Tokyo’s Oji Residential Area Faces Community Collapse Due to Ongoing Minpaku Issues

In the Kita Ward of Tokyo, about a five-minute walk from JR Oji Station, an unusual sight is unfolding. In the quiet residential area, numerous signs reading “Oppose Minpaku” have suddenly appeared. Local residents are protesting the operation of a “minpaku” (short-term rental) business that was established in the residential area, demanding that it be shut down. However, the issue has yet to be resolved, and discussions with the business operator seem to be at a standstill.

 The disruptive behavior continues even now

The building, which is currently operating as a simple accommodation facility, is a three-story, 12-room apartment that was completed in September 2023. Since its opening in July of the previous year, disruptive behavior by guests has continued to cause trouble for the nearby residents. Resident A expressed their dissatisfaction with the facility as follows:

“This neighborhood has many families with children, and when foreigners gather, even if they are not making noise, we are afraid and can’t leave our homes until they go somewhere else. We can’t speak to them since they don’t understand the language, and we are too scared to say anything in case we anger them.

Also, they carry large suitcases, and they make noise when moving them at any time of day or night. It’s especially loud at night, and since it’s quiet around here, it often feels very disturbing. The operator promised during the residents’ meeting that guests would carry their suitcases by hand. I didn’t think they could enforce that with all the guests, and many times, it hasn’t been followed. Moreover, this is a private road, owned by the residents. Yet, some of the property owners haven’t even received any communication from the operator.”

There have also been issues with littering from cigarettes and guests loitering, and there are frequent instances of incorrect use of the intercom. Problems have also arisen with garbage collection.

“The trash from the ‘minpaku’ is not household waste but business waste, and the collection comes at 3 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, which is very noisy. Even when we asked the authorities to change the time, it was unsuccessful.” (same person)

Some residents have expressed concern about the collapse of the community. When they tried to file complaints about the disruptive behavior, the emergency contact number posted on the apartment wall was unreachable, and even after multiple attempts to reach out on different days, the number remained disconnected. The residents’ stress continues to increase.