Tokyo Named Best Overall Destination at TOURISE AWARDS 2025

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is pleased to announce that Tokyo has achieved remarkable recognition at the TOURISE AWARDS 2025, a global tourism award hosted by TOURISE, the international tourism platform established by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. Tokyo was honored with the “Best Overall Destination” award and also received top accolades in the categories of “Best Food & Culinary Destination” and “Best Entertainment Destination.”

Tokyo emerged as a global culinary capital, where travelers can enjoy everything from traditional Japanese cuisine to diverse international offerings. Its status as the city with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world for 19 consecutive years highlights its unrivaled reputation in the culinary world. In entertainment, Tokyo’s vibrant attractions continue to charm visitors, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building projection mapping, which exceeded 1 million visitors as of October 2025, and cutting-edge pop culture phenomena, such as anime and manga, beloved across all generations worldwide. These distinct and unparalleled tourism resources were key to securing Tokyo’s win across multiple categories.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will continue to further enhance the attractiveness of Tokyo, a city where tradition and innovation coexist, to establish the “PRIME Tourism Destination City Tokyo.” 

Please see the Appendix for remarks from Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on receiving this award.“Best Overall Destination” Winner 
Awarded to: Tokyo, Japan

“Best Food & Culinary Destination” Winner, Finalists, and Nominees
Winner: Tokyo, Japan
Finalists: Hong Kong, China; London, England
Nominees: Kyoto, Japan; Arequipa, Peru; Bangkok, Thailand; Barcelona, Spain; Basque Country, Spain; Bologna, Italy; Cape Town, South Africa; Copenhagen, Denmark; Dubai, UAE; Gujarat, India; Istanbul, Turkey; Kerala, India; Marrakech, Morocco; New York, USA; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; Seoul, South Korea

“Best Entertainment Destination” Winner, Finalists, and Nominees
Winner: Tokyo, Japan
Finalists: Mexico City, Mexico; Seoul, South Korea
Nominees: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; AlUla, Saudi Arabia; Bangkok, Thailand; Barcelona, Spain; Berlin, Germany; Dubai, UAE; Edinburgh, Scotland; Ibiza, Spain; Las Vegas, USA; London, England; Los Angeles, USA; Miami, USA; Nashville, USA; New York, USA; Paris, France; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Shanghai, China
The list above is arranged in alphabetical order (excluding Japanese cities).

About TOURISE
Established in 2025 by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, TOURISE is a global platform dedicated to exploring the future of the tourism industry. Through initiatives such as the TOURISE SUMMIT, it brings together public and private sector leaders and professionals from diverse fields to discuss solutions to industry challenges and promote sustainable growth in global tourism.

ABOUT TOURISE AWARDS
As part of the TOURISE initiative, the inaugural TOURISE AWARDS recognize the world’s most outstanding cities and destinations through nominations and evaluations by individuals and specialists who have served as representatives of global companies. The awards are presented in five categories—Art & Culture, Adventure, Food & Culinary, Shopping, and Entertainment. Among the finalists (top three destinations) in each category, one destination is selected for the Best Overall Destination award, honoring the location that delivers the most exceptional travel experience across multiple dimensions.
https://www.tourise.com/en/awards

Governor’s Comment on Tokyo Winning the 2025 TOURISE Awards