The 30 Best Games Set in Japan, Ranked (Including Forza Horizon 6!)

Better in Japan might be a meme, but it might also be true. Since the dawn of Mario, video games have been teleporting players to fantastical realms beyond our imagination; alternatively, they might show us a part of the world that we otherwise would never be able to visit. That is exactly what the best games set in Japan accomplish; they help expose the country's culture, while also just being really fun romps in their own right.

Considering so many of the greatest games ever were developed by Japanese companies, it shouldn't come as a surprise that some of the greatest games ever take place in Japan. There are hundreds of titles that qualify, but let's focus on the top 30 for now. Let's take a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Updated May 20, 2026, by Mark Sammut: A little-known game called Forza Horizon 6 just came out. You might have heard that it is set in Japan.

30 Onimusha: Warlords

Slashing Your Way Through Ancient Japan

Onimusha was one of the most underrated franchises of the 2000s, and its recent resurgence has been fantastic to observe. While all the games have their positives – even Onimusha Blade Warriors – the first entry and its remaster are the best and, well, most special. Inspired by Resident Evil, Onimusha: Warlords masterfully blended real Japanese history with dark, supernatural folklore, arguably setting the stage for subsequent masterpieces like Nioh and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The story kicks off with a prominent moment in Japanese history, the Battle of Okehazama, and one of the most important figures in Japanese history, Oda Nobunaga.

Onimusha turns Sengoku-era Japan into a survival horror nightmare, a hook that was absolutely brilliant in 2001 and is still effective in 2026. While the scope of the levels is quite limited, and we don't get to see an expansive city, the game uses pre-rendered backgrounds and a fixed camera to provide an incredible atmosphere that features Japanese castles and temples. Beyond just the story and setting, Onimusha: Warlords also plays brilliantly, particularly with the remaster's analog controls. While subsequent entries would lean more into hack-and-slash territory, the original game opts for more deliberate combat that challenges players to think before every action.

29 Akiba's Trip: Undead And Undressed

A Zany, Over-the-Top Journey Through Akihabara’s Heart

Anime fans have a love/hate relationship with fan service, as it is an ever-present reality in almost all anime, whether or not the tone suits it. What would happen if someone created a game based entirely around fan service? Akiba's Trip 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 undress as many residents of Akihabara (modern-day Japan) as possible by literally beating it off of them.

It's funny, it's chaotic, and mindless fun. It has the same over-the-top, balls-to-the-walls feeling as the Like a Dragon series' most unhinged moments, but with no seriousness in between. Understanding the premise of why we're doing what we're doing can take some time to wrap one's head around, but it's explained suitably well, all things considered.

Akiba's Trip and Akiba's Beat are also solid options, even if none of the games are necessarily amazing.

28 Trek To Yomi

A Gripping Tale of Honor and Revenge Amidst Japan’s Past

Trek to Yomi is another action-filled video game that transports 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 a chilling soundtrack.

Trek to Yomi steps into the shoes of a young swordsman named Hiroki and embarks on a dangerous journey as the lone samurai fights against demons to protect those he loves the most. It's a deep dive into feudal Japan, as well as the traditional weapons that samurai warriors used. Casuals can check out useful beginner tips for Trek to Yomi to get started with the game more easily.

27 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 humans have gone extinct. Tokyo looks like a deserted wasteland populated by only wild animals. The graphics are beautiful in their own way, and a wide variety of animals can be controlled.

To unlock more and more animals, gamers have to complete various fun challenges. It's a great game with a dystopian feel, exotic animals, as well as household pets that all fight 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 very end.

26 Tokyo Xanadu eX+

A Fantastic Action JRPG Set In Japan By One Of The Genre's Most Reliable Developers

If you are remotely into JRPGs, Nihon Falcom should be a name that strikes a bell. The Legends of Heroes and Trails 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 one major game set in contemporary Japan, and it is just as good as the developer's other efforts.

Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is an action JRPG and dungeon crawler that also incorporates social elements, although not quite to the same extent as Atlus's Persona. The combat is relatively similar to the Ys games, including the involvement of multiple playable characters who can be swapped out on the fly. The dungeons are somewhat repetitive, but they are elevated through the gameplay's quality and the challenging boss fights. The story is also great and very, very long.

25 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 encampments using only a couple of fighters of their own. It has clear inspirations from the Commando series, from way back in the day, and shows that even though that style of game has fallen out of mainstream favor, there is still fun to be had if it is made by the right developer.

Yuki the thief excels at being sneaky and using her knife to execute enemies from the shadows. In contrast, Mugen the Samurai can use his sword to devastating effect and take down groups of enemies in a flurry of sword slices that allow for no retaliation. More crew members are unlocked as time goes on, introducing new facets to the strategy as the encounters start scaling up in difficulty. Every level is a puzzle requiring 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 these sorts of games can enjoy for dozens upon dozens of hours.

24 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 several different weapon types at their disposal, besides just the standard katana. The gameplay is fun and addictive, and the vast 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 to Ghost of Tsushima, the de facto king in this category, as both games promise the samurai fantasy. However, the similarities between the two titles are only on the surface level. Ghost of Tsushima takes a somber, realistic approach to storytelling and world design, whereas Rise of the Ronin is a much more lighthearted, Yakuza-esque game.

23 Judgment

Uncover the Dark Underbelly of Tokyo’s Crime Scene

Judgment is the 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's 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 the brutal underworld of Tokyo and uncover the dark mystery. It's a more difficult but deeply atmospheric game with an immersive story which makes it perfect not only for avid gamers but beginners and casuals who are looking for a highly entertaining challenge.

22 NEO: The World Ends With You

Battle for Survival in the Vibrant Streets of Shibuya

NEO: The World Ends with You is one of the newest action JRPGs set in Japan that's also one of 2022's most celebrated games. This colorful and fun game takes its players on a battles-filled and emotional adventure during which they will have to compete in the Reapers' Game.

It's a beautifully animated game experienced from the point of view of Rindo, who has to learn to use his sudden psychic powers while battling against other players of the Reapers' game in the streets of modern-day Shibuya, Tokyo. It's a perfect choice for beginners and more experienced gamers who like action games with great storytelling.

21 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

Experience Tokyo’s Pop Culture Explosion in a Unique RPG

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is a strategy JRPG game with beautiful anime aesthetics and is set in modern-day Tokyo. The game centers around Japan's iconic idol culture, so it has plenty of amazing OSTs. The story follows Itsuki and his friends, who are members of an idol talent agency and have to fight against hostile beings from another world.

It's a really fun and considerably easy game that lets its players learn about modern-day Tokyo and pop culture at the same time. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore also feels light but fun and has great storytelling, lots of acting, dancing, singing, fast combat, fun characters, and, of course, powerful friendships.