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Tokyo's Shinjuku to ban more than half of vacation rentals
Yahoo • • world
Key Points:
- Tokyo's Shinjuku district plans to ban over half of its short-term holiday rentals, including many Airbnb homes, due to rising complaints about noise, improper trash disposal, and smoking violations by tourists.
- The new regulations will target rentals in residential zones and near schools, potentially closing around 2,000 properties, with formal announcement expected from the Shinjuku mayor.
- The move comes amid Japan's goal to increase foreign tourists to 60 million by 2030, while managing overtourism challenges faced by popular areas like Shinjuku and Kyoto.
- Similar restrictions on short-term rentals have been implemented or considered in other global cities, including Kyoto, Barcelona, and New York, to address housing shortages and maintain community tranquility.
- Local residents express frustration with tourists and private lodging operators who do not follow local rules, contributing to neighborhood disturbances and environmental concerns.
