Lake Biwa
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Overview
Annual Rev
¥4.9m
12 mo avg
↑1%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
40%
12 mo avg
↓12%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
¥37,962
12 mo avg
↑25%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
32 days
12 mo avg
↓3 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
¥8,762
12 mo avg
↓23%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Lake Biwa market data as of September 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Supply
Revenue boost by amenity
| Amenity | Listings With | Revenue Boost | Revenue With | Revenue Without |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sauna | — | +¥14,708,831 | — | — |
| Heating | 🔒 6• (••%) | 🔒 +¥5•••••• (+•••%) | 🔒 ¥9•••••• | 🔒 ¥4•••••• |
| Parking | 🔒 6• (••%) | 🔒 +¥4•••••• (+•••%) | 🔒 ¥9•••••• | 🔒 ¥4•••••• |
| Hot Tub | 🔒 9 (••%) | 🔒 +¥3•••••• (+••%) | 🔒 ¥1••••••• | 🔒 ¥8•••••• |
| Lake Access | 🔒 2• (••%) | 🔒 +¥2•••••• (+••%) | 🔒 ¥1••••••• | 🔒 ¥7•••••• |
| Barbecue | 🔒 3• (••%) | 🔒 +¥2•••••• (+••%) | 🔒 ¥9•••••• | 🔒 ¥7•••••• |
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
4+ bedrooms (2.3 nights)
1 bedroom (2.3 nights)
2 bedrooms (2.1 nights)
3 bedrooms (1.9 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
3 bedrooms (¥55)
4+ bedrooms (¥43)
2 bedrooms (¥41)
1 bedroom (¥24)
Professional host share
Independent hosts (56%)
Professionally managed (44%)
Over the 12 months ending August 2026, the Lake Biwa market averaged 210 active Airbnb and VRBO listings, up 22% from a year earlier and up 81% over two years.
An average Lake Biwa listing earns ¥3M/year. High-performing listings earn ¥12M, while low-performing listings earn ¥1M.
Average occupancy in Lake Biwa is 30%, producing RevPAR of ¥5K per available night.
4+ bedroom listings generate the highest average annual revenue in Lake Biwa, at ¥4M.
Rules vary across Lake Biwa. Kyoto: Strict. Minpaku license required, 180-day annual cap, residential zone restrictions. Very active enforcement with inspections and fines. Most hosts comply due to pressure. Otsu: Strict. Minpaku notification mandatory, 180-day cap, residential area limits. Active enforcement following Kyoto's model. Limited illegal operations. Hikone: Moderate. Minpaku notification required, 180-day cap applies. Less active enforcement than Kyoto, some non-compliant hosts operate quietly. Verify requirements for the property's jurisdiction.
The Lake Biwa Airbnb and VRBO market appears broadly balanced. Supply has grown 22% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 18%, showing no clear supply-demand imbalance.
RevPAR is highest in August and December; it is lowest in January and September.
The most common amenities are Air Conditioning (98%), Heating (90%), Parking (90%). The strongest positive revenue associations are Sauna (+251%), Heating (+171%), Parking (+102%).
Average daily rate in Lake Biwa is ¥34K, up 36% year-over-year. Rates peak in December and are lowest in September.
Guests in Lake Biwa book an average of 31 days in advance, down 5% from last year. Booking windows range from 28 days for 3-bedroom listings to 38 days for 4+ bedroom listings.
Booking demand is highest on Saturday and lowest on Wednesday. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Monday. Weekend occupancy is 33% higher than weekday occupancy.