Japan Airbnb Vs Hotel – Airbnb in Japan is a great alternative to traditional accommodation, both in large cities where accommodation is often offered to tourists, and in some rural areas where there is no infrastructure for hotels and resorts. Not to mention more convenient appliances like a kitchen and a washing machine.
We wrote this guide based on ten years of living in Japan and staying at Airbnbs all over the country.
Japan Airbnb Vs Hotel
If you want to book accommodation on Airbnb Japan, there are some important things you should know.
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Yes, Airbnb is legal in Japan, but as of June 2018 there are three main exemptions. The first is that the property must be registered with local government authorities, guest information must be collected by the host through official ID, and the property cannot be rented out for more than 180 days per year.
These regulations are based on amendments to Japan’s Hotel and Lodging Act, also known as the Minpaku Act (
Local laws may provide additional restrictions. For example, weekday rentals are prohibited in Shinjuku, and rentals in Shibuya are only available during Japanese school holidays. In Kyoto, rentals are only allowed in residences from January to March. Some specific locations may not allow Airbnb at all.
This means you may not be able to book an Airbnb in some locations on the dates you want.
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According to the Minpaku Act, hosts must now provide their registration numbers to Airbnb in order to be listed on the site.
After the new law went into effect, Airbnb Japan removed listings without a registration number, wiping out 80 percent of the site’s listings almost overnight. However, you can rest assured that the properties listed are now legitimate and the site is now considered “reclaimed”.
Before the law went into effect, Airbnb Japan had about 62,000 listings, which has since dwindled to just 13,800. As of mid-2019, a year after the new law was introduced, there are about 50,000 private listings and about 23,000 hotels on Airbnb in Japan.
The new rules have caused some hosts to try to circumvent the existing restrictions, especially the 180-day rule.
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There has been a significant increase in the number of hosts contacting guests to revise accommodation requests by one day and to pay for additional days through the Airbnb platform.
This is often a strategy for hosts to offer more than 180 days of accommodation per year. We cannot accept this practice as it is illegal, and remember that by making an “off the book” agreement with the host, you have no recourse with Airbnb if something goes wrong.
It should be noted that properties with a valid hotel license can operate throughout the year and are not limited by law.
You won’t have problems because they have a lot of good reviews and are “more at risk” for not following the official rules.
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Some guests are concerned if a Japanese Airbnb host asks for this information, but it is a requirement under Japan’s Inns and Hotels Act.
To register with Airbnb, hosts must record guest information such as name, address, occupation, and citizenship. If you don’t live in Japan, your landlord must ask for your passport and keep a copy for your records.
If you live in Japan, you must provide a copy of your Japanese ID, such as a resident card or Japanese driver’s license. Even if you are a citizen, you do not need to show your passport.
While there are hosts that specialize in English, keep in mind that English is a second language for many hosts and some may use online translation tools to communicate with you.
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Always be polite, be patient if what you ask is not understood the first time, and adjust your language to help as much as possible.
That being said, language is usually not an issue when using Airbnb Japan, and you’ll find online translators to help you communicate if needed.
You’ll probably use public transportation a lot when you’re in Japan. Easy access to the train station will be paramount to maximize your time and enjoyment.
Japanese train stations usually have multiple levels of stairs and not always all stations or all platforms have escalators. While you shouldn’t have a problem with large networks, these channels can be large and busy, so it makes sense to try to limit the number of transfers you have to make, especially if you have traffic If there is a problem, they have a box or a draw. vehicle. It’s great to be close to the train station with easy access (several transfers) to get to places of interest.
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That said, the great thing about traveling in Japan is that you can go almost anywhere on public transportation if you need to.
If you’re using a JR Pass, remember that it can only be used on JR lines, so if possible, get the most out of your pass if you’re close to a JR station.
It is still common for some apartment buildings to not have elevators. Also, some old Japanese houses may have stairs in the house which can be dangerous. While this adds to the charm, it can also be a challenge for some travelers.
Always check these features of the house, the basement of the property and if there is an elevator.
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It’s more of a ladder than a ladder, but it’s high and the only way to get to the third bed.
Japanese houses and residential buildings are famous for not having a small facade. This means that it is hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
If you find yourself in one of these situations, check to see if the property has air conditioning (in Japan, the word air conditioner refers to a heating and cooling device).
Wi-Fi at Airbnbs in Japan is usually via a pocket Wi-Fi device. This can be very useful, especially if you do not have access to the data on your phone or other devices.
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You can take a pocket Wi-Fi device with you throughout the day and use it when you need to check a map or other information.
For the average traveler who doesn’t need to upload or download large files, this is usually enough.
If you are confused about how to turn on the lights, check if there is a wire.
Often, instead of changing the wall, the lights are used by pulling the cord attached to the light itself. Sometimes it has several settings, between which the bar can be dragged again.
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New homes or lighting fixtures usually have remote controlled lights and there are several settings depending on how you want the light to be. This is especially useful because you can turn off the bedroom light in the bedroom.
Although you can find many suites with Western bedding, most properties in Japan are furnished with traditional futon bedding on the floor.
Properties listed as family or group accommodation may contain different bedding combinations. So while you may see a bed in the pictures, the other beds may be sofas or futons. Sleeping on a futon is an activity that many people enjoy as part of the Japanese experience, but it may not be for everyone.
If the listing is not clear, check with the host or read the reviews to understand what the bed conditions are.
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Japanese houses were small. This is enough for most travelers who spend most of the day exploring.
Surgery. The toilet, shower/bath and tank/sink may be in the same room and there may not be enough space for multiple people to get ready at the same time. If that is important to you, you can look for a property with a separate bathroom.
It’s something you just have to run with, and I think that’s all part of the Japanese experience. If a small bathroom makes it difficult to get a lot of people ready at once, I recommend using one of the mirrors (I usually have one or a small mirror on hand) and put your hair and makeup somewhere else. the bathroom is clean for actual bathing, brushing teeth and using the toilet. Honestly, I don’t think it’s any different than what you would do in a hotel.
I’ve always wanted to do a post where I could include a crazy photo of me screaming in this tiny Japanese bathtub at my Airbnb in Kyoto, and here it is!
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Don’t forget to bring power adapters if needed, and since power outlets may be limited, it’s a good idea to bring a USB hub for charging. Can be multiple devices
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