In short
In exclusively residential zones and educational districts, operation is limited to 63 days a year. For notifications filed on or after July 1, 2026, Category 1 / Category 2 residential zones and quasi-residential zones are also covered, and neighbors must be informed at least 60 days before filing.
Operating days and areas
| Area | Operating period / restriction |
|---|---|
| Exclusively residential zones and educational districts (for notifications filed on or after July 1, 2026, also Category 1 / Category 2 residential zones and quasi-residential zones) | Not allowed from April 5 to July 20, from August 29 to the Wednesday of the week before the second Monday of October, from the Saturday of that week to December 25, and from January 7 to March 25 (63 days a year) |
| All other areas | Up to 180 days a year |
From July 1, 2026, the only exception is individuals operating the host-resident type or similar (living in the same building or site, or next door, and managing 5 or fewer habitable rooms). Notifications filed by June 30 are subject to the pre-amendment ordinance.
Under national law, the upper limit is 180 days a year.
Notice to neighbors before starting
- Inform neighbors at least 60 days before filing the notification (on or after July 1, 2026; before the amendment, 7 days)
- After informing, submit a record, the written notice used, and a copy of the contract with a waste disposal company
Where to file and consult
Shibuya Public Health Center, Environmental Sanitation Division (渋谷区保健所 生活衛生課); visits are by appointment only. Advance consultation with the fire station is also required. 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
- Rush to the property within 30 minutes of a complaint (within 60 minutes depending on traffic)
- Entrust all management work to a single company
- For apartment buildings, also put a simplified sign at the entrance and on the shared mailboxes
Additional rules for kan'i shukusho (Hotel Business Act)
- Applications on or after July 1, 2026: a sign from 60 days before the application, a briefing session in advance, and staff stationed on-site
- Existing facilities without a front desk must display the name, emergency contact and other information where it can be seen from outside
Recent and planned changes
- July 1, 2026: Amended ordinances for the private lodging business and the Hotel Business Act took effect
This page is a translation of our Japanese page. If there is any difference, the Japanese version prevails. Japanese version