Have you heard that "if you move to a regional area, you can get 100万円"? This refers to the national relocation support grant (the regional-revitalization relocation support program). If you move from Tokyo's 23 wards to a regional area and meet the conditions, you can receive up to 100万円 per household plus up to 100万円 for each child under 18. But the system runs deep: many major cities (government-designated cities) are not covered, the amount varies greatly with each local government's add-ons, and once you receive it, it is taxed as "occasional income." This article organizes, with sources, the coverage status of all 47 prefectures (covering more than 1,700 municipalities nationwide), the details of the 20 government-designated cities, the tax treatment, and how to look up the exact amount.
(1) The national relocation support grant is 100万円 per household / 60万円 for a single person, plus up to 100万円 for each child under 18 (operated by prefectures + municipalities)[Cabinet Secretariat].
(2) The main requirements are: living in Tokyo's 23 wards immediately before moving (5 years or more in total), or commuting to the 23 wards from the Tokyo area; and working, continuing telework, starting a business, etc. at the destination; and having the intention to settle for 5 years or more.
(3) Many government-designated cities are "not covered." The five cities in the Tokyo area (Yokohama, Kawasaki, Saitama, Chiba, Sagamihara) are on the origin side, and the major urban areas in regional areas are often excluded from the national program.
(4) People starting a business can combine it with the startup support grant (up to 200万円) for a total of up to 300万円.
(5) The relocation support grant is taxable as "occasional income." With 100万円 per household plus the child add-on, it exceeds the 50万円 special deduction, and a tax return may be required[National Tax Agency].
(6) If you move away or leave your job within 5 years, repayment is required.
The national relocation support grant (the nationwide common framework)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Payment amount | 100万円 per household / 60万円 for a single person + up to 100万円 for each child under 18 (the child add-on was expanded from 30万円 to 100万円 in fiscal 2024)[Cabinet Secretariat] |
| Origin requirement | Living in Tokyo's 23 wards for 5 years or more in total during the 10 years immediately before moving, and for the 1 year immediately before (or living in the Tokyo area 〈Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama〉 outside the condition-disadvantaged areas and commuting to the 23 wards) |
| Destination requirement | Moving to a municipality designated by the prefecture outside the Tokyo area (or in a condition-disadvantaged area of the Tokyo area), with the intention to live there for 5 years or more |
| Employment etc. requirement | Getting a job at a company listed on the prefecture's matching site / continuing your previous job via telework / being a specialist / starting a business (with a grant decision for the startup support grant) / being a related population, etc. |
| Combining with a startup | Combined with the regional-revitalization startup support grant (up to 200万円) for a total of up to 300万円 |
| Where and when to apply | The destination municipality (with deadlines such as within 3 months to 1 year after moving). May end partway through the fiscal year at the budget cap |
In other words, "100万円" is the national baseline amount common to participating local governments, and each local government and prefecture adds its own top-ups on top (child-rearing, housing, use of vacant houses, etc.). That is why "how much you get" varies greatly depending on your destination.
Coverage status of the 47 prefectures (nationwide summary)
The relocation support grant is run by each prefecture. The baseline amounts (100万円 per household + up to 100万円 for each child under 18) are common nationwide; what changes is the "range of covered municipalities" and the "prefecture's and municipality's own add-ons." First check which category your origin and destination fall into in the table below, then check the confirmed amount on each prefecture's official portal.
