Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Otaru, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Otaru? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Otaru:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Otaru?
The short-term rental market in Otaru shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $1,255 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $2,474 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $4,987+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $563
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Otaru
The market in Otaru shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 43% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 63% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 77%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 23%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Otaru
Daily rates in Otaru vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $83 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $160 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $306+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $52
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Otaru
Peak Season (January, February, August)
- Revenue peaks at $3024.99 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 58.92%
- Daily rates average $147.08
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1981.78 per month
- Occupancy maintains 43.86%
- Daily rates hold at $131.27
Low Season (September, November, April)
- Revenue drops to $1328.85 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 27.64%
- Daily rates adjust to $109.81
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Otaru in 2025?
Yes! Otaru demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 44% and solid monthly revenue averaging $1982 and The market's 177 active listings indicate growing demand with plenty of opportunity for new properties. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (spring breakers, nature enthusiasts, conference attendees, couples)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Otaru
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Otaru Canal Area | Historic area known for its picturesque canal, beautiful settings, and cultural significance. Ideal for tourists who want to experience Otaru's unique charm and history. | Otaru Canal, Otaru Museum, Sakaimachi Street, Music Box Museum, Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, Tenguyama Ski Resort |
| Sankaku Market | Culinary hotspot famous for fresh seafood and local delicacies. Attracts food lovers looking to experience Otaru's renowned culinary scene. | Sankaku Market, Fresh seafood stalls, Local restaurants, Otaru Sushi Street, Shio rotenburo (salt hot spring) |
| Otaru Music Box Museum Area | Cultural district filled with quaint shops and the famous music box museum. A charming area that delights visitors with nostalgia and artistic creations. | Otaru Music Box Museum, Music box stores, Glass workshops, Yasuda Sake Brewery |
| Minami Otaru | Quieter residential area with beautiful views of the ocean and access to local attractions. Appeals to travelers looking for a more local experience away from the tourists. | Cape Noshappu, Noshappu Aquarium, Otaru Lighthouse, Local parks |
| Mt. Tengu | Scenic area known for its beautiful views and outdoor activities. Attracts nature lovers and hikers looking to explore the mountainous terrain surrounding Otaru. | Mt. Tengu Ropeway, Hiking trails, Scenic viewpoints, Tengu Temple |
| Otaru Port | Vibrant port area that offers stunning waterfront views and waterfront activities. Great for travelers interested in maritime culture and enjoying waterfront dining. | Otaru Port, Maritime Museum, Fishing boats, Seafood restaurants |
| Asarigawa Onsen | Famous hot spring area just a short drive from Otaru. Perfect for those seeking relaxation and wellness amidst beautiful natural settings. | Asarigawa Onsen, Hot spring resorts, Outdoor baths, Kinosaki Onsen-style experience |
| Shukuzu District | Quiet residential area yet close to attractions, offering a more local feel. Great for those looking for value while remaining connected to Otaru's main sites. | Local shops, Parks, Access to canal area |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Otaru?
Yes, Otaru requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 80% of active listings maintain proper licensing, confirming this requirement. Getting licensed is an essential first step before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Otaru
THE VILLA KAORU【hotel with authentic sauna】
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
This is a private Heike house near Sushi Street & Canal.
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Cozy Room☆6 mins' walk from JR Otaru sta. RYOAN 2F
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
The Apartment Hotels KOU
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
YADOt Inn OTARU 【5 mins walk to OTARU station】
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
SHIONE【Overlooking the cityscape of Otaru】
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Otaru
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BreakOut | 22 | $836,679 | 1253 | 4.65/5.0 |
| Tokihito | 15 | $296,206 | 831 | 4.56/5.0 |
| Koume | 4 | $244,517 | 399 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Hitoshi | 16 | $141,508 | 220 | 3.94/5.0 |
| Saeki | 4 | $108,498 | 664 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Yadoya | 4 | $90,881 | 170 | 4.84/5.0 |
| 恭子 | 1 | $89,248 | 50 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Kanako | 2 | $84,910 | 132 | 4.92/5.0 |
| 明乃 | 16 | $81,855 | 147 | 2.36/5.0 |
| Hiroki | 1 | $80,292 | 56 | 4.80/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Otaru
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (65%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 74.6% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (22.5%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, others, unique stays segments (6.7% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 177 properties in Otaru shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 39% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 61.0% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (39%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (4%)
- Market concentration: 61.0% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 177 properties in Otaru reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 24.3% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.3 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 3 guests make up 39.5% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (24.3% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.3 guests per property
- Market concentration: 39.5% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 177 properties in Otaru, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (32.8% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (31.6% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (32.8%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (31.6%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 62.7%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 39.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
156 listings
91.2% of total
2 Nights
13 listings
7.6% of total
3 Nights
1 listings
0.6% of total
30+ Nights
1 listings
0.6% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 98.8%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (0.6%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 99.4% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 30 Days
3 listings
1.9% of total
Flexible
21 listings
13.1% of total
Moderate
41 listings
25.6% of total
Firm
26 listings
16.3% of total
Strict
69 listings
43.1% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 43.1% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (38.7%) and strict (59.4%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 1.9% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Feb, Jan, Dec, averaging 61 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Sep, Nov, averaging 36 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 61 days, while Fall has the shortest at 36 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 61 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Oct-Nov when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Otaru
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Otaru:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 16.4% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
- Primary international markets: Singapore (22.6%) and South Korea (19.4%)
- English is the top language at 46.1%, followed by Chinese (25%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 7.0%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Seoul and Taipei markets
- Develop localized content for Singapore and South Korea
- Prioritize English and Chinese language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Otaru. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamifurano | 21 | $3,973 | $234.14 | 50% |
| Noboribetsu | 11 | $3,276 | $174.25 | 58% |
| Rusutsu | 32 | $2,928 | $421.78 | 37% |
| Toyako | 64 | $2,685 | $216.34 | 44% |
| Furano | 187 | $2,574 | $299.25 | 36% |
| Shiraoi | 32 | $2,501 | $150.57 | 50% |
| Kutchan | 339 | $2,441 | $430.99 | 36% |
| Nakafurano | 26 | $2,208 | $237.01 | 33% |
| Niseko | 139 | $2,150 | $416.75 | 38% |
| Biei | 59 | $2,114 | $185.92 | 41% |
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