Is Rural Relocation Not as Easy as It Seems? Real Preparation and Mindset from Experience

An increasing number of people dream of leaving the hustle and bustle of city life to live in nature-rich rural areas. According to a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications survey, interest in rural relocation is particularly growing among young people in their 20s and 30s, with the spread of teleworking serving as a tailwind. However, among those who have actually relocated, many feel "this wasn't what I expected." This article, based on experience as a relocation advisor involved in consultation for hundreds of relocating families, provides concrete preparation and mindset needed to achieve ideal relocation.

First, Experience Reality Through "Trial Relocation"

What greatly affects the success rate of relocation is prior "trial experience." The impression when visiting as a tourist greatly differs from the sensation of actually living there. Many local governments offer trial housing systems for 1 week to 1 month, where you can experience actual living for about 10,000-30,000 yen per month. During this period, please make sure to check the distance to the nearest supermarket, access to hospitals, winter climate and heating costs, and mobile phone signal conditions. The harshness of winter in particular is difficult to imagine when visiting during summer. For those considering relocation to snowy regions, I strongly recommend visiting at least once during winter. Also, by actively interacting with local people during the trial period, you can feel the atmosphere of the regional community firsthand. Since human relationships after relocation greatly affect quality of life, please pay special attention to this point.

Make Realistic Plans for Work and Income

The biggest anxiety about relocation concerns income. Average salaries in rural areas tend to be 20-30% lower compared to urban areas, with different salary levels even for the same occupation. On the other hand, rent can often be kept to one-third to half of urban levels, with detached houses available for rent at 40,000-70,000 yen per month in many regions. Those with telework-capable jobs can relocate while maintaining their income, but for those seeking new jobs locally, it's safe to save 6 months to 1 year's worth of living expenses. For those considering career changes to agriculture or fishing, utilize local government farming support systems. Some systems provide subsidies of 150,000-200,000 yen per month during training periods. Recently, demand for IT-related work and freelancing has increased even in rural areas, with local governments rapidly increasing the establishment of coworking spaces for relocators. The image of "no jobs available" is a thing of the past. However, it's true that options are limited, so establishing a concrete income plan before relocation is important.

Confirm Child-Rearing Environment and Educational Circumstances

For families with children, the educational environment is the most important point in choosing a relocation destination. While rural schools offer small class sizes with attentive individual guidance, there are also challenges such as limited extracurricular activity options and longer commuting distances for high school enrollment. Elementary schools with only a few dozen students across all grades are not uncommon in rural areas, and whether this is seen as an advantage or disadvantage depends on the family's educational philosophy. On the other hand, many regions have abundant nature-based educational programs, providing environments that nurture "life skills" unavailable in cities. In terms of medical care, some regions have limited pediatric services, so be sure to confirm the distance to the nearest general hospital. The extent of child-rearing support varies greatly by local government, with an increasing number implementing unique support measures such as free childcare, birth celebration money (100,000-1 million yen), and school lunch subsidies. SOROU's regional pages also introduce child-rearing related spots, so please use them as reference.

How to Deal with Regional Communities

What creates the most gap after relocation is regional human relationships. While in cities it's normal to have relationships limited to greeting neighbors, in rural areas there may be implicit expectations for participation in neighborhood associations, cooperation in local festivals and cleaning activities. Whether this feels "troublesome" or "warm" varies by person, but showing willingness to integrate into the community is the first step in building good relationships. Specifically, just by making moving-in greetings, actively participating in local events, and shopping at local stores, the speed of acceptance changes dramatically. Communities of fellow relocators also become important emotional support. Relocator exchange meetings are regularly held in many regions, and finding companions who can share the same experiences can greatly reduce post-relocation loneliness. It's important not to rush but to build relationships over time.

Make Maximum Use of Subsidies and Support Systems

National and local government relocation support systems are becoming more comprehensive each year, and with proper utilization, the economic burden of relocation can be greatly reduced. "Relocation support funds" for relocators from the Tokyo metropolitan area to rural areas provide up to 1 million yen (for households). Additionally, combining local government housing acquisition subsidies (up to about 2 million yen), renovation subsidies (up to 500,000-1 million yen), and moving expense subsidies can cover most initial costs in some cases. Applications have requirements such as residency records and employment conditions, so check with relocation consultation offices beforehand. Almost all prefectures have "Furusato Return Support Centers" and online consultation offices where you can receive free consultations. Relocation fairs and online seminars are also frequently held, so I recommend them as a first step in information gathering.

Rural relocation is a decision that greatly changes your life. That's precisely why sufficient preparation and information gathering are essential. SOROU continuously updates information about living in various parts of Japan. You'll surely find a place where you'd "like to live." First, take a look at the pages of regions that interest you. SOROU supports your first step toward your ideal lifestyle.