| Prefecture | Category | National relocation support grant (coverage as a destination) |
|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Aomori | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Iwate | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Miyagi | Regional | Covered (check the treatment of Sendai City, etc.) |
| Akita | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Yamagata | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Fukushima | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Ibaraki | Regional | Covered (outside the Tokyo area; many municipalities are covered) |
| Tochigi | Regional | Covered (outside the Tokyo area; many municipalities are covered) |
| Gunma | Regional | Covered (outside the Tokyo area; many municipalities are covered) |
| Saitama | Tokyo area | In principle not covered (origin). Only part of the condition-disadvantaged areas is covered |
| Chiba | Tokyo area | In principle not covered (origin). Only part of the condition-disadvantaged areas is covered |
| Tokyo | The core of the origin | The 23 wards are the origin. Condition-disadvantaged areas such as Hinohara Village, Okutama Town, and the remote islands are covered as destinations |
| Kanagawa | Tokyo area | In principle not covered (origin). Only part of the condition-disadvantaged areas is covered |
| Niigata | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Toyama | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Ishikawa | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Fukui | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Yamanashi | Regional | Covered (outside the Tokyo area; many municipalities are covered) |
| Nagano | Regional | Covered (a popular relocation prefecture; many municipalities are covered) |
| Gifu | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Shizuoka | Regional | Covered (the government-designated cities of Shizuoka City and Hamamatsu City are not covered) |
| Aichi | Regional | Covered (major urban areas such as Nagoya City are often not covered) |
| Mie | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Shiga | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Kyoto | Regional | Covered (major urban areas such as Kyoto City are often not covered) |
| Osaka | Regional | Covered (major urban areas such as Osaka City and Sakai City are often not covered) |
| Hyogo | Regional | Covered (check the treatment of Kobe City, etc.) |
| Nara | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Wakayama | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Tottori | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Shimane | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Okayama | Regional | Covered (check the treatment of Okayama City, etc.) |
| Hiroshima | Regional | Covered (Hiroshima City is limited; check) |
| Yamaguchi | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Tokushima | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Kagawa | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Ehime | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Kochi | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Fukuoka | Regional | Covered (the government-designated cities of Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City are not covered) |
| Saga | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Nagasaki | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Kumamoto | Regional | Covered (the government-designated city of Kumamoto City is not covered) |
| Oita | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Miyazaki | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Kagoshima | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
| Okinawa | Regional | Covered (the prefecture designates the municipalities) |
* "Category" is the principle under the national system. The Tokyo area (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama) is the origin, and moving from here to a regional area makes you eligible for the grant. Conversely, these four prefectures are in principle not covered as destinations, but municipalities designated as condition-disadvantaged areas are also covered as destinations. The 43 prefectures other than these are covered as destinations, but the covered municipalities are designated by the prefecture, and the central parts of major cities such as government-designated cities are often excluded. Always check the covered municipalities, own add-ons, deadlines, and remaining budget on each prefecture's relocation support grant portal (from the Cabinet Secretariat's list (in Japanese)).
Coverage status of the 20 government-designated cities
Surprisingly little known, but most government-designated cities are not covered by the national relocation support grant. This is because the purpose of the system is "correcting the over-concentration in Tokyo = promoting relocation to regional areas." The five cities in the Tokyo area are the origin (the side that receives the grant and leaves), and even in regional major cities the central parts are often excluded from the prefecture's relocation support program, with the surrounding smaller municipalities being covered.
| Designated city | Location | Category | National relocation support grant (destination) | Notes (to check) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo City | Hokkaido | Regional | Depends on the prefecture program's designation | Check on Hokkaido's relocation portal |
| Sendai City | Miyagi | Regional | Same as above (major urban areas are often not covered) | Check the Miyagi Prefecture and city systems |
| Saitama City | Saitama | Tokyo area | Not covered (origin) | The side moving from here to a regional area |
| Chiba City | Chiba | Tokyo area | Not covered (origin) | Same as above |
| Yokohama City | Kanagawa | Tokyo area | Not covered (origin) | Same as above |
| Kawasaki City | Kanagawa | Tokyo area | Not covered (origin) | Same as above |
| Sagamihara City | Kanagawa | Tokyo area | Not covered (origin) | Part may be treated as a condition-disadvantaged area; check |
| Niigata City | Niigata | Regional | Depends on the prefecture program's designation | Check the Niigata Prefecture and city relocation systems |
| Shizuoka City | Shizuoka | Regional | Not covered by the prefecture's relocation support grant | Has the city's own relocation subsidy[Shizuoka City] |
| Hamamatsu City | Shizuoka | Regional | Not covered by the prefecture's relocation support grant | Check the city's relocation and employment support |
| Nagoya City | Aichi | Regional | In principle not covered (major city) | Check the city's own child-rearing and housing support |
| Kyoto City | Kyoto | Regional | In principle not covered (major city) | Check the prefecture and city systems |
| Osaka City | Osaka | Regional | In principle not covered (major city) | The prefecture's relocation support centers on the surrounding municipalities |
| Sakai City | Osaka | Regional | In principle not covered (major city) | Same as above |
| Kobe City | Hyogo | Regional | Depends on the prefecture program's designation | Check the Hyogo Prefecture and city systems |
| Okayama City | Okayama | Regional | Depends on the prefecture program's designation | Check the Okayama Prefecture and city systems |
| Hiroshima City | Hiroshima | Regional | Limited; check | Check Hiroshima Prefecture's relocation support grant[Hiroshima Prefecture] |
| Kitakyushu City | Fukuoka | Regional | Not covered by the prefecture's relocation support grant | Has the city's own relocation support grant[Kitakyushu City] |
| Fukuoka City | Fukuoka | Regional | Not covered (major city) | Within the prefecture, the surrounding municipalities and the Chikugo region etc. are covered |
| Kumamoto City | Kumamoto | Regional | Not covered by the prefecture's relocation support grant | Check the city's own child-rearing and housing support |
* The "national relocation support grant (destination)" indicates whether that city is included in the prefecture's regional-revitalization relocation support program's covered municipalities. The designations differ by prefecture and by fiscal year, and the central parts of major cities are often treated as not covered, so ultimately check each city's and prefecture's official portal. Even if "not covered," a separate relocation, child-rearing, or housing subsidy of the city's own may be available.
