88.7% in Hokkaido Feel Electricity Bills are "High," but 75% Mistakenly Believe the Cause is "Cold"

Hokkaido Residents Surveyed: 300 People on Electricity Bill Awareness

Cracierge Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shota Nakajima), which operates simulation services and information media related to life infrastructure such as electricity, gas, and internet lines, and supports contract switching, conducted an awareness survey on electricity bills and how to choose an electricity provider among 300 residents of Hokkaido.

Hokkaido is known as an area where electricity bills are at a high level nationwide, due to its harsh cold climate and power generation circumstances. Amidst continued electricity price hikes, this survey explored how consumers perceive the burden and how they approach reviewing their electricity providers.

Survey Overview

Survey Period: June 2026 Target Audience: 300 residents of Hokkaido (those who are aware of their electricity bills) Survey Method: Internet research Survey Organizer: Cracierge Inc.

Survey Results

Survey Result 1 | 88.7% Feel Electricity Bills are "High"; Over 90% Feel They Have "Increased"

Survey Result 2 | Regarding the reason for high electricity bills, 75.0% perceive it as "due to high electricity usage from the cold." Less than half believe it's "because the electricity rates themselves are high."

Survey Result 3 | Of those who feel electricity bills are "high," 68.0% have not reviewed their electricity provider. The biggest hurdle is "troublesome procedures."

Survey Result 4 | Satisfaction among those who switched electricity providers is 89.1%, higher than those who continue with their major provider.

Survey details and detailed data are also summarized in the PDF below.

▶ Survey Summary

▶ Detailed Survey Results

Commentators: Nagai (left in photo) and Kawase (right in photo)

【Commentators】 Media Manager & Retail Electricity Advisor: Nagai (left in photo) Public Relations & Web Marketer: Kawase (right in photo)

Hokkaido's electricity bills are among the highest nationwide. How do consumers face this burden?

Hokkaido's electricity bills are said to be among the highest in the country. This is due to a combination of factors that tend to make electricity rates higher, such as heavy reliance on thermal power generation and the costs associated with maintaining transmission networks over a large land area.

In fact, when comparing household plans (metered rate) of the 10 major power companies with the same usage, Hokkaido Electric Power's electricity rates are the highest in Japan. The table below shows electricity costs for a contract of 40A and monthly usage of 300 kWh.

Rank

Power Company

Monthly Electricity Bill

1

Hokkaido Electric Power

12,692 yen

2

Okinawa Electric Power

10,721 yen

3

Tokyo Electric Power

10,439 yen

4

Tohoku Electric Power

10,325 yen

5

Hokuriku Electric Power

10,115 yen

6

Chubu Electric Power

10,108 yen

7

Shikoku Electric Power

9,891 yen

8

Chugoku Electric Power

9,640 yen

9

Kyushu Electric Power

9,425 yen

10

Kansai Electric Power

9,180 yen

*Calculated assuming a household plan (metered rate B/A / metered rate) for the 10 major power companies with a contract of 40A and monthly usage of 300 kWh. *Fuel cost adjustment multipliers reflect the unit prices for June 2026. Includes renewable energy generation promotion surcharges.

The difference between Hokkaido Electric Power, the most expensive, and Kansai Electric Power, the least expensive, is 3,512 yen per month. Even with the same usage, there can be a difference of over 40,000 yen per year depending on the region.

It's not "high because of high usage." Even with the same usage, Hokkaido is the most expensive.

What's interesting here is the fact that when looking at the average actual payment amounts, Hokkaido is not the most expensive in the country. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' Family Income and Expenditure Survey (2025), Hokkaido ranks 6th out of 10 regions in terms of average monthly electricity bills. Hokuriku, Tohoku, Shikoku, Chugoku, and Tokai have higher bills.

Rank

Region

Average Monthly Electricity Bill

1

Hokuriku

13,951 yen

2

Tohoku

13,139 yen

3

Shikoku

12,397 yen

4

Chugoku

12,369 yen

5

Chubu

11,183 yen

6

Hokkaido

11,068 yen

7

Kanto

10,455 yen

8

Okinawa

10,435 yen

9

Kansai

10,196 yen

10

Kyushu

10,047 yen

*Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, "Family Income and Expenditure Survey, Family Income and Expenditure Details, All Households" (2025, Average Monthly Electricity Bill by Region).

