Tokyo has been named the world’s best workcation city for 2025 in International Workplace Group’s (IWG) third annual Work from Anywhere Barometer, with Singapore ranking among Asia’s top cities where flexible working enables professionals to stay productive while travelling.
The ranking sees Tokyo surpass global contenders such as Rio de Janeiro and last year’s winner, Budapest, while other Asian cities on the list include Seoul, Beijing, and Jakarta.
Here are some key points from the study:
Tokyo tops global list of best cities for travellers working abroad in IWG’s third annual Work from Anywhere Barometer.
Singapore ranks 4th among the Asian cities on the list, ahead of Jakarta, Manila, Mumbai, and Hong Kong.
Cities were scored across 12 criteria, including climate, broadband, availability of flexible workspaces, as well as new categories such as availability/price of digital nomad visas and proximity to beaches, mountains, or national parks.
New research from IWG, the world’s largest platform for work and provider of flexible workspaces, highlights the rising popularity of ‘workcations’ among white-collar professionals. Findings from this year’s Barometer show that six in 10 (60%) of hybrid workers are more likely to extend a holiday to work remotely than last year, while 86% cite the availability of flexible workspaces as a major factor in their destination choice.
‘Workcations’—where travellers combine work and leisure at their destinations to extend holidays—have surged in popularity since hybrid working became the de facto working model for many. This year’s research shows that 78% of employees surveyed consider a ‘work from anywhere’ policy an important factor when evaluating a new job, while 87% say the freedom to work from anywhere boosts their productivity. Hybrid workers also report reduced burnout (85%) and improved work-life balance (87%). With advances in technology and the widespread adoption of flexible work models, professionals can stay fully productive from virtually any location, whether close to home or halfway across the world.
With over 4,000 flexible workspace locations in more than 120 countries, IWG’s network has a strong presence across all 40 leading ‘workcation’ cities featured in this year’s Work from Anywhere Barometer. Each city was scored on a scale of one to 10 across 12 criteria—including climate, accommodation, transport, broadband speed, and the availability of flexible workspaces—along with new categories such as digital nomad visas and proximity to nature.
2025 Top 10 Workcation Cities
1
Tokyo
6
Beijing
2
Rio de Janeiro
7
Lisbon
3
Budapest
8
Rome
4
Seoul
9
Paris
5
Barcelona
10
Valletta
New Entrants in the Global Top 10
Seoul (#4): Recognised for its strong broadband infrastructure, efficient transport system, and newly streamlined digital nomad visa scheme.
Rome (#8): Celebrated for its outstanding cuisine, historic surroundings, and the launch of Italy’s national digital nomad visa in January 2025.
Paris (#9): Scores high for its rich culture, excellent transport, and diverse co-working options, despite higher general costs.
Valletta (#10): Secures a top-10 position with its Mediterranean climate, historic charm, and compact, accessible size
2025 Top Asian Workcation Cities
#1
Tokyo
#17
Jakarta
#4
Seoul
#18
Manila
#6
Beijing
#36
Mumbai
#15
Singapore
#38
Hong Kong
Tokyo takes the crown (91/120)
Tokyo scored highly for its exceptional broadband speeds, transport infrastructure, safety, culture, and new digital nomad visa launched in April 2024, which grants stays up to 12 months at a competitive cost. The city also benefits from proximity to mountains, coastal regions, and national parks – ideal for hybrid workers seeking an exciting urban atmosphere alongside natural escapes.
Workcations with a little funk and Seoul (87.5/120)
It’s no surprise that Seoul is fast becoming one of the most sought-after workcation destinations for hybrid workers, thanks to its ultra-fast internet, efficient public transport, and a thriving digital nomad community supported by South Korea’s digital nomad visa. Beyond its robust infrastructure, Seoul’s vibrant culture and culinary scene are major draws. From majestic palaces and electrifying K-pop concerts to bustling street food alleys, the city blends cutting-edge innovation with deep-rooted tradition, making it an ideal base for both productivity and exploration.
Little Red Dot, Big Workcation Vibe (82/120)
Singapore continues to be a top choice for hybrid workers, scoring high on food, broadband, happiness, culture, and sustainability. With island-wide 5G network coverage and seamless urban mobility, the metropolitan city offers a hyper-connected environment that supports productivity, whether digital nomads are tucked away in the heartlands or working from the bustling Central Business District. Singapore’s ‘City in Nature vision also ensures that green spaces, from rooftop gardens to nature reserves, are seamlessly woven into the urban landscape.
Consistently named Asia’s happiest country, Singapore blends cultural richness with forward-thinking urban design. Historical temples stand shoulder to shoulder with striking contemporary architecture, while cultural festivals fill the calendar year-round. Its food scene is equally celebrated—from Michelin-starred fine dining to beloved hawker fare. Singapore also stands out as a premier destination for world-class events, having hosted global highlights such as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and Lady Gaga’s only Asia stop for The Mayhem Ball tour, cementing its reputation as a business hub and leisure capital.
Emerging workcation destinations for 2025
This year’s barometer welcomed 10 new cities: Tokyo, Seoul, Rome, Cairo, Mexico City, Cape Town, Prague, Melbourne, Orlando, and Reykjavik. These cities scored particularly well on newly introduced criteria that assessed the availability and cost of digital nomad visas, as well as their proximity to beaches, mountains, and national parks. This reflects hybrid workers’ growing preference for destinations that offer easy access to nature, with 75% stating that natural surroundings are a major factor in their choice.
Beyond reducing burnout and improving work-life balance, being able to work from anywhere also drives productivity and strengthens talent retention. According to the new IWG Hybrid Working Productivity Report, produced in partnership with global consultancy Arup, adopting flexible workspaces as part of a hybrid strategy could boost productivity by up to 11% over the next five years. Companies worldwide are seeing significant gains: from enhanced productivity to stronger retention and attraction of top talent. Workplace flexibility, in particular, plays a pivotal role, with flexible arrangements lowering voluntary turnover by up to 20%, and employees being three times more likely to stay in roles that offer a variety of working options.
Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of IWG, said: “We’re seeing more workers than ever extending their trips to work remotely or choosing to spend longer periods abroad as digital nomads. Thanks to hybrid working and cloud technology, employees now have the freedom to work wherever and whenever suits them best – whether that’s a local flexible workspace or a co-working centre on the other side of the world. For many, the days of long daily commutes are over, and there is more freedom to work in new locations.
This trend is here to stay with many companies adopting flexible working and WFA 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. In fact, our recent report in partnership with Arup has revealed that businesses empowering employees to use local workspaces and offices as part of their work location strategy could boost productivity by 11% over the next five years, making it a clear win-win for both employees and employers in the global battle for talent.”
AloJapan.com