Tourist Complaints Trigger Holiday Rental Ban in Tokyo Hotspot
What Happened
Tokyo’s Shinjuku district plans to ban short-term rentals in residential areas and near schools, affecting more than half of its roughly 4,000 holiday rentals, including many Airbnb properties. The move follows a sharp rise in complaints about noise, littering, smoking, and trespassing by tourists. Complaints increased by about 40% in the last fiscal year.
Key Takeaways
The crackdown highlights Japan’s growing struggle with overtourism as visitor numbers rise. Around 2,000 rentals could be forced to close, as authorities seek to balance tourism growth with quality of life for residents.