Tokyo Leads 2025 Workation Ranking With 91 Points, Ahead of Rio and Budapest

A Narrow Lead in a Global Contest for Remote Workers

Tokyo scored 91 out of 120 in the International Workplace Group's 2025 Work from Anywhere Barometer, placing Japan's capital first among 40 cities assessed for their appeal to people combining work with travel. Rio de Janeiro followed with 90 points, while Budapest scored 89.5, leaving just 1.5 points between the top three destinations.

The ranking brings together practical needs and experiences outside working hours. Fast broadband, reliable transport, flexible workplaces, safety and living costs all matter to someone who needs to finish a day's work before exploring a new city. Tokyo's cultural attractions and access to mountains, coastal areas and national parks helped complete that picture.

A workation combines work and vacation: a person continues doing their job remotely while spending time away from their usual home or office. Unlike a holiday devoted entirely to leisure, it requires a place where meetings, deadlines and everyday work can continue alongside sightseeing.

IWG's findings point to growing interest in that arrangement. Its survey found that 60 percent of hybrid workers were more likely to extend a holiday to work remotely than they were a year earlier. Another 86 percent said the availability of flexible workspaces was a major factor when choosing a destination.

Tokyo's appeal therefore rests on more than its reputation as a place to visit. For remote professionals, the city offers the infrastructure needed for a working day and a wide choice of things to do when that day ends. Japan's introduction of a digital nomad visa in April 2024 added an immigration policy aimed at people working while abroad.

What the Barometer Measures

IWG assessed 40 cities against 12 criteria. The measures covered the cost and quality of working life, the ease of moving around, and the surroundings that visitors can enjoy away from their desks. Each city's total could reach 120 points.

The areas considered included:

• Broadband speed and digital infrastructure.
• Transport efficiency and costs.
• The availability and cost of flexible workspaces.
• Access to beaches, mountains, parks and other natural settings.
• Climate and sustainability.
• Accommodation, food and daily living costs.
• Safety and the happiness index.
• Cultural quality and experiences.
• The availability and cost of digital nomad visas.

Tokyo's 91 points placed it one point above Rio de Janeiro and 3.5 points above Seoul and Barcelona, which each scored 87.5. Those margins show how close several leading destinations were, even though Tokyo finished first.

The range of measures also explains why internet speed alone cannot describe a workation destination. A worker needs somewhere suitable to work, affordable daily arrangements and a way to reach the places they want to visit. The barometer considered those needs together.

Broadband and Transport Support the Working Day

Tokyo's fast broadband and digital infrastructure were central strengths in its ranking. Video calls, large file transfers and work through cloud services all depend on a reliable connection. Cloud services let people access documents and software through the internet rather than keeping everything on a single office computer.

Remote professionals collaborating with colleagues across time zones need those connections throughout their working hours. A destination may have attractive sights, but maintaining contact with a team remains part of the daily routine.

Tokyo's extensive trains, subways and buses provide another practical advantage. The city's public transport is known for efficiency and punctuality, connecting its urban neighbourhoods and helping visitors reach destinations beyond the centre.

Those connections bring nearby mountains, beaches and national parks within reach. A person can spend weekdays working in the city and use a weekend for a hike or a coastal visit, combining urban convenience with access to nature.

Safety and Culture Add to Tokyo's Appeal

Tokyo's reputation for safety offers reassurance to people considering an extended stay. Low crime rates and a strong sense of public order are part of that appeal, alongside the happiness index and a culture that values hospitality.

For a remote worker, feeling comfortable in a temporary home matters beyond sightseeing. Workations involve ordinary routines such as travelling to a workspace, buying food and returning to accommodation after an evening out. Safety and quality of life therefore form part of the working experience.

Tokyo also offers a broad cultural choice. Ancient temples and cherry blossom festivals sit alongside contemporary art galleries and Michelin-starred restaurants. The attraction is the opportunity to experience a place over time, rather than fit every visit into a short holiday.

The city's culinary scene, nightlife and cultural festivals add further options after work. For people seeking cultural immersion, a longer stay creates room to explore neighbourhoods and develop everyday habits while continuing their jobs.

The description accompanying Tokyo's workation ranking also highlighted the contribution of nearby natural destinations:

Tokyo's proximity to mountains, coastal regions, and national parks also contributed to its top ranking.

That access helps explain the city's combination of business facilities and leisure opportunities. Visitors can choose between cultural activities within Tokyo and trips into surrounding landscapes without making either the sole purpose of their stay.

Japan's Visa and the Shift Toward Working Abroad

Japan introduced its digital nomad visa in April 2024 to attract remote workers and freelancers. A digital nomad is someone whose work can be carried out online while they stay away from their usual base.

The visa was described in the August 19 article as allowing stays of up to 12 months. That figure needs correction: Japan's digital nomad permission allows eligible applicants to stay for up to six months. The scheme remains relevant to Tokyo's appeal because it provides a route specifically intended for qualifying people working remotely.

The scheme was presented as competitively priced and aimed at skilled professionals from around the world. Its purpose fits a broader change in how people organise their jobs: employers and employees increasingly use flexible arrangements that allow work outside a conventional office.

Mark Dixon, founder and chief executive of IWG, linked the workation trend to hybrid working and the technology that makes remote access possible:

With the rise of hybrid working and cloud technology, employees now have the freedom to choose to work from anywhere, at any time. The workation trend is here to stay.

Hybrid working means dividing working time between an office and other locations. For people whose jobs permit it, that flexibility can make extending a holiday a practical option, provided their working arrangements and permission to stay allow it.

