How a Tiny Osaka Town Became One of Kansai’s Happiest Places

Despite its small size, the town has earned high praise for being “a calm, family-friendly place,” with many residents citing its strong sense of community and supportive environment for raising children.

The latest Kansai Happiness Ranking released by Daito Trust Construction, based on responses from roughly 150,000 Kansai residents to the question “Are you happy living where you are?”, has been published annually since 2021. While the top two spots—Ashiya and Nishinomiya—remain unchanged, Tajiri’s sharp rise stands out among the region’s municipalities.

Located near Kansai International Airport, Tajiri is Osaka’s second-smallest municipality by area. Around its only train station, Nankai Tetsudo’s Minami-Sano Station, the absence of large shopping malls or high-rise buildings gives the town a peaceful, small-town atmosphere. Residents say that’s part of its appeal: “It’s easy to get around on foot or by bike, and raising children here feels safe and convenient,” one mother said.

The town has also introduced unique welfare programs. Starting this fiscal year, families with children up to high school age receive a bag of rice—around four kilograms—every two months, as well as premium shopping vouchers. These initiatives are funded largely by property tax revenue from Kansai International Airport, part of which lies within Tajiri’s jurisdiction and covers over half of the town’s total area, providing a stable financial base.

Officials believe these community-centered policies have strengthened residents’ sense of security and satisfaction. “We want to keep building on what works and aim even higher,” one local leader said. With its small population allowing for flexible and speedy administrative decisions, Tajiri’s closely connected community appears to have turned compactness itself into a source of happiness.

Source: Television OSAKA NEWS