JAPAN
Every door opens more
Airbnb’s contribution to Japan’s people, places and prosperity.
Airbnb’s contribution to Japan’s people, places and prosperity.
Every Airbnb door opens more. A place to stay becomes a place to spend. A Host becomes an economic participant and a guest becomes a contributor. While these may be small, distributed decisions, taken together they create something larger: a platform for real economic growth.
From Tokyo’s dense neighbourhoods to rural prefectures like Shimane and Akita, Airbnb stays are evolving Japan’s visitor economy. They bring travellers not just to temples and towers, but to station kiosks, family noodle shops and mountain post offices, embedding value into the seams of daily Japanese life.
Short stays: measurable impact
In 2024, Airbnb supported a JPY 770 billion contribution to Japan’s GDP: JPY 391 billion from direct activity and a further JPY 379 billion through flow on impact. From Osaka’s shopping malls to mountain towns in Nagano, this supported 87,800 jobs and JPY 166 billion in wages - reaching ramen shop workers, cleaners, delivery drivers and station attendants who keep Japan’s daily economy running.
Supporting local communities beyond hosts
Supporting local communities beyond hosts
The value generated by Airbnb extends beyond the hosting transaction, impacting diverse sectors across Japan's economy.
Top sectors by GDP contribution
Top sectors by jobs supported
Spending by guests typically includes transport, dining, entertainment and local services. Hosts rely on tradespeople, cleaners, suppliers and other service providers. These downstream effects help embed tourism value within communities and create flexible job opportunities close to where people live.
The guests behind the spend
With 70 percent of guests coming from overseas, Airbnb connects Japan to global travellers in ways that complement existing tourism pathways and diversify spending outcomes. With an average daily spend of JPY 26,000 per guest in non-accommodation spending and strong representation from international visitors, Airbnb is contributing to achieving the goals of Japan’s New Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan.
Host spotlight
Behind the numbers are individuals who choose to welcome travellers into their neighbourhoods. Hosts range from metropolitan property owners to families in outlying prefectures who see Airbnb as a flexible way to participate in Japan’s visitor economy.
Yasuo & Aiko
Osaka, Japan
"I really wanted to be a Host in my hometown, which I have a strong attachment to. I often say that Osaka is a city that doesn’t need a guidebook. Instead, locals are your best guides. People here are friendly and caring. I think Osaka is a great place for people who are looking to connect with a community. Some of our guests only intend to stay one night, but then they decide to stay a week, then 10 nights, and so on. When I see our children talking to international guests with ease, I realise that travel is something that helps people grow. It’s wonderful for them to have this kind of interaction at home."
About the report
Airbnb commissioned Oxford Economics, a world-leading economic analysis and forecasting firm, to assess the impact of Airbnb’s ecosystem on communities throughout Asia Pacific.
Data source: Airbnb, Oxford Economics. Data based on 12 months from 1 January to 31 December 2024.