Comparing the two tables reveals the characteristics of Hokkaido's electricity bills. While they are the highest in the country for the same usage, the average actual payment is 6th. This is thought to be because many households in Hokkaido use kerosene or gas for heating and hot water, thus keeping their electricity consumption lower than in other regions.

In other words, the high electricity bills in Hokkaido cannot be explained solely by "using a lot due to the cold." The rate itself (per kWh) is the highest in the country regardless of usage—this is the true factor driving up Hokkaido's electricity bills. So, how do Hokkaido consumers perceive this situation and approach reviewing their electricity providers? This survey investigated their awareness and actual situation among 300 Hokkaido residents.

Survey Result 1 | 88.7% Feel Electricity Bills are "High"; Over 90% Feel They Have "Increased"

First, we asked how "high" people felt their electricity bills were. To the question, "Hokkaido's electricity bills are at the highest level nationwide, but do you think they are reasonable?" 88.7% answered that they were high, combining "somewhat high" and "too high." Only 6.3% felt they were "reasonable."

Q. Hokkaido's electricity bills are at the highest level nationwide, but do you think they are reasonable?

Response

Number of Responses

Percentage

Somewhat high

163 people

54.3%

Too high

103 people

34.3%

Reasonable level

19 people

6.3%

Don't know

15 people

5.0%

Furthermore, to the question, "Do you feel your electricity bill has increased in the past few years?" 92.7% answered "very much" or "somewhat." This indicates that many people not only feel the current electricity costs are high but also have experienced recent price increases.

Winter Electricity Bill Burden More Pronounced for Households Primarily Using Electricity for Heating

Electricity bills vary significantly by season. While 5.7% of people had electricity bills of 20,000 yen or more in the summer, this increased to 22.0% in the winter. The burden of electricity bills tends to be stronger in winter when usage increases due to the cold.

In Hokkaido, heating and hot water systems vary by household, with many using kerosene, gas, or electricity. Therefore, this survey also investigated the primary energy source for each household.

Q. Please tell us one "primary" energy source you use for hot water and heating.

Primary Energy Source for Hot Water and Heating

Number of Responses

Percentage

Kerosene

86 people

28.7%

City Gas

79 people

26.3%

Propane Gas (LP Gas)

76 people

25.3%

Electricity (All-electric homes)

39 people

13.0%

Electricity (Partial use / Air conditioning heating, etc.)

20 people

6.7%

Households primarily using kerosene, city gas, or propane gas accounted for about 80% of the total. On the other hand, about 20% of households (59 people) use electricity for heating and hot water, such as all-electric homes or air conditioning heating.

When comparing the difference in electricity bills between summer and winter by primary heating energy source, the increase in winter burden is particularly large for "electricity-centric" households. For all-electric homes and other electricity-centric households, 44.1% saw their winter electricity bills increase by over 10,000 yen compared to summer, while for households primarily using gas or kerosene, this figure was only 12.9%. Even within Hokkaido, households relying on electricity for heating tend to experience a greater burden in winter.

Primary Heating Energy

Percentage of households where winter electricity bills increased by over 10,000 yen compared to summer

Heating primarily electric (all-electric, etc.)

44.1%

Primarily gas/kerosene, etc.

12.9%

*Calculated based on the summer and winter electricity bill ranges provided by respondents, representing the percentage of people whose winter electricity bills increased by approximately 10,000 yen or more compared to summer.

Survey Result 2 | Regarding the reason for high electricity bills, 75.0% perceive it as "due to high electricity usage from the cold." Less than half believe it's "because the electricity rates themselves are high."

How much do consumers understand the reasons for Hokkaido's high electricity bills? We asked respondents to select all applicable reasons for Hokkaido's high electricity bills (multiple answers allowed).

The most common answer was "high electricity usage for heating and hot water due to the cold" at 75.0%. On the other hand, "high thermal power generation and susceptibility to fuel price fluctuations" (a primary reason for high rates) was selected by 34.0%, and "long transmission lines and high equipment costs" (another primary reason) by 32.3%, both in the 30% range.

Q. Please select all reasons you believe contribute to Hokkaido's electricity bills being at a high level nationwide.

Response (Multiple answers allowed)

Number of Responses

Percentage

Due to severe cold, using a lot of electricity for heating/hot water. [Partial Influence]

225 people

75.0%

Reliance on thermal power generation, making it susceptible to fuel price fluctuations. [Primary Reason]

102 people

34.0%

Long transmission lines over a wide area, leading to high equipment costs. [Primary Reason]

97 people

32.3%

Costs associated with operating nuclear power plants. [Misconception]

18 people

6.0%

No particular reason / Don't know

12 people

4.0%

As the survey results show, the primary reason for Hokkaido's high electricity bills is not high usage due to cold weather, but rather the high cost per kWh due to factors like thermal power generation and transmission costs. However, consumer responses indicated the opposite.

