Osaka vs Tokyo vs Kyoto: Minpaku Regulation Comparison Table | Ordinance... - AIAIG - AIAIG

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2026年2月14日

Osaka vs Tokyo vs Kyoto: Minpaku Regulation Comparison Table | Ordinance...

Q: Is the entire city of Tokyo like Shinjuku Ward with 'prohibition of operation from Monday to Friday'?

No. Tokyo has a structure with significant ward-level differences. This article uses Shinjuku Ward as a sample with clear public information and representativeness to explain how 'regulatory levers' are implemented. When selecting a property or writing a page, you should always refer to the official rules of the ward where the target property is located.

Q: Does Kyoto's 'January 15 to March 16' restriction apply to all properties?

It primarily applies to Residential Exclusive Zones and Residential Lodging under general circumstances; Kyoto City also has exceptions (e.g., certified Kyoto Machiya businesses meeting certain conditions, etc.). Therefore, the first step in judgment is always: whether the property's land use zone falls within a Residential Exclusive Zone, and then check if it meets exception conditions and management system requirements.

Q: I just want to create a 'comparison table page' to capture search traffic, how should I design the structure?

It is recommended to place on the first screen: comparison table + last updated time + 3 key changes this month summary. Use a fixed template for the main content: national baseline → three-area table → detailed breakdown for each area → Checklist → FAQ. Include synonyms in the title: Osaka/Tokyo/Kyoto + Minpaku/Airbnb + ordinance/regulation/restrictions + 2026 update.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational reference only and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or a basis for major decision-making. Please make independent judgments and consult professional advisors when needed.

When operating short-term rentals or minpaku (residential lodging) in Japan, what truly determines 'whether it can be done, how to do it, and where the risks lie' is often not the national law's 180-day limit, but the ordinances and enforcement measures of local governments (cities/wards). This article compares key restrictions in Osaka (including special zone minpaku Tokku), Tokyo (using Shinjuku Ward as an example), and Kyoto City from the perspective of 'ordinance restrictions': allowable operating periods, minimum stay requirements, residential zone limitations, neighbor notification, on-site/resident requirements, regular reporting, and penalty triggers, and provides a practical compliance checklist.

Osaka vs Tokyo vs Kyoto: Minpaku Regulation Comparison Table | Ordinance...

Osaka vs Tokyo vs Kyoto: Comparative Table of Minpaku Regulations (Analyzed by "Ordinance Restriction Items")

Comparison Table (by "Regulation Restriction Items")

Notes:

The "Tokyo" column uses the publicly available rules of Shinjuku Ward as a representative sample; other wards may be stricter or more lenient.

"Osaka" lists both: A) Residential Lodging (180-night path) and B) Osaka City Special Zone Minpaku (Tokku) key differences.

