TV game is a great way to learn about history, science and even other cultures. It's getting easier and easier to find fascinating games with unique visuals, amazing stories and moving characters that take their players around the world. The same applies when it comes to Japanese. Game fans can easily travel to and around Japan thanks to these fun and complex games that let their players explore everything from modern Tokyo to Feudal Japan. The best game in Japan highlighting the country's culture and history, while just being an amazing experience to play.
8 beautiful video games with complex fantasy worlds
These RPG titles feature brilliantly designed worlds, allowing players to experience the thrill of exploring lore-filled territories in-game.
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 explore familiar locations, interact with familiar Japanese tropes, and explore both urban and rural areas of the areas found in Japan through an authentic lens that cuts no corners.
Updated November 26, 2025 by Mark Sammut: 2025 has been a big year for game set in Japanespecially historical. Honestly, if you're thinking of visiting Tokyo (or Edo), you have tons of options at your disposal. We've updated this article with three new games: Ghost 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 fading rural charm
In the rural village of Nagoro is one of the funnest side-scrolling games set in Japan that lets players explore the charming village of Shikoku Island called Nagoro. It is a simple and minimalistic game that is also a great choice for both beginners and casuals.
During their short but relaxing adventure, players will engage with the villagers and witness the transformation of the once thriving community. It is an emotional and meditative experience with educational insights into the beautiful village of Nagoro and its evolution over the years.
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Akiba's Journey: Undead and Undressed
A crazy, over-the-top journey through the heart of Akihabara
Anime fans have a love/hate relationship with fanservice, as it's an ever-present reality in almost all anime, whether the tone suits it or not. What would happen if someone made a game based entirely on fan service? Akiba's journey is here to answer that very question.
Players control Nanashi, an otaku turned vampire turned freedom fighter. Freedom from what? Clothes! The goal of the good guys, insofar as there is a goal, is to strip as many residents of Akihabara (present-day Japan) as possible by literally knocking them out.
It's fun, it's chaotic and pointless fun. It has the same over-the-top, balls-to-the-walls feel as Like a dragon the most obscure moment of the series, but with no seriousness in between. Understanding the premise of why we do what we do can take a little time to wrap one's head around, but it's explained well, all things considered.
Akiba's journey and Akiba's Beat are also solid options, though neither game is necessarily great.
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Trek to Yomi
A gripping tale of honor and revenge amid Japan's past
Hike to Yomi is another action-packed video game that takes its players back in time and takes them on an epic adventure filled with bloody battles. This cinematic action-adventure game not only has beautiful graphics, but a gripping story and an awesome soundtrack.
Hike to Yomi step into the shoes of a young swordsman named Hiroki and embark on a perilous journey as the lone samurai battles demons to protect 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 too Hike to Yomi to get started with the game more easily.
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Tokyo jungle
Navigate a dystopian Japan where nature rules
Tokyo jungle is a fun survival horror game that takes its players to a post-apocalyptic Japan where humans have died out. Tokyo looks like a desolate wasteland populated only by wild animals. The graphics are beautiful in their own way, and a variety of animals can be controlled.
To unlock more and more animals, players have to complete various fun challenges. It's a fantastic game with a dystopian feel, exotic animals, as well as pets all fighting each other to stay alive 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+
An amazing action JRPG set in Japan by one of the genre's most trusted developers
If you're remotely into JRPGs, Nihon Falcom should be a name that rings a bell. The Legends of Heroes and Track are two of the most consistent franchises in gaming, not just the RPG genre, but they are both set in fantasy worlds. However, Nihon has a big game set in modern day Japan, and it's every bit as good as the developer's other efforts.
Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is an action JRPG and dungeon crawler that also includes social elements, though not quite to the same extent as Atlus's Persona. The fight is relatively similar to it Yuck game, including the involvement of multiple playable characters that can be swapped out on the fly. The dungeons are somewhat repetitive, but they are elevated by the quality of the gameplay and the challenging boss battles. The story is also fantastic and very, very long.
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Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Master Stealth and Strategy in Japan's Edo Period
Set in the early Edo period of Japan, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a top-down stealth strategy game where players take on heavily defended fortresses and camps with just a few fighters of their own. It takes clear inspirations from the Commando series, back in the day, and shows that even though that style of play has fallen out of mainstream favor, there's still fun to be had if done by the right developer.
Yuki the thief excels by being sneaky and using his knife to execute enemies from the shadows. In contrast, Samurai Mugen can use his sword to devastating effect, taking down groups of enemies in a flurry of sword discs that don't allow for retaliation. More crew members are unlocked as time goes on, introducing new aspects of strategy as encounters begin to scale up in difficulty. Each level is a puzzle that requires the player to figure out which enemies to take out when and which character to use. It's an addictively fun brain teaser that fans of this type of game can enjoy for dozens upon dozens of hours.
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Rise of the Ronin
A freewheeling samurai adventure in 19th century Japan
Rise of the Ronin is an open-world samurai action RPG set in the historical setting of mid-1800s Japan. The game has incredibly satisfying battles, where the main character has several different weapon types at his disposal, apart from just the standard katana. The gameplay is fun and addictive, and the large map is filled with collectibles, pickups and knick-knacks of all varieties. The only aspect where this game falls short of expectations is the graphics.
Rise of the Ronin draws natural comparisons Ghost of Tsushimathe de facto king of this category, as both games promise samurai fantasy. However, the similarities between the two titles are only superficial. Ghost of Tsushima takes a grim, realistic approach to storytelling and world design Rise of the Ronin is a much more light-hearted, Yakuza-like game.
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Judgment
Discover the dark underbelly of Tokyo's crime scene
Judgment is spinoff of the popular Yakuza series, and it quickly became just as beloved by gaming fans. Judgment is one of the newest video games set in Japan with epic fight scenes, just like Yakuza 8. It is one of the most cinematic crime games where Tokyo's darkest alleys can be explored while investigating a twisted crime mystery.
Players will get to test their combat skills as well as their critical thinking skills if they want to survive Tokyo's brutal underworld and uncover the dark mystery. It's a more difficult but deeply atmospheric game with an immersive story that makes it perfect not only for avid gamers but for beginners and casuals looking for a highly entertaining challenge.
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NEO: The world ends with you
Fight for survival in the bustling streets of Shibuya
NEO: The world ends with you is one of the latest action JRPG games set in Japan and is also one of the most acclaimed games of 2022. This colorful and fun game takes its players on a battle-filled and emotional adventure during which they must compete in the Reapers' Game.
It's a beautifully animated game experienced from the point of view of Rindo, who must learn to use his sudden psychic powers while battling other players in Reaper's game on the streets of present-day Shibuya, Tokyo. It is a perfect choice for beginners and more experienced players who like action games with great storytelling.
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Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
Experience Tokyo's pop culture explosion in a unique RPG
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is one strategy JRPG game with beautiful anime aesthetics and set in present-day Tokyo. The game revolves around Japan's iconic idol culture, so it has tons of great OSTs. The story follows Itsuki and his friends, who are members of an idol talent agency and must fight hostile creatures from another world.
It's a really fun and very simple game that lets its players learn about today's Tokyo and pop culture at the same time. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore also feels light but fun and has great storytelling, tons of acting, dancing, singing, fast-paced battles, fun characters, and, of course, powerful friendships.
