| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — notification (届出) registration with local government; registration number must be displayed |
| Tax Rate | Income tax applies; 20.42% withholding for non-residents |
| Night / Day Cap | 180 nights/year (counted April 1–March 31) |
| Minimum Stay | None under standard minpaku (Tokku/Special Zone requires 2-night min) |
| Penalties | Fines up to JPY 1,000,000 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment; first criminal prosecution Jan 2026 |
| Primary Residence Required | No — but a licensed manager required if owner not present |
| Occupancy Limit | Min. 3.3 m² floor space per guest |
Short-term rental operations in Nationwide are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — notification (届出) registration with local government; registration number must be displayed.
Short-term rental operators in Nationwide should be aware of these tax obligations: Income tax applies; 20.42% withholding for non-residents. Yes — rental income taxable and must be declared.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Nationwide include: Primary residence requirement: No — but a licensed manager required if owner not present. Rental day cap: 180 nights/year (counted April 1–March 31). Occupancy limit: Min. 3.3 m² floor space per guest. Minimum stay: None under standard minpaku (Tokku/Special Zone requires 2-night min).
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Nationwide: Treated like residential property; local zoning applies; ~99% of condo bylaws prohibit minpaku. Insurance: Recommended, not mandated nationally.
Hosts who fail to comply with Nationwide's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines up to JPY 1,000,000 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment; first criminal prosecution Jan 2026.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Nationwide: Listings must display registration number; platforms remove unregistered listings.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Nationwide with proper registration and permits. Bi-monthly guest reporting to prefectural governor (15th of even months); fire-safety conformity certificate required; exceeding 180 days requires a hotel/ryokan (Simple Lodging) license
Yes. Nationwide requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — notification (届出) registration with local government; registration number must be displayed.
Short-term rental hosts in Nationwide are subject to the following tax obligations: Income tax applies; 20.42% withholding for non-residents.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Nationwide may face enforcement. Fines up to JPY 1,000,000 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment; first criminal prosecution Jan 2026.
Private Lodging Business Act (住宅宿泊事業法 / Minpaku Law); ~33,618 registered properties as of July 2025
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