Written by TC Team
Researched by Hitomi Kuroda
Booking an Airbnb-style apartment for your trip to Japan is about to get trickier, at least in the quieter corners of the cities.
On June 17, 2026, the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) announced that it will allow local governments to effectively ban minpaku — short-term private lodgings such as Airbnb rentals — in residential neighborhoods.
A formal notice is due to go out to municipalities nationwide by the end of June.
The decision reflects a shift from the agency’s previous stance; the JTA had long maintained that banning private lodgings was at odds with promoting tourism. But a pile-up of neighborhood complaints — mostly around late-night noise and mishandled garbage (a notorious challenge, even for residents) — has changed things.
What’s happening?
Municipalities will now be able to set the legal cap on minpaku operating days at zero — a so-called “zero-day regulation” that amounts to a ban in all but name.
These bans are expected to target quiet residential areas and spots near schools. Local governments will also be allowed to mandate that minpaku operators install equipment such as noise meters and security cameras, to help keep the peace.
Up until now, minpaku operators have been allowed to rent out their accommmodation for a maximum of 180 days each year, with municipalities technically able to reduce that — but this was largely discouraged by the JTA.
Now, municipalities will be able to bring in stricter limitations by changing their local ordinances as they see fit, without resistance from the JTA. If they deem that a particular area would be better off without tourists staying overnight, then that could get the local Airbnb ban.
Why now?
Complaints have mounted as private lodgings have spread into ordinary residential neighborhoods.
In Shinjuku alone, tourist-related minpaku complaints jumped from 70 in the 2021 fiscal year to 924 in 2025 — a more than thirteenfold increase.
What does it mean for budget travelers?
Japan is still chasing an ambitious goal of 60 million annual visitors by 2030, but this move could thin out the cheaper end of the market in the most popular city areas.
You can likely expect fewer options, and possibly higher prices, with more emphasis on mainstream hotel accommodation.
The change won’t be seen everywhere at once. Importantly, the notice itself doesn’t actually ban anything — what it does is clear the way for each city to decide whether they want to ban vacation rentals or not.
The notice is non-binding, so it’s entirely up to each individual municipality how to proceed.
In the meantime, if you’re thinking about where to stay, our guides to cheap accommodation in Tokyo and where to stay in Tokyo cover hostels, capsule hotels, and budget hotels are full of recommendations.
Sources: Mainichi Shimbun, Nikkei
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
