[Hida Takayama, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture] Takayama City selected as the only city in Japan for the 2026 "Most Welcoming Cities on Earth"!
Key facts
- [Hida Takayama, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture] Takayama City selected as the only city in Japan for the 2026 "Most Welcoming Cities on Earth"!
- Takayama City was recognized by Booking.com as the only Japanese city in the "Most Welcoming Cities on Earth" for 2026, based on 370 million reviews. An award ceremony was held on February 18, 2026.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: April 10, 2026
Direct answer
Takayama City was recognized by Booking.com as the only Japanese city in the "Most Welcoming Cities on Earth" for 2026, based on 370 million reviews. An award ceremony was held on February 18, 2026.
- Citation
- [Hida Takayama, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture] Takayama City selected as the only city in Japan for the 2026 "Most Welcoming Cities on Earth"! (April 10, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- April 10, 2026
Takayama City was recognized by Booking.com as the only Japanese city in the "Most Welcoming Cities on Earth" for 2026, based on 370 million reviews. An award ceremony was held on February 18, 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 01:09
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:29 (23h 19m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 01:13 (216h 44m after Collected)
■ Overview of the Award Ceremony and Background of the Award
Based on over 370 million verified reviews from travelers worldwide, Booking.com recognizes accommodations and other facilities that provide outstanding hospitality in the "Traveller Review Awards." The top 10 "Most Welcoming Cities on Earth" were selected based on the proportion of accommodations that received this award in those destinations.
■ Speeches at the Award Ceremony
Mr. Luis Rodriguez, Country Manager of Booking.com Japan
"Takayama City has provided attractive experiences for travelers while balancing sustainable tourism with the local way of life. We believe this result is what led to this award."
Akira Tanaka, Mayor of Takayama City
"Takayama City has actively welcomed foreign tourists for over 40 years. Accepting foreigners with diverse backgrounds is by no means an easy task. Precisely because of this, rather than perceiving it as a burden, we have worked on improving the welcoming environment across the entire city, including private businesses, aiming for a region where everyone can spend their time comfortably. We believe that the accumulation of these continuous efforts has led to this award.
This award is a gift made possible by the support of the citizens who cooperate with accepting tourists on a daily basis."
FAQ
What award did Takayama City receive?
Takayama City was selected as one of the top 10 'Most Comfortable Cities in the World' in Booking.com's 'Traveller Review Awards 2026'. It is the only city selected from Japan.
What are the selection criteria?
The selection is based on over 370 million reviews from travelers worldwide, focusing on the proportion of accommodations that provide excellent hospitality.
Why was Takayama City evaluated highly?
Takayama City was highly evaluated for its long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism and comfortable environment development, involving the entire community, including citizens and private businesses, in welcoming diverse international tourists for over 40 years.