Video games A great way to learn about history, science and other cultures. It's getting easier and easier to find captivating games with unique visuals, great stories, and characters that take their players around the world. The same is true when it comes to talking Japan. Gaming fans can easily travel in and around Japan thanks to these fun and complex games that let their players explore everything from modern Tokyo to feudal Japan. The The best game set in Japan Highlight the country's culture and history, while being an absolute blast to play.
8 beautiful video games with complex fantasy worlds
These RPG titles feature exquisitely designed worlds, allowing players to experience the thrill of exploring lore-filled, in-game areas.
The allure of exploring Japan and its many facets through the immersive medium of video games cannot be overstated. Players can get lost in these open worlds as they discover famous locations, interact with familiar Japanese tropes, and explore the urban and rural locations of regions located in Japan through an authentic lens that cuts no corners.
Updated by Mark Sammut on November 26, 2025: 2025 is going to be a big year Game set in JapanEspecially historical. Indeed, if you are looking to visit Tokyo (or Edo), you have many options. We've updated this article with three new games: Ghosts of Yotei, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Tokyo Xanadu eX+, and Fate/Samurai Remnant.
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In the rural village of Nagoro
A poignant tale of Japan's hidden rural charm
In the rural village of Nagoro One of the funnest side-scrolling games set in Japan lets players explore the charming village of Nagoro on Shikoku Island. It is a simple and minimalist game that is a great choice for beginners and even casuals.
During their short but relaxing adventure, players will get to engage with the villagers and witness the transformation of a once thriving community. It is an emotional and meditative experience with an educational insight into the beautiful village of Nagoro and its development over the years.
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Akiba's Journey: Undead and Undressed
An intimate, over-the-top journey through the heart of Akihabara
Anime fans have a love/hate relationship with fan service, as it is an ever-present reality in almost all anime, whether the tone is appropriate or not. What if someone created a game based entirely around fan service? Akiba's Journey Here is the answer to that question.
Players control Nanashi, an otaku-vampire-freedom fighter. Freedom from what? Clothes! The good guys' goal, insofar as there is a goal, is to literally beat up as many residents of Akihabara (modern day Japan) as possible.
It's funny, it's chaotic, and it's mindless fun. It has an over-the-top, balls-to-the-walls feel to it Like a dragon The most unhinged moments of the series, but without any seriousness in between. Understanding the basis of what we are doing may take some time to wrap one's head around, but all things considered it is explained fairly well.
Akiba's Journey and Akiba's beat There are also solid options, though none of the games are necessarily amazing.
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Trek to Yomi
A compelling story of honor and revenge amid Japan's past
Trek to Yomi Another is an action-packed video game that transports its players back in time and takes them on an epic adventure full of bloody battles. This cinematic action-adventure game not only has beautiful graphics but also a touching story and a chilling soundtrack.
Trek to Yomi Hiroki steps into the shoes of a young swordsman and embarks on a perilous journey as a lone samurai battles monsters to save those he loves most. It's a deep dive into feudal Japan, as well as the traditional weapons used by samurai warriors. Casuals can check out helpful beginner tips Trek to Yomi Start the game more easily.
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Tokyo Jungle
Navigate a dystopian Japan where nature reigns supreme
Tokyo Jungle is a fun survival horror game that takes its players to a post-apocalyptic Japan where people have become extinct. Tokyo looks like a desolate wasteland inhabited only by wildlife. The graphics are beautiful in their own way, and a wide variety of animals can be controlled.
To unlock more and more animals, players must complete various fun challenges. It's a fantastic game with a dystopian feel, exotic animals, as well as pets that all fight each other to survive in the wild. The game can be difficult at times, but thanks to its unique world, it keeps everyone entertained until the end.
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Tokyo Xanadu eX+
A fantastic action JRPG set in Japan by one of the genre's most trusted developers
If you're even remotely into JRPGs, Nihon Falcom should be a name that rings a bell. The Legends of Heroes and trails Two of the most consistent franchises in gaming, not just in the RPG genre, but they are both set in a fantasy world. However, Nihon has a major game set in contemporary Japan, and it's as good as the developer's other efforts.
