by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 5:30 PM ET, Mon August 18, 2025
Travel to Japan has been booming over the last two years and understandably so. The country offers so much to see and do, along with rich cultural interactions, incredible food, and a favorable exchange rate against the U.S. dollar.
So, it’s no surprise really, that a new report says Japan’s capital of Tokyo tops the list of best places around the world to enjoy a ‘workcation’ in 2025. (Places where travelers can combine work and leisure).
The report in question was produced by International Workplace Group (IWG), a company that provides flexible and hybrid workspace.
According to IWG, Tokyo offers “exceptional” broadband speed, transportation infrastructure, safety, culture, and a newly launched digital nomad visa.
Added bonuses that come with a Tokyo workcation include easy access to nearby mountain and coastal getaways, along with an abundance of national parks.
All of which the IWG report says is “ideal for hybrid workers seeking an exciting urban atmosphere alongside natural escapes.”
How winners were determined
The IWG study assessed 40 countries, ranking them on a scale of one to 10 based on specific criteria including climate, accommodation, food, transport, subsistence (average price of a cappuccino in the expat area of the city), broadband speed, happiness, availability of flexible workspaces, cultural quality, availability/price of digital nomad visa, proximity to beaches, mountains or national parks and finally, sustainability.
Based on that criteria, the following cities were deemed the 10 top cities for workcations in 2025, according to IWG:
- Tokyo
- Rio De Janeiro
- Budapest
- Seoul
- Barcelona
- Beijing
- Lisbon
- Rome
- Paris
- Valletta
The report says Tokyo, Seoul, Rome, Paris and Valletta are all new on the list this year.
Seoul in particular is home to an “ultra-fast internet, efficient public transport, and a thriving digital nomad community supported by South Korea’s digital nomad visa,” says the report.
The company’s founder and CEO, Mark Dixon, said the ‘workcation’ trend is here to stay. “Many companies [are] adopting flexible working and work from anywhere policies, particularly over the summer months for the long-term, which not only improves work-life balance and reduces burnout but also delivers significant productivity gains,” Dixon said.
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