Dimension (Regulation Lever)	Osaka (Osaka City/Osaka Prefecture)	Tokyo (using Shinjuku Ward as an example)	Kyoto (Kyoto City)
Main Compliance Path	A) Residential Lodging (Notification)
B) Special Zone Minpaku (Tokku) (Certification)	Residential Lodging (Notification), with ward ordinance additions	Residential Lodging (Notification), with city ordinance significant additions
"Operable Period/Days" Restriction (Most Critical)	A) Subject to national 180-night upper limit
B) Special Zone Minpaku itself can be closer to "year-round operation," but Osaka City clarifies: if the same residence simultaneously does Residential Lodging notification + Special Zone Minpaku certification, then both sets of constraints are combined (reverting to the 180-night upper limit)	In "Residential Exclusive Zones," there is a clear weekday operation ban window: Shinjuku Ward stipulates that operation is prohibited from Monday noon to Friday noon in Residential Exclusive Zones; non-Residential Exclusive Zones follow the national law upper limit (180 nights)	In "Residential Exclusive Zones," a "seasonal window" restriction is adopted: in principle, operation is only allowed during the period from January 15 noon to March 16 noon (while still complying with the national 180-night framework and city rules)
Minimum Stay	Special Zone Minpaku: 2 nights 3 days (3 days) minimum, explicitly prohibiting 1 night 2 days; and requires setting on platforms as "2 nights 3 days or more"	The Residential Lodging path generally does not use "minimum stay" as a core regulation lever (more common are area/time restrictions and neighborhood management)	The Residential Lodging path generally does not use "minimum stay" as a core regulation lever (more common are area/time restrictions and on-site management requirements)
Area Restrictions (Land Use Zones/Residential Exclusive Zones)	Osaka Prefecture/Osaka City combine urban planning and land use zones to restrict or review operable areas (especially areas related to "residential environment protection")	Shinjuku Ward clearly distinguishes: Residential Exclusive Zones vs. non-Residential Exclusive Zones, and sets a weekday operation ban window for the former	Kyoto City clarifies: Residential Exclusive Zones implement seasonal window restrictions for the purpose of "good residential environment protection"
Neighbor Notification/Prior Explanation (Neighbor Briefing)	Both Special Zone Minpaku and Residential Lodging in practice highly value "neighborhood explanation/record retention"; Osaka City also has a document system around regular reporting and compliance guidance	Shinjuku Ward explicitly requires: written notification to neighbors before notification, and reporting to the ward (the ward will also publicly disclose notified residence information for resident identification)	Kyoto City clarifies: prior explanation to neighbors is required, and regular reporting/document submission must be done as specified
On-site Management/On-site Requirements (10 minutes/800m, etc.)	Special Zone Minpaku and Residential Lodging have strict requirements for "emergency contact and on-site response systems" (Osaka City has specific guidance document systems, projects must match the path)	Shinjuku Ward's system design emphasizes "prevention of deterioration of surrounding living environment," and strengthens levers such as complaint handling, record keeping, waste disposal in ordinances/implementation (on-site response systems are usually required or linked with management operator arrangements)	Kyoto City's guidelines and explanations clearly state "10-minute arrival (approximately 800m)" and other management systems (especially in owner-absent operations)
Regular Reporting (Operation Performance)	Under the "Residential Lodging (Notification)/Special Zone Minpaku (Certification)" system, Osaka City has clear guidance on lodging day management and regular reporting, and emphasizes legal risks of non-reporting/exceeding limits	Shinjuku Ward emphasizes identifiability and supervision: including information disclosure, neighbor notification, waste disposal, and complaint records (combined with statutory reporting obligations to form levers)	Kyoto City clarifies: periodic reporting to the mayor, etc., on lodging days, number of lodgers, etc., is required (and enforced alongside Residential Exclusive Zone seasonal window restrictions)
Typical "Enforcement Trigger Points" (Lever)	Violation of minimum stay (Special Zone Minpaku), violation of 180 nights (especially prone to pitfalls when combined), failure/omission of regular reporting, complaints and waste/noise issues triggering inspections	Operation during ban windows in Residential Exclusive Zones, inadequate neighbor notification/reporting, improper waste disposal, lack of complaint record and retention obligations	Operation outside restricted windows in Residential Exclusive Zones, insufficient on-site management systems in owner-absent operations, lack of regular reporting, complaints and living environment issues

How to Use This Table (Practical Advice: Toolization)

When creating a "city entry page": First have users select "city + path" (Residential Lodging/Hotel Business/Special Zone Minpaku), then provide the corresponding Checklist.
When creating a "project evaluation/property purchase page": Make this table a fixed module, informing users: the operable window for the same property varies greatly across cities, avoid misjudging based on experience from other regions.
When creating "0-click high-display news today keywords": Write updates as "This week's update: Osaka City re-emphasizes 2-night 3-day rule / Kyoto Residential Exclusive Zone seasonal window / Shinjuku Residential Exclusive Zone weekday operation ban"—such "actionable change points" are more likely to drive clicks than writing news.

1) Osaka: Choosing the Wrong "Path" or Misunderstanding "Overlapping Restrictions"

The Core Lever of Special Zone Minpaku (Tokku): Minimum Stay Duration. Osaka City clearly stipulates that Special Zone Minpaku must be 2 nights 3 days (3 days) or more, not 1 night 2 days; and requires intermediary platforms to set the minimum bookable duration in accordance with this rule.
"Overlapping" is Osaka's Most Hidden and Common Pitfall: Osaka City's explanatory document explicitly states—if the same residence is used for both Residential Accommodation (notification) and obtains Special Zone Minpaku certification, then all restrictions from both sides apply, resulting in the need to simultaneously comply with:
- The 180-night annual limit for Residential Accommodation
- The 2 nights 3 days minimum for Special Zone Minpaku
- And obligations such as periodic reporting under both systems

You can phrase it as a "red text warning":

"Tokku does not mean unlimited; overlapping restrictions can actually make it easier to fall into pitfalls."

2) Tokyo: Significant Differences Within the Same City (Taking Shinjuku Ward as an Example)

Shinjuku Ward has made its levers highly "enforceable":
- Residential Exclusive Zones set clear prohibited operation windows (Monday noon to Friday noon).
- Requires neighborhood notification (in writing) and reporting to the ward.
- The ward will publicly disclose notified residence information, reducing the space for "anonymous operation."
- Imposes clear requirements on waste disposal and other living environment issues.

