Takasaki sits in Gunma, where 89,670 foreign residents make up 4.7% of the population. A one-room rents for ¥38,000–¥55,000, a single person spends about ¥120,000–¥175,000 a month, and the prefectural minimum wage is ¥1063 an hour.
Key facts
- Prefecture
- Gunma
- Foreign residents
- 89,670 (4.7% of population)
- Rent, one room
- ¥38,000–¥55,000
- Monthly cost, single
- ¥120,000–¥175,000
- Minimum wage
- ¥1063/hour
- Typical pay
- ¥190,000–¥300,000/month
Who already lives here
Vietnamese 18.8%, Brazilian 15.6%, Filipino 10.9%. Nationally that is the #3 Brazilian community and the #3 Peruvian community.
What the work actually is
Takasaki is where the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines split, which makes it Gunma’s logistics and commuting hub — Tokyo is under an hour. The prefecture’s employment is manufacturing: Subaru’s main plants are in Ota, with electronics and food processing across the Kanto plain. Gunma is 4.7% foreign, a higher share than Tokyo’s, and Oizumi town nearby is the closest thing Japan has to a Brazilian town, with Portuguese signage and Brazilian groceries as ordinary infrastructure rather than novelty.
What it costs
A single person spends roughly ¥120,000–¥175,000 a month including rent. Compare that with the calculator, which adjusts for household size and spending style. Rent is ¥38,000–¥55,000 of that, leaving roughly ¥82,000–¥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
Work is overwhelmingly factory work, often through dispatch (haken) rather than direct hire. Ask who your actual employer is before you sign.
Common mistakes & warnings
- Work is overwhelmingly factory work, often through dispatch (haken) rather than direct hire. Ask who your actual employer is before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Gunma?
89,670 people, or 4.7% 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 Takasaki cheaper than Tokyo?
Yes, mainly on rent: ¥38,000–¥55,000 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 ¥190,000–¥300,000 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.