Virtual Travel! 10 Great Games Set in Japan

Ever wanted to go to Japan? Maybe you’ve been watching too much Jujutsu Kaisen and getting starry eyed over the stunning temples. Or perhaps you’ve visited before and long for the delicious ramen and midnight conbini trips. Either way, many of us dream of being in Japan and wish there was a super easy way to travel there. Until then, let’s go–in these video games set in Japan!

Here are 10 great games to feel like you’ve landed right in the middle of Japan.

Persona 5 Royal

*Explore Shibuya: shop, play, and work! [Source: Engadget]*

Most JRPG fans will be familiar with the Persona series. Technically a spin-off of Atlas’ Megami Tensei franchise, the series’ first game came out in 1996 for the OG Playstation. Persona 5 was released in 2017 in North America, but was re-released with enhanced content as Persona 5 Royal in 2019.

The Persona series goes beyond normal RPGs and digs into themes such as human psychology, mythology, and spirituality. Often, the characters are each on a search for their “true self.” As they learn about Personas, they begin questioning the social conventions imposed on society and themselves.

In Persona 5 Royal, you play as a scruffy-haired boy whose life has recently been dramatically affected by an unjust society. As he meets others with their own personal struggles, they come together in order to reform that unjust society. However, when not fighting using Personas inside of evil adults’ mind palaces (it’ll make sense, trust me), you’ll spend your time running around Tokyo. Persona 5 allows you to control your own schedule, whether you want to go fight or have fun. So do the things Japanese high schoolers do–work part-time at a convenient store, grab some ramen with a buddy, train at the gym, or just go home and study for exams.

*You won’t miss the authentic Japanese train experience. [Source: Engadget]*

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

*Isezaki Road, a shopping district where you can eat food and have fun. [Source:* *IGN]*

Ichiban Kasuga is a Yakuza gangster who has just been released from prison, where he spent 18 years after taking the fall for someone else’s crime. Some people call him “The Rock-Bottom Dragon,” after the dragonfish tattoo on his back. However, he’s also a big fan of the Dragon Quest series and has a soft heart, willing to defend his friends till the end.

Although Kasuga may at first seem a bit difficult to relate to, he is a great protagonist to play as due to his unwavering determination. Unlike the battle system in previous games, Like a Dragon uses real-time turn-based combat. The combat is only a portion of the game, however. You are free to run Kasuga around Yokohama, doing side-quests and unlocking activities such as kart racing or karaoke. Although seen through the eyes of a yakuza member, the city feels surprisingly authentic.

The rest of the Yakuza series is worth checking out as they are all games set in Japan.

*If you can’t really Kart Race around Tokyo, try it in Yakuza: Like a Dragon.* *[Source:* *IGN]*

Ghost of Tsushima

*Can you find all the game’s shrines? [Source: twinfinite]*

The first thing you might notice when playing Ghost of Tsushima is how visually stunning it is. Set during the first Mongol invasion of Japan, Ghost of Tsushima follows Jin Sakai, a samurai warrior and sole remaining member of his family clan. In order to defeat the Mongols, he recruits interesting allies who instruct him on different techniques and lessons. While travelling Japan, he explores various villages, writing haikus and discovering hidden hot springs along the way.

Unlike the first two games set in Japan on the list, Ghost of Tsushima allows you to explore an older, more natural Japan. There are no ramen joints to enjoy here. It’s just you, your horse, and the tranquility of the mystical island of Tsushima. That is, until you run into some Mongols.

*The natural, breathtaking colors of the game.* *[Source: twinfinite]*

Nightshade

*Talk with handsome men in Sengoku Era Japan~ [Source: Steam]*

If you like anime and you like romance, you may be familiar with otome games. Otome games are a genre of Visual Novels targeted towards girls. The goal of the games, besides pursuing the main story, is to develop a relationship with one of the other characters.

Nightshade follows the young daughter of the Head of the Koga clan, the symbol of unity between two warring clans. Despite her sheltered upbringing, she has long desired to become a shinobi, and perseveres until she receives her first mission. However, before she knows it, she has become a pawn in a political conspiracy.

You, as the protagonist, have the option of pursuing a romance with one of five different historical characters. Will you romance the handsome “Robin Hood” thief? The quiet model Shinobi, Tokugawa’s most loyal disciple? Your beloved childhood friend with a dark secret? A loyal but overprotective bodyguard? Your jaded mentor, who is afraid to love? Regardless of who you choose, you’ll enjoy the beautiful, traditional setting of the game.

