Tokyo Named “Best Big City in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler; Japan’s Bustling Capital Grabs the Top Spot in the U.S. Edition Readers’ Choice

The renowned luxury and lifestyle magazine Condé Nast Traveler has announced the results of its Readers’ Choice Awards 2024, with Tokyo returning to the top spot in the U.S. edition ranking of “Best Big Cities in the World” after a two-year hiatus. 

Tokyo regaining the top spot likely reflects recognition of the various initiatives conducted in collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to promote tourism in Tokyo and improve the environment for receiving tourists.

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.” 

“The Best Cities in the World” (Big Cities Category) Ranking (excluding the U.S.)

• 1st （2nd） Tokyo （Japan）
• 2nd （1st） Singapore （Singapore）
• 3rd （5th） Sydney （Australia）
• 4th （4th ） Cape Town （South Africa）
• 5th （—） Vienna （Austria）
• 6th （8th） Vancouver （Canada）
• 7th （—） Madrid （Spain）
• 8th （6th） Copenhagen （Denmark）
• 9th （—） Montreal （Canada）
• 10th （—） London （U.K.）

※Figures in parentheses are the 2023 ranking.
※This is the sixth time that Tokyo has been ranked first (previously in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021)

Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo, said:

“Tokyo was ranked first in the U.S. edition of the Condé Nast Traveler readers’ poll of the “Best Big City in the World” for the first time in three years. I would like to express my appreciation to all the readers who voted.

“Tokyo is a city where visitors can experience a distinctive culture, with traditional shrines and temples coexisting alongside innovative anime and the latest pop culture in a rare charm that entices the world. The downtown area is lined with functional high-rise buildings, while there are also spaces of natural beauty, surrounded by lush greenery and water. Along with traditional Japanese food, visitors can enjoy a variety of cuisines from around the world. This result reaffirms for me how the appeal of Tokyo is well recognized by people around the world.

“Next year, both the World Athletics Championships and the Deaflympics will be held. We will continue to further refine the charm of Tokyo so that we can welcome many people from Japan and abroad in their quest to create many wonderful memories.”

※Please click here for the original Japanese release.