Tokyo’s Taito Ward, home to popular tourist spots such as Asakusa and Ueno, is moving to ban minpaku in certain parts of the ward beginning next year, as local governments across Japan begin restricting the short-term private-residence lodging system. An ordinance was submitted to the ward assembly Tuesday that proposes effectively ending the program for new minpaku in residential areas and locations where traditional hotels and inns are restricted. It will do so by limiting the number of days that such minpaku can operate to zero.
The ward cited increasing reports of bad behavior such as improper trash disposal and loud noises as being behind the new ordinance. Both the number of minpaku in Taito and the number of complaints stemming from them have risen dramatically in recent years. The number of new minpaku applications tripled in 2025 compared with the year prior, hitting nearly 1,400, while the number of complaints accordingly increased fourfold to 257 cases.
In addition to the proposed policy on new minpaku, Taito Ward will begin enforcing fresh restrictions on all minpaku later this year. While the ward currently allows them to operate any given day up to the nationwide legal limit of 180 days a year, beginning in October they will only be able to accommodate guests on weekends and holidays. The minpaku program allows approved operators to provide lodging in their private residences.
Since starting in June 2018 as a way to meet higher tourist demand and fill houses vacated by Japan’s diminishing population, the system’s popularity has rapidly grown, especially in recent years. Taito’s potential ban comes as other municipalities around the country are introducing restrictions. Since July, when the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism notified local governments that they had the authority to limit minpaku operation, Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward as well as the city of Kyoto have moved to implement bans, both referencing an increasing number of local complaints.
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