Shinjuku Ward to ban short-term rentals in residential and school zones

Shinjuku Ward in Tokyo, which hosts the highest number of private lodging facilities (minpaku) in Japan, plans to implement new regulations that could ban short-term rentals in residential areas and near schools. The move aims to address a significant rise in resident complaints regarding noise, improper trash disposal, smoking in prohibited areas, and trespassing on private property.

If the proposed ordinance is enacted, approximately 2,000 of the ward’s nearly 4,000 existing lodgings—roughly half—could be forced to cease operations. The ward intends to submit the draft ordinance to the local assembly in February 2027, with a goal of implementation by summer 2027. While existing businesses may be granted a grace period, the local government is seeking more unified oversight as individual enforcement has proven difficult due to limited resources.

The decision follows guidance from the Japan Tourism Agency, which allows local governments to tighten rules if short-term rentals threaten the tranquility of residential or educational environments. This trend toward stricter regulation is seen in other areas, such as Kyoto and Toshima Ward, as Japan manages rapid tourism growth and the social impacts of overtourism.