Leave Your Minpaku Management to Us
Free Online Consultation“I want to start a minpaku (private lodging) business myself, keeping costs down, without relying on a management company.”
“The procedures seem complicated, but what order should I follow, and what exactly do I need to do?”
Minpaku is spreading nationwide across Japan, and there are quite a few motivated owners who want to tackle the first step—the “notification to the authorities”—entirely on their own. Self-filing not only cuts costs but also comes with the significant benefit of deepening your understanding of the business.
That said, the process does come with real hurdles: understanding the law, negotiating with government offices, and preparing accurate documentation.
In this article, we’ll walk you through, step by step, how to file a minpaku notification as an individual under the most commonly applied nationwide framework—the **”Private Lodging Business Act (the Minpaku Law)”**—explained in a way anyone can follow.
Introduction: What Type of “Minpaku” Does This Guide Cover?
First and most importantly, this guide covers minpaku operations under the **”Private Lodging Business Act (the Minpaku Law).”** This law has the following key characteristics:
- Annual operating days are capped at 180 days
- Facility requirements are more relaxed compared to hotels and ryokan
- The procedure with the authorities is a “notification,” not a “license/permit”
This differs from rules governing “National Strategic Special Zone minpaku” (such as those in Osaka City) or “simple lodging” under the Hotel Business Act. Please first confirm that the type of minpaku you’re aiming for falls under this category.
【Step 0】Three Fundamental Checks You Must Make Before Applying
Before you start preparing your notification, you need to confirm whether your property is even eligible to operate as minpaku in the first place. Stumbling here will render all your subsequent efforts pointless.
1. Is Your Property Eligible for Minpaku? (Zoning and Building Regulations)
- Check the zoning designation: Look up the “use district” (zoning) of your property’s location via your local government’s website or similar resources. Minpaku is permitted in most zones, but in “exclusively residential zones,” operations may be restricted to certain days of the week or times of day.
- [For condominiums] Check the building bylaws: This is the biggest hurdle. Be sure to check whether the condominium association’s “management bylaws” contain any clause prohibiting **”use for business purposes”** or **”minpaku operations.”** If prohibited, you generally cannot run a minpaku there.
2. Is It a Rental Property? (Landlord’s Consent for Subletting)
If you’re renting the property, you absolutely need **written consent from the landlord (the property owner) authorizing its use for minpaku (i.e., subletting).** Starting without this consent could result in eviction for breach of contract.
3. Are the Required Facilities in Place? (Kitchen, Bathroom, Toilet, Wash Basin)
The Private Lodging Business Act requires that the property used for minpaku have all four essential living facilities: a **”kitchen,” “bathroom,” “toilet,”** and **”wash basin.”** If even one of these is missing, your notification will not be accepted.
Leave Your Minpaku Management to Us
Free Online ConsultationThe Complete 5-Step Guide to Self-Filing Your Minpaku Notification (Applicable Nationwide)
Once you’ve cleared the prerequisites above, it’s time to move on to the actual filing steps.
Step 1: Start With a “Pre-Consultation” at the Local Government Office
Before you start preparing documents on your own judgment, visit your local government office for a consultation first. This may seem like a detour, but it’s actually the fastest path forward.
- Who to consult: Typically, the **”public health center (health and hygiene division, etc.)”** that has jurisdiction over your property’s location. In some municipalities, the city or ward office serves as the point of contact instead.
- What to bring: Floor plans of the property (showing layout and dimensions), documentation confirming the property’s address, a copy of the building bylaws (if it’s a condominium), and so on.
- What to ask: Ask specifically, “I’d like to start a minpaku business at this property—what procedures and requirements will I need to meet?” Use this opportunity to confirm the overall process, including whether a consultation with the fire department is required.
Step 2: Installing and Confirming Life-Saving “Fire Safety Equipment”
If your pre-consultation determines that a consultation with the fire department is necessary, this is your next step. Complying with fire safety regulations is non-negotiable—it protects both your guests and yourself.