How "generous local governments" come about (how to read the representative examples)
Local governments where the relocation support grant reaches "several million yen" are built by the following addition. Rather than blindly comparing amounts alone, understanding the structure is the shortcut.
- The national baseline amount: 100万円 per household (60万円 for a single person)
- Child add-on: up to 100万円 for each child under 18 → +200万円 for two children
- The local government's own top-ups: child-rearing household add-on, housing acquisition and renovation subsidies, use of vacant houses, startup subsidies, youth and U/I-turn add-ons, etc. (from several hundred thousand to several million yen, depending on the local government)
- People starting a business: combined with the startup support grant (up to 200万円) for a total of up to 300万円
For example, if "a household with two children moves to a town with its own add-ons and starts a business," even the national framework alone comes to 100万 + 200万 = 300万円, and together with the own add-ons and housing subsidies it can reach the scale of several million yen. On the other hand, the more generous the local government's amount, the more sparsely populated the area tends to be, so the balance with job availability and living conditions matters. Specific high-amount local governments change with the fiscal year and budget, so it is surest to search from the latest list using the "how to look it up" section below. If your move involves acquiring a house, also check fixed asset tax and the mortgage loan credit.
Local governments with well-known original support (representative examples)
We introduce local governments that are talked about for their amounts or fame, limited to those we could confirm with official information. Support content and amounts change with the fiscal year and budget, so always check the latest with each local government's official source (the relocation support grant itself is the national framework described above, with each local government adding its own measures on top).
- Nagi Town, Okayama (population approx. 5,700) is the "miracle town" that recorded a total fertility rate of 2.95. Its child-rearing support stands out, including birth congratulatory money, in-home childcare support (15,000円 a month), high-school schooling support (240,000円 a year × 3 years), and free medical and school-lunch costs[Cabinet Secretariat / town materials] (amounts are per the town materials; check the latest on the Okayama Prefecture relocation portal (in Japanese)).
- Kamishihoro Town, Hokkaido is known for accumulating furusato nozei donations into a "Child-Rearing and Declining-Birthrate Countermeasure Dream Fund," implementing free childcare fees at certified centers, free medical costs up to high school, and housing subsidies for child-rearing households, which led to a V-shaped recovery in population[Kamishihoro Town].
- Nagano Prefecture ranked No. 1 in the "prefectures people want to move to" for 20 consecutive years in the 2026 edition of Takarajimasha's "Inaka Gurashi no Hon." Its prefectural and municipal support menus are abundant[Nagano Prefecture].
- Tottori Prefecture is known for its generous operation, adding the prefecture's and municipalities' child-rearing household add-ons on top of the national relocation support grant (amounts to be confirmed)[Tottori Prefecture].
- Shimane Prefecture has U/I-turn support among the best nationwide, centered on the "Furusato Shimane Settlement Foundation" (such as the Waku-Waku Shimane Living Realization Support Program)[Shimane Prefecture].
- Mitoyo City, Kagawa has seen relocators increase thanks to the popularity of Chichibugahama, "Japan's Uyuni Salt Flat." It has developed relocation support systems, a regional revitalization cooperation corps, and more[Mitoyo City].
