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Best Airbnb Markets in East Asia (2026)

Based on Airbtics data from January 2025 to December 2025, this page shows the top Airbnb locations to invest in East Asia with key statistics and information, like short-term rental regulations, number of listings, occupancy rate, average daily rate, and annual revenue. This allows you to discover the most profitable cities to invest in, buy, and own Airbnb rental properties in East Asia.

The Airbtics Market Score indicates how attractive a location is for investing in an Airbnb rental property. We determine this score based on the following criteria:

  1. Short-term rental yield: The ratio between annual revenue and property price, as a percentage. Locations with higher Airbnb rental yield score better.
  2. Short-term rental regulations: How STR-friendly the local Airbnb rules and laws are. Markets with more lenient regulations get a higher score.
  3. Market size: The number of Airbnb listings. Larger vacation rental markets get a higher score as it is easier for investors to buy and sell properties.
  4. Growth: How fast the market is becoming saturated. Priority is given to markets that are already developed but are not approaching saturation yet.
  5. Seasonality: To what degree Airbnb performance is affected by seasonality. Less seasonal impact is preferred as investors can enjoy a more stable short-term rental performance throughout the year.
Learn more about how we collect the data and accuracy

Last updated: February, 2026

East Asia Short-Term Rental Market Overview (Full-Year 2025 Analysis)

National averages across all East Asia markets
Average Occupancy Rate i
60.39%
Average Annual Revenue i
$22,621
Average Daily Rate (ADR) i
$96
YoY Supply Growth i
23.22%
YoY Revenue Change i
5.26%

Top 28 East Asia Cities for Airbnb in 2026

Position Market Grade Market Name Regulation No of Listings Avg. Occupancy Rate Avg. Daily Rate Revenue Short-term Rental Yield Rent Gap
1E+Tokyo
Strict
21,03789%$123$40,52112.3%34.5%
2D+Seoul
Lenient
20,07880%$72$21,35412.3%34.5%
3CJeju island
Strict
12,82655%$81$16,63612.3%34.5%
4C+Osaka
Strict
12,05686%$87$27,90912.3%34.5%
5BBusan
Strict
7,14765%$70$17,08812.3%34.5%
6D+Taipei
Lenient
4,67778%$73$21,18612.3%34.5%
7C+Kyoto
Strict
4,21881%$141$42,44712.3%34.5%
8C+Okinawa
Strict
3,48571%$135$36,09812.3%34.5%
9D+Hong kong
Lenient
2,95466%$74$18,28312.3%34.5%
10DIncheon
Strict
2,53043%$56$9,14912.3%34.5%
11BGangneung
Strict
2,46248%$86$15,57712.3%34.5%
12BGyeongju
Strict
2,18345%$95$16,05412.3%34.5%
13ASapporo
Strict
2,06172%$112$30,26212.3%34.5%
14BNagano
Strict
1,89864%$190$44,85212.3%34.5%
15D+Yeosu
Strict
1,81735%$69$9,06812.3%34.5%
16BJeonju
Strict
1,64439%$62$9,02212.3%34.5%
17CFukuoka
Strict
1,59582%$93$28,51012.3%34.5%
18C+Chiba
Strict
1,54355%$145$30,10912.3%34.5%
19CKanagawa
Strict
1,52770%$130$34,25512.3%34.5%
20CShizuoka
Strict
1,50853%$170$34,20612.3%34.5%
21C+Sokcho
Lenient
1,31340%$70$10,38112.3%34.5%
22CYamanashi
Strict
1,29271%$174$46,38212.3%34.5%
23CDaegu
Strict
1,16551%$52$10,07612.3%34.5%
24C+Geoje
Lenient
99332%$93$11,16212.3%34.5%
25C+Hiroshima
Strict
98470%$86$23,13312.3%34.5%
26DTaichung
Lenient
94946%$57$9,85512.3%34.5%
27BDaejeon
Lenient
84556%$53$11,05712.3%34.5%
28C+Ulaanbaatar
Lenient
61348%$49$8,77212.3%34.5%

Find the Best Airbnb Markets with Our Interactive Tool

Use our interactive Market Explorer to find the best places to start an Airbnb in East Asia. Compare multiple markets side by side, apply filters like regulations, budget (property or rent prices), and market size, and even export the results to Excel.

Explore Interactive Tool

📊 Want a deeper dive into East Asia's STR market?

Explore our comprehensive 2025 Short-Term Rental Market Report for East Asia, featuring detailed market trends, supply analysis, and year-over-year insights.

View 2025 Market Report

Why Invest in Airbnb East Asia in 2026?

