Analysis of Leisure Activities and Residential Intentions in Depopulated Areas: A Case Study of Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Population outflow from rural areas represents a significant social issue in Japan. Data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications suggest that insufficient leisure options contribute to rural residents’ decisions to relocate. This study aims to examine the relationship between subjective well-being and the intention to reside in a specific region, considering the diversity of leisure activities available to rural residents. Our findings indicate that enhancing leisure activities improves subjective well-being but does not necessarily strengthen residents’ intentions to reside in the area. Notably, those partaking in wider areas for leisure activities exhibited a lower inclination to stay in the region. This study contributes to the understanding necessary for developing sustainable rural societies.