Is This the End for Minpaku? Neyagawa City Says “No More” to Special Zone Short-Term Rentals
Source: Sankei Shimbun, August 12, 2025
On August 12, Neyagawa City in Osaka Prefecture made a decisive move: it will withdraw from Japan’s “Special Zone Minpaku” program. This scheme, designed to boost tourism by allowing private homes and condos to operate as short-term rentals under relaxed rules, is now facing growing backlash.
As Osaka’s Deregulated Minpaku Booms, Residents Are Forced Out—Is Japan Trading Its Cities for Short-Term Gains?
Introduction
Japan’s post-COVID tourism recovery has been dramatic. With a record 36.87 million foreign visitors in 2024 and a national goal of 60 million by 2030, the demand for lodging has skyrocketed. To meet that demand, Japan introduced Special Zone Minpaku—a deregulated short-term rental scheme allowed only in government-designated areas.
But as the number of these properties explodes—particularly in Osaka, where over 90% of Special Zone Minpaku facilities are concentrated—so do the complaints, legal concerns, and social frictions. What began as a creative hospitality solution is now raising urgent questions about housing stability, governance, and even immigration abuse.
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Transportation:
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Exploring an Investment Opportunity in Hakuba（白馬）: A Ski Resort Guesthouse
In recent years, property prices in Hakuba Village have shown a significant upward trend.
In 2024, the average official land price was ¥15,183 per square meter, equivalent to ¥50,192 per tsubo, marking a 17.11% increase from the previous year.
Additionally, the average standard land price was ¥19,170 per square meter, or ¥63,371 per tsubo, reflecting an 8.67% rise year-over-year.
Elevating Your Portfolio: An Exceptional Offering of Pre-Built Landowner Shares in Central Tokyo
In Tokyo’s competitive real estate market, pre-built landowner’s shares are incredibly rare.
These properties become available when original landowners in a redevelopment area exchange their old properties for rights in newly constructed buildings.
Such opportunities only arise in large-scale redevelopment projects, such as the one underway in Yaesu 1-chome.
This offering presents a truly unique and highly valuable investment opportunity.
Japanese ski resorts are becoming increasingly popular among international investors due to their world-class snow, cultural appeal, and expanding infrastructure.
In this two-part series, we explore Japan’s ski resorts from an investment perspective.
This first article provides a comprehensive overview of the major ski resort areas and their investment appeal.
The second article will focus on specific recommendations for regions that offer the most promising opportunities for real estate investment based on accessibility,
rental demand, and future growth potential.
1. Snow Quality
Japan’s ski resorts, particularly in Hokkaido and Nagano, are renowned for their powder snow, known as “Japow” (Japanese powder).
Niseko in Hokkaido has gained international fame for its world-class snow quality, while Hakuba in Nagano is also highly regarded among skiers.
Investment Insight:
The high-quality powder snow attracts a steady stream of international tourists,
ensuring consistent rental demand and profitability for real estate investors.
On July 1(2024), the National Tax Agency announced the land value(路線価）
as of January 1, showing a national average increase of 2.3%,
marking the third consecutive year of growth.
This rise, the largest in 16 years, is driven by the recovery of inbound tourism,
redevelopment projects, and increased housing demand.
The average land value increased in 29 prefectures, with the highest increases in:
Investing in Prosperity: How Japan’s Experience-Based
Tourism Boom Impacts Real Estate Opportunities
Hello esteemed readers and potential investors,
In the pulsating economic landscape of Japan,
a compelling trend is unfolding that holds significant implications for us all,
particularly those of us vested in international real estate investments.
Since last autumn, Japan has experienced a substantial resurgence in inbound tourism.
However, the dynamics of this resurgence are quite different from what we’ve seen in the past.
There’s been a considerable decline in ‘explosive buying’,
a phenomenon that once characterized Japan’s tourism industry.
Record Foreign Investments
Boost Japan’s Hotel Sector
Foreign investors are increasingly acquiring Japanese hotels
due to the nation’s recovering tourism industry, weak currency,
and low interest rates. In the past 12 months, overseas buyers accounted
for 47% of the ¥494.3 billion ($3.7 billion) invested in hotel deals,
the highest proportion since 2014. Factors such as low rates, the weak yen,
and market stability have made Japanese real estate attractive
to global investors amid economic uncertainty.