*Some of your friends, or perhaps* more, in the game. *[Source: Steam]*

Persona 4 Golden

*Always wanted to attend a Japanese high school? [Source: Steam]*

Although Persona 5 already made the list, it would feel wrong not to include Persona 4 as well. Persona 4 was originally released in 2008, and takes place in a fictional rural town on the outskirts of Mount Fuji. Like in Persona 5, the protagonist is a high school student who has recently relocated to a new town. However, Persona 4’s protagonist becomes involved in a murder mystery that seems to be related to the strange world of Personas he discovers.

Although the small town of Inaba may not be as exciting as Tokyo, it has a unique Japanese charm. You’ll enjoy building relationships with your classmates, each of whom has their own unique story and personality. As the seasons pass in the game, you can experience various events such as a school camp out, beach trip, and summer festival. If you’re looking for great games set in Japan, the entire Persona series is worth checking out.

*Celebrate the summer festival together with your friends. [Source: Steam]*

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE Encore

Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE is a crossover between Atlus’s Shin Megami Tensei and Nintendo’s Fire Emblem series. Along with your friends, call upon some of the strange and sometimes friendly Mirages, who are based on Fire Emblem characters. Fight the evil Mirages, who are harvesting energy from humans. You play as Itsuki Aoi, a high schooler who becomes involved with a mysterious entertainment company which doubles as an organization seeking to fight evil.

As Itsuki, you will have the chance to run around and explore areas in Tokyo like Shibuya and Harajuku.

*Gyu-Don sounds great right about now…* *[Source: Square Enix]*

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

*Why enjoy temples from below when you can climb on top? [Source: Activision]*

If you’re looking for a challenge, try Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Sekiro was released by From Software, the developers of Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series. They’re infamous for creating fascinating games with no easy mode.

Although often compared to Ghost of Tsushima, Sekiro follows the story of the “one-armed wolf,” a shinobi who serves as protector to the young Divine Heir. When his young lord is kidnapped, the eponymous protagonist must rescue him and regain honor, even if it means dying. And a lot of dying he will do. (Unless you’re this guy.)

Even if you’re not keen on dying more times than you even believe possible, Sekiro is worth playing just to experience the world. Set at the end of the Sengoku era, the world is expansive and contains strong references to Buddhist mythology. The atmosphere is darker and more otherworldly than that of Ghost of Tsushima, and has many hidden secrets to be discovered.

*Just one of many stunning views in the game.*

Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds

*Romance + Samurai = ??? [Source: Steam]*

Hakuoki is a Japanese otome series by Idea Factory. Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds and Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms are two greatly expanded remakes of one game, Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom. Released over many years in many forms, and for many different platforms, Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds is a recommended starting point for new players who have access to a PC or PlayStation Vita, followed by Edo Blossoms.

The series follows the renamable Chizuru Yukimura, a young girl who travels to Kyoto in order to find her father, a doctor who has disappeared. Upon arriving, she is attacked, but quickly saved by members of the Shinsengumi, who mistake her for a boy and take her into their custody. She finds out that they are also looking for her father, but for a shocking reason.

Like Nightshade, Hakuoki allows the character to pursue a relationship with one of the members of the Shinsengumi. Most characters in the game are based on real historical people, and the game follows many of the real events the Shinsengumi experienced.

*Get ready to choose your next husbando…* *[Source: Steam]*

AI: The Somnium Files

If you want to play a game set in Japan but also enjoy games where you get the chance to investigate serial killings, try AI: The Somnium Files. (Want more crime games?) The game is set in a technologically-advanced Tokyo and follows Kaname Date, an investigator who works for ABIS, a top-secret police squad. ABIS investigates crimes through a method called “psyncing,” a process which allows investigators to explore the dream world of suspects in a case.

The game was created by Spike Chunsoft, who are well known for similiarly dark and fascinating games set in Japan such as Danganronpa and Zero Escape.

*An anime style murder mystery, but with cat ears.*

Okami

*A painted art style Japanese village. [Source: Pushsquare]*

Originally released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, Okami is a beautiful, watercolor styled game that follows Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess who has taken the form of a white wolf. The game was inspired by The Legend of Zelda series and has many similar gameplay aspects. Okami incorporates a unique sumi-e paint brush that can be controlled to perform miracles, such as to revive plants or destroy monsters.

You can explore Japanese folklore in this unique story about how the sun goddess saves the land from darkness.