Minpaku rules in Bunkyo City, Tokyo

Operating days and areas

Area	Operating period / restriction
Category 1 low-rise exclusively residential zones, Category 1 / Category 2 mid/high-rise exclusively residential zones, Category 1 / Category 2 residential zones, quasi-industrial zones, and educational districts	Not allowed from Sunday noon to Friday noon (also applies to the host-resident type)
All other areas	Up to 180 days a year

If the majority of a site lies within the area, the entire site is treated as within the area.

Under national law, the upper limit is 180 days a year.

Notice to neighbors before starting

• At least 15 days before filing the notification, distribute the city's "Advance Notice Form" (事前周知書) (to residents and businesses in the same building or site, and within a 10 m radius of the site boundary)

Where to file and consult

Bunkyo Public Health Center, Environmental Sanitation Division (文京保健所 生活衛生課). Procedures and required documents can change, so check the latest guidance from the office. A fire safety compliance certificate (消防法令適合通知書) from the fire station is also required.

Other main rules of the ward

• During guests' stays, make efforts to patrol the property and its surroundings every day
• Respond to complaints at any hour and keep records for 3 years
• Handle garbage yourself

Additional rules for kan'i shukusho (Hotel Business Act)

• Before applying for a license, notify the city of the plan, put up a sign, and hold a briefing session for residents within a radius of roughly 100 m (city ordinance)
• Kan'i shukusho (simple lodging) must have staff stationed on-site during business hours