In fact, 43.3% of respondents selected "high electricity usage due to cold" but did not select any reasons related to "high rate per kWh." This suggests that many people mistakenly believe it's due to high usage and are unaware that the rate itself is high.

Judging the "Reason for High Bills" Solely by Experience Makes It Difficult to See the Rate Structure.

When asked on what basis they judged the "reason for high electricity bills," only 14.3% cited "information they researched or heard." The majority inferred the reasons from the "results" of their monthly bills.

Among those who based their judgment on researched or heard information, 67.4% were aware of the reasons related to the high rate itself. In contrast, among those who based their judgment on their own experience or feelings, this figure was 45.5%, the lowest among the three response groups. The fact that "the rate itself is high" becomes apparent only when exposed to correct information.

Awareness of "Rate Itself Being High" Varies Based on the Basis for Judging the Reason for High Bills

Basis for Judging the Reason for High Bills

Percentage aware of "Rate Itself Being High"

Based on researched or heard information

67.4%

Based on general conjecture

60.5%

Based on personal experience or feelings

45.5%

*"Aware of the rate itself being high" refers to those who selected "susceptible to fuel price fluctuations due to thermal power generation" or "high equipment costs for transmission infrastructure" as reasons for the high bills.

Simply looking at daily electricity bills makes it difficult to see the impact of rate plans and per-kWh charges. This can lead to a focus on saving electricity or enduring higher costs, making it less likely to consider reviewing electricity providers or plans.

Survey Result 3 | Of those who feel electricity bills are "high," 68.0% have not reviewed their electricity provider. The biggest hurdle is "troublesome procedures."

Even if consumers are dissatisfied with their electricity bills, many do not take action. Among the 266 respondents who felt their electricity bills were "somewhat high" or "too high," 68.0% had never switched providers. Despite feeling the bills are "high," many have not taken action.

Switching Experience of Those Who Feel Electricity Bills are "High"

Switching Experience of Those Who Feel Electricity Bills are "High"

Number of Responses

Percentage

Never switched

181 people

68.0%

Have switched before

85 people

32.0%

This trend is particularly strong among those who answered "too high," with 73.8% of them not having reviewed their electricity provider. One might expect those with stronger dissatisfaction to be more motivated to act, but the results are the opposite.

The Reason for Not Switching is Overwhelmingly "Troublesome," Not "Anxiety."

When asked about the reasons for hesitating to switch to a new electricity provider, the top reason was "troublesome procedures / don't understand them well" at 44.0%, significantly higher than other reasons. Following this, reasons like "the amount saved doesn't seem worth the effort" and "tend to postpone it" indicate that the primary hurdles are not anxieties or dissatisfaction with new providers, but rather the "difficulty of taking action itself."

Q. What are your reasons for hesitating to switch to a new electricity provider?

Response (Multiple answers allowed)

Number of Responses

Percentage

Procedures are troublesome / I don't understand them well.

132 people

44.0%

The amount saved doesn't seem worth the effort.

93 people

31.0%

I intend to switch, but I keep postponing it.

70 people

23.3%

I'm not particularly troubled with my current situation.

59 people

19.7%

No particular reason for hesitation.

41 people

13.7%

However, there isn't a complete lack of psychological barriers towards new electricity providers. When asked about their thoughts on new electricity providers other than Hokkaido Electric Power, while some expressed caution such as "worried about blackouts or company withdrawal" (21.0%) and "a general sense of resistance" (11.0%), positive perceptions were also notable, with "attracted by lower prices" at 33.3% and "points and bundled discounts are advantageous" at 31.0%.

The reality seems to be that people are not necessarily avoiding new electricity providers but are hesitant due to "trouble" mixed with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

Survey Result 4 | Satisfaction among those who switched electricity providers is 89.1%, higher than those who continue with their major provider.

So, are people who have actually changed their electricity provider satisfied? A clear difference emerged when looking at satisfaction levels by contract provider.