How Workations Became Part of Working Life

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a large experiment in remote work. Arrangements initially adopted out of necessity subsequently became a lifestyle choice for millions of professionals who could continue working without being tied to a particular office.

IWG's finding that 60 percent of hybrid workers were more likely to extend a holiday to work remotely than a year earlier captures that change in interest. The 86 percent who considered flexible workspaces a major factor in choosing a destination also show that a workation involves planning for work, rather than simply travelling with a laptop.

Technology is one driver. Fast internet and cloud tools allow colleagues to share files and collaborate while in different places. Changing attitudes among employers and employees are another, as flexible working becomes a continuing arrangement rather than a temporary response.

Immigration policies also matter. Digital nomad visas and simpler immigration processes can make it easier for remote workers to live abroad. A desire for experiences adds to the attraction, particularly among younger generations described as valuing experiences over possessions and seeking both professional and personal growth.

IWG's report suggested that workplace flexibility can improve productivity by up to 11 percent. It also linked the ability to choose a working environment with a lower likelihood of burnout and a healthier balance between work and personal life.

For workers, the practical attraction is having more choice about where a normal working week takes place. For destinations, it means that good transport, connectivity and suitable workplaces can help attract visitors who need to remain productive throughout their stay.

Tokyo's Workspaces Serve Different Needs

Tokyo's flexible workplaces add another part of the city's appeal. Coworking spaces provide places where people from different organisations can work, while flexible offices offer alternatives to committing to a conventional office arrangement.

Shibuya and Marunouchi offer sleek corporate hubs. Shimokitazawa and Nakameguro provide more intimate, creative settings. That variety gives workers options according to the environment they prefer and the kind of work they need to complete.

Comfort, productivity and community were all part of the appeal described for Tokyo's coworking spaces. Someone working away from home may want a quiet place for focused tasks, a professional setting for meetings or opportunities to spend time around other people.

The survey's 86 percent figure makes that choice commercially relevant. Flexible workspaces are a major consideration for many hybrid workers deciding where to travel, placing them alongside accommodation and transport in the planning process.

Tokyo's restaurants, nightlife and festivals then provide a different setting once work finishes. Nearby natural attractions add options for a weekend hike or a day at the beach. The combination allows visitors to choose between city experiences and outdoor trips during the same stay.

How the Other Leading Cities Compare

Tokyo led a top 10 that included destinations across Asia, Europe and South America. The scores in IWG's 2025 Work from Anywhere Barometer were:

• Tokyo, Japan: 91 out of 120.
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 90 out of 120.
• Budapest, Hungary: 89.5 out of 120.
• Seoul, South Korea: 87.5 out of 120.
• Barcelona, Spain: 87.5 out of 120.
• Beijing, China: 87 out of 120.
• Lisbon, Portugal: 86.5 out of 120.
• Rome, Italy: 85 out of 120.
• Paris, France: 84.5 out of 120.
• Valletta, Malta: 84 out of 120.

Seoul's fast internet and efficient transport helped put it among the top five. Rome and Paris entered the rankings with new digital nomad schemes cited as a factor in their appeal.

Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Mumbai and Hong Kong were also gaining recognition in Asia for digital infrastructure and vibrant cultures. The competition extends beyond the highest scoring cities, giving remote workers a wider range of destinations to consider.

Tokyo's advantage came from the combination of its strengths. Broadband and coworking spaces support the job itself, while safety, cultural experiences, transport and the visa scheme contribute to the prospect of staying longer.

The seven points separating Tokyo and tenth placed Valletta also show that the leading group offered several competitive choices. Each destination combined infrastructure, culture and lifestyle in a different way.

A Growing Technology Hub Faces Practical Pressures

Tokyo's workation ranking coincided with recognition of its position in the technology economy. A recent Colliers report placed the city among the top 10 global markets for technology talent, ahead of Washington and just behind Dublin.

Within the Asia-Pacific region, only Beijing and Bengaluru ranked above Tokyo in that assessment. The comparison places Japan's capital among cities drawing attention for both their technology workforce and their appeal to professionals working remotely.

Technology professionals and digital nomads are contributing to changes in Tokyo's economy and culture. Companies are investing in coworking spaces, digital infrastructure and services intended for a mobile international workforce.

Tokyo's openness to global talent also creates opportunities for new collaborations and innovation. For businesses, attracting people who can work across borders brings demand for facilities and services that support both professional routines and everyday life.

Housing and public services are part of the challenge. An influx of remote workers can put pressure on accommodation and services, making continued accessibility for residents and visitors a planning concern.

Investment in infrastructure and thoughtful planning were presented as ways for Tokyo to sustain its attraction. The city's position depends on maintaining the practical qualities that helped it lead the ranking while responding to the needs of the people who already live there.

Key Points

• Tokyo ranked first among 40 cities in IWG's 2025 Work from Anywhere Barometer, scoring 91 out of 120.
• Rio de Janeiro scored 90 and Budapest 89.5, leaving a narrow gap between the top three.
• Tokyo's strengths included broadband, transport, safety, culture, flexible workplaces and access to nature.
• Japan introduced its digital nomad visa in April 2024. Its stay limit is six months, correcting the original article's 12 month claim.
• IWG found that 60 percent of hybrid workers were more likely to extend a holiday to work remotely than a year earlier.
• Flexible workspaces were a major destination choice factor for 86 percent of surveyed hybrid workers.
• Colliers placed Tokyo among the top 10 global markets for technology talent, with only Beijing and Bengaluru ahead of it in Asia-Pacific.
• Housing, public services and continued infrastructure investment are practical concerns as Tokyo attracts more mobile workers.