Historic Mountain Lodge in Karuizawa's Hotchi New Town

Introduced after the 1978 Miyagi earthquake. Buildings must withstand a major earthquake (Shindo 6-7) without collapse. Performed significantly better in the 1995 Kobe earthquake than older buildings.

Enhanced requirements after the 1995 Kobe earthquake including mandatory ground surveys, wall balance calculations, and strengthened connections between structural components. The strongest standard.

365 days/year. National Strategic Special Zones (like parts of Osaka and Tokyo) allow year-round short-term rentals with no day limit. Minimum stay: 2 nights.

Up to 180 days/year. The national standard under the Minpaku Law. Registration with prefectural authorities is required. No additional local restrictions beyond the national cap.

100-180 days/year. Local government has added restrictions such as banning operations during certain periods (e.g., school days, weekdays) or in specific residential zones.

60-100 days/year. Significant local restrictions. Common in areas with hotel industry lobbying or concerns about neighborhood disruption. May limit operations to weekends, holidays, or off-peak seasons only.