- Who to consult: The **”fire department”** (fire prevention division, etc.) with jurisdiction over your property’s location.
- Required equipment: In typical residential properties, at minimum, installing a **”residential fire alarm”** is mandatory. However, depending on the building’s structure, size, and maximum occupancy, you may be instructed to install more substantial commercial-grade equipment such as an “automatic fire alarm system” or “emergency exit lighting.”
- Confirmation: After installing the required equipment, report this to the fire department and have them confirm compliance with the regulations. In some municipalities, this confirmation results in the issuance of a **”Fire Safety Compliance Certificate,”** which may need to be attached to your notification.
Step 3: Preparing and Completing the “Notification Documents”
Once you’ve finished consulting with the authorities, it’s time to prepare your documents. The required documents are nearly identical nationwide.
- Private Lodging Business Notification Form: The main application form.
- [Individuals] Copy of residence certificate (juminhyo): One that does not include your My Number.
- [Corporations] Copy of the articles of incorporation and a certificate of registered matters: Issued within the last three months.
- Sworn statement: A written declaration confirming you do not fall under any legally defined disqualifying conditions.
- Certificate of registered matters for the property: Proof of the property’s ownership information.
- Property floor plans: Clearly indicating the use and area of each room, and the location of each facility.
- Lease agreement and sublease consent form: Required for rental properties.
- Copy of the building bylaws and consent form: Required for condominiums.
- Power of attorney: (If you’re commissioning a gyoseishoshi/administrative scrivener or similar professional)
These forms can be downloaded from the Japan Tourism Agency’s website or the “Minpaku System” (the online platform used for filing notifications).
Step 4: Filing Entirely Online via the “Minpaku System”
Once your documents are ready, notifications are generally filed through the national online platform known as the **”Minpaku System.”**
- Create an account on the system.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your business information, property information, and so on.
- Upload the documents you prepared in Step 3 as data files (such as PDFs).
- Once all information has been entered and all files uploaded, click the “Submit Notification” button in the system.
Step 5: Obtain Your “Notification Number” and Start Operating!
If your submitted documents pass review with no deficiencies, the local government will process your application, and upon acceptance, a **”notification number”** will be issued through the system. Once you obtain this number, you officially become a “private lodging business operator,” and you can begin operating your minpaku by listing this number on booking platforms such as Airbnb.
Just as Important After Filing! Four Ongoing Obligations for Owners
Completing your notification isn’t the end of the road. Operators are subject to the following ongoing obligations:
- Maintaining and managing a guest register
- Periodic reporting of operating days (the 180-day cap)
- Appropriately handling complaints from neighbors
- Displaying the official signage
Neglecting these obligations can result in administrative guidance or penalties, so please comply with them faithfully.
Conclusion: Self-Filing Is Achievable With the Right Knowledge and Preparation
Filing your own minpaku notification certainly isn’t easy. But if you understand the meaning of each step and proceed methodically and carefully, you can absolutely accomplish it on your own. It will become a valuable experience that deepens your love and understanding of your minpaku business more than anything else could.
“I understand the process now, but I’m still worried about going it alone…”
“There are certain points about filling out documents or creating floor plans that I just can’t figure out.”
“I want to get my business up and running quickly and reliably, without wasting time on the paperwork.”
If any of this resonates with you, entrusting just the specialized parts to a professional is a smart choice.
At **Stay Buddy Co., Ltd.**, we’ve received countless inquiries from owners aiming to self-file just like this. In addition to handling the entire filing process on your behalf, we’re happy to offer flexible, partial support—whether that’s “just helping with this one document” or “accompanying you to the fire department consultation.”
We respect your drive to do things yourself, and by providing precisely targeted support at the points where people tend to stumble, we can help you significantly reduce the time, cost, and mental burden involved. Feel free to reach out to us through the inquiry form below with even the smallest question.
