Best Airbnb Markets in Japan (2026)
Based on Airbtics data from January 2025 to December 2025, this page shows the top Airbnb locations to invest in Japan 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 Japan.
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:
- Short-term rental yield: The ratio between annual revenue and property price, as a percentage. Locations with higher Airbnb rental yield score better.
- Short-term rental regulations: How STR-friendly the local Airbnb rules and laws are. Markets with more lenient regulations get a higher score.
- 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.
- Growth: How fast the market is becoming saturated. Priority is given to markets that are already developed but are not approaching saturation yet.
- 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.
Last updated: February, 2026
Japan Short-Term Rental Market Overview (Full-Year 2025 Analysis)
Top 12 Japan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E+ | Tokyo | Strict | 21,037 | 89% | JPY19,288 | JPY6,354,503 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 2 | C+ | Osaka | Strict | 12,056 | 86% | JPY13,643 | JPY4,376,689 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 3 | C+ | Kyoto | Strict | 4,218 | 81% | JPY22,111 | JPY6,656,538 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 4 | C+ | Okinawa | Strict | 3,485 | 71% | JPY21,170 | JPY5,660,888 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 5 | A | Sapporo | Strict | 2,061 | 72% | JPY17,563 | JPY4,745,686 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 6 | B | Nagano | Strict | 1,898 | 64% | JPY29,795 | JPY7,033,690 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 7 | C | Fukuoka | Strict | 1,595 | 82% | JPY14,584 | JPY4,470,938 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 8 | C+ | Chiba | Strict | 1,543 | 55% | JPY22,738 | JPY4,721,693 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 9 | C | Kanagawa | Strict | 1,527 | 70% | JPY20,386 | JPY5,371,869 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 10 | C | Shizuoka | Strict | 1,508 | 53% | JPY26,659 | JPY5,364,184 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 11 | C | Yamanashi | Strict | 1,292 | 71% | JPY27,286 | JPY7,273,625 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 12 | C+ | Hiroshima | Strict | 984 | 70% | JPY13,486 | JPY3,627,717 | 12.3% | 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 Japan. 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 Japan's STR market?
Explore our comprehensive 2025 Short-Term Rental Market Report for Japan, featuring detailed market trends, supply analysis, and year-over-year insights.
View 2025 Market ReportWhy Invest in Airbnb Japan in 2026?
In recent years, Japan 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
Japan a lucrative option for both local and foreign investors.
Due to strong demand from travelers, Japan 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, Japan has a profitable location to
meet your budget and aspirations as an investor.
Market Saturation Analysis: Japan
Benchmark: Markets are categorized relative to Japan's national averages (Supply: +28.2%, Revenue: +13.6%). 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%
Early Saturation
Supply > avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Competition rising
- Tokyo Supply: +39.6% | Revenue: +2.4%
- Fukuoka Supply: +34.0% | Revenue: +3.5%
- Kanagawa Supply: +31.3% | Revenue: +9.4%
- Shizuoka Supply: +28.7% | Revenue: +5.8%
- Yamanashi Supply: +28.3% | Revenue: -2.3%
Under-the-Radar
Supply ≤ avg, Revenue > avg
Hidden opportunities
- Hiroshima Supply: +20.3% | Revenue: +29.7%
- Okinawa Supply: +23.1% | Revenue: +20.8%
Declining
Supply ≤ avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Risky markets
- Kyoto Supply: +15.7% | Revenue: +5.5%
- Nagano Supply: +23.8% | Revenue: +6.6%
Best Cities for Airbnb in Japan 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.
Top 3 Best Places for Airbnb Arbitrage in Japan
- For short-term rental market analysis, visit our Airbnb Analytics app.
Estimate Your Airbnb Income in Japan
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Use our Airbnb calculator to quickly and accurately estimate the earning and profitability potential of any city, neighborhood, and area.
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