This chapter explains how the cap on minpaku operating days (180 days a year) is counted, how ward and city ordinances further limit the days and areas, and how to check each property.
The legal cap is 180 days a year
Under the Private Lodging Business Act, a minpaku can host guests for up to 180 days a year. → The 180-day rule
- The one-year period: From noon on April 1 each year to noon on April 1 of the following year.
- How a day is counted: From noon to noon the next day counts as one day. One night counts as one day.
- Reporting: You report the number of days you hosted guests to the local government in the bimonthly report.
This cap does not apply to a kan'i shukusho (simple lodging) licensed under the Hotel Business Act or to Special Zone Minpaku.
Ordinances can narrow it further
To prevent harm to the living environment, wards and cities can limit, by ordinance, the areas and periods in which minpaku can operate (Article 18 of the Act). → Local ordinances with additional restrictions
Major examples in the Tokyo metropolitan area:
| Municipality | Area | Allowed period / restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Shibuya City | Exclusively residential zones, educational districts, etc. | 63 days a year (for notifications on or after July 1, 2026, the covered areas were expanded) |
| Chuo City | The entire ward | Only from noon Saturday to noon Monday |
| Yokohama City | Category 1 / Category 2 low-rise exclusively residential zones | Not allowed from noon Monday to noon Friday |
| Hakone Town | Category 1 Tourist Districts within Category 1 low-rise exclusively residential zones | Not allowed in March–May, August and October–November |
| Kawaguchi City | Outside commercial zones | Only from July 16 to September 15 |
| Municipalities in Chiba Prefecture | — | No prefectural or city restriction ordinances found; up to 180 days a year |
Even within the same ward, treatment often differs by zoning district. For details, see Minpaku rules by area, which summarizes each city, ward, town and village.
It can also depend on whether the host lives there
In some wards, the "host-resident type," where the host lives in the same building, is not restricted, and only the "host-absent type," where the host does not live there, is restricted. Other wards restrict the host-resident type in the same way. → Host-resident type / host-absent type
Amendments keep coming
In 2026, there was a series of ordinance amendments in the 23 wards. In July 2026, the national government also issued technical advice to local governments stating that, where there is a strong need, restrictions could be considered even for minpaku already in operation.
Even if a property can operate under the current ordinance, the conditions may change through amendments. It is safer to also check planned amendments before deciding on a property.
How to check each property
- From the property's address, look up the zoning district on the local government's map (city planning map)
- Check whether that zoning district is restricted under the ward or city ordinance
- Check whether the treatment differs depending on whether you operate as the host-resident type or the host-absent type
- Check whether any ordinance amendments or calls for public comment have been issued
- Finally, consult in advance with the ward or city office (such as the public health center)
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