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Thinking about starting an Airbnb in Hiroshima in 2026? You're looking at a city where peace tourism drives consistent visitor demand, but regulations and building bylaws can make or break your investment.
This guide covers the current legal requirements, realistic income expectations, and market competition you'll face as a short-term rental host in Hiroshima.
We keep this article updated with fresh data, so the numbers you see here reflect current Hiroshima Airbnb market conditions and housing prices.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Hiroshima.
Insights
- Hiroshima's Airbnb market is capped at 180 nights per year under Japan's Minpaku law, which means your property sits empty for half the year unless you pursue the more complex Hotel Business Act license.
- Naka-ku (the Peace Park and Hondori area) holds about 653 active listings, making it over six times more crowded than Minami-ku near Hiroshima Station, yet it also delivers roughly 22 percentage points higher occupancy.
- The average Airbnb nightly rate in Hiroshima in January 2026 sits around ¥18,500 (about $118 or €112), but listings in outer wards like Nishi-ku often price closer to ¥13,000 to attract bookings.
- One-bedroom units make up roughly 81% of all Hiroshima Airbnb supply in Naka-ku, which means a well-located two-bedroom property faces significantly less competition while attracting family travelers.
- Top-performing Hiroshima hosts achieve around 60% to 70% occupancy, while average hosts land closer to 50% to 55%, and the gap often comes down to location within a five-minute walk of a tram stop.
- Monthly operating expenses for a self-managed Hiroshima Airbnb typically run between ¥70,000 and ¥140,000, but using a professional management company can push that to ¥220,000 per month.
- Condo building bylaws are the real gatekeepers in Hiroshima, and the city explicitly highlights "mansion management rules" as a key compliance checkpoint, meaning your building's HOA can override citywide permissions.
- August 6 (the Peace Memorial Ceremony) and the Hiroshima Flower Festival in early May create the sharpest demand spikes, with nightly rates jumping as much as 60% above baseline during these periods.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Hiroshima in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting is allowed in Hiroshima, but you must operate within a regulated framework that requires either a license or an official notification.
The main legal framework governing Airbnb rentals in Hiroshima is Japan's Private Lodging Business Law (commonly called the Minpaku law), though hosts can alternatively pursue a license under the Hotel Business Act for properties intended for year-round rental.
The single most important requirement is that you must submit a notification to Hiroshima City before accepting any guests, as operating without this registration can result in fines and forced closure of your listing.
Penalties for running an illegal short-term rental in Hiroshima can include fines of up to ¥1 million and potential criminal prosecution, so the city takes compliance seriously and maintains a public reporting system for unlicensed operators.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Japan.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Japan.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Hiroshima as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Hiroshima does not impose a citywide minimum-stay requirement, but hosts operating under the Minpaku law face a strict cap of 180 nights per year for short-term rentals.
These rules apply uniformly regardless of property type or whether the host lives on-site, though hosts seeking to exceed 180 nights must instead obtain a Hotel Business Act license, which involves stricter building and safety requirements.
Hosts typically track their rental nights through their booking platforms and must be prepared to demonstrate compliance if Hiroshima City requests documentation during inspections.
If a host exceeds the 180-night cap without proper licensing, Hiroshima City can order the operation to cease immediately, impose fines, and potentially pursue legal action for continued violations.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Hiroshima right now?
Hiroshima does not require you to live in the property you rent out, so secondary homes and investment properties are eligible for short-term rental under the Minpaku framework.
Owners of secondary homes can legally operate Airbnb listings in Hiroshima, provided the property meets the residential requirements (kitchen, bath, toilet, and washbasin) and proper notification is submitted to the city.
For non-primary residences, you may need to designate a local management contact who can respond to guest issues and emergencies, especially if you don't live nearby.
The main practical difference between primary and secondary home rentals in Hiroshima isn't the city's rules but rather your building's bylaws, since many condominiums explicitly prohibit short-term rentals regardless of city permissions.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Hiroshima right now?
Hiroshima allows individuals to operate multiple Airbnb listings, but each property must be registered separately with the city and comply independently with all Minpaku requirements.
There is no explicit maximum number of properties one person can list for short-term rental in Hiroshima under current regulations, though each unit counts toward its own 180-day annual cap.
Hosts with multiple listings must submit a notification for each dwelling ("住宅ごとに届出"), ensure each property has proper fire safety documentation, and potentially designate management for each location.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Hiroshima as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, you need either a Minpaku notification (for up to 180 nights per year) or a Hotel Business Act license (for unlimited nights) to legally host short-term rental guests in Hiroshima.
The Minpaku notification process typically takes a few weeks and involves submitting property details, floor plans, and proof of fire safety compliance to Hiroshima City's health and sanitation department.
