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Country guide

Hosting in Japan

Japan regulates short-term rentals primarily under the Housing Accommodation Business Act (住宅宿泊事業法, 'minpaku'), which includes a nationwide 180-night annual cap and a notification process, alongside other lodging frameworks. Rules and local ordinances vary by municipality — always verify with official sources.

Emergency numbers

119
Fire / ambulance
110
Police

Always defer to local authorities and official alerts in an emergency.

City guides

TokyoTokyo is a year-round, transit-dense market where compact apartments serve business and leisure travelers alike. Hosting is shaped by Japan's minpaku rules (including the 180-night cap), strict building and neighbor norms, and guests who expect spotless, well-labeled homes.KyotoKyoto is a heritage-tourism market with famously strict short-term-rental enforcement, including a notable winter operating-period restriction for some minpaku and strong neighborhood-preservation norms. Guests come for temples, gardens, and traditional experiences and value calm, respectful hosting.

Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026. Regulations change — this is research, not legal advice.

Sources

Facts on this page are checked against the sources below. Regulations, prices, and policies change — always confirm current details with the official source.

  1. 民泊制度ポータルサイト (Minpaku / Housing Accommodation Business portal)high reliability

    Japan Tourism Agency (観光庁) · Government / official · Japan · Verified Jul 20, 2026

    Official portal for Japan's Housing Accommodation Business Act (住宅宿泊事業法), including the 180-night annual cap and notification process.

  2. Fire and Disaster Management Agency — emergency calls (119)high reliability

    Fire and Disaster Management Agency (総務省消防庁) · Emergency service · Japan · Verified Jul 20, 2026

    Japan fire/ambulance emergency number is 119; police is 110.

  3. Japan Meteorological Agency — earthquakes, typhoons & warningshigh reliability

    Japan Meteorological Agency (気象庁) · Government / official · Japan · Verified Jul 20, 2026

    Official source for Japan weather warnings, typhoon tracks, and earthquake/tsunami information.

All locations