| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes. Either a Private Lodging Business Act notification filed with Kobe City (Environmental Health Section; the city asks applicants to consult it at |
| Tax Rate | No Kobe City or Hyogo Prefecture accommodation tax found as of 2026-10-16. The city discussed one in council (February 2024). Kobe levies a bathing (o |
| Night / Day Cap | 180 nights per year (national cap). Residential exclusive zones: no operation in any period. Within 100 m of schools, child welfare facilities and sim |
| Penalties | National Private Lodging Business Act: a false notification, or breaching a suspension or closure order, carries up to 6 months' imprisonment and/or a |
Short-term rentals in Kobe are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. Either a Private Lodging Business Act notification filed with Kobe City (Environmental Health Section; the city asks applicants to consult it at the planning stage), or a Hotel Business Act permi.
Short-term rental operators in Kobe should be aware of these tax obligations: No Kobe City or Hyogo Prefecture accommodation tax found as of 2026-10-16. The city discussed one in council (February 2024). Kobe levies a bathing (onsen) tax of JPY 150 per person per night for overnight stays that include onsen bathing; this is re.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Kobe include: Rental day cap: 180 nights per year (national cap). Residential exclusive zones: no operation in any period. Within 100 m of schools, ch.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Kobe: City ordinance bars minpaku at all times in Category 1 and 2 low-rise and mid/high-rise exclusive residential zones and within 100 m of schools and child welfare facilities. Peak-season restriction in.
Hosts who fail to comply with Kobe's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. National Private Lodging Business Act: a false notification, or breaching a suspension or closure order, carries up to 6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to JPY 1,000,000. Several other breach.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Kobe: National rule: platforms must be registered with the Japan Tourism Agency, must check the notification number before listing, must not list properties they cannot confirm, and must remove illegal list.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Kobe but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Kobe allows minpaku only after notifying the city, and its ordinance bans minpaku at all times in residential exclusive zones and within 100 m of schools and child welfare facilities. Arima onsen town
Yes. Kobe requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes. Either a Private Lodging Business Act notification filed with Kobe City (Environmental Health Section; the city asks applicants to consult it at the planning stage), or a Hotel Business Act permit (ryokan/hotel or simple lodging). A notified minpaku may host up to 180 nights per year..
Short-term rental hosts in Kobe are subject to the following tax obligations: No Kobe City or Hyogo Prefecture accommodation tax found as of 2026-10-16. The city discussed one in council (February 2024). Kobe levies a bathing (onsen) tax of JPY 150 per person per night for overnight stays that include onsen bathing; this is relevant to onsen facilities, not ordinary minpaku..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Kobe may face enforcement. National Private Lodging Business Act: a false notification, or breaching a suspension or closure order, carries up to 6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to JPY 1,000,000. Several other breaches carry fines of up to JPY 300,000. Failing to fi.
Kobe bans minpaku year-round in residential exclusive zones and near schools; elsewhere the 180-night national cap applies.
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