# Japanese urban short-term rental regulation tightening

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-urban-short-term-rental-regulation-tightening
> Updated: 2026-09-07T03:14:00.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

Major Japanese urban districts are moving to tighten regulations on short-term vacation rentals, known as ‘minpaku’, in response to rising resident complaints regarding noise, trash disposal, and trespassing.

In Osaka, authorities are proposing an ordinance to address a surge in disputes and a spike in applications under the Hotel Business Act. Proposed measures include prohibiting new rentals in wooden or steel-frame apartments where residents live, requiring reinforced concrete structures instead. The city also plans to mandate that staff be stationed within 1 kilometer of facilities during guest stays.

Shinjuku Ward, which hosts the highest number of private lodging facilities in Japan, is moving forward with plans to essentially prohibit these operations in residential areas and near schools. This follows guidance from the Japan Tourism Agency, which permits local governments to tighten rules if rentals threaten the tranquility of residential or educational environments. 

If the proposed Shinjuku 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, aiming for implementation by summer 2027. While existing businesses may receive a grace period, the local government is seeking more unified oversight to address issues such as smoking in prohibited areas and trespassing, which have proven difficult to enforce with limited resources. This trend toward stricter regulation is also being observed in Kyoto and Toshima Ward as Japan manages the social impacts of overtourism.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-07: Shinjuku Ward to ban short-term rentals in residential and school zones

Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward plans to ban short-term rentals in residential areas and near schools by summer 2027 to curb rising complaints over noise, trash, and local disturbances.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shinjuku-to-tighten-short-term-rental-regulations

### 2026-09-03: Osaka City to tighten vacation rental regulations

Osaka City is tightening vacation rental regulations, including soundproofing requirements and staff proximity rules, following a surge in resident complaints and a spike in alternative lodging applications.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/osaka-city-to-tighten-vacation-rental-regulations

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Cite as: Japanese urban short-term rental regulation tightening. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-urban-short-term-rental-regulation-tightening