Osaka

As of May 2026, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara have 7,398 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 12% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Osaka generates ¥5M per year. High-performing properties earn ¥14M/year, while low-performing properties earn ¥2M/year. The massive revenue delta suggests extreme polarization, where a minority of listings capture the majority of market share despite modest aggregate revenue growth.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Osaka. Average annual revenue is ¥5M with 50% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to ¥14M/year. The ceiling being nearly triple the average indicates that revenue potential is heavily skewed toward top-tier assets that effectively differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Osaka is 50%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of ¥24K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of ¥10K per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Osaka, with annual revenue of ¥9M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Osaka market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Osaka area. Osaka: Moderate. Registration required, 180-day annual cap unless hotel/ryokan licensed. Enforcement active in residential zones. Kyoto: Strict. Registration mandatory, 180-day cap, banned Jan-Mar in residential areas. Active enforcement with inspections and fines. Kobe: Moderate. Registration required, 180-day cap, some zone restrictions. Moderate enforcement, less aggressive than Kyoto. Nara: Moderate. Registration mandatory, 180-day limit, residential zone restrictions. Enforcement present but less intensive than Kyoto. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Osaka Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 12% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 7%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. This equilibrium suggests that current market absorption is keeping pace with new inventory, preventing immediate oversupply despite double-digit growth.

Launch around July, 2-3 months before peak spring season (October peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 13% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (March-February) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Osaka listings include: Air Conditioning (100%), Kitchen (95%), Washing Machine (92%), Heating (88%), Tv (82%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Tv, Washing Machine, Hot Tub, with Tv properties earning approximately 32% more (¥5M/year vs ¥4M/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Osaka over the last 12 months: May: ¥332K, June: ¥294K, July: ¥353K, August: ¥384K, September: ¥374K, October: ¥398K, November: ¥357K, December: ¥317K, January: ¥228K, February: ¥196K, March: ¥272K, April: ¥283K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Osaka is ¥24K, up 28% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average ¥19K/night, 2-bedroom properties average ¥25K/night, 3-bedroom properties average ¥34K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average ¥45K/night. Rates peak in October and are lowest in June.

Guests in Osaka book an average of 42 days in advance, down 10% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 40 days, 2-bedroom: 43 days, 3-bedroom: 44 days, 4+ bedroom: 46 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Osaka Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 12%, revenue per listing increased 7%, occupancy fell 14%, average nightly rates increased 28%, and lead time decreased 10%. These metrics reflect a shift toward higher pricing power, though the drop in occupancy highlights the increasing difficulty in maintaining consistent booking volume.

In Osaka, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Thursday. Weekends show 29% higher occupancy than weekdays.