Japan ranked best country in the world for fourth straight year

Japan was named the world’s most attractive country for the fourth consecutive year, according to survey results released Wednesday, extending a winning streak as record numbers of overseas visitors continue to flock to the country.

Japan took the top spot in the U.S edition of the magazine Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for “Best Countries in the World.”

Italy ranked second, followed by Ireland, Cambodia and Spain.

The results demonstrate the country’s enduring appeal among international travelers as inbound tourism continues to surge. A record 42.7 million overseas visitors came to Japan in 2025, according to justice ministry figures.

Tokyo’s Haneda Airport was ranked the sixth best in the world, with Singapore’s Changi Airport taking the top place.

In a news release Wednesday, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said Japan’s strong showing reflected not only the appeal of its tourism resources, but also qualities distinctive to Japan, such as its hospitality and safety.

“We hope that this continued international recognition will generate even greater interest in Japan and encourage more people to visit,” the organization wrote.

Conde Nast Traveler readers cast 798,867 votes in this year’s awards, the magazine’s 39th edition. The awards, held annually since 1988, rank destinations and travel experiences based on readers’ overall evaluations, with voting across categories including countries, hotels and cruises.

In the magazine’s U.K. edition of the rankings, Japan placed second behind Greece, with Italy, Turkey and Portugal completing the top five. The magazine highlighted the country’s restaurants, hot springs, cherry blossoms and high-speed rail network, as well as its mix of traditional culture, design and technological innovation.

“We will continue to showcase the unique attractions of regions across Japan, including their nature, culture, and cuisine, to audiences around the world, while encouraging travel to regional destinations and working toward sustainable tourism,” JNTO wrote.