What about the scheme in plain facts?

What it covers: Letting a "residence" to guests for a fee. A residence must have a kitchen, bathroom, toilet and washing facilities and be a home currently lived in, a home being re-let after a tenancy ended, or otherwise used for human habitation as set by ministerial order.

What about using online platforms?

If you ask someone to conclude booking contracts for you as an agent or intermediary, you must use a registered private lodging intermediary or a travel agent (Article 12). In practice that is why a platform will ask about your notification before it lets you publish. Keep your notification and your night count in order before you list.

What about local limits and penalties?

Under Article 18, a prefecture or a designated city may limit the period you can operate in specified areas by ordinance, to protect the living environment from noise and similar effects. The governor can order business suspension for up to one year (Article 16). Penalties include up to six months in prison or a fine of up to JPY 1,000,000 for a false notification, and fines of up to JPY 300,000 for failing to report changes, keep the register, post the sign or file the periodic report.

What about what the sources do not say?

They do not state processing times, a fee, the exact day-count method, or which areas have extra limits today. They also do not set rules on who may own a residence.

Is minpaku a licence or a notification?

A notification to the prefectural governor or the relevant city or special ward. The Act itself uses the term notification.

How many nights can I host?

No more than 180 days in a year under the Act and the government overview, counted as set by ministerial order. Local ordinances can restrict further.

Do I need a manager if I live elsewhere?

If you are absent while guests stay, or the property exceeds a set number of rooms, the Act requires entrusting management to a registered private lodging manager, with exceptions the ministerial order sets.

Must I use a platform that is registered?

If you hire an intermediary to conclude booking contracts, it must be a registered private lodging intermediary or a travel agent.

What if I do not notify?

The Act sets its penalties for false notification and other breaches. Article 3 lets a notified host operate notwithstanding the Hotel Business Act, so confirm with your local authority which route applies to you.

What about once you are licensed?

Registration makes you legal. Distribution is a separate job. Fursat's own guest stays are in India, so we do not list homes in Japan, but if you also own or manage property in India you can start at /list-your-property, and our free channel manager explains how calendar sync across booking sites works. For the basics of the Indian system, read How to Start a Homestay in India. For a neighbouring regime written the same way, see How to Start a Homestay in Nepal.

Journal/Homestay Guides

5 min read · 7 October 2026

How to Register a Minpaku Vacation Rental in Japan (Private Lodging Business Act)

Japan's minpaku law works by notification, not licence: file for each residence, host up to 180 days a year, keep a guest register and post a sign. Local ordinances can restrict further.

Sneha Surana

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