Tokyo has topped the list of the best cities for remote work in 2025 according to IWG. Find out why the Japanese capital became the leader, what criteria were taken into account when compiling the ranking, and which other cities made it into the top 10 best destinations for digital nomads

In a world where more and more professionals work remotely or hybridly, choosing a city to live and work in is key. People are looking for more than just comfortable offices or fast internet, but also a safe environment, an interesting cultural atmosphere and the opportunity to relax in nature after a working day. That is why the IWG study has become a kind of "map" for digital nomads and those who strive to find the perfect balance between career and personal life.

In 2025, Tokyo took first place in the annual IWG Work from Anywhere Barometer study, which evaluates where in the world it is best to combine work and travel. How the leader was chosen and who else made the list is described in this article.

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Why did Tokyo receive the status of the best city for remote workers in 2025?

Analysts noted several factors that made the Japanese capital the most attractive for digital nomads and hybrid workers:

- High internet speed and modern infrastructure.

- Safety and quality of city life.

- Cultural diversity and entertainment.

- New visa for digital nomads that allows you to work remotely legally in Japan.

- Proximity to nature – mountains, coast and national parks, which makes Tokyo an ideal city for those who value the balance between work and rest.

How was the ranking of the best cities for remote work formed?

To create its ranking, IWG analyzed 40 countries and cities according to 12 criteria:

- climate;

- quality of housing;

- gastronomy;

- transportation system;

- cost level (in particular, the average price of a cappuccino in popular areas for foreigners);

- internet speed;

- level of happiness of residents;

- availability of coworking and flexible offices;

- cultural environment;

- availability and cost of a digital nomad visa;

- proximity to mountains, beaches or parks;

- sustainability of development.

This year, special attention was paid to visas for digital nomads, as well as the ability to quickly change the working environment - from the office to coworking or outdoor recreation.

Top 10 cities in the world for work in 2025

In addition to Tokyo, the following cities in the world were included in the ranking of the best places for remote work:

1st place - Tokyo, Japan.

2nd place - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

3rd place - Budapest, Hungary.

Read about the visa for digital nomads in Hungary in this article.

4th place - Seoul, South Korea.

5th place - Barcelona, ​​Spain.

Read the application procedure and requirements for applicants to obtain a Spanish digital nomad visa here.

6th place - Beijing, China.

7th place – Lisbon, Portugal.

In this article, we will talk about the requirements for obtaining a Portuguese digital nomad visa.

8th place – Rome, Italy.

9th place – Paris, France.

10th place – Valletta, Spain.

Interestingly, several cities are newcomers to the ranking – Seoul, Rome, Paris and Valletta.

In particular, Seoul impressed the experts with “ultra-fast internet, efficient public transport and the new South Korean visa for digital nomads”.

What other destinations do the experts highlight?

- Barcelona, ​​Lisbon and Budapest remain consistently popular in Europe.

- Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Mumbai and Hong Kong also made the top ten in Asia.

- New trendy cities – Mexico City, Cape Town, Prague, Melbourne, Orlando and Reykjavik.

All of them received high scores for the development of coworking spaces, digital visas and proximity to natural locations.

What does this mean for employees?

According to the study, 86% of hybrid professionals consider the availability of flexible workspaces to be a key factor when choosing a city to work.

Analysts predict that the “work from anywhere” policy will only gain popularity, as it helps to avoid burnout, increases productivity and improves the balance between career and personal life.

In 2025, the global work map is changing - now the main offices are not necessarily in the business centers of megacities. More and more people are choosing places where they can combine work and enjoy life. And Tokyo seems to have become a major point of attraction for those looking for the perfect balance.

Recall! In 2025, living and working from anywhere in the world has become not just a dream, but a reality - more and more countries are opening special visas for digital nomads to attract remote workers to their sunny beaches, historic cities and modern tech hubs. We have already told you which countries offer digital nomad visas in 2025, what are the income and living requirements, and where is it better to work remotely.

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