Satisfaction among Hokkaido Electric Power contract holders (very satisfied + somewhat satisfied) was 67.4%. In contrast, those who switched to other providers, such as new electricity companies, had a satisfaction rate of 89.1%, a difference of over 20 percentage points. The worry that "switching might lead to losses" appears to be unfounded for those who have taken action.

Satisfaction by Contracted Electricity Provider

Contracted Provider

Number of Respondents

Satisfaction (Very Satisfied + Somewhat Satisfied)

Hokkaido Electric Power

190 people

67.4%

Other than Hokkaido Electric Power (New electricity providers, etc.)

110 people

89.1%

The reason for higher satisfaction among those who switched is the reduction in the "rate itself" for electricity bills.

The difference in satisfaction is driven by the "rate" of electricity bills. Electricity costs are largely determined by the multiplication of "usage amount" and "rate per kWh."

In Hokkaido, where it is cold, there are limits to saving electricity through conservation or enduring discomfort, so the "usage amount" cannot be reduced as much as desired. On the other hand, the "rate," meaning the price per kWh, varies by electricity company, including basic charges, and can be lowered by switching. Hokkaido's electricity usage is not particularly high to begin with, and the reason bills are high is the high rate. The high satisfaction among those who switched is because they were able to actually change this "rate."

Those who have given up, thinking "it's high because it's cold and unavoidable," still have room for improvement.

Three Gaps in Hokkaido's Electricity Bills: "Feeling it's High but Unable to Act."

This survey revealed "three gaps" that Hokkaido consumers face.

1 They feel it's "high" but don't correctly know "why it's high." While 88.7% feel it's high, less than half are aware that "the rate itself is high." Many perceive it as a problem of usage amount, such as "using a lot due to the cold."

2 Because they don't know the reason, they "give up, thinking it's unavoidable due to the cold." Explaining the high cost solely by "cold" can lead to a dead end of "it's natural because it's a cold region, nothing can be done." They don't realize that electricity rates can be chosen and thus don't consider reviewing their provider.

3 Even when they consider acting, they stop due to "trouble." Of those who feel the costs are too high, 73.8% have not switched. The reasons are not anxiety or dissatisfaction, but the "trouble of procedures" and "postponement"—hurdles to taking action.

Common to all three is not a lack of motivation or sense of crisis, but rather "the lack of an environment where they can access correct information, easily compare options, and take action." The sentiment "Can electricity bills be changed, or will they become cheaper even if I review them?" accurately reflects this situation.

Cracierge's Three Approaches to Address "Lack of Awareness" and "Inability to Act."

Cracierge - Rate Simulation

This survey revealed that Hokkaido consumers are unable to take action for review not because they "lack motivation," but because they "cannot see the true reasons for electricity bills or the available choices." To overcome these barriers, Cracierge is working on the following three points:

1 Visualizing "the rate itself is high" - Comparing selectable companies in Hokkaido with actual figures. We calculate rates close to the actual bill amount, including fuel cost adjustments and renewable energy surcharges, in addition to basic charges and energy consumption rates. We list companies available for contracts in Hokkaido under the same conditions, allowing users to see "how much the difference is even with the same usage."

2 Resolving "I don't know which one is right" - Proposing optimal plans tailored to usage patterns. Rate structures vary significantly by company, and the optimal plan changes depending on usage. We provide a system for comparison based on household usage patterns, ensuring fair comparisons that are not biased towards specific companies.

3 Supporting "I can't act because it's troublesome" - A consultation service that is easy to access. In response to the most common feedback, "troublesome procedures," we have established a consultation service accessible via official LINE. Even first-time users can receive guidance on the optimal plan based on their current rates and usage.

The feeling that "electricity bills are high" is common among many people in Hokkaido. However, before giving up and thinking "it's unavoidable due to the cold," correctly understanding the reasons and choosing a provider that suits you is a sure step towards protecting your household finances.

Cracierge plans to conduct similar awareness surveys periodically in other areas such as Kanto, Chubu, and Kansai to continuously monitor how the "perception of high costs" and "electricity provider selection" change in regions with different electricity bill levels. Hokkaido, with its high electricity bills nationwide, serves as the starting point for this research.

Reference Page for Citation

When citing this information, please refer to the following page as the source, not this page.

https://cracierge.co.jp/company/pressrelease/2026/id_hokkaido-electricity-survey/

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Company Name: Cracierge Inc. Location: Carrot Tower 22F, 4-1-1 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo Service Description: Operation of the "Cracierge" utility and communication cost comparison site URL: https://cracierge.co.jp/company/