This chapter explains what minpaku means, the three procedures required to let people stay for a lodging fee, and where minpaku in Tokyo stands today.
Minpaku means "letting people stay in a home"
Minpaku (private lodging business) originally means letting travelers stay in an ordinary home. It is not a legal term. Today, the word "minpaku" is often used broadly for any lodging that uses a condominium unit or a detached house.
However, to let people stay in exchange for a lodging fee, you must complete a procedure under the law, whatever the form.
Three procedures for letting people stay
| System | Procedure | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Private Lodging Business Act (minpaku) | Notification (filing) | Can be operated while the property remains a home. Up to 180 days a year |
| Hotel Business Act (kan'i shukusho (simple lodging), etc.) | License | No limit on the number of days. In principle not allowed in exclusively residential zones |
| Special Zone Minpaku | Certification | Only in special zone municipalities. Stays of 2 nights / 3 days or longer (Ota City) |
The next chapter compares the three in detail. → Minpaku vs. Kan'i Shukusho vs. Special Zone Minpaku
Minpaku in Tokyo today
- Number of notifications: As of September 15, 2026, there were 17,213 notified homes in Tokyo's 23 wards. This is about 18% more than a year earlier (14,611).
- Travelers: In 2025, the total number of foreign guest-nights in Tokyo was 60.12 million, the highest of any prefecture.
- Regulation: At the same time, restrictions under ward ordinances are getting stricter. In 2026, Shibuya City, Toshima City and others narrowed the areas and number of days in which minpaku can operate, and Shinjuku City announced a policy of banning, in principle, new minpaku in residential areas. → Local ordinances with additional restrictions
What to decide before you start
- Which system to operate under: minpaku, kan'i shukusho or Special Zone Minpaku. The systems available depend on the property.
- Which property to use: Before signing a contract, check the ward ordinance, the zoning district, the condominium management rules and the landlord's consent.
- Who will operate it: Whether you operate it yourself or outsource management. A host-absent minpaku must be entrusted to a registered minpaku management company.
This page is a translation of our Japanese page. If there is any difference, the Japanese version prevails. Japanese version