What should I know about booking a home in Japan?

Under an amendment to the Japanese Hotels and Inns Act that went into effect on 15 June 2018, Airbnb hosts are required to register their listing and display a licence number on their listing page. Any host without a licence number was required by the Japanese government to cancel upcoming reservations that were booked before that date. Unregistered listings have been removed from Airbnb, but will be added back as they register.

If you’re planning a stay in Japan

Some changes that were implemented after the amendment to the Japanese Hotels and Inns Act may affect you.

Only registered listings are available on Airbnb

Listings that don’t yet have a licence and registration number, or other legal details like a hotel business licence, have been deactivated until that info is added. As a result, these homes may not appear in your Saved list. To check if a listing is registered, on the listing details page click Read more about the space, where you’ll find the licence or registration number.

Your host will need a copy of your passport

Under the law, when you check in, your host is required to record guest information such as name, address, occupation, and nationality. If you don’t live in Japan, your host is required to request your passport and keep a copy of it for recording purposes. If you live in Japan, regardless of your nationality, be sure to show your ID issued in Japan (for example, a residential card, alien registration card, driver’s licence) to confirm your domestic residence, so that your host understands that you aren’t required to show your passport as well.