
Thinking of Staying in an Airbnb in Japan? What You Need to Know
As Japan continues to see a record number of tourists, the hunt for accommodations is tight. At the same time, Airbnb-style home rentals are growing increasingly popular. And with over 50,000 listings in Japan on Airbnb, why not? But, is this kind of accommodation even legal in Japan? And if so, what do you need to know before booking? Here is your guide to renting an Airbnb in Japan.
Is Airbnb legal in Japan?
For a long time, Airbnb-style short-term rentals were operating in a legal grey zone in Japan. Recently, in June 2017, the Japanese government passed a new law regarding private lodging (minpaku) services. The new law, which becomes effective in June 2018, states that people can rent out a property for a maximum of 180 days in a calendar year if registered with and approved by the local government. The new law comes after months of dispute and numerous complaints by local residents.
The problem with Airbnb in Japan
While Airbnb will become legal in Japan with this new law, it is not without issues. First, the property must be owned by the host. Most rental agreements in Japan explicitly forbid any type of subletting. And even places owned by the host may not be able to rent out to short-term guests. In light of complaints, many homeowner and condo associations have made rules against Airbnb and similar short-term renting. Additionally, certain neighborhoods have either banned or restricted this short-term private renting. Shinjuku and Setagaya, for example, have rules restricting Airbnb-style renting to weekends only, while Ota requires guests to book a minimum of seven nights.
As mentioned previously, the owner must register with and be approved by the local government as a minpaku (small private lodging). According to a 2016 survey by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry of Japan that looked at roughly 15,000 listings on sites listing minpaku information, only 17 percent obtained legal permission.
What does this mean for visitors?
Airbnb is legal on the national level, but may not be legal on the local level. Visitors should pay special attention to the area where they are considering staying. If something seems sketchy, then look into alternatives. Aspects that people love about Japan like cleanliness and safety are due in part to the fact that Japanese culture expects you to respect and follow the rules. You are missing the point if you have to break the law to “experience the real Japan.”
Tips on Searching for an Airbnb in Japan
Travelers should not have to look into the legality of an accommodation, and it’s unreasonable to expect anyone to call up the government office and ask for proof. So, here are some tips and advice on what to look out for when researching an Airbnb rental in Japan:
- Do a bit of research to see if the neighborhood allows rentals and their terms. Many areas do not permit minpaku in residential neighborhoods.
- Check whether the host is the owner of the apartment or property. Most rentals do not allow any type of subletting, so it may be an illegal accommodation if they are renting.
- Complaints can cause rentals to be shut down, so rules regarding sound and hygiene are reasonable. Telling people to avoid the neighbors at all costs is not. That might be a sign of an illegal accommodation.
- Ask the host if they are registered with local authorities. Under the new laws, all short-term rentals must have a license.
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ivan hadiono
Dear Delilih,
“Do a bit of research to see if the neighborhood allows rentals and their terms. Many areas do not permit minpaku in residential neighborhoods.”
“Check whether the host is the owner of the apartment or property. Most rentals do not allow any type of subletting, so it may be an illegal accommodation if they are renting.”
How? As a foreigner how to find this out?
Please explain more details.
Thank you.
Regards,
ivan
Delilah
Hey Ivan, thanks for reading and I appreciate your message. Great points! Getting this info can seem pretty daunting as a foreigner! For many of the more popular areas, you can find out about the neighborhoods with a quick google search in English. And you can ask the host if they have a proper license to rent out the property. If they do, then you should be good to go! : )
ivan hadiono
Dear Delilah,
Thank you for your quick reply.
The reason I asked was that I already booked 2 places in Japan. One in Shinjuku area and one if Sapporo area, both for November 2018. I didn’t know about the new law in Japan regarding minpaku before then. I knew it when I saw the news in NHK tv channel.
I have a question for you Ms. Delilah. What if the host has no permit by November 2018, would I get my full refund back? How to claim it?
Do you think that after June 15 2018 all the listings in the Airbnb in Japan will have the necessary permits?
I still need rooms in Osaka & Kyoto which I have not booked yet. I’ll wait till after June 15 to book.
Thanks again for your information.
Best Regards,
ivan
Delilah
Hey Ivan,
Sorry for the late reply. I honestly wasn’t sure about how things would play out, but it’s almost June 15 and we’re starting to get a better idea. If any of your places have been cancelled due to the new law, Airbnb is providing refunds.
Most of the places on Airbnb should be legitimate after June 15, but always look out for scams. Other booking sites have not been as proactive as Airbnb.
Hope this helps! Have a great trip!
Michael McCarthy
If a person wants to stay at an AIRBNB, it is not up to the guest to check into the legality of the place they will be staying – to expect any guest to do this is ridiculous!
Delilah
I agree, it shouldn’t be up to the guest to check the legality. And Airbnb has been very proactive in trying to prevent illegal listings. But not all booking sites are taking the same steps. It’s the same as when you’re using other C2C sites like Craigslist or Ebay: you should be aware of the scams and what to look for so you can have the best experience possible : )
Michael McCarthy
Doesn’t matter too much now – as any AIRBNB place that does not have the proper certification will have been shut down / taken off the AIRBNB platform.
Gloria
I recently booked on booking . com, and it seems like an airbnb renting style. The host wanted a copy of the passports of everyone who will be staying there, along with their names, address, and occupation. I wanted to know if all this is really need by the law. Please help, I do not want to give out such personal information if it is not required.
Thank you so much!
Melissa Miles
We have reserved a house for next month. The owner said we needed to send a picture of us in the house when we arrive. We also had to send her copies our passports. She said it was Japanese law. Is this legit? It seems odd to me. Thanks!
Delilah
Hi! Yes, all accommodations in Japan (whether a hotel or private rental) are required to get copies of your passports.