Tokyo’s Shinjuku district is set to ban more than half of its short-term vacation rentals after a rise in complaints about tourists and the problems they create for residents.
The new rules will prohibit private lodging in residential areas and locations near schools. More than 50% of Shinjuku’s short-term rentals are expected to be affected, including properties already in operation.
The changes are expected to be formally announced by the Shinjuku mayor on Tuesday. A ward official overseeing vacation rentals told AFP that the increase in private lodging businesses had led to more complaints and disputes.
Shinjuku is home to nearly 10% of Japan’s roughly 42,000 short-term rental properties. It is also a densely populated residential area, creating more opportunities for tourists and residents to come into conflict.
According to CNA, complaints about vacation rentals in Shinjuku rose by around 40% in the fiscal year ending in March.
Many complaints relate to rubbish disposal. Others involve smoking, trespassing and excessive noise. Residents have also raised concerns about visitors failing to follow local rules while staying in residential buildings.
The restrictions come as Japan deals with the effects of rising tourism. Popular areas across the country have faced complaints about overcrowding, traffic and disruption to daily life.
Kyoto is also considering tighter rules for short-term rentals. Its proposed restrictions would apply to new properties in some residential and industrial areas.
Shinjuku’s move follows a decision by Japan’s Tourism Agency in July to give municipalities more power to regulate short-term accommodation. The agency said restrictions could be introduced when short-term rentals threaten a peaceful living or educational environment or make it harder to maintain permanent local communities.
Other major tourist destinations have also moved to limit short-term rentals. New York City and Barcelona are among the cities that have introduced tighter rules for properties listed on Airbnb and similar platforms.
For Shinjuku, the proposed changes will affect existing rentals as well as future listings. The ward has yet to announce the full details of how the new restrictions will be implemented.
