Tokyo is seeing a growing number of local governments moving to restrict short-term private lodging, known as minpaku, in response to rising complaints about visitor behavior. Shinjuku and Taito wards, both popular with tourists, are among the latest to propose or enact measures aimed at addressing resident concerns linked to these accommodations.
Shinjuku ward, home to the Kabukicho nightlife district and the world’s busiest railway station, plans to ban the use of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods, near schools, and close to significant cultural sites. The ordinance, expected to take effect following public consultation next month and a revision period ending in February, targets roughly 2,000 minpaku locations, nearly half of the 3,775 operating within the ward. Since 2022, the number of such private lodgings has almost tripled in Shinjuku.
Officials cite more than 1,300 complaints received over the past year, pointing to issues like improper garbage disposal, noise disturbances, smoking violations, and trespassing. A ward official noted that cracking down on poorly behaved operators alone has not reduced resident complaints, prompting a decision to change the regulations more broadly. The ordinance will also reduce the permissible rental days for minpaku in residential areas from 180 to 120 annually.
Airbnb, a major platform operating many of these rentals, responded by emphasizing the importance of balance among residents, hosts, and guests. The company expressed willingness to collaborate with Shinjuku officials to develop more precise measures that would protect community quality of life without unfairly penalizing responsible hosts. Airbnb also pointed out that a blanket ban on residential zones could disproportionately impact licensed operators while leaving unregistered ones unaddressed.
Similarly, Taito ward, which includes tourist-heavy areas like Asakusa and Ueno, submitted an ordinance aimed at effectively banning new minpaku licenses in residential districts and zones where traditional hotels are restricted. Beginning next year, these new minpaku would be unable to operate at all. This proposal follows a sharp increase in minpaku applications, which tripled in 2025 to nearly 1,400, accompanied by a quadrupling of complaints to 257.
In addition to the ban on new licenses, Taito plans to tighten restrictions on existing operations. From October, minpaku hosts will only be allowed to accommodate guests on weekends and holidays, whereas previously they could rent up to the nationwide legal maximum of 180 days annually.
These moves reflect a broader national trend. Since July, after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism empowered local governments to limit minpaku activities, several municipalities have followed suit. Kyoto, for example, limits minpaku in residential areas to just 60 days per year during an off-peak season and has expressed concerns about preserving community integrity amid growing tourism.
Japan welcomed a record 42 million visitors last year, generating significant economic benefits. However, local leaders and residents have voiced unease over what some describe as "tourism pollution" — disruptions and environmental pressures associated with mass tourism. Nearby Mount Fuji has also seen measures such as climbing fees and visitor caps introduced to address overcrowding, while the town of Fujiyoshida recently canceled a cherry blossom festival, citing rising disorder among tourists.
These regulatory efforts illustrate Japan’s balancing act between supporting its tourism industry and preserving the quality of life in communities that host millions of visitors annually.