According to a 2025 report from International Workplace Group (IWG), Tokyo has emerged as the top city globally for a “workcation.” This ranking comes from IWG’s third annual “Work from Anywhere Barometer,” which evaluates destinations where travelers can seamlessly blend work and leisure. Tokyo’s number one position is attributed to its outstanding broadband speed, robust transport infrastructure, safety, rich cultural landscape, and the recent introduction of a digital nomad visa.
The report highlights that Tokyo also offers proximity to mountains, coastal regions, and national parks-perfect for hybrid workers looking to balance an exciting urban lifestyle with natural retreats. IWG assessed 40 countries using a scale from one to ten across 12 criteria, including climate, accommodation, food quality, transportation, cost of living, broadband speed, happiness, availability of flexible workspaces, and sustainability.
Notably, the digital nomad visa-granting workers the legal ability to work remotely while residing outside their home countries-was introduced as a new criterion this year, alongside proximity to natural landscapes. According to the report, a substantial 86% of hybrid workers indicated that access to flexible workspaces significantly influences their choice of destination. Mark Dixon, founder and CEO of IWG, emphasized this shift: “Thanks to hybrid working and cloud technology, employees now have the freedom to work wherever and whenever suits them best.”
The top ten cities for workcations in 2025 are as follows: Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Budapest, Seoul, Barcelona, Beijing, Lisbon, Rome, Paris, and Valletta. Notably, cities like Tokyo, Seoul, Rome, Paris, and Valletta are new to this prestigious list. Seoul’s high rank is credited to its ultra-fast internet, efficient public transport, and a vibrant digital nomad community buoyed by South Korea’s digital nomad visa.
Though Budapest dropped from first to third, it remains a popular choice for its culinary offerings and happiness index. Additionally, the report includes the top Asian workcation cities, such as Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Mumbai, and Hong Kong. Singapore continues to be a preferred location for hybrid workers due to its exceptional food, high happiness rankings, superior broadband speed, and commitment to sustainability. The report praises Singapore’s comprehensive 5G network and plentiful green spaces.
Barcelona, Beijing, and Lisbon, while well-liked, have seen a decline in their rankings this year. Emerging workcation hotspots like Mexico City, Cape Town, Prague, Melbourne, Orlando, and Reykjavik have gained attention, scoring high on criteria related to digital nomad visas and access to nature.
Dixon underscored that the trend of flexible working is here to stay, with many companies adopting policies that allow employees to work from anywhere-especially during the summer months. This approach not only enhances work-life balance and mitigates burnout but also leads to notable productivity gains.
This substantial shift in work settings is shaping a new era for travelers and remote workers alike, leading to intriguing opportunities for both personal and professional growth.
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Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/18/tokyo-tops-list-for-2025s-best-workcation-destinations-in-the-world.html
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Publish Date: 2025-08-18 14:36:00
