Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Kobe? 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 Kobe:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Kobe?
The short-term rental market in Kobe 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 $1,216 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $2,340 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $3,270+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $513
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Kobe
The market in Kobe 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 38% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 64% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 84%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 19%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Kobe
Daily rates in Kobe 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 $96 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $147 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $261+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $52
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Kobe
Peak Season (November, March, October)
- Revenue peaks at $1830.02 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 52.34%
- Daily rates average $131.04
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1621.37 per month
- Occupancy maintains 42.56%
- Daily rates hold at $125.68
Low Season (February, January, September)
- Revenue drops to $1254.84 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 34.61%
- Daily rates adjust to $117.23
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Kobe in 2025?
Yes! Kobe demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 43% and monthly revenue averaging $1621 and The market's 153 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 (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Kobe
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Sannomiya | The bustling heart of Kobe, a key transport hub with easy access to other areas. It's filled with shopping, dining, and entertainment, making it a prime choice for tourists. | Kobe Harborland, Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi), Meriken Park, Kobe Port Tower, Sannomiya Center Street |
| Kobe Harbor | A scenic waterfront area renowned for its picturesque views and dining options. Great for tourists seeking a beautiful and relaxing environment by the sea. | Kobe Marine Park, Kobe Harborland, Umie Mall, Meriken Park, Kobe Port Tower |
| Kitano | Known for its European-style architecture and historical significance, Kitano is popular with visitors interested in culture and history, offering a unique ambiance. | Kitano Ijinkan-gai, Kobe City Museum, Sorakuen Garden, Kobe Fashion Museum, Statue of Elvis Presley |
| Nada | This area is famous for its sake breweries and is a cultural hub for those wanting to explore Japanese sake. A unique experience for visitors interested in local culture. | Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, Kobe Sake Brewery, Nada Sake Street, Higashinada Ward Sake Brewery, Kobe City Archives |
| Rokko Island | A modern residential and business area with beautiful parks and waterfront, ideal for families and visitors looking for peaceful stays with great views. | Rokko Island Park, Kobe Science Museum, Rokko Island Marina, Yamate Park, Kobe Cosmo World |
| Arima Onsen | Famous for its hot springs, Arima Onsen offers a relaxing retreat for tourists seeking wellness and nature, making it a distinct destination near Kobe. | Arima Onsen street, Kinsen (gold spring), Ginsen (silver spring), Arima Toy Museum, Zuihoji Park |
| Sorakuen Garden | A well-preserved Japanese garden that offers a serene getaway right in the city. Popular for tourists looking for tranquility amid urban life. | Sorakuen Garden, Kobe Mosqu for Prayer, Shrouded in ideas, Canyon, Desert Surrealism, Water features and picturesque landscapes |
| Meriken Park | A waterfront park with stunning views of the harbor and modern architecture. Ideal for families and young travelers looking for outdoor activities and relaxation. | Kobe Maritime Museum, Kobe Port Tower, Meriken Park Art Museum, Furusato Noen on the shore, Various walking paths and open spaces |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Kobe?
Yes, Kobe 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 Kobe
Entire fully renovated old house
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
![[Arima Onsen] Family/Groups/Vacation Homes/Hot Springs 5 seconds on foot](https://a0.muscache.com/im/pictures/miso/Hosting-1062625686986969033/original/5a29abb3-c2c7-4f49-b1b4-aaaeaa428df5.jpeg)
[Arima Onsen] Family/Groups/Vacation Homes/Hot Springs 5 seconds on foot
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
HOTELe r/ Walking Distance to Sannomiya/12ppl/2LDK
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
HOTELe r/ Walking Distance to Sannomiya/12ppl/2LDK
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
【Kobe Arima onsen】5 Bed Private Villa
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
![[WiFi102 · 103] Up to 9 people!Kobe Motomachi, feel glamping in the room!](https://a0.muscache.com/im/pictures/miso/Hosting-49100617/original/ec85edb4-bdc4-45a3-9ecc-9a548e94a3ea.jpeg)
[WiFi102 · 103] Up to 9 people!Kobe Motomachi, feel glamping in the room!
Private Room • 2 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Kobe
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Kobe
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 (60.8%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 73.2% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (26.8%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 153 properties in Kobe shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 41.2% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 68.0% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (41.2%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2%)
- Market concentration: 68.0% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 153 properties in Kobe reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 23.5% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.2 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 2 guests make up 37.3% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (23.5% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (3.3% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.2 guests per property
- Market concentration: 37.3% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 153 properties in Kobe, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (32% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (30.1% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (32%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (30.1%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 58.2%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 42.5%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
107 listings
77% of total
2 Nights
26 listings
18.7% of total
3 Nights
1 listings
0.7% of total
7-29 Nights
2 listings
1.4% of total
30+ Nights
3 listings
2.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 95.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (2.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 96.4% 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
Flexible
24 listings
17% of total
Moderate
43 listings
30.5% of total
Firm
31 listings
22% of total
Strict
43 listings
30.5% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 30.5% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (47.5%) and strict (52.5%) policies
- Flexible policies are least common at 17.0% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Diverse policy distribution indicates an opportunity to differentiate through policy choice
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Apr, Mar, Feb, averaging 51 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Jan, Sep, averaging 36 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 51 days, while Fall has the shortest at 37 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 51 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Oct-Sep when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Kobe
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Kobe:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 24.7% of total guests, indicating a moderate local market presence.
- Primary international markets: United States (24.2%) and China (19.6%)
- English is the top language at 47.9%, followed by Japanese (21.2%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 8.1%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Osaka and Kobe markets
- Develop localized content for United States and China
- Prioritize English and Japanese 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 Kobe. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minamiawaji | 28 | $4,388 | $362.01 | 43% |
| Awaji | 86 | $3,451 | $272.70 | 42% |
| Shima | 32 | $3,395 | $232.77 | 45% |
| Kyoto | 3,340 | $2,999 | $172.09 | 59% |
| Sanuki | 28 | $2,908 | $166.30 | 39% |
| Sumoto | 44 | $2,527 | $226.47 | 32% |
| Kuwana | 20 | $2,454 | $155.67 | 58% |
| Tamba-Sasayama | 11 | $2,307 | $153.75 | 53% |
| Nagoya | 461 | $2,286 | $127.61 | 59% |
| Tonosho | 50 | $2,159 | $163.81 | 48% |
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