- Kamikawa Town, Hyogo has developed rent subsidies for newlywed and young households and a relocation support center, and as a commuting zone for Kobe and Himeji, it has one of the top relocation track records in Hyogo Prefecture[Kamikawa Town].
- Chiba Prefecture (Asahi City, Kamogawa City, Isumi City, etc.). Chiba Prefecture is on the "origin (Tokyo area)" side for the national relocation support grant, but some municipalities have generous own housing-acquisition and settlement subsidies. Asahi City has a settlement-promotion incentive of up to 150万円 (living outside the city for 3 years or more → moving in and acquiring a house)[Asahi City]; Kamogawa City has a housing-acquisition incentive for those moving in, plus child-rearing and parent co-/near-residence add-ons. Isumi City, as a condition-disadvantaged area, is covered by the relocation support grant for moves from Tokyo's 23 wards (100万円 per household + the child add-on), plus a housing-acquisition-cost subsidy under its hometown settlement support[Isumi City]. You can check the prefecture-wide list in Chiba Prefecture's list of housing support systems (in Japanese) (Nagareyama City is famous as a "child-rearing town" for its relocation and medical-cost subsidies).
- Shizuoka Prefecture (Shizuoka City, Fujinomiya City, Shimada City, etc.). Shizuoka Prefecture is highly popular for relocation, and many cities have generous housing-acquisition support. Shizuoka City offers up to 400万円 through its "relocator housing-securing support subsidy" (for child-rearing households etc. from the Tokyo area; new-build, secondhand, rental, and renovation are covered)[Shizuoka City]; Fujinomiya City offers up to 200万円 in relocation and settlement incentives for young households (either spouse aged 40 or under) plus metropolitan-area commuting support[Fujinomiya City]; Shimada City has a secondhand-home purchase incentive of up to 80万円 (with renovation, child-rearing, and relocation add-ons). The prefecture-wide systems are consolidated on Shizuoka Prefecture's official "Yutorist Shizuoka" (in Japanese) (Shizuoka City and Hamamatsu City are not covered by the national prefecture program's relocation support grant, but have such city-own subsidies).
- Kikonai Town, Hokkaido offers up to 400万円 through its home-acquisition promotion program (a base of 100万円 + 200万円 for construction by a town contractor + a 100万円 add-on for child-rearing households). It also has rent subsidies (up to 15,000円 a month) and a relocation support grant (100万円 per household)[Kikonai Town].
- Bungotakada City, Oita is a popular relocation city that touts "No. 1 in Japan for child-rearing support." It offers a birth congratulatory grant (50万円 for the 3rd child, 100万円 for the 4th, and 200万円 for the 5th and beyond), "Smile House" municipal housing for child-rearing households, and free residential land with no land cost[Bungotakada City].
* What we list here is not "comprehensive" but representative examples we could confirm officially. You can find the generous local governments in your desired area by searching the prefectural portals and relocation matching sites described above with conditions such as "child-rearing add-on" and "housing subsidy."
[Talked about] Local governments where you "get a house" if you keep living there
The boldest form of relocation support is a system where, if you keep living there for a set period, the land and building are transferred to you for free. We introduce representative examples with official information (recruitment status and requirements change, so always check with the official source).
- Sakai Town, Ibaraki ranked No. 1 nationwide in the "countryside you want to live in ranking" in Takarajimasha's "Inaka Gurashi no Hon" (2025). Its settlement-promotion housing "Islet House" is a scheme where you get the house if you keep renting and living there for 25 years. It also has a 50万円 housing-acquisition incentive, an incentive equivalent to the fixed asset tax amount (for 3 years), rent subsidies for child-rearing and newlywed households (15,000円 a month), and more[Sakai Town]. Its good access to central Tokyo is also a reason for its popularity.
- Shichikashuku Town, Miyagi has a "community bearer-development support housing" system where, if you live in a newly built detached house for 20 years (39,000円 a month), the land and house are transferred to you for free. Child-rearing support is also generous, with free childcare fees, school-lunch costs, and medical costs up to high-school graduation, plus a child-rearing support grant (30万 for the 1st child, 50万 for the 2nd, and 70万 for the 3rd and beyond)[Shichikashuku Town].