In recent years, East Asia has emerged as one of the best locations for investing in short-term rentals thanks to its popular tourist attractions, thriving business activities, growing digital nomad presence, and vibrant cities like Yamanashi, Nagano and Kyoto. With millions of international visitors coming each year, the demand for vacation rental accommodations is growing, making Airbnb East Asia a lucrative option for both local and foreign investors.

Due to strong demand from travelers, East Asia offers competitive average daily rates (ADR), healthy occupancy rates, and attractive revenue potential in the best Airbnb markets. Whether you're looking to start your first Airbnb business with a modest budget or to add a luxury short-term rental property to your portfolio, East Asia has a profitable location to meet your budget and aspirations as an investor.

Market Saturation Analysis: East Asia

Benchmark: Markets are categorized relative to East Asia's national averages (Supply: +23.2%, Revenue: +5.3%). Markets above the national average are marked with ↑, while those below are marked with ↓.

🟢

Healthy Growth

Supply > avg, Revenue > avg
Expansion with demand keeping up

  • Osaka Supply: +29.1% | Revenue: +32.4%
  • Sapporo Supply: +35.8% | Revenue: +32.1%
  • Chiba Supply: +28.4% | Revenue: +16.9%
  • Kanagawa Supply: +31.3% | Revenue: +9.4%
  • Nagano Supply: +23.8% | Revenue: +6.6%
  • Daejeon Supply: +38.2% | Revenue: +6.4%
  • Shizuoka Supply: +28.7% | Revenue: +5.8%
  • Hong kong Supply: +24.4% | Revenue: +5.4%
🟡

Early Saturation

Supply > avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Competition rising

  • Ulaanbaatar Supply: +70.1% | Revenue: +1.2%
  • Tokyo Supply: +39.6% | Revenue: +2.4%
  • Fukuoka Supply: +34.0% | Revenue: +3.5%
  • Yamanashi Supply: +28.3% | Revenue: -2.3%
  • Incheon Supply: +24.3% | Revenue: -14.9%
  • Taipei Supply: +23.5% | Revenue: +5.2%
  • Seoul Supply: +23.3% | Revenue: +2.5%
🔵

Under-the-Radar

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue > avg
Hidden opportunities

  • Hiroshima Supply: +20.3% | Revenue: +29.7%
  • Busan Supply: +19.6% | Revenue: +27.8%
  • Okinawa Supply: +23.1% | Revenue: +20.8%
  • Sokcho Supply: +5.9% | Revenue: +5.6%
  • Kyoto Supply: +15.7% | Revenue: +5.5%
🔴

Declining

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Risky markets

  • Yeosu Supply: +19.5% | Revenue: -12.9%
  • Gangneung Supply: -7.3% | Revenue: -12.5%
  • Daegu Supply: +17.7% | Revenue: -6.8%
  • Jeju island Supply: +14.4% | Revenue: -6.6%
  • Taichung Supply: +14.6% | Revenue: -6.4%
  • Geoje Supply: +6.3% | Revenue: -4.5%
  • Jeonju Supply: +3.7% | Revenue: -4.1%
  • Gyeongju Supply: +13.6% | Revenue: -1.0%

Best Cities for Airbnb in East Asia by Budget

Top 3 Affordable & Mid-Range Airbnb Markets: $500,000 & Below

These markets offer accessible investment opportunities with lower to moderate property prices, suitable for investors seeking entry-level or mid-range options.

  1. Ulaanbaatar
    • Property price: $90,000
    • STR revenue: $8,772/year
    • Yield: 12.2%
  2. Gyeongju
    • Property price: $150,000
    • STR revenue: $16,054/year
    • Yield: 17.8%
  3. Yeosu
    • Property price: $150,000
    • STR revenue: $9,068/year
    • Yield: 11.6%

Top 3 Premium & Luxury Airbnb Markets: $500,000 & Above

These markets represent high-end investment opportunities with premium properties, ideal for investors with substantial capital seeking strong returns.

  1. Tokyo
    • Property price: $600,000
    • STR revenue: $40,521/year
    • Yield: 9.5%
  2. Taipei
    • Property price: $600,000
    • STR revenue: $21,186/year
    • Yield: 5.1%
  3. Hong kong
    • Property price: $1,200,000
    • STR revenue: $18,283/year
    • Yield: 3.8%

Top 3 Best Places for Airbnb Arbitrage in East Asia

  1. Nagano
    • STR revenue: $44,852/year
    • Rent gap: $9,084
  2. Yamanashi
    • STR revenue: $46,382/year
    • Rent gap: $7,584
  3. Fukuoka
    • STR revenue: $28,510/year
    • Rent gap: $5,842



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