Gifu sits in Gifu, where 80,766 foreign residents make up 4.2% of the population. A one-room rents for ¥30,000–¥45,000, a single person spends about ¥110,000–¥165,000 a month, and the prefectural minimum wage is ¥1065 an hour.
Key facts
- Prefecture
- Gifu
- Foreign residents
- 80,766 (4.2% of population)
- Rent, one room
- ¥30,000–¥45,000
- Monthly cost, single
- ¥110,000–¥165,000
- Minimum wage
- ¥1065/hour
- Typical pay
- ¥188,000–¥295,000/month
Who already lives here
Filipino 20.9%, Vietnamese 19.7%, Brazilian 15.3%. Nationally that is the #5 Brazilian community.
What the work actually is
Gifu city is twenty minutes from Nagoya by train, which is the practical case for living here: Aichi’s job market at Gifu’s rent. The prefecture’s own economy is auto parts feeding the Toyota supply chain, food processing, and the apparel wholesale district that Gifu was known for through the twentieth century. The community mix here is unusual: Filipinos lead, where Vietnamese lead almost everywhere else in Japan.
What it costs
A single person spends roughly ¥110,000–¥165,000 a month including rent. Compare that with the calculator, which adjusts for household size and spending style. Rent is ¥30,000–¥45,000 of that, leaving roughly ¥80,000–¥120,000 for food, utilities, phone, transport and everyday spending. Move-in cash is separate — typically four to six months of rent up front.
Before you commit
Wages sit near the regional minimum in the sectors that hire most foreign workers. The low rent is the point; the salary is not.
Common mistakes & warnings
- Wages sit near the regional minimum in the sectors that hire most foreign workers. The low rent is the point; the salary is not.
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Gifu?
80,766 people, or 4.2% of the prefecture. The largest communities are listed above — concentration matters more than raw size when you are deciding where your own language is spoken.
Is Gifu cheaper than Tokyo?
Yes, mainly on rent: ¥30,000–¥45,000 for a one-room here against ¥80,000–¥120,000 in Tokyo. Wages are lower too, so compare the monthly surplus, not the rent alone.
What work is there?
Typical full-time pay runs ¥188,000–¥295,000 a month. See the salary pages for what specific occupations earn, and the SSW route if you are coming through a skills test.
Official sources
- ISA — 在留外国人統計 (2025-12) (2026-07-28)
- MHLW — 地域別最低賃金 (FY2025) (2026-07-28)
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change; always confirm details with the official sources listed above before making decisions.