* "Get a house" systems have detailed rules on the number of years of continued residence, household requirements, and eligible housing. If you move away partway through, you become ineligible, so consider them on the premise of long-term settlement.
[Our view] The relocation support grant is taxed (occasional income)
It is surprisingly overlooked, but once you receive the relocation support grant, it is taxable as "occasional income" (clarified in a National Tax Agency document response)[National Tax Agency document response].
- Single person 60万円: 60万 − 50万 = 10万 → × 1/2 = 5万円 is taxable (small if there is no other occasional income)
- 100万円 per household + 100万円 for one child = 200万円: 200万 − 50万 = 150万 → × 1/2 = 75万円 is taxable → a tax return is often required
- For an employee, if income other than salary (including this taxable amount) is 20万円 or less for the year, an income tax return may be unnecessary (a separate residence tax declaration is still required). See the ¥200,000 rule
Because a filing may be required in the year after you receive it, it is safe to not spend the grant fully and keep the tax portion aside. Note that the startup support grant is treated differently, such as as business income, so the tax relationship changes with the type of support; if the amount is large, check with a tax office or a tax accountant (Do you need a tax accountant?). This is treated differently from non-taxable assistance for living or moving costs themselves.
How to look up the exact amount (official data sources)
- The Cabinet Secretariat's "relocation support grant" page: the overall picture of the system and a collection of links to each prefecture's relocation support grant portal[Cabinet Secretariat]. The standard route is to proceed from here to your destination prefecture's portal.
- Each prefecture's and municipality's relocation portal / matching site: the covered municipalities, eligible corporations, own add-ons, deadlines, and remaining budget are primary information here.
- JOIN (Japan relocation and exchange navi) / various relocation matching sites: you can search support systems across local governments (check each local government's official source for the latest).
Because amounts, requirements, and deadlines move with the fiscal year (fiscal 2026) and remaining budget, the tables in this article show "the structure of whether you can be covered," and you must always confirm the confirmed amount with the official sources above.
FAQ
How much can I get from the relocation support grant?
By the national baseline, 100万円 per household / 60万円 for a single person, plus up to 100万円 for each child under 18. On top of this come the local government's own add-ons, and people starting a business can combine it with the startup support grant (up to 200万円) for a total of up to 300万円. The actual amount changes depending on the destination local government, so check on the prefecture's relocation portal.
Can I get the grant if I move to a government-designated city?
In many cases, no. The five cities of Yokohama, Kawasaki, Saitama, Chiba, and Sagamihara are on the Tokyo-area = origin side and not covered, and even regional government-designated cities often have their central parts excluded from the national relocation support program (the prefecture program). However, some cities such as Kitakyushu City and Shizuoka City have their own relocation support grants, so check each city's official source.
Is the relocation support grant taxed?
Yes. It is treated as occasional income, and half of the portion exceeding the 50万円 annual special deduction is taxable. With 100万円 per household plus the child add-on, it exceeds the deduction, so a tax return is often required. It is reassuring to keep the tax portion aside for the year after you receive it.
Do I have to repay it if I move away after receiving it?
In principle, if you move out of the destination municipality less than 5 years after applying, full repayment is required, and if you leave your job less than 3 years in, repayment may be required depending on the conditions. Be careful if you plan a short-term move or job change.
Data sources
- The national relocation support grant (amount, requirements, combining with the startup support grant): Cabinet Secretariat / Cabinet Office, regional revitalization "relocation support grant" (in Japanese) / Ii kamo regional living (system explanation) (in Japanese)
- The tax relationship of the relocation support grant (occasional income): National Tax Agency — The tax relationship of grants under the regional-revitalization startup support program and relocation support program (in Japanese) / National Tax Agency No.1490 Occasional income (in Japanese)
- Coverage status of the designated cities (examples): Shizuoka City relocation subsidy (in Japanese) / Kitakyushu City relocation support grant (in Japanese) / Hiroshima Prefecture relocation support grant (in Japanese)
* The relocation support grant is run by each prefecture and municipality, and the covered municipalities, amounts, own add-ons, deadlines, and budget differ by fiscal year. The tables in this article show the "coverage structure" we could confirm as of June 2026, and do not cover all local governments or the latest confirmed amounts. Before applying, always check the official information of your destination municipality and prefecture.