Shinjuku ward in Tokyo announced plans to prohibit short-term rental accommodations in residential zones, near schools, and around culturally significant sites through a new local ordinance. The ward currently hosts 3,775 private lodgings known as minpaku, the largest concentration in Japan, with approximately 2,000 expected to be affected by the restriction.
The decision follows mounting resident complaints, with officials documenting more than 1,300 grievances over the preceding 12 months. Common complaints involved improper waste disposal, excessive noise, unauthorized smoking, and trespassing by guests. Ward officials determined that penalizing individual operators proved insufficient to address resident concerns, prompting the broader restriction approach.
The measure reflects broader tensions between Japan’s thriving tourism sector and quality-of-life issues in popular destinations. Visitor numbers have surged dramatically, with minpaku residences in Shinjuku nearly tripling since 2022. The ward also plans to reduce annual rental days in residential areas from 180 to 120, though this remains more permissive than Kyoto’s 60-day limit.
Other regions have implemented comparable restrictions. Authorities near Mount Fuji instituted climbing fees and visitor caps, while Fujiyoshida cancelled its spring cherry blossom festival citing tourist-related disruption. Japan welcomed a record 42 million international visitors last year, generating ¥9.5tn in spending, with government targets projecting 60 million arrivals by 2030.
Public consultation on the Shinjuku ordinance will occur next month, with revisions expected in February. Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb expressed willingness to collaborate with authorities on more targeted solutions that balance resident protection with licensed operator viability.
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