Nagasaki Prefecture is opening its doors to a new wave of global residents. In a bid to attract remote workers and revitalize local communities, the prefecture has teamed up with Yugyo Inc., a Japan-based company focused on digital nomad marketing, to launch a year-long initiative welcoming digital nomads to live, work, and engage with life in Nagasaki.
At the heart of the initiative is DIGITAL NOMAD NAGASAKI, a pilot residency program offering free accommodations to selected participants in exchange for community contributions, according to Fox 2 News. The program will run from October 13 to November 14, 2025, and is currently accepting applications for a one-week to one-month stay. Only 10 participants will be selected per week, with preference given to those who apply for the full month.
Participants will be expected to contribute meaningfully to the region, whether through hosting community events, supporting local entrepreneurs, or creating content to showcase Nagasaki’s appeal as a destination for remote work. These contributions will be a factor in the selection process.
Over the course of the program, participants will experience life in four distinct parts of the prefecture:
- Nagasaki City (Oct 13 – Nov 14): A full-month stay in furnished apartments, complete with coworking access and the chance to explore a city with centuries of international influence.
- Goto Islands (Oct 15 – 21): A week-long escape to coastal landscapes, hidden churches, and island cuisine.
- Northern Nagasaki (weekends): Optional rural excursions featuring community events and cultural immersion.
- Unzen (Nov 10 – 14): “Onsen Workation” with hot springs, guided volcano hikes, and serene mountain scenery.
In addition to accommodations, participants will gain access to curated events such as local meetups, co-creation workshops, and guided tours — all designed to spark collaboration between residents and newcomers.
Applications are open until August 15, 2025.
While the upcoming fall residency is the program’s first major event, organizers see it as the beginning of a longer journey. The goal is to position Nagasaki as a forward-thinking region for “multi-hub” living — where digital nomads and local communities coexist, collaborate, and grow together.
