Zao Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
Is Airbnb profitable in Zao in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Zao, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Zao, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 45 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Zao, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Zao Airbnb data is crucial. Navigating the high regulation landscape is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Zao Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Zao (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Zao is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Zao is typically January, while September often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Zao across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $4,678+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $3,317 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $2,127 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $1,160, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Zao
Zao Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Zao STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Februarysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while June experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Zao:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 80%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 69% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 43%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 22% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Zao
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Zao (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Zao involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Zao typically peaks in January and dips lowest during September. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $214+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $174 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $146 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $127 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Zao
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Zao (2025)
Peak Season (January, February, December)
- Revenue averages $2,902 per month
- Occupancy rates average 49.6%
- Daily rates average $176
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2,312 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 44.9%
- Daily rates hold near $142
Low Season (June, September, November)
- Revenue drops to average $1,932 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 42.0%
- Daily rates adjust to average $128
Seasonality Insights for Zao
- The Airbnb seasonality in Zao shows moderate seasonality with distinct peak and low periods. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Zao's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $3,084, occupancy reaching a high of 57.0%, and ADRs peaking at $185.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $1,793, occupancy could drop to 30.5%, and ADRs may adjust down to $116.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Zao.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Zao seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Zao (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Zao? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Zao Onsen | Famous for its hot springs and beautiful snow-covered landscape in winter. A prime destination for ski enthusiasts and those seeking relaxation and wellness. | Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Giant Snow Monsters, Zao Hot Springs, Zao Ropeway, Zao Echo Line |
| Zao Fox Village | A unique animal sanctuary and popular tourist attraction where visitors can interact with adorable foxes. A quirky, family-friendly destination. | Zao Fox Village, Bato Matsubara, Fox Viewing, Nature Trails, Cafes and Shops |
| Zao Chuo Ropeway | Connects Zao Onsen with the top of the mountain, offering breathtaking views and access to hiking trails in summer and skiing in winter. | Zao Chuo Ropeway, Panoramic Views, Hiking Trails, Skiing Access, Viewpoints |
| Zao Mountain Park | A scenic park offering outdoor activities like hiking, with a variety of flora and fauna, making it a great spot for nature lovers. | Hiking Trails, Natural Scenery, Picnic Areas, Wildlife Viewing, Seasonal Flowers |
| Zao's Winter Festivals | Seasonal festivals celebrated in the Zao region, featuring winter sports, local food, and cultural experienecs, attracting visitors from across Japan and beyond. | Zao Snow Festival, Performances and Parades, Culinary Offerings, Winter Sports Events, Fireworks Displays |
| Zao Horseback Riding | A popular activity in the area, offering unique perspectives of the landscape and the opportunity to interact with horses. | Horseback Riding Tours, Scenic Trails, Guided Tours, Horse Farms, Nature Views |
| Zao Gelendzhik Park | A family-friendly park with fun activities for kids, a great way to enjoy outdoor leisure time in a scenic environment. | Playgrounds, Walking Paths, Picnic Areas, Shady Spots, Kiosk |
| Zao Onsen Village | A charming village atmosphere with traditional ryokan, restaurants, and shops showcasing local culture and cuisine. | Traditional Ryokan, Local Cuisine, Shops, Cultural Experiences, Historic Streets |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Zao (2025)
Yes, Zao, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan enforces high STR regulations. Obtaining a license and ensuring compliance is almost certainly required according to current 2025 STR laws. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Zao to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 100% licensed listings)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Zao (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Zaobased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Springs Rental Villa SUMIKA - Suqi - Zao Sansui Court · Gaia Resort
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Zao Gen w/Open-air onsen - Zao Sansuien
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Zao peak - Zao Sansui Court · Gaia Resort
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Sora - Zao Sansui Court and Gaia Resort
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Villa rental with natural hot springs "NEGURA - Ż-" - Zao Sansui Court - Gaia Resort
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
温泉付貸別荘Four Seasons Oasis Miyagi Zao 蔵王山水苑 -ガイアリゾート
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Zao (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Zao based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaia Resort | 28 | $862,437 | 820 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Masatoshi | 2 | $49,334 | 242 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Takashi | 1 | $45,637 | 108 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Yuichi | 1 | $29,446 | 242 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Masahiro | 1 | $25,438 | 57 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Gaia Resort | 1 | $21,093 | 47 | 4.70/5.0 |
| Tomoko | 1 | $20,506 | 35 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Masato | 1 | $18,637 | 20 | 4.55/5.0 |
| Sakura | 1 | $18,030 | 52 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Sato | 1 | $17,981 | 31 | 4.87/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Zao.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Zao STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Zao. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsZao Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Zao
- The Zao Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 91.1% of the 45 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Zao, House properties are the most common (82.2%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 82.2% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- The presence of 8.9% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
Zao Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Zao
- The dominant room capacity in Zao is 2 bedrooms listings, making up 51.1% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms properties represent 86.7% of the active Airbnb listings in Zao, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 40.0% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Zao.
