63.7% Answered "I Still Love Shonan After All!"

~What is the reality of Shonan life based on 429 residents~

Garage Standard Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director: Toshizumi Hotta) operates "roomap," a real estate service specializing in the Shonan and Kamakura areas. The company conducted a survey on "the reality of summer living and residential comfort" targeting 429 residents aged 20 and over living in the Shonan area.

The charm of the Shonan and Kamakura areas lies in their everyday ordinariness. With easy access from central Tokyo and a comfortable blend of nature and urban elements, this town serves as the stage for an "aspirational lifestyle" for many people throughout the year.

On the other hand, summer Shonan has a strong face as a tourist destination, and there are "summer-specific challenges" in daily life, such as crowding from beachgoers, traffic congestion, humidity and salt damage, and increased utility costs.

Nevertheless, there are not a few people who say, "I love this town." This survey revealed the genuine reality of residents who, while accepting such challenges, incorporate a "quintessentially Shonan summer" into their daily lives.

【Survey Overview】

・Survey Theme: Survey on the Reality of Summer Shonan Life

・Survey Period: Early July 2025

・Survey Target: Ages 20 and older living in the Shonan and Kamakura areas, Kanagawa Prefecture

・Valid Responses: 429 people

・Survey Method: Internet survey

・Survey Organization: Garage Standard Co., Ltd. (roomap operator)

【Q1】Residential Locations of Survey Respondents in the Shonan Area


【Q2】Top Reason for Moving: "Influence of Family/Partner" at 25.2% — Shonan Life Chosen for "Living Reality" Over "Dreams"

The most common catalyst for moving to Shonan was "influence from family or partner" (25.2%). This was followed by "good balance of commute and location" (21.4%) and "I love the sea and nature" (19.3%).

Surpassing "I had always dreamed of this town" (13.5%), it becomes clear that "ease of living" and "close connections" are more often the motivation for moving than idealization. Particularly noteworthy is that the Shonan lifestyle, which began under the influence of those around them, is actually taking root in practice.

The balance between nature and urban areas, comfortable distances, balancing commute with childcare — Shonan is being selected by many as a town where "living here makes you understand why" it's the right choice.

【Q3】About 1 in 4 Residents "Incorporate Summer into Their Lives" — The Distinctive "Everyday × Non-Everyday" Lifestyle of Shonan Becomes Clear

Responses such as "I can feel the Shonan summer every day" (23.5%), "I can casually enjoy fireworks displays and events" (22.8%), and "I can walk to the beach" (21.9%) ranked highest, highlighting the distinctive Shonan way of living where "the non-everyday exists within the everyday."

This is not merely a matter of leisure, but demonstrates that the very value of "incorporating seasons into daily life" is at the core of Shonan living. For example, taking a casual evening stroll to the beach on a weekday, or enjoying a neighborhood summer festival on the weekend while avoiding crowds — these "small moments of non-everyday" add richness to daily life.

In urban areas, experiences remain "weekend-only leisure," but in Shonan, they are "a continuation of daily life." This may be the primary reason why so many people are drawn to Shonan.

Furthermore, noteworthy is the sentiment that "fireworks displays and summer events can be enjoyed in a 'casual and accessible' way." Being able to access seasonal events without special preparation or long-distance travel is a significant attraction for families with children and busy business professionals alike.

Summer Shonan is not merely a tourist destination — it has become "a life where living itself means enjoying summer." The value of this quintessentially Shonan lifestyle emerges clearly from this survey.

【Q4】Congestion 39.6%, Humidity 26.6% — Yet, Here's Why "Shonan Summer" is Still Beloved

The most frequently cited challenge in summer Shonan living was "parking lot and road congestion" (39.6%). This was followed by "crowding from beachgoers" (27.0%) and "salt damage and humidity damage to homes" (26.6%) — issues stemming from "coexistence with tourism" and inconveniences caused by the natural environment. In the Shonan area, summer brings an influx of out-of-prefecture license plates and tourists, which readily impacts daily life. Furthermore, damage to homes from sea breeze and humidity is a persistent issue that cannot be ignored, particularly in older homes or seaside properties.

However, what is noteworthy is that while residents accept these challenges as "unavoidable," there remains a strong determination to continue living in this town.

Indeed, other survey questions received numerous positive responses such as "I can feel the Shonan summer every day" and "my life has a sense of openness," revealing a distinctive Shonan lifestyle where inconvenience and richness coexist.

【Q5】"Fireworks and Summer Festivals" Top at 36.4%!

The most cited way to spend a "quintessentially Shonan summer" was "attending local summer festivals and fireworks displays" (36.4%). This was followed by "spending time at the beach (swimming, surfing, walking, etc.)" (30.5%) and "avoiding tourism to spend time quietly" (19.1%).

Noteworthy is the balanced sense of residents who enjoy both the "lively Shonan" and the "quiet Shonan."

In Shonan, known as a tourist destination, community-rooted events like fireworks displays and festivals naturally blend into daily life. For residents, these are experienced not as "non-everyday" but as "continuations of the everyday." Meanwhile, many residents practice intentionally avoiding tourist spots or spending peaceful time on their home balconies or in cool indoor spaces — creating distance from crowds and commotion.

What emerges from these ways of spending time is "the freedom to choose summer based on your mood that day."

Living in Shonan may mean that rather than having an "obligation to enjoy summer," you gain the "right to choose the summer you love, in the way you love."

【Q6】Approximately 1 in 3 Respondents Answer "I Love This Town's 'Balance'" — A Lifestyle Chosen by Feeling Rather Than Logic

When asked why they still love Shonan, 29.1% (approximately 1 in 3) selected "because the balance between nature and town is just right."

Followed by "the atmosphere and air are unlike anywhere else" (12.8%) and "it's a town where I can be myself" (8.2%), it became clear that many people value "a comfort that words cannot express."

Beyond mere convenience or property conditions, this "sort of liking," "wanting to come home" — this sensory appeal is what makes Shonan a "town where I want to keep living."

Rather than logic, the interesting result is that many people choose Shonan as a town their heart has decided on.

【Q7】28.2% Answer "Free and Relaxed" — A "Just-Right Resort" with "Little Moments of Comfort"

When asked "how would you describe summer living in Shonan and Kamakura in one word?," the highest response at 28.2% was "free and relaxed."

Followed by "surprisingly ordinary when you live here" (21.2%) and "a mix of stimulation and healing" (17.3%), revealing that an unpretentious, natural way of living is what makes Shonan appealing.

【Summary】

In a survey of 429 residents of the Shonan and Kamakura areas, while 76.0% answered "I have difficulties with summer living in Shonan," 63.7% responded "I still love Shonan."

Despite "summer-specific living challenges" such as crowds from tourists and road congestion (39.6%) and environmental impacts from humidity and salt damage (26.6%), it became clear that many residents experience "the comfort of daily life that incorporates summer," such as "being able to feel the Shonan summer every day" (23.5%) and "a free and relaxed everyday" (28.2%).

Accepting inconvenience and commotion as "what makes this town unique," living in harmony with nature —

The Shonan and Kamakura areas continue to be chosen by many residents as a town that "finds value in lifestyle" — something that cannot be measured by specifications or convenience alone.