Kyoto Cracks Down on Short-Term Rentals

Kyoto is preparing to effectively prohibit new private lodging operations in residential areas to address complaints over noise, smoking, garbage, and operators ignoring existing rules. While traditional townhouse owners argue that tourist accommodation can help preserve the city's historic architecture, the city has already implemented some of Japan's strictest regulations on minpaku, or private lodging facilities.

Now, the city is drafting further restrictions and considering a revision to the ordinance in the February municipal assembly session next year. Residents in popular neighborhoods have reported a growing range of problems, such as loud video calls, smoking outside neighboring homes, and leaving cigarette butts in drainage systems.

A resident in a historic neighborhood expressed concern over the risk of fire due to the closely packed traditional buildings. Kyoto's current ordinance requires operators to have staff within 10 minutes of their accommodations, but residents and operators claim those requirements are often disregarded. Miyamoto, a lodging operator, found over 100 potentially violating facilities in his investigation, including those with self-check-in procedures that allow guests to enter without meeting staff.

Some foreign visitors confirmed the prevalence of self-check-in, stating that the entire process was completed through an app without meeting anyone from the accommodation. Tourists have also reported that lodgings did not explain neighborhood rules, with one visitor mentioning that they figured them out themselves by observing local people.

Miyamoto believes that if operators fail to address complaints, Kyoto will impose even stricter restrictions on private lodging. The city has already begun penalizing businesses that violate the rules, imposing fines and suspensions for practices such as not meeting guests face-to-face when delivering keys.