Required documents usually include proof of ownership or landlord consent, building floor plans, fire safety compliance certificates, and a management plan outlining how guest issues will be handled.
The Minpaku notification itself is free to submit, though you may incur costs for fire safety equipment, inspections, or professional help preparing your application.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Hiroshima as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Hiroshima City does not publish a simple map of banned zones for short-term rentals, but individual condo and apartment buildings frequently ban Airbnb through their management bylaws.
The strictest "restrictions" in Hiroshima come from building-level rules rather than geographic zones, meaning a condo in prime Naka-ku might prohibit rentals while a building across the street allows them.
Buildings ban short-term rentals primarily due to concerns about noise, security, and wear on shared facilities, so checking your specific building's "管理規約" (management rules) is essential before investing.
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How much can an Airbnb earn in Hiroshima in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Hiroshima is approximately ¥18,500 ($118 or €112), while the median sits lower at around ¥16,500 ($105 or €100) due to the concentration of smaller units.
The typical nightly price range covering about 80% of Hiroshima Airbnb listings falls between ¥11,000 and ¥26,000 ($70 to $166 or €67 to €158), with prices clustering toward the lower end in residential wards.
Location is the single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Hiroshima, with properties near Peace Park or Hondori in Naka-ku commanding significantly higher rates than similar units in outer wards like Nishi-ku.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Hiroshima.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Hiroshima Airbnb nightly prices vary by roughly ¥9,500 ($61 or €58) between the most expensive areas like Hondori and Hatchobori in Naka-ku and more affordable neighborhoods like Yokogawa in Nishi-ku.
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Hiroshima are Hondori, Kamiyacho, and the Peace Memorial Park area, where listings typically command ¥18,500 to ¥22,500 ($118 to $143 or €112 to €136) per night.
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Yokogawa in Nishi-ku, outer Danbara in Minami-ku, and residential pockets of Higashi-ku, where rates drop to ¥13,000 to ¥17,500 ($83 to $112 or €79 to €106), though these areas still attract budget-conscious travelers who prioritize transit access over walkability to attractions.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical annualized occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Hiroshima is approximately 55%, though this varies significantly by ward and listing quality.
The realistic occupancy range covering most Hiroshima listings falls between 45% and 65%, with well-located properties in Naka-ku pushing toward the higher end while outer wards like Nishi-ku average closer to 37%.
Hiroshima's occupancy rates are roughly comparable to other secondary Japanese cities but trail major destinations like Kyoto or Osaka, where consistent international tourism pushes citywide averages above 60%.
Tram stop proximity is the single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy in Hiroshima, since most visitors rely on the Hiroden streetcar network to navigate between the station, Peace Park, and Miyajima ferry connections.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly gross revenue per Airbnb listing in Hiroshima is approximately ¥220,000 ($1,400 or €1,330), while the median is closer to ¥180,000 ($1,150 or €1,090) given the high proportion of smaller units.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of Hiroshima listings falls between ¥120,000 and ¥320,000 ($765 to $2,040 or €730 to €1,940), with location and bedroom count being the main differentiators.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Hiroshima can achieve monthly revenues of ¥350,000 to ¥450,000 ($2,230 to $2,870 or €2,120 to €2,730), particularly two-bedroom units in Naka-ku with strong reviews. At ¥22,000 per night and 65% occupancy, that works out to about ¥429,000 per month before expenses.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Hiroshima.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, typical Hiroshima Airbnb monthly revenue during low season runs around ¥140,000 ($890 or €850), while high-season months can reach ¥350,000 ($2,230 or €2,120), representing a roughly 2.5x swing between slowest and busiest periods.
Low season in Hiroshima typically falls in January through February and again in June (rainy season), while high season peaks during Golden Week (late April to early May), the August Peace Memorial period, and autumn foliage season from late October through November.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for a Hiroshima Airbnb range from ¥70,000 to ¥140,000 ($445 to $890 or €425 to €850) for self-managed properties, or ¥110,000 to ¥220,000 ($700 to $1,400 or €670 to €1,330) when using professional management.
Cleaning and turnover costs typically represent the largest single expense category in Hiroshima, often running ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 ($19 to $32 or €18 to €30) per guest changeover, which adds up quickly at higher occupancy rates.
Most Hiroshima hosts should expect to spend between 35% and 55% of gross revenue on operating expenses, with self-managed properties landing at the lower end and professionally managed listings approaching the higher range.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Hiroshima.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for a Hiroshima Airbnb ranges from ¥90,000 to ¥140,000 ($575 to $890 or €545 to €850) for self-managed properties, translating to roughly ¥3,000 to ¥4,700 ($19 to $30 or €18 to €28) profit per available night.
