Which is the Smallest City of Japan by Population?

Japan is a country full of exciting and busy cities like Tokyo and Osaka. But not all cities in Japan are big. Some are very small, quiet and peaceful. Have you ever wondered which city in Japan has the fewest people? In this article, we will explore the smallest city in Japan and learn why it is so unique and different from the rest.

An Overview of Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia, found in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of mainland Asia. It has four main islands and over 14,000 smaller ones. Japan covers a large area with many mountains and forests, so most people live in cities along the coast. The country has 47 prefectures and 8 regions. With over 123 million people in 2025, Japan is the 11th most populated country. Its capital and biggest city is Tokyo.

Smallest City in Japan by Population

Utashinai is the city with the smallest population in all of Japan. As of December 31, 2020, it had only around 3,019 people living there. Once a busy coal mining town, Utashinai has faced a long period of decline after the coal mines closed. Today, it is a quiet city trying to rebuild its future through tourism and new ideas.

Location of Utashinai

Utashinai is located in Hokkaido, which is Japan’s northernmost island. It lies in the Sorachi Subprefecture, surrounded by beautiful mountains and nature. The Penkeutashunai River flows through the city, and Mount Kamoi rises in the northwest part of the areas. The city has cold winters with lots of snow, making it a good place for skiing and winter sports. Nearby cities include Sunagawa, Akabira and Takikawa, where many residents now travel for school or work.

History of Utashinai

Utashinai’s history began in 1890, when the Sorachi Coal Mine opened. That same year, the town was founded and quickly became a center for coal production. In 1906, it became a Second-Class Municipality and by 1919 it was upgraded to a First-Class Municipality. It officially became a town in 1940 and then a city in 1958.

The city’s population reached its highest point in 1948, with about 46,000 people living there. Coal mining brought jobs and growth, but everything began to change in the 1970s. In 1971, the Utashinai Mine closed, followed by the Kamiutashinai Mine in 1988 and the Sorachi Mine in 1995. As the coal industry disappeared, so did many jobs and people began moving away. The population kept dropping every year. In 2007, the local high school was shut down due to the lack of students and now teenagers travel to nearby towns for their education.