Zao Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Zao
- The most common guest capacity trend in Zao vacation rentals is listings accommodating 8+ guests (28.9%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
- Properties designed for 8+ guests and 7 guests dominate the Zao STR market, accounting for 51.1% of listings.
- 71.1% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Zao.
- On average, properties in Zao are equipped to host 6.2 guests.
Zao Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Zao
- The most common availability pattern in Zao falls within the 181-270 days range, representing 35.6% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 57.8% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 91-180 days range is most frequent in Zao (35.6%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 42.3% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Zao Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
45 listings
100% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Zao is 1 Night, adopted by 100% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (100.0%) of the Zao Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 100% of Zao hosts use this setting.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Zao.
Zao Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Flexible
2 listings
4.4% of total
Moderate
41 listings
91.1% of total
Firm
2 listings
4.4% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Zao
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Zao is Moderate, used by 91.1% of listings.
- The market strongly favors guest-friendly terms, with 95.5% of listings offering Flexible or Moderate policies. This suggests guests in Zao may expect booking flexibility.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Moderate policy to align with the 91.1% market standard in Zao.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Zao.
Zao STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Zao
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Zao is 31 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during February (average 48 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in September (average 21 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Winter (44 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Fall (24 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (31 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Zao.
- For February stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 48 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Winter season well in advance (at least 44 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Zao averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Zao (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Zao
- Essential amenities in Zao that guests expect include: Free parking on premises, Heating, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarm, Air conditioning, Dishes and silverware, Kitchen, Shampoo, Refrigerator, Wifi. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Zao: Free parking on premises, Heating, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarm, Air conditioning, Dishes and silverware, Kitchen, Shampoo, Refrigerator, Wifi.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Shampoo, Refrigerator, Wifi.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Zao to stay competitive.
Zao Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Zao
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Zao consists of a mix of domestic (36%) and international guests, with top international origins including Hong Kong, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Japanese.
- Domestic travelers account for 35.5% of guests.
- Key international markets include Japan (35.5%) and Hong Kong (16.1%).
- Top languages spoken are English (38.3%) followed by Japanese (24.5%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Focus marketing internationally, particularly towards travelers from Hong Kong.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Zao Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasu | 118 | $3,326 | $325.46 | 39% |
| Kawasaki | 11 | $3,178 | $220.40 | 59% |
| Semboku | 10 | $2,386 | $157.21 | 42% |
| Nasushiobara | 28 | $2,155 | $217.98 | 33% |
| Niigata | 24 | $1,313 | $88.92 | 42% |
| Higashimatsushima | 12 | $1,310 | $159.77 | 30% |
| Iwaki | 15 | $1,276 | $145.48 | 30% |
| Aizuwakamatsu | 15 | $1,251 | $92.11 | 46% |
| Sendai | 51 | $1,105 | $79.60 | 52% |
| Fukushima | 15 | $837 | $87.71 | 27% |