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Hiroshima listings spans from about ¥50,000 ($320 or €305) for professionally managed properties in weaker locations to ¥140,000 ($890 or €850) for well-run, owner-managed units in prime central areas.
Hiroshima Airbnb hosts typically achieve net profit margins between 40% and 55% of gross revenue when self-managing, or 25% to 40% when using professional management services.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Hiroshima Airbnb listing sits around 25% to 35%, meaning hosts need roughly 8 to 11 booked nights per month just to cover fixed and variable operating costs before generating any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Hiroshima, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
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How competitive is Airbnb in Hiroshima as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Hiroshima as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Hiroshima City has approximately 1,000 active short-term rental listings (roughly 850 to 1,200), with the majority concentrated in Naka-ku near Peace Park and Minami-ku around Hiroshima Station.
This represents modest growth from previous years as Japan's inbound tourism recovery has encouraged new hosts to enter the market, though the 180-day annual cap under Minpaku law naturally limits how aggressively supply can expand compared to unrestricted markets.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Hiroshima as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Hiroshima are Hondori, Hatchobori, and Kamiyacho in Naka-ku, along with the immediate Hiroshima Station area in Minami-ku, where listings compete most intensely for the same tourist foot traffic.
These areas became saturated because they sit directly on the path most visitors walk between Hiroshima Station, Peace Memorial Park, and the Miyajima ferry, creating a natural concentration of demand that attracted hosts faster than other parts of the city.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer better opportunities for new Hiroshima hosts include Yokogawa in Nishi-ku (good tram access but lower listing density), outer Danbara, and parts of Minami-ku further from the main station exits, though these require stronger positioning to attract bookings.
What local events spike demand in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main local events that spike Airbnb demand in Hiroshima are the Hiroshima Flower Festival (early May during Golden Week), the August 6 Peace Memorial Ceremony, Hiroshima Toyo Carp home games throughout the baseball season, and the autumn foliage period from late October through November.
During these peak events, Hiroshima hosts typically see booking rates jump by 30% to 50% above baseline, while nightly rates can increase by 40% to 60% for well-positioned listings, particularly those within walking distance of Peace Park or near transit hubs.
Smart hosts in Hiroshima should adjust their pricing and minimum-stay requirements at least two to three weeks before major events, since many visitors (especially international travelers for August 6) book well in advance.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Hiroshima achieve occupancy rates of around 60% to 70%, particularly those with listings in prime Naka-ku locations near Peace Park or with excellent tram access in Minami-ku.
Average hosts in Hiroshima typically land at around 50% to 55% occupancy, while poorly positioned listings in outer wards or those with weak reviews can struggle to reach 40%, creating a meaningful gap in annual revenue.
New hosts in Hiroshima typically need 6 to 12 months to build enough reviews and optimize their pricing to reach top-performer occupancy levels, assuming their location and property quality can support it.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Hiroshima.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Hiroshima right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Hiroshima Airbnb listings falls between ¥13,000 and ¥18,000 ($83 to $115 or €79 to €109), dominated by studio and one-bedroom apartments competing for couples and solo travelers.
The most crowded price points where "white space" opportunities exist for new Hiroshima hosts are in the ¥22,000 to ¥30,000 ($140 to $191 or €133 to €182) range, where family-friendly two-bedroom units remain relatively undersupplied compared to demand.
To successfully compete in this underserved segment, new hosts should target properties with genuine two-bedroom layouts (not converted living rooms), proximity to tram stops, and amenities like a washer and clear Miyajima day-trip instructions that appeal to traveling families and small groups.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Japan compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What property works best for Airbnb demand in Hiroshima right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Hiroshima as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom and studio listings get the most total bookings in Hiroshima because they match the dominant traveler profile (couples and solo visitors) and make up the vast majority of available supply.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Hiroshima shows studios and one-bedrooms capturing roughly 75% to 80% of all bookings, two-bedrooms taking about 15% to 20%, and three-bedroom or larger units accounting for just 5% or less of total reservations.
One-bedroom units perform best in Hiroshima because the city attracts primarily couples visiting Peace Park and day-trippers to Miyajima who need simple, affordable overnight accommodation rather than space for large groups or extended family stays.
What property type performs best in Hiroshima in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, apartments and condominiums ("mansion" units) in Naka-ku or near Hiroshima Station in Minami-ku are the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Hiroshima, offering the strongest combination of occupancy consistency and guest convenience.
Occupancy rates across property types in Hiroshima show central apartments achieving roughly 55% to 65%, compact detached houses with good transit access reaching 50% to 60%, while car-dependent detached homes in outer areas often struggle below 45%.
Apartments outperform in Hiroshima because most visitors arrive by Shinkansen and navigate by tram, so easy transit access and a simple check-in process matter far more than the extra space or privacy a detached house might offer.