Tokyo Xanadu eX+ An action JRPG and dungeon crawler that also includes social elements, though not to the same extent as Atlus' personality. Combat is relatively similar yes Games, including the involvement of multiple playable characters that can be swapped on the fly. The dungeons are somewhat repetitive, but they are elevated through the quality of gameplay and challenging boss fights. The story is also excellent and very long.
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Shadow Tactics: Shogun's Blade
Master Stealth and Strategy in Japan's Edo Period
Set in Japan's early Edo period, Shadow Tactics: Shogun's Blade A top-down stealth strategy game where players take over heavily defended forts and camps using only a couple of their own fighters. It has clear inspirations from the Commando series, from way back in the day, and it shows that even if the game style has fallen out of favor with the mainstream, it can still be fun if it's made by the right developer.
Yuki Chor excels at being intimidating and using a knife to kill enemies from the shadows. In contrast, a mugen samurai can wield his sword to devastating effect and eliminate groups of enemies in a wave of sword fragments that allows for no retaliation. More crew members are unlocked over time, introducing new aspects to strategy as encounters begin to scale in difficulty. Each level is a puzzle that requires the player to figure out which enemy to use when and which character. It's an addictively fun brain teaser that fans of these types of games can enjoy for dozens of hours.
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Rise of the Ronin
A free-roaming samurai adventure in 19th-century Japan
Rise of the Ronin is an open-world samurai action RPG set in the historical setting of mid-19th century Japan. The game has incredibly satisfying combat, with the protagonist having many different weapon types besides the standard katana. The gameplay is fun and addictive, and the huge map is full of collectibles, pickups, and all kinds of knick-knacks. The only aspect where this game falls short of expectations is the graphics.
Rise of the Ronin Draws natural comparisons Ghost of TsushimaThe real king in this category, as both games promise samurai fantasy. However, the similarities between the two titles are only on the surface level. Ghost of Tsushima takes a bleak, realistic approach to storytelling and world design, while Rise of the Ronin A very light, Yakuza-esque game.
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justice
Uncover the dark underbelly of Tokyo's crime scene
justice is a spinoff of Popular Yakuza series, and it quickly became a favorite among gaming fans. justice Epic is one of the newest video games set in Japan with fighting scenes, e.g Yakuza 8. This is one of the most cinematic crime games where the darkest alleys of Tokyo can be explored while investigating a twisted crime mystery.
Players will get to test their fighting skills and their critical thinking skills if they want to survive in Tokyo's brutal underworld and uncover dark secrets. It is a more difficult yet deeply atmospheric game with an immersive story that makes it suitable not only for avid gamers but also for beginners and casuals looking for a very entertaining challenge.
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NEO: The world ends with you
Battle for survival on the vibrant streets of Shibuya
NEO: The world ends with you One of the newest action JRPGs set in Japan is one of the hottest games of 2022. This colorful and fun game takes its players on a battle-filled and emotional adventure during which they have to compete in the Reapers game.
It's a beautifully animated game experienced from the perspective of Rindo, who must learn to harness his sudden psychic powers as he fights against other Rippers Game players on the streets of modern-day Shibuya, Tokyo. It's a great choice for beginners and more experienced gamers who love action games with great storytelling.
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Tokyo Mirage Session #FE Encore
Experience Tokyo's pop culture explosion in a unique RPG
Tokyo Mirage Session #FE Encore there is one Strategy JRPG game with beautiful anime aesthetics and set in modern day Tokyo. The game is centered around Japan's iconic idol culture, so it has many stunning OSTs. The story follows Itsuki and his friends, who are members of an idol talent agency and must fight against hostile creatures from another world.
It's a really fun and very easy game that lets its players learn about modern day Tokyo and pop culture at the same time. Tokyo Mirage Session #FE Encore Feels light but fun and has great storytelling, lots of acting, dancing, singing, fast-paced combat, fun characters, and, of course, powerful friendships.
