Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Kyoto? 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 Kyoto:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Kyoto?
The short-term rental market in Kyoto 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 $2,382 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,595 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $7,399+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,185
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Kyoto
The market in Kyoto 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 65% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 84% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 93%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 36%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Kyoto
Daily rates in Kyoto 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 $125 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $218 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $336+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $70
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Kyoto
Peak Season (November, October, April)
- Revenue peaks at $5012.49 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 73.09%
- Daily rates average $223.32
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3360.44 per month
- Occupancy maintains 59.21%
- Daily rates hold at $172.42
Low Season (August, January, February)
- Revenue drops to $2461.00 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 44.98%
- Daily rates adjust to $149.92
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Kyoto in 2025?
Yes! Kyoto demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 59% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3360 and As a mature market with 3340 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. 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 Kyoto
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Gion | Famous historic district known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, geisha culture, and beautiful temples. A top location for tourists looking for a cultural experience and traditional Japanese hospitality. | Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion Corner, Shirakawa Canal, Yasaka Shrine, Hanamikoji Street |
| Arashiyama | A picturesque district known for its natural beauty and iconic bamboo grove. Offers a serene escape from the city with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, Iwatayama Monkey Park, Tenryu-ji Temple, Okochi Sanso Villa |
| Kyoto Station | The central hub of transportation in Kyoto, making it convenient for travelers to access various attractions. Ideal for business travelers and those wanting easy transit options. | Kyoto Tower, Kyoto Station Building, Porta Mall, Tofuku-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple |
| Pontocho | A narrow alley famous for its teahouses and nightlife, ideal for tourists who want to experience Kyoto's vibrant dining and entertainment scene. | Pontocho Alley, Kamo River, Gion district, Traditional dinner cruises, Nearby temples |
| Fushimi Inari | Home to the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine with its thousands of red torii gates. Attracts tourists interested in hiking and stunning views. | Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Torii Gate Trail, Inari Mountain, Uzumasa Film Studio, Local rice wine breweries |
| Nijo Castle | A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historical significance and beautiful gardens. Great for history enthusiasts and families. | Nijo Castle, Ninomaru Palace, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) |
| Shimogyo Ward | A centrally located area that combines modern amenities and historical sites, making it suitable for a wide range of travelers. | Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, Kyoto Tower, Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Shopping at Shijo Street, Local markets |
| Ohara | A rural area on the outskirts of Kyoto known for its scenic mountains and temples. Perfect for those looking to escape the city and enjoy nature. | Sanzen-in Temple, Ohara Pottery, Hiking trails, Countryside landscapes, Local farms and markets |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Kyoto?
Yes, Kyoto requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 90% 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 Kyoto
Accommodates up to 17 people · 3 minutes from Kawaramachi · Netflex/WiFi equipped · Limited to 1 gro
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Guesthouse-Hana・Harmony Villa
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Okunoniwa - Garden House
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Miyagawacho Samurai Machiya
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Mitsuki Yasaka (entire Japanese style high-end villa) is suitable for families or groups of 6-10 peo
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Kyotofish·Miya*Gion Center 100Yr Ochaya Reformed
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Kyoto
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karen | 35 | $2,981,875 | 3558 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Keirei | 33 | $2,682,752 | 4523 | 4.89/5.0 |
| RESI STAY Support Team | 82 | $2,608,469 | 9112 | 4.56/5.0 |
| Machiya Residence Inn | 54 | $2,597,006 | 1712 | 4.76/5.0 |
| Saki | 32 | $2,323,555 | 1649 | 4.26/5.0 |
| Maya | 21 | $1,983,976 | 3186 | 4.84/5.0 |
| 香柏 | 23 | $1,727,039 | 1693 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Shiki | 28 | $1,615,467 | 2540 | 4.74/5.0 |
| 谷町君 | 30 | $1,589,513 | 5048 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Hana | 10 | $1,545,453 | 909 | 4.95/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Kyoto
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 (70.4%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 82.7% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (16.9%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, others, unique stays segments (3.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 3,340 properties in Kyoto shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 43.9% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 71.1% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (43.9%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.9%)
- Market concentration: 71.1% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 3,340 properties in Kyoto reveals that 5 guests properties dominate the market, representing 19.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.0 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 5 guests and 4 guests make up 37.0% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 5 guests (19.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (2.6% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.0 guests per property
- Market concentration: 37.0% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 3,340 properties in Kyoto, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (29.4% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 271-366 days (34.7% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (29.4%)
- Most common booking duration: 271-366 days (34.7%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 37.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 63.1%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
2081 listings
65.4% of total
2 Nights
755 listings
23.7% of total
3 Nights
115 listings
3.6% of total
4-6 Nights
37 listings
1.2% of total
7-29 Nights
33 listings
1% of total
30+ Nights
161 listings
5.1% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 89.1%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 1.2% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (5.1%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 92.7% 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
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Non-refundable
1 listings
0% of total
Refundable
6 listings
0.2% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
5 listings
0.2% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
5 listings
0.2% of total
Flexible
460 listings
14.4% of total
Moderate
933 listings
29.3% of total
Firm
804 listings
25.2% of total
Strict
971 listings
30.5% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 30.5% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (43.7%) and strict (55.7%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Non-refundable policies are least common at 0.0% 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 Mar, Apr, Nov, averaging 82 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Feb, Sep, Aug, averaging 53 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 79 days, while Winter has the shortest at 54 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 79 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Feb-Aug when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Kyoto
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Kyoto:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 3.6% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
- Primary international markets: Australia (16.8%) and China (14.5%)
- English is the top language at 60.2%, followed by Chinese (14.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 7.1%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for New York and London markets
- Develop localized content for Australia and China
- 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 Kyoto. 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% |
| 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% |
| Takashima | 68 | $2,042 | $158.38 | 37% |
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