What location traits boost bookings in Hiroshima right now?
The location traits that most boost Airbnb bookings in Hiroshima are walkability to Peace Park and Hondori shopping street, proximity to a Hiroden tram stop (ideally within a five-minute walk), and easy access to Hiroshima Station for Shinkansen arrivals.
Properties that also offer a straightforward route to the Miyajima ferry (via tram or JR) see stronger booking rates because most Hiroshima visitors treat the city as a base for the iconic island day trip.
Secondary factors that help in Hiroshima include quiet streets (peace tourists often prefer calm settings), nearby convenience stores for late arrivals, and clear sightlines or balcony views, though these matter less than core transit and attraction proximity.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Hiroshima, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima City Official Minpaku Procedures | It's the city government's direct guidance on how vacation rental registration works in Hiroshima. | We used it to confirm the 180-day annual cap and the exact notification requirements for legal operation. We also pulled practical compliance details like housing eligibility and fire safety documentation expectations. |
| Hiroshima City English Tourism Guidance | It's Hiroshima City's plain-language explanation for residents and visitors, which typically mirrors enforcement reality. | We used it to validate that hosts must either be licensed under the Hotel Business Act or submit a Minpaku notification. We also used it to support the guidance on checking facility legality. |
| AirDNA MarketMinder Naka-ku | AirDNA is a widely used short-term rental research platform with transparent metrics for ADR, occupancy, and listings. | We used it as our primary quantitative benchmark for occupancy and listing counts in Hiroshima's core tourist ward. We treated it as market-level observed performance data. |
| AirDNA MarketMinder Minami-ku | It's the same standardized dataset focused on Hiroshima's station and port-side ward for comparison. | We used it to quantify how performance shifts near Hiroshima Station. We also used its bedroom mix data to understand supply composition. |
| AirDNA MarketMinder Nishi-ku | It provides ward-level performance data that helps avoid only looking at central districts. | We used it to calibrate a realistic citywide occupancy range by including lower-performing residential areas. We also used its lower metrics as a reality check on outer ward expectations. |
| AirDNA Hiroshima Prefecture Index | It's AirDNA's index of available market pages for the prefecture, verifying submarket coverage. | We used it to confirm that AirDNA tracks Hiroshima's major local areas. We also used it to justify treating ward aggregation as a reasonable proxy for citywide STR market data. |
| Hiroshima Prefecture Tourism Statistics Report | It's an official prefecture-published statistics report used for policy and planning decisions. | We used it to anchor demand context and tourism volume trends that directly impact occupancy and seasonality. We also used it to connect Airbnb performance to broader visitor recovery patterns. |
| JNTO Japan Tourism Statistics | JNTO is Japan's official tourism organization, and its datasets are widely cited by government and major media. | We used it as a top-down reality check on inbound travel strength feeding Hiroshima demand. We also used it to support that 2026 pricing power depends significantly on international visitor volumes. |
| Bank of Japan Daily FX Rates | It's the central bank's official foreign exchange reference point in Japan. | We used it to justify using an early January 2026 USD/JPY level when converting AirDNA's dollar-denominated metrics into yen. We also used it to maintain date consistency throughout the article. |
| ExchangeRates.org USD/JPY | It's a straightforward published spot-rate snapshot we can cite directly for a specific date. | We used it to convert ADR and revenue figures into JPY at a single consistent rate for January 2026. We also used it to avoid hand-wavy currency assumptions in profitability estimates. |
| Airbnb Host Fee Explanation | It's Airbnb's own official statement of what they charge hosts on the platform. | We used it to build the expense model with the correct platform fee baseline before cleaning and management costs. We also used it to separate Airbnb fees from optional management company fees. |
| Higashihiroshima City Fixed Asset Tax Guide | It's a municipal government explanation of how property tax is calculated in Japan. | We used it to ground the property tax line item in our expense model using a government-stated standard rate. We treated it as a Japan local tax reality check. |
| Nagano City Fixed Asset Tax Calculation | It's another Japanese municipal government page confirming the same standard calculation approach. | We used it to cross-check the fixed asset tax formula and rate from a second official source. We also used it to increase confidence that our ongoing cost estimates aren't anchored to a single locality. |
| Bizpato Minpaku Management Costs | It's a specialized industry comparison site that summarizes typical management fee structures in Japan. | We used it only for the range of professional management fees, not for any legal claims. We cross-checked the resulting totals against typical owner-operator spending patterns. |
| Japan Tourism Agency Minpaku Guidelines | It's the national government agency responsible for tourism policy and short-term rental regulations. | We used it to verify that Hiroshima's local rules align with national Minpaku law requirements. We also referenced it for understanding enforcement context across Japan. |
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