For content production, the most suitable approach for Tokyo is:

First create "Tokyo Minpaku Regulation: Quick Check of 23 Ward Differences (2026 Update)"
Then produce 3–5 "Ward Sample Pages" (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Setagaya...), each following the same template output:
- Area restrictions
- Period/time restrictions
- Neighborhood notification
- Public disclosure/reporting
- Penalty triggers

3) Kyoto: The "Seasonal Window" for Residential Exclusive Zones is Extremely Strong

Kyoto City adopts a "only open during off-peak seasons" approach for Residential Exclusive Zones: in principle, restricted to January 15 noon to March 16 noon.
Also emphasizes: annual calculation cycle, 180-night framework, and bi-monthly periodic reporting (number of accommodation days, number of guests, etc.).
For owner-absent operations, Kyoto City documents also clarify management system points such as "10-minute arrival (approximately 800m)."

Tool-oriented writing suggestions for Kyoto content:

Provide users with a "calendar-style" module:
- Allowed operation window (bookable)
- Prohibited operation window (only long-term/monthly rentals allowed)
Then include a "Residential Exclusive Zone Self-Check" process:
- Confirm land use zone → Check if it falls under Residential Exclusive → Verify if exceptions apply (e.g., certified Kyoto Machiya) → Management on-site system

Question

Why is 'Osaka' divided into two paths: Residential Lodging and Special Zone Minpaku?

AIAIGAnswer

Because the 'regulatory levers' for the two paths are completely different: the core lever for Residential Lodging is 180-night limit + notification/reporting/management obligations; while one of the core levers for Osaka City Special Zone Minpaku is minimum 2 nights 3 days stay (and if the two paths overlap on the same residence, constraint stacking occurs, requiring simultaneous compliance with both the 180-night limit and the 2-night 3-day stay requirements, among others).

Question

Is the entire city of Tokyo like Shinjuku Ward with 'prohibition of operation from Monday to Friday'?

AIAIGAnswer

No. Tokyo has a structure with significant ward-level differences. This article uses Shinjuku Ward as a sample with clear public information and representativeness to explain how 'regulatory levers' are implemented. When selecting a property or writing a page, you should always refer to the official rules of the ward where the target property is located.

Question

Does Kyoto's 'January 15 to March 16' restriction apply to all properties?

AIAIGAnswer

It primarily applies to Residential Exclusive Zones and Residential Lodging under general circumstances; Kyoto City also has exceptions (e.g., certified Kyoto Machiya businesses meeting certain conditions, etc.). Therefore, the first step in judgment is always: whether the property's land use zone falls within a Residential Exclusive Zone, and then check if it meets exception conditions and management system requirements.

Question

What are the 'common points' most likely to trigger inspections/penalties?

AIAIGAnswer

Common high-risk points across cities typically include: exceeding permitted operating windows/days, missing or inaccurate periodic reports, inadequate neighborhood notification and complaint handling, accumulation of environmental issues like garbage/noise. Local ordinances often turn these points into 'verifiable' levers (public notices, record-keeping, on-site requirements, etc.).

Question

I just want to create a 'comparison table page' to capture search traffic, how should I design the structure?

AIAIGAnswer

It is recommended to place on the first screen: comparison table + last updated time + 3 key changes this month summary. Use a fixed template for the main content: national baseline → three-area table → detailed breakdown for each area → Checklist → FAQ. Include synonyms in the title: Osaka/Tokyo/Kyoto + Minpaku/Airbnb + ordinance/regulation/restrictions + 2026 update.

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Osaka vs Tokyo vs Kyoto: Minpaku Regulation Comparison Table | Ordinance...

Osaka vs Tokyo vs Kyoto: Comparative Table of Minpaku Regulations (Analyzed by "Ordinance Restriction Items")

Pre-reading Note: Why Use "Ordinance Restrictions" for Comparison?

1. National Common Baseline: The "Minimum Compliance Chassis" of the Residential Accommodation Business Law (Minpaku New Law)

II. Comparison Table of Ordinance Restrictions: Osaka (including Special Zone Minpaku) vs. Tokyo (Shinjuku Ward Example) vs. Kyoto City

Comparison Table (by "Regulation Restriction Items")

How to Use This Table (Practical Advice: Toolization)

III. Detailed Analysis of Three Regions: Which "Regulatory Levers" Are Most Prone to Pitfalls?

1) Osaka: Choosing the Wrong "Path" or Misunderstanding "Overlapping Restrictions"

2) Tokyo: Significant Differences Within the Same City (Taking Shinjuku Ward as an Example)

3) Kyoto: The "Seasonal Window" for Residential Exclusive Zones is Extremely Strong