Kumamoto
熊本県
At a Glance
Higher cost area, driven by agriculture & manufacturing (semiconductors), growing expat presence.
Estimated Monthly Cost of Living
¥398,916
≈ $2,659 USD / month
Budget
¥279,241
Minimal spending, shared housing, cooking at home
Moderate
¥398,916
Average lifestyle, own apartment, occasional dining
Comfortable
¥558,482
Spacious flat, dining out often, leisure activities
Monthly Spending Breakdown
Price Details
Individual item prices in Kumamoto, sourced from e-Stat government data. Prices are in JPY.
Other(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Total Consumption Expenditure | ¥357,695 |
| Other Consumption Expenditure | ¥66,042 |
| Furniture & Household Utensils | ¥14,097 |
Food & Groceries(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Food | ¥109,632 |
| Rice (Koshihikari) | ¥4,965 |
| Food (average) | ¥4,947 |
Transportation(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Transportation & Communication | ¥51,546 |
Entertainment(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Culture & Recreation | ¥31,402 |
Housing & Rent(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Housing | ¥24,955 |
Utilities(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fuel, Light & Water Charges | ¥21,208 |
Healthcare(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | ¥21,110 |
Clothing(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Clothing & Footwear | ¥13,556 |
Education(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Education | ¥4,146 |
Foreign Community in Kumamoto
Top Nationalities
Source: Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) end-of-2023 statistics. A larger foreign community often means more multilingual services, international shops, and established support networks for newcomers.
Lifestyle Profile
Top Industries
Local Specialties
Lifestyle
Events & Festivals
Kumamoto Castle Festival
Cherry blossom viewing and samurai performances at the castle
Hinokuni Matsuri
Dance festival with Kumamon mascot appearances
Digital Nomad Score
Based on coworking availability, internet speed, and cafe culture.
Entrepreneur Score
Based on startup ecosystem, business support, and market access.
Outdoor & Activities
Climate
Warm Pacific climate. Hot, humid summers. Mild winters on the coast. Aso highlands are cooler.
Foreign Community
Future Events & Business Opportunities
Investment Highlight
Kumamoto is experiencing Japan's biggest economic transformation with TSMC's ¥2.6T semiconductor investment. The 'Silicon Island' effect is creating thousands of jobs, driving housing demand, and attracting a global supply chain ecosystem.
TSMC Second Fab — Advanced 3nm Chips
BusinessHigh ImpactTSMC's second factory in Kumamoto will produce cutting-edge 3-nanometer AI semiconductors, with ~¥2.6T total investment. The first fab began mass production in late 2024. Total semiconductor investment in Kyushu has reached ~¥5T, transforming the region into 'Silicon Island.'
Business Opportunity
Explosive demand for housing, international schools, restaurants, and services as thousands of engineers (including from Taiwan) relocate. Chemical suppliers, equipment makers, and logistics companies are establishing local operations.
Infrastructure Projects
- TSMC Fab 1 (operational) and Fab 2 (under construction)
- Kumamoto Airport terminal renovation and expansion
- New housing developments around Kikuyo/Ozu area
- Road infrastructure improvements for TSMC traffic
Special Economic Zones & Hubs
- Kyushu Silicon Island semiconductor cluster
Economic & Investment Profile
TSMC semiconductor fab driving explosive growth; land prices surging near Kikuyo; Japan's hottest investment area.
Economic Overview
GDP
¥6.4T
+2.5% YoY
GDP per Capita
¥3.7M
Avg. Income
295万円
≈ ¥2,950,000/yr
Unemployment
2.5%
Below national avg
Startup Rate
3.8%
Below average
Real Estate Market
Avg. Rent (1K)
¥35,000
/month
Avg. Rent (2LDK)
¥55,000
/month
Land Price Trend
+5.0%
YoY change
Vacant House Rate
13.0%
Below national avg (13.6%)
Demographics
Population Trend
→ Stable
-0.3% YoY
Foreign Residents
21,000
+18.0% growth
Top Nationalities
Key Metrics at a Glance
| GDP | ¥6.4T |
| GDP Growth | +2.5% |
| Average Income | 295\u4E07\u5186 |
| Land Price Change | +5.0% |
| Vacant Houses | 13.0% |
| Foreign Residents | 21,000 |
| Startup Rate | 3.8% |
Sources: Cabinet Office (GDP), Ministry of Internal Affairs (population), Immigration Services Agency (foreign residents), MLIT (land prices, housing survey), National Tax Agency (income). Data from 2022-2024 publications.
Find an Apartment in Kumamoto
Search English-friendly property sites with listings in Kumamoto.
Real Estate Japan
Comprehensive English-language property listings with prefecture-level filtering. Search rentals, share houses, and furnished apartments.
GaijinPot Apartments
Japan's largest foreigner-friendly apartment search. All listed properties welcome foreign tenants, with bilingual agent support.
Akiya Japan (Vacant Houses)
Browse affordable akiya (vacant/abandoned houses) across Japan. Prices start from under 1 million yen in rural areas.
External links — these sites are operated independently. JapanCost is not responsible for their content or listings.
Cities & Municipalities (0)
No city data available for this prefecture yet. Data coming soon.
Also Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Kumamoto?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Kumamoto for a single person is approximately ¥398,916 (≈ $2,659 USD). This includes rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other daily expenses based on government survey data.
What are specific item prices in Kumamoto?
The Price Details section below shows individual item prices in Kumamoto, grouped by category (food, housing, utilities, etc.). You can see exactly how much everyday items like rice, eggs, milk, and transit passes cost, sourced directly from Japan's e-Stat government data.
Is Kumamoto expensive compared to other prefectures?
Kumamoto is approximately 4% more expensive than the national average.