low-density cities typically feature more single-family homes with larger yards, easier parking, and less traffic congestion. They appeal to families seeking space, privacy, and access to nature without moving to a fully rural area.

While the spread-out nature of these cities means longer drives to amenities and greater reliance on personal vehicles, many residents value the trade-off for quieter neighborhoods and a more relaxed pace of life.

Did You Know?

1. In Matsumae, there are only 3 people per square mile — each resident has roughly 8,034,121 square feet of city space.
2. Low-density cities often have significantly lower housing costs due to more available land for development.
3. Many of the least dense cities are located in the western United States, where